9 Feb
Rural Rhythm Records just told us the sad news that Jim McCall passed away today at the age of 79. Jim was a Rural Rhythm Artist in the 60’s & 70’s with the group Earl Taylor & Jim McCall with The Stoney Mountain Boys and Jim’s son, Dwight McCall is on the current label roster.
Rural Rhythm Records and Hope River Entertainment would like to express our deepest sympathies to the McCall Family during their time of loss.
3 Feb
Michael Martin Murphey's "Buckaroo Blue Grass II"
Michael Martin Murphey and his Buckaroo Blue Grass friends ride again on the February 9, 2010 album release of BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS II. The album expands on his passions of his Grammy nominated album, “BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS,” creating fully acoustic bluegrass versions of songs about the region to which Murphey has been deeply connected for a lifetime – the American Southwest.
The high lonesome sound in bluegrass music has always appealed to the cowboy soul. Somehow the acoustic instruments used in bluegrass have a drive, energy and expansive quality – an almost mystical “wide open country” sort of feeling that seems built into the design. You can hear and feel it on Rob Ickes‘ country sound in the new version of “Wildfire.” It seems the American West has produced “running-wide-open” acoustic musicians like Pat Flynn, Sam Bush, Rob Ickes and Ryan Murphey who have been key in developing the Buckaroo Blue Grass sound as they blaze a trail connecting Cowboy and Western music to Bluegrass by exploring Wild West sonic spaces.
Michael Martin Murphey and Carrie Hassler in the studio
Murphey has utilized his label’s strong roster of top bluegrass artists to help further define his Buckaroo Blue Grass sound. Included on the new album is a powerful duet performance with bluegrass veteran Audie Blaylock covering the classic Marty Robbins hit “Running Gun.” Also, included is a stunning duet version of his mega hit, “Wildfire” with # 1 hit artist, Carrie Hassler. “It doesn’t surprise me that the new duet version of Wildfire is having an overwhelming response from radio listeners when they first hear it and if this is any indication of what to expect from the forthcoming BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS II album, then I suspect the excitement level on that will be high as well,” said Today’s Country Magazine’s Jeff Kurtis.
“In the past two decades, no musical artist has done more to chronicle, preserve and further the cowboy culture than Michael Martin Murphey,” wrote David McGee for BluegrassSpecial.com. “(His music) overflows with life, enough for many of us. To saddle up with Murph is to come in closer touch with enduring truths.”
Michael Martin Murphey’s songs have been recorded by Bluegrass Artists such as Flatt and Scruggs, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Seldom Scene, Country Gentlemen, Bluegrass Cardinals, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many others. BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS II reprises many of his songs covered by Bluegrass bands, performed with a stellar cast of bluegrass players and singers that includes; Carrie Hassler, Audie Blaylock, Sam Bush, Rob Ickes, Andy Hall, Ronnie McCoury, Pat Flynn, Charlie Cushman, Andy Leftwich and more.
For more information on Michael Martin Murphey and his Grammy nominated album, BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS, and next week’s BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS II, please visit his site or Rural Rhythm Records.
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RURAL RHYTHM RECORDS
Rural Rhythm Records
Sammy Passamano, III | Email
Radio: AirplayDirect.com
MEDIA CONTACT
Hope River Entertainment
Penni McDaniel | Email
678.377.3298 / 770.367.1480
30 Jan
Michael Martin Murphey
Michael Martin Murphey’s “Buckaroo Blue Grass” album (Rural Rhythm Records) has been nominated for BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM. Watch his performance on the 52nd GRAMMY Pre-Telecast to Stream Live! Sunday, January 31 – 1-4 pm PT
The Pre-telecast will feature Grammy nominated presenters and performers including Michael Martin Murphey!
For more information on Michael Martin Murphey please visit www.michaelmartinmurphey.com
15 Jan
Brandon Rickman
Congratulations to BRANDON RICKMAN for winning Strictly Country’s Spirit Song of the Year for “Wearin’ Her Knees Out Over Me.” The song appears on Brandon’s current solo album, “YOUNG MAN, OLD SOUL” (Rural Rhythm Records.)
