The Gibson Brothers Win “Entertainer of the Year” at the 23rd Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards

 The Gibson Brothers took home the “Entertainer of the Year” Award at the 23rd annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Thursday night, September 27 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Brothers Eric and Leigh Gibson, along with their band (Mike Barber, Clayton Campbell and Joe Walsh) also picked up an award for “Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year” for “Singing As We Rise.”

Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice was another big winner of the night, winning “Album of the Year” (The Heart of a Song) and “Single of the Year“ (“A Far Cry From Lester & Earl”). Russell Moore (of Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out) and Dale Ann Bradley were male and female vocalists of the year, respectively, and Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers were the recipients of the prestigious Emerging Artist award. A full listing of all this year’s winners and award recipients appears below.

Ricky Skaggs' COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE Track-By-Track Debuts On SiriusXM's Bluegrass Junction Tomorrow!

Nashville, TN (October 25, 2011) -- Ricky Skaggs' critically-acclaimed COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE's Track-By-Track interview debuts on SiriusXM's Bluegrass Junction tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET. Artist insights and influences abound in the intimate interview with show host, Kyle Cantrell. Released this summer, the CD is exactly what its title suggests: Skaggs' classic Country hits offered up in fresh, new Bluegrass form. The disc includes Ricky's first two Country #1 singles, "Crying My Heart Out Over You" and "I Don't Care," plus eight additional #1 Country hits, such as "Cajun Moon" and "Highway 40 Blues," along with four more fan favorites. The Bluegrass riffs and runs combine with Skaggs' impeccable tenor for an offering that should delight existing fans, and inspire new allegiances as well.

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Michelle Nixon and Drive Release New CD

Mountain Fever Records is very proud to announce the release of a brand new CD by Michelle Nixon & Drive.  “A Place I Belong” has been shipped to radio programmers and is available worldwide today!

Michelle Nixon is no stranger to the stage when it comes to soulful singing.  In fact, she and her band have been a household name among bluegrass enthusiasts for nearly a decade.

The Virginia native won Female Vocalist of the Year from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) in 2006 and later that year was honored to be part of the Daughters of Bluegrass album, Back To The Well which won the International Bluegrass Music Association's Recorded Event of the Year. 

In 2009, The Daughters of Bluegrass took home the award again for the song, "Proud To Be A Daughter" from their follow-up album, Bluegrass Bouquet.

Rural Rhythm Records relocating to Tennessee

Last week we told you Rural Rhythm Records was on the move….now here’s a few more details.
Rural Rhythm Records is relocating from the Los Angeles, CA area to Mt. Juliet, TN. During the next week, the office phone lines will be down, but the company will be checking emails and can be reached on their cell phones. The label’s current PO Box in CA will be kept open until the new mailing address is announced at a later time.

Statement from Rural Rhythm President, Sam Passamano, Jr.

BLUE HIGHWAY TO RELEASE “SOUNDS OF HOME” AUGUST 23

FIRST COLLECTION OF ORIGINAL MATERIAL IN A DECADE

Rounder Records is pleased to announce the release of Blue Highway’s Sounds of Home on August 23.  The album arrives one long decade after Still Climbing Mountains, the band’s first all-original collection. 

Blue Highway has always been known for their ability to create striking original music that resounds with timeless bluegrass, but Sounds of Home is especially rich in the variety of directions that it reaches.

On Sounds Of Home, there’s an unmistakable confidence that can only come with years of shared music making.  Each track features a careful choice of instrumentation and arrangement that benefits the material and meaning.  Blue Highway also brings a thoughtful approach to their vocals – delivering trios, solos and duets that display a profound engagement with their repertoire.

...Each member is among the most distinguished performers on his instrument of choice!...

Having previously released 9 highly acclaimed albums, the members of Blue Highway – Tim Stafford (guitar, vocals), Wayne Taylor (lead vocals, bass), Shawn Lane (tenor vocals, guitar, mandolin, fiddle), Rob Ickes (Dobro, Scheerhorn acoustic slide guitar), and Jason Burleson(banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass vocals) – are some of the most accomplished and exciting musicians in bluegrass today.

On-Line Music Magazine Launches Print Version!

"The Demise of Print Media has Been Greatly Exaggerated" as The Alternate Root Magazine Launches a Print Version of its Popular Online American Roots Music Magazine 

The Alternate Root, LLC, publishers of the popular online American Roots Music magazine, The Alternate Root,
are taking bold steps forward by launching a quarterly print version of the magazine scheduled for August 15, 2011.

While many music magazines have ceased print operations and opted for online only versions, this decision seems to be contrary to current trends in the print magazine industry.

..."We're a strange bunch over here going against the model" ...

"It certainly does seem like a strange decision," admits Bill Hurley, the managing partner of The Alternate Root, LLC. "We're a strange bunch over here but we're embracing new technology and going against the model of filling a magazine with 50% advertising, printing the magazine and then praying it sells."

The Expedition Show signs with Mountain Music Entertainment for Exclusive Artist Representation

Band Celebrates Current Success of Their New Self-titled CD

Mountain Music Entertainment proudly announces exclusive representation of Mountain Fever Records artists, The Expedition Show. Mountain Music Entertainment will provide full artist representation for The Expedition Show under the new agreement. The representation will begin immediately.
"Blake and Kimberly Williams and Wayne Southards are genuine and sincere people. I have known Blake for over 30 years and I look forward to this professional relationship with them. With Alex Hibbitts rounding out the band line-up, you couldn't ask for a better group of folks with which to affiliate yourself" said Steve Johnson, President and CEO of Mountain Music Entertainment. "I hope everyone will take the opportunity to get to know their music and stage shows. They offer a musical journey during every performance."

New Flamekeeper Lineup To Be Announced Soon!

We heard from Michael Cleveland, the reigning and 4-time IBMA Instrumental Artist of the Year, regarding the current status of Flamekeeper!

"I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the support over the last few months.  Change is never easy but it is something you can always count on.  I've had a lot of fun the pickin' with some of the best musicians around and I wanted take a minute and say thanks to Dave Harvey, David Peterson, Andy Todd, Ron Shuffler, Chris Harris, Glenn Gibson and Jeff Guernsey for being ready and willing to jump in and help me out.  Also, I want to thank Charlie Cushman for all his help with scheduling players and with auditioning the new members.

Bluegrass Business is Good! Telluride Festival Officially SOLD OUT!

We've just been informed that this year's Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the 38th Annual - (June 16-19, 2011) - is now "Officially" completely sold-out.  This is the earliest Telluride sell-out since the early '90s.

Back in early April we had some advance warnings a "Sell-Out" was extremely likely when Brian Eyster of Planet Bluegrass, primary organizer for the event, confirmed at that time that the festival had sold all its four-day passes, all its camping passes and all its limited single-day passes for Friday, June 17, Saturday, June 18, and Sunday, June 19.

At that time, the only tickets still available are the $65 single-day passes for Thursday, June 16.