Brown County Red from IIIrd Tyme Out

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme OutIIIrd Tyme Out has released a debut single from their upcoming 2015 album, their first of new songs since 2011.

We had a nice chat with lead singer and guitarist Russell Moore last week, and he shared his thoughts about the song, and recording with his new lineup. The band has also launched their own label, called Break A String, playing off the old saw from the theater, break a leg.

Russell brought two new members into the group last year, Blake Johnson on bass and tenor vocals, and Keith McKinnon on banjo and baritone vocals. This was the first major change in the band for some time, and the first occasion they have had to replace both of Moore’s trio singing partners at the same time.

But Russell says that the music has really clicked, and they all get along great.

Russell Moore“This lineup is something special for 3TO. The chemistry is amazing, and I feel like it’s among the best we’ve had.

We are so excited about this new recording. It’s been several years since we had a new bluegrass release. Prime Tyme was our last album of new material, more than four years ago. We didn’t want to rush into it with the new guys – it doesn’t feel right going into the studio until you have the cohesiveness that only comes from playing together for a while.

Kyle Burnett wrote this new single, Brown County Red. He’s a young songwriter, and his writing really impresses me. He sounds like a veteran writer, but he’s only in his early 20s. Keith has known Kyle for years, and when we were ready to record, asked him if he had any new songs. He sent us this one, and it got our attention right away both for being in 3/4 time, and for having a fast tempo. It’s a really exciting sound for a song with this mode – it’s makes you a little edgy.”

The band has released this behind the scenes video, which includes audio from Brown County Red.

 

Russell said that he hopes to get the guys back in the studio when they have an opening in their schedule in mid-April, but he won’t venture a guess as to when they will have it finished. He did mention that it will be as soon as possible, sometime this summer.

Brown County Red is available to radio programmers now through Airplay Direct.

A couple of other IIIrd Tyme Out notes…

Blake Johnson is recovering nicely after his recent hospitalization. He was released on Wednesday of last week, after having being admitted through an abundance of caution owing to his previous illness. After checking him out carefully following some digestive issues, everything came back good, and he was out with the band last weekend.

Also, the band’s celebrated Cracker Barrell CD is likely to be re-released in 2016, after it’s 3-year exclusive with the restaurant chain. Fans will soon be able to purchase a copy at IIIrd Tyme Out shows.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.