“Wow, I was really surprised and very honored to learn of the Spirit Award Song of The Year.” I wrote this song with Jerry Salley and Justin David - we are all thrilled with this award! It is an honor to be included with such a who’s who list in country music,” said Brandon.
READ OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM STRICTLY COUNTRY
It’s a Heat Wave…With Hot Country Music News!
Hudson, WI - We began the year below zero degrees Fahrenheit outside, however, the temperature is rising with this hot country music news. Strictly Country’s President, Gina Kay Singerhouse, continues the celebration by announcing the winners of the 15th Annual Spirit Awards.
Fans of country music have officially voted to present the following awards to the following entertainers: Ash Bowers walks away with Entertainer of the Year, Performance of the Year, Starbound Award and Best of the Best. These Spirit Awards are Mr. Bower’s first.
Brad Paisley claims his third consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year. While Taylor Swift claims her second Spirit Award with Female Vocalist of The Year Award. Where as Rascal Flatts earn their second Spirit Award claiming Vocal Group of the Year. The honor of Living Legend of the Year is awarded to Randy Travis.
However the big surprise came with the Spirit Award’s Song of The Year. The fans overwhelming voted for “Wearin’ Her Knees Out Over Me” recorded by Brandon Rickman.
The other surprise came when the staff at Strictly Country named Wynonna Judd as Entertainer of The Decade.
“Wynonna is truly a remarkable entertainer,” stated President of Strictly Country Gina Kay Singerhouse. “Her live performances are experiences. She captures the hearts and souls of those who attend and then releases them with vast inspiration!”
This year, marks the fifteenth anniversary of the Spirit Awards. The Spirit Awards began as an opportunity for any country music entertainer to be nominated. To earn a nomination, each country music entertainer must have performed or made a public appearance within a designated area of the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The awards then give the public the opportunity to vote for their favorite country music entertainer. This year fans were able to choose from fifty-two nominees.
Check out the new issue of Strictly Country!
8 Jan
LRB opening the 2009 IBMA Awards Show at the Ryman
The Lonesome River Band ended 2009 celebrating a #1 album (“No Turning Back“), a #1 single (“Them Blues“) and numerous other chart topping songs. Band members, Sammy Shelor, Brandon Rickman, Andy Ball, Mike Hartgrove and Mike Anglin are currently at Mountain Fever Studio in Riner, VA recording their highly anticipated second album on the California-based Rural Rhythm label.
Brandon is also celebrating his 2009 solo album, “Young Man, Old Soul,” also on Rural Rhythm. The album and numerous singles have also been climbing airplay and year-end charts including Roughstock.com naming it in their Top Country Albums of 2009.
Stay tuned for more information and please visit their site for a complete 2010 tour schedule.
7 Jan
(Event was previously scheduled for Jan 30, but due to severe weather, it has been rescheduled for February 28th)
Birthplace of Country Music Alliance
Presents: Pickin’ – A Bluegrass All-Star Jam
Paramount Center, Bristol TN
February 28, 2010
Show Times: 2:30 & 7:30 pm
Performances by:
Dale Ann Bradley - 2007, 2008, 2009 IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year
A “Who’s Who” collection of bluegrass musicians is coming to Bristol for 2 shows on February 28, 2010 at 2:30 & 7:30 pm. Bluegrass artists will perform in a song circle format during this special program. Come join us and host, Cindy Baucom (deejay for the nationally syndicated radio show Knee Deep in Bluegrass) for an unforgettable time showcasing some of the best bluegrass music!
Click here to print your own flyer!
PERFORMANCES BY: Sammy Shelor, Dale Ann Bradley, Don Rigsby, Justin Moses, Terry Baucom, Phil Leadbetter, Steve Gulley, Kenny and Amanda Smith, Mike Bub, Mike Compton, Tim Stafford, Alan Bibey, Kim Fox, Missy Raines, and Adam Haynes!
Sammy Shelor
The Bluegrass All Star Jam is truly a unique experience.
Where else can you see the ultimate bluegrass super group?
