John Lawless, Author at Bluegrass Today

I’ll Be Here Either Way from Crying Uncle

Newly signed with Engelhardt Music Group, California bluegrass prodigies Crying Uncle have released a single, I’ll Be Here Either Way.

This talented young group was originally noticed for their fiery instrumental abilities, but they are also adept songwriters and singers, as this latest single attests.

Mandolinist Teo Quayle says that he is fond of this, his first song.

“I’ll Be Here Either Way started as a hook which I had been messing around with for a while. That hook eventually became the chorus of the song. From there, I wrote each verse and the bridge around that central idea. Although the story of the song doesn’t pertain specifically to my life, its message is one to which many people can relate.

I’ll Be Here Either Way is special to me because it is the first song with lyrics that I’ve written.”

Support comes from Teo’s older brother Miles on fiddle, Ian Ly on guitar, and Andrew Osborn on bass. They turn in a fine, radio-friendly track, sure to appeal to the younger component of bluegrass lovers.

Have a listen…

I’ll Be Here Either Way is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers can reach out to EMG for an airplay copy.

Paul and Joe Mullins to Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame

The Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame in Waynesville, OH has announced that Paul “Moon” Mullins and his son, Joe Mullins, will be inducted in 2025. Both father and son are recognized as bluegrass music icons, as well as celebrated radio broadcasters, in the state of Ohio.

Current bluegrass lovers are well acquainted with Joe, from his highly-successful touring band, The Radio Ramblers, his country and bluegrass radio network in southwestern Ohio, Real Roots Radio, and his twice-yearly festivals, Industrial Strength Bluegrass. But Joe is quick to attribute his natural talent, his professionalism, and his passion of broadcasting to his dad, along with his love for bluegrass and gospel music.

Paul, who died in 2008 at 71 years of age, was among the many Kentuckians who moved north to southern Ohio in search of work, though his career in music started in eastern Kentucky. A noted fiddler, a skill he picked up while stationed in Alaska with the US Army in the late 1950s, he went to work for The Stanley Brothers for a time when he was discharged. He then joined The Bluegrass Playboys, for whom he wrote the now classic song, Katy Daley, which they recorded as Katie Daly, which was based on an Irish drinking song.

As he became a popular radio host in Kentucky, and later Ohio, “Moon,” a nickname that derived from a popular comic strip, was also sought out as an MC at bluegrass festivals, a role he also served at the Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festivals in Brown County, IN at Bill Monroe’s behest.

Paul was involved in the founding of two 20th Century bluegrass bands that make the history books, The Boys From Indiana and The Traditional Grass, the latter of which was the bluegrass world’s introduction to a fresh-faced young banjo player and tenor singer named Joe Mullins.

That tenure with The Traditional Grass allowed Joe to go from a band member in his father’s group to leading his own band, absent the many years of working as a sideman with various groups on the way to becoming a solo artist. His own radio career was cemented when he purchased WBZI in Xenia, OH in 1995, followed shortly thereafter by a pair of other small regional stations. The Real Roots Radio signal now broadcasts on all three, as well as via online streaming, covering the bulk of southwestern Ohio and parts of Cincinnati and northern Kentucky.

Joe Mullins carries the family name forward in bluegrass with his many activities, which include hosting the widely-syndicated radio show, Front Porch Fellowship, while his son, Daniel, makes his own career in the bluegrass business world. Daniel has a popular noon time show on Real Roots Radio, and currently manages the two annual Industrial Strength Bluegrass Festivals.

Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame Director Jackie Thomas says of their 2025 inductees…

“The Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame remains true to its commitment of honoring Ohioans who have excelled in maintaining the genre of traditional country music with the induction of Paul Mullins (posthumously) and Joe Mullins. Both men have made it their mission to promote and preserve Ohio’s rich musical legacy. Their commitment to this aligns perfectly with our mission to ‘preserve the past in order to ensure the future’ for generations to come.”

The Mullinses will be inducted on April 26 during a ceremony at the Keepin’ It Country Farm in Waynesville, OH, starting at 7:00 p.m. The Radio Ramblers will perform, along with The Richard Lynch Band. Tickets for the show can be purchased online.

Many congratulations to Joe and Paul Mullins for this richly deserved honor!

2025 Podunk and Hazel Dickens songwriting contests open

Attention songwriters: two of the major bluegrass songwriting contests have opened their submissions for the 2025 events. Both the Podunk Songwriters Contest, put on by the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival in Goshen, CT, and the Hazel Dickens Song Contest, managed by the DC Bluegrass Union, are accepting entries online.

Both competitions award cash pries, and limit eligibility to songwriters who do not receive 50% of their income from song royalties.

