Rural Rhythm Records in Nashville has announced that they have signed a contract with bluegrass and Gospel singer/songwriter Tammy Jones Robinette. A new album is expected this Fall with some of the top pickers and singers in bluegrass providing support.
Fans of Southern Gospel know Tammy from her successful career in that field, but 2014 was her first attempt to move directly into bluegrass with her release, Let It Shine. It was produced by Mark Fain of Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, and took Tammy back to her childhood hearing the sounds of mandolins and banjos around the house.
“Because of my raising, Gospel and bluegrass music have always kind of gone together…sort of like peanut butter and jelly. Separate from one another, they are quite wonderful on their own, but together, mmmm…they can be supremely delicious!
When I started looking at it, I realized there were many bluegrass artists that perform Gospel music, but relatively few Gospel artists that have done the reverse, so I decided to trust my instincts and go for it. I’m so glad I did.”
Sam Passamano, President of Rural Rhythm, says that he was happy to get on board with Robinette.
“We were contacted a little too late to get involved with Tammy’s first bluegrass project, but we were really impressed with Tammy, her music and love for bluegrass music, not to mention the high caliber of musicians she surrounded herself with, both in the studio and on the road.
Tammy brings her powerful alto voice to bluegrass, which is a unique quality that sets her apart in the genre. We are so excited about the alliance that has been brought together on both the music and business side to accomplish Tammy’s goal to make new bluegrass fans and share her love of Bluegrass music to others.”
The next album is nearly finished, again with Fain at the helm. Assisting in the studio were Ron Block on banjo, Seth Taylor on guitar, Sam Bush on mandolin, Aubrey Haynie on fiddle, Rob Ickes on reso-guitar, and Fain on bass. Vocal harmonies were provided by Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gulley, Jimmy Fortune and The Whites.
This video below contains audio clips from her previous bluegrass effort.