“All the stars have to line up in the sky. It is a great event. It is rare. It is like bringing backstage up to center stage.” Dale Ann Bradley
For more more information, please contact
The Paramount info at: www.theparamountcenter.com
TICKETS: Paramount Box Office – 423-274-8920, Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 EST or visit www.etix.com
If you would like to book the BLUEGRASS ALL-STAR JAM at your venue, please contact:
Roe Entertainment
Jim Roe (Email)
PO Box 6003
Owensboro, KY 42301
Phone: 877-688-5885 (TOLL FREE)
Fax: 270-688-5881
Phone: 270-688-5885
Cell: 270-302-0992
MEDIA CONTACT
Hope River Entertainment
Penni McDaniel
678.377.3298
Email
7 Jan
Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the January 12, 2010 new album release, “SOUTHERN” by Bill Em
erson and Sweet Dixie. The band kicks off their 2010 tour with an interview on WAMU Radio with host, Katy Daley (2009 IBMA Radio Personality of the Year) on the day of release from 9:00 – 10:00 am; plus an upcoming SIRIUS-XM Track by Track interview with host Kyle Cantrell on his “Bluegrass Junction” radio show.
“SOUTHERN” is a mixture of contemporary and traditional bluegrass, modern country, English folk, acoustic instrumental and gospel tunes – many of which are unrecorded originals. The songs were written by highly acclaimed songwriters such as Pete Goble, Vince Gill, Carl Jackson, Chris Hillman, Tim Stafford, Hazel Dickens, Lionel Cartwright and Marty Stuart.
The album also includes numerous highlights: special guest fiddler, Frank Solivan on the newly released single, “I Don’t Care Anymore;” a banjo duet with Bill Emerson and Janet Davis along with acoustic lead guitar by John Miller on “Grandma’s Tattoos;” special guest,world class fiddler and Emmy Lou Harris band member, Rickie Simpkins; and more!
“SOUTHERN” will be available nationally in the physical and digital formats including: iTunes, Rhapsody, Borders, Barnes & Nobel, Amazon, Ernest Tubb Record Shops, County Sales, Music Shed, Elderly Instruments and many more.
Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie includes: Teri Chism (bass, lead and harmony vocals); Wayne Lanham (mandolin, lead and harmony vocals); Tom Adams (guitar, lead and harmony vocals); plus the talents of Bill Emerson on 5-string banjo who also produced the CD. For more information on Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie including their 2010 tour schedule and new album, please visit their website. For more information on Rural Rhythm Records, please visit RuralRhythm.com
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RADIO AND RECORD LABEL CONTACT:
Rural Rhythm Records
Contact: Sammy Passamano, III
Email
MEDIA CONTACT
Hope River Entertainment
Penni McDaniel
678.377.3298 / 770.367.1480
Email
4 Jan
Rural Rhythm Records
Rural Rhythm Records announces some great new CD releases for early 2010. More to be announced soon!
January 12, 2010 – Randy Kohrs – “Quicksand”
January 12, 2010 – Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie “Southern”
February 9, 2010 – Michael Martin Murphey “Buckaroo Blue Grass 2″
February 9, 2010 – Brand New Strings – “No Strings Attached“
March 16, 2010 – Reno & Smiley with Carter and Ralph Stanley “Bluegrass 1963″
March 16, 2010 – Mac Wiseman with Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise “Bluegrass 1971″
March 30, 2010 - Audie Blaylock & Redline – title tba
31 Dec
Congratulations to Brandon Rickman! One of our fav sites, ROUGHSTOCK.com has named Brandon’s current chart topping album, “YOUNG MAN, OLD SOUL“ (Rural Rhythm Records) in their TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS OF 2009.
Brandon is the lead singer and guitarist for the amazing LONESOME RIVER BAND who are also celebrating an incredible year with their own #1 CHART ALBUM, “NO TURNING BACK.”
For more info on Brandon Rickman, please visit our site or Lonesome River Band.
4 Nov
Melonie Cannon
One of Nashville’s most beloved female vocalists, Melonie Cannon, has announced her recent battle with an addiction to prescription medications. Melonie describes the experience by revealing, “I was in a dark hole and I didn’t even know it. I became isolated from family and friends. In just a couple of years, I went from being on prescribed medications to being addicted to prescription medications. It felt like there was no way out because no one would understand what I was going through. Prescription drug addiction has become a huge problem in this country, and I’m not ashamed to talk about it.”