The Hazel Dickens contest, named in honor of the Hall of Fame singer and songwriter who made the DC region her home for so many years, is closing entries on January 12, so due haste is recommended to all interested in entering online. It offers a first prize of $500, with $250 and $100 going to second and third place winners.

Past winners of the Dickens contest include a number of writers who have gone on to have their songs recorded and chart on our Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay chart, like Carley Arrowood, David Morris, John Cloyd Miller, Liam Purcell, Corrina Rose Logston Stephens, and Gina Clowes.

For the Podunk contest, submissions are open until April 30, and both require a low $25/song entry fee. They offer a $200 first prize, with $150 and $100 to second and third.

Visit either the Podunk or DCBU web sites to see all of the rules and guidelines, as well as details for submitting your song(s) via postal mail or email. It’s a great way to get your song heard, as the judges tend to be recording artists and writers themselves, and the winning songs will receive radio play and/or placement online.

A reminder that the Podunk festival also sponsors a band competition during their August event.

Video Premiere: When It Rains, She Pours from Nu-Blu

Nu-Blu debuts their new music video today, a thoughtful, slice of life presentation of their current single with Turnberry Records, When It Rains, She Pours.

It’s something of a departure for the husband-and-wife duo that leads Nu-Blu, Daniel and Carolyn Routh, in that guitarist Daniel sings the lead on this one. Though he takes the lead on a healthy percentage of the material on their live show, their radio releases tend to be sung by Carolyn, who plays bass with the group.

When It Rains, She Pours comes from the writing team of Tim Stafford, Kim Williams, Larry Shell, and Dawn Frank, and tells of a doomed relationship distorted by alcohol abuse.

Daniel says that he saw the potential in this one right away.

“When we first heard this song, it immediately pulled me in. With songwriters like this behind it, you know it’s going to be good. I told the team we had to cut it! We originally planned to film a video at a later date, but when it became our most-streamed song, and climbed the radio charts, we knew we had to act fast.

When It Rains, She Pours isn’t just a song; it’s a story that resonates with so many people. We wanted the video to reflect that raw, emotional truth.”

Once they decided that this song needed a video, the band built a set and created a concept over the course of two days. The final result nicely captures the sadness and despair that drives the sort of drinking that can break a family or a relationship apart.

Daniel sings it powerfully, supported by Carolyn on bass, Austin Hefflefinger on banjo, and Justin Harrison on mandolin.

Give it a look/listen…

When It Rains, She Pours, and the full Where You’ve Been album on which it is contained, are available from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers can get a copy of the track at Get It Played.

Reach from Becky Buller with Alison Brown, Sierra Hull, Missy Raines, and Molly Tuttle

For her next single, singer, songwriter, fiddler, and bandleader Becky Buller has assembled a group of Nashville superpickers on a twice-removed cover from the 1970s. She enlisted Molly Tuttle on guitar, Sierra Hull on mandolin, Alison Brown on banjo, and Missy Raines on bass.

The song she’s chosen, Reach has been a hit first for pop-rockers Orleans, written by one of their guitarists and vocalists, John Hall and his wife, Johanna, and again when re-recorded by New Grass Revival in 1981.

It’s something of a feel good, positive vibes kind of song, which Buller says hit her right in the feels.

“Reach has become an anthem for me. I’m reflected in the verses: never satisfied, incredibly driven, caught up in how I’ve always done things…. But the chorus empowers me to open my arms out wide, stretch my fingers as far as I can, and grab onto those dreams I keep chasing.

Ironically, the very process of recording this track has grown me in unexpected, yet wonderful ways.”

The track largely follows the New Grass arrangement, with Becky singing lead. Having seen it performed live by both Orleans and the Revival, I can say that these ladies have turned in a very creditable redo.

Have a listen…

Reach from Becky Buller on Dark Shadow Recording is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

Buddy Melton departing Balsam Range

Buddy Melton, fiddler, vocalist, and founding member of perennial bluegrass headliners Balsam Range, has announced his departure from the group.

Since the band’s founding in 2007 by five friends living in Haywood County, NC – just west of Asheville – Melton has been a critical creative force in the band, and probably their most recognizable lead singer. During this time they have released 13 successful recordings, and acquired 13 IBMA awards. Multiple single releases have made it to the #1 spot on our Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay chart, many of them with Buddy’s voice out front.

But the time has come for him to move on, as he makes plain in a statement issued today about this change.

“After a lot of thought and prayer, and trust me, this has been a long debating process in my head, I have made the decision to step away from Balsam Range.

