Rural Rhythm has released a debut single from the upcoming Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie album, due March 4. It’s the title track, Dancin’ Annie, written and sung by Sweet Dixie guitarist Chris Stifel.
The new record contains 12 new tracks, including State Line Ride, a new instrumental from banjo legend Emerson, who has the distinction of serving as the original banjo man with The Country Gentlemen in 1957. He left after a year and worked separately with with Jimmy Martin, Red Allen and Cliff Waldron over the next twelve years. Bill returned to the Gentlemen in 1970 and recorded the classic Award Winning Country Gentlemen album along with Doyle Lawson, Bill Yates, Ricky Skaggs and sole remaining founding member, Charlie Waller.
Emerson also served in the US Navy band for twenty years (’73-’93), during which time he continued to record on his own. After leaving the Navy he retired for a few years, but the bluegrass bug bit again and he was back with Sweet Dixie in 2007.
Emerson and Stifel are joined in the band by Wayne Lanham on guitar and Terri Chism on bass. All save Bill are featured as lead vocalists.
Here’s a listen to a piece of the title cut…
Radio programmers can download the single now from Airplay Direct.