“But with the help of my Daddy, Mom and husband, I gathered the courage to check into a residential rehab facility,” she continued. “I’ll never forget how alone I had been feeling for such a long time. But to my complete surprise, I had 14 visitors on my first Sunday in treatment! Just when I thought I didn’t have anybody, I had EVERYBODY and they were all still pulling for me and loved me no matter what!”
Melonie Cannon "And The Wheels Turn"
Melonie was headed to the lowest point in her struggle around October 2008 – the same time as the release of her brand new Rural Rhythm Records album, “AND THE WHEELS TURN.” The first single, “I Call It Gone” was already having huge success on bluegrass radio, along with rave album and single reviews. In January of this year, the label continued on track with the country radio release of “Back to Earth,” a duet with country legend Willie Nelson, plus the release of a beautiful music video filmed on Nelson’s Texas ranch.
Both songs were extremely successful, with “I Call It Gone” hitting #1 in the Sirius-XM Top 40 bluegrass song chart and spending 9 months on Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s Top 30 Singles Chart. “Back to Earth” garnered significant adds on Country Radio stations in the U.S. and Europe, with the video appearing on CMT’s Pure 12-Pack Countdown TV program. The “Back to Earth” video is still on the program’s voting list at CMT.com.
“I realize I will always struggle with an addictive personality,” Melonie stated. “Since I grew up the child of an addict/alcoholic, chaos was the only thing I knew! But instead of trying to point my finger at my Dad, he has now become my inspiration to live right each day. He tried to help me for so long, but one day, he just stopped looking at me. That was the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with. But today I am working closely with him again and we are talking about our next record. I was so scared we would never work together again! But God stepped in and I stepped up!”
With the announcement of her recent struggles, Melonie was thrilled that Rural Rhythm Records will issue a special free download of “Send A Little Love,” another moving song from the album produced by Ronnie Bowman and her Dad, Buddy Cannon. Bowman and John Scott Scherrill, two of her best friends in the music business, composed this heartfelt tune. “I feel like singing those lyrics to everyone…..’and let it shine, just like the sun. Let it pour on down on everyone.’ That is how I feel – like the sun is shining down again! I love life and I’m so happy to be a part of each and every day,” said Melonie.
Rural Rhythm Records recently released a single, “Dark Shadows” to bluegrass radio via their Fresh Cuts and Key Tracks #5 radio sampler CD. Melonie is thrilled to be back focusing on her career – “I am looking forward to getting back to touring next year and supporting this album that is so dear to my heart.”
Rural Rhythm Records
Contact: Sammy Passamano, III
Email
MEDIA CONTACT
Hope River Entertainment
Penni McDaniel 678.377.3298
Email
MANAGEMENT CONTACT:
Key Artist Management
Dottie Moore
Email
4 Jan
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
2009 was a great year for Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out’s new self-titled CD on Rural Rhythm Records! Recent accolades for the album including:
WNCW Radio’s TOP 50 BLUEGRASS CDs of 2009 (#10)
KSON Radio’s TOP 50 BLUEGRASS CDs of 2009 (#17)
CountryStarsOnline.com’s TOP 10 ALBUMS of 2009 (#9)
BluegrassJournal.com’s 2009 BEST BLUEGRASS CDS of 2009
WCYO Radio’s TOP SONGS OF 2009 (#1) by host Charlie Hall (“Hard Rock Mountain Prison...”)
BLUEGRASS RADIO NETWORK’S TOP PICKS OF 2009 by host Terry Herd (“Hard Rock Mountain Prison…“)
Favorite Songs of 2009 (“Hard Rock Mountain Prison...” click here to view
NOTE: Today we learned the band’s sound engineer, Donnie Carver, was hospitalized last week due to a heart attack, plus suffered a second one while at the hospital. Donnie is now resting at home until a decision can be made on possible surgery. We wish Donnie a speedy recovery!
