Blue Highway with Alan O’Bryant at the live recording session at ETSU
To mark 30 years as a touring and recording group, perennial bluegrass favorites Blue Highway are set to release a retrospective album titled Live at ETSU on April 17 with Down The Road Records.
They’ve dropped a single from that project, so named for the simple fact that it was recorded live at ETSU, engineered by Dan Boner, Director of the school’s Bluegrass, Old Time and Roots Music program.
Blue Highway has chosen for their single a song they originally recorded for their Marbletown album in 2005, one that fans of the band recall as a special favorite. Tears Fell On Missouri, written and sung by Shawn Lane, tells a dreadfully sad tale of a man who calls home from a trip to tell his wife that he won’t be coming home, having found a new love. The lyrics share her heartbreak as she contemplates how to tell their children daddy won’t be coming home.
This live cut features the regular lineup of the band, with guest Barry Bales on bass. Shawn sings lead and plays guitar, with Tim Stafford on second guitar, Jason Burleson on mandolin, and Gary Hultman on reso-guitar. Wayne Taylor and Tim Stafford sing harmony.
It demonstrates what powerful stage performers these guys are, turning in a live recording that sound like a studio session.
Have a listen.
Other guests on Live at ETSU include banjo player Tom Adams, who was a member of Blue Highway for a short while, Justin Moses and Gaven Largent, former reso-guitarists, plus friends of the band Alan O’Bryant, Sierra Hull, and Grayson Lane, Shawn’s son.
Tears Fell On Missouri from the live album is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers are invited to contact Down The Road Records for an airplay copy.
Pre-orders for the full album are likewise enabled from several online resellers.
