The annual Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival will go on with no interruption to the musical program or accommodations due to the wildfires.
However, the festival (held December 7-10 ) has also has been blessed with the opportunity to help local residents who have been impacted by the devastating fire that has ravaged the area.
The Roys are very excited to be in the planning stage of a new 3-day festival to be launched in 2016!
The Roys will host "A Bluegrass Kinda Christmas" at the Hilton North Raleigh Midtown December 15th-17th, 2016.
Award-winning brother/sister duo The Roys' latest release, BLUEGRASS KINDA CHRISTMAS on Rural Rhythm Records, was named one of Rolling Stone's 10 Best Country Christmas Albums of 2014.
The album was released in November and has been met with high critical acclaim. The Roys are in very good company, with other acts including Darius Rucker, Sara Evans, LeAnn Rimes, the Nashville Cast and more.
The Southwestern Ohio band Nightflyer is offering a free download of a Christmas song on their website this holiday season.
They recorded an a cappella version of “O Holy Night” and would like to share it.
Bluegrass Singer-Songwriter Cindy G has made the single “444 Chicken Bone Road” from her critically acclaimed album The Road available for the first time to radio and is now seeking bluegrass adds.
Currently working on her upcoming 2015 release Train of Thought with producer Jim Van Cleve and all-star bluegrass band Rob Ickes, Bryan Sutton, Aaron Ramsey, Scott Vestal and Todd Phillips, she also offers her Christmas song “Raise Your Voices,” a secret track from the upcoming album.
THE ROYS are bringing the holidays to your home with their newest CD, BLUEGRASS KINDA CHRISTMAS! by pre-order at Walmart, Amazon and iTunes.
The disc will be in stores November 18 or by Pre-Order from Walmart, Amazon and iTunes. *
Tune in this Sunday, December 22nd, 1:30pm ET - Blockbuster Studio (ch. 102) on the DISH Network.
CHRISTMAS: THE MOUNTAIN WAY is a live performance musical show that showcases Christmas and its traditions in the Appalachian Mountains.
From the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, one of the most entertaining bands in the bluegrass genre, Nothin’ Fancy has just released their first Christmas Album.
After 10 previous CDs the band says, "We are proud to add 'A Nothin' Fancy Christmas' to our discography of 10 other bluegrass CDs." This will be the first CD release from the band since 2008's "Lord Bless This House"
Singer songwriter Donna Ulisse and her band The Poor Mountain Boys will be performing songs from her landmark Christmas album All The Way To Bethlehem on WSMV TV's More at Midday Show on Friday, December 6, 2013.
The show airs in the Nashville market from 12 noon to 1 p.m. central time. But for those who are not in the Nashville area, tune into the live stream link. http://www.wsmv.com/category/213709/news-live-stream
"Christmas Time's A-Comin'
And I know I'm goin' home."
The song, first recorded by Bill Monroe in 1951 but later covered by countless scores of country, bluegrass, and pop artists was written by bluegrass fiddler Tex Logan.
Jeff Parker (Daily & Vincent) is heading back into the studio to begin work on a Christmas album that will release later this year, just in time to hit the airwaves for the Christmas season!
Musicians joining Jeff on this project include Paul Hollowell, Mark Fain, Bob Mummert, Seth Taylor, BJ Cherryholmes, and Jessie Baker.
To celebrate the Christmas season, sister-duo Scenic Roots (Erin and Amber Rogers) is giving away a sampler CD through Noisetrade.com.
Included on the sampler is their brand new, unreleased Christmas single, "Christmas Time is Here", written by Katy and Penny Clark (www.thepurplehulls.com).
The Christmas 4 Kids Tour Bus Show in Henderson, TN Monday featured buses from some of today’s top artists, whose drivers graciously open their doors.
For a small donation, fans got the chance to see what the Roys’ and other artists’ home-away-from-home are really like.
The Christmas 4 Kids Tour Bus Show is a 2-night package deal with a parade, bus show and shopping.
Sam Bush is offering a special E-Card from you to whom ever you choose and it’s free as a gift from Sam to you.
Just give Sam your Email address and the address of your friend, family member, co-worker or anyone you choose.
Here’s the link: www.sambush.com/xmas/
Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, Tommy Jonny and Robbie Mizzone, who have appeared on national television before now have a national TV Commercial airing.
The family was contacted by guitar center's ad agency who knew of the boys. The group was asked to put together a 15 second spot which will air across network and cable television starting this Thursday through Sunday.
The Guitar Center operates physical stores in 44 states plus their mail-order website serves a world-wide customer base.
The fifteen-second spot is part of a series featuring talented young musicians playing in their own bedrooms and thanking Santa or Mom & Dad for not getting them…..socks, video games, etc. for Christmas.
Need a list of Mandolin Christmas songs…..? Well we’re certain that all of our Disc Jockey friends and readers will appreciate Mandolin Café coming to the rescue this year with a very nifty list and they’re checking it more than twice.
Up to now there have been a few small lists of Christmas music and even smaller lists that were specifically dedicated to just one instrument.
A person looking for anything in the way of special Christmas music would have to navigate here, there and everywhere to find only a few at a time. Mandolin Café says this isn’t all there is but as far as we’re concerned it’s a heck of a good start. You can check back often as they continue to update the list. Here’s what they have so far and if you like to shop on-line they’ve even included some purchase links next to each recording.
Cia Cherryholmes Adkisson , of the singer-songwriter duo, Songs of the Fall, is excited to be a part of Mark O'Connor's Christmas Tour - a five city tour through the month of December.
Cia will be playing banjo, and will sing several selections during the concert.
All information for the shows, as well as ticketing, can be found on the Tour link below:
The Hillbenders give us “Feliz Navidad”
Radio folks got the word yesterday and already stations are programming various cuts from Wayne Taylor’s latest effort, a collection of some new and some old favorites for the holidays. From the angelic voice of Detour’s Missy Armstrong on “Away In A Manger” to the novelty approach on “Dueling Jingle Bells,” Wayne has put together a fine collection with some of the best in the business – but nothing was mentioned about the CD being available to the public. We contacted Wayne about this and he sent us the following press release.