The Balsam Range time period has been an incredible chapter in my life. I am extremely proud of all we have accomplished, and I hope my contributions to Balsam Range have had a positive impact on others. We have taken the heritage of Haywood County, NC, around the world and created a musical legacy that will continue for years to come. I am very proud of all the hard work put into this chapter of my life and grateful for the sacrifices made to help make this journey possible.

I am honored to have recorded and shared the stage with each of the incredible men who have been and are Balsam Range. I will forever be grateful for their friendships and look forward to seeing and supporting what great things they do. I am equally thankful for all the support received from my family, friends, and the entire bluegrass community.

My departure from Balsam Range is just the beginning of new things. I am definitely not departing from the music I love. It is and will always be a big part of who I am. I am at a point at which I want to pursue other interests on my own schedule. Lots of fun projects in the works, so stay tuned.

So many incredible memories! So many incredible people met along the path. So many wonderful friendships developed! My time with Balsam Range has been nothing short of amazing!!!!

All I can say, with much Love, is Thank You!!”

Balsam Range says that they support their fellow founder as he steps aside.

“After long reflection of successfully working as a key member in a thriving engineering business v. 25 years of heavy commitments in the entertainment business, our partner and friend, Buddy Melton, is stepping away from Balsam Range. Buddy is (and has been) a dedicated professional in all of his undertakings, but he has come to the decision to focus on directions that give him room to rejuvenate, while at the same time, being more productive locally.

We love Buddy and his family, and we have enjoyed some amazing times together, both on and off the stage. Millions of miles traveled and thousands of shows performed have created a lifetime of incredible memories. Buddy, your dedication and passion have left a lasting impact on all of us. As you move forward into the next chapter, we are happy to support you in whatever you do. Here’s to the future and all it holds for you. Tim, Caleb, Marc, and Alan look forward to 2025, to continue taking the music and love of Balsam Range to music halls and festivals across the US. We will have special guests with us that folks will recognize and want to hear.

Our long-time agent, Mike Drudge, continues to work closely with our dear friend and marketer, Mandy Tenery, to keep Balsam Range continuously moving forward, and making us available to our fans and friends.

Time moves on, and things change. This is not always a bad thing, as it can provide progress in new, exciting ways. This said, let’s all remember the fun times in the past and look forward to the exciting new future!

We sincerely hope our Balsam Range friends and supporters will continue to grow with us in this time of change….onward and upward!”

There can be no doubt that Balsam Range will continue to roll on, and that Buddy Melton will likewise provide us with compelling original music.

Best of luck to all of them!

Turtle Hill Banjo introduces pre war replica tone ring

Turtle Hill Banjo Company in Maryland has announced the upcoming launch of a new branded product, a Turtle Hill banjo tone ring, shipping soon.

For most of its life, the company focused on the buying and selling of vintage instruments, primarily banjos, but also mandolins and occasionally guitars and resophonic guitars. But under new owner Danny Stewart, bassist with US Navy Band Country Current, Turtle Hill is offering their own catalog of OEM products.

Just a month ago Stewart announced the acquisition of The Mighty D-Tuner, a popular banjo accessory that allows players to quickly adjust the pitch of a string in the middle of a tune, a la Earl Scruggs on numbers like Earl’s Breakdown or Flint Hill Special. The introduction of the Turtle Hill tone ring is another move in that direction.

Danny tells us that he was inspired to do this by a 1939 Gibson RB-75 Mastertone banjo he found last year, and purchased for restoration and eventual resale at Turtle Hill.

“I’ve collaborated with some experts who really know tone rings, and have created a replica of the tone ring in my RB-75 original 5 string flathead that I acquired this summer in South Africa.

From the composition, the weight, and the dimensions of the inside chamber, it is a replica of the real deal! As most banjo players know, these original flathead 20 hole, shiny face tone rings are the Holy Grail, and I’m happy to be able to offer a replica to the market.

I have a feeling a lot of banjo players will be interested in upgrading their banjos!”

The Turtle Hill tone ring is listed for sale at $599, and pre-orders are being accepted for the first batch, due early this year. Simply reach out to Stewart online to get a pre-order in place.

Roy Beck passes

Tennessee bass player Roy Beck, known to friends and family as Uncle Roy, died on December 31, 2024. He was 62 years of age.

Roy was born in Indiana, where his interest in bass playing was nurtured going to see music at the Bill Monroe Music Park in Bean Blossom. He actually began learning to play when Hank Williams’ former bass player, Jack Combast, noticed his interest in the instrument and let him play his bass. Later it was to become Roy’s most prized possession.

Growing up he played with his dad’s band, starting at age nine, doing so throughout the 1970s. As a kid he felt shunned from certain jams and vowed he would always be open to everyone who wanted to play. Uncle Roy welcomed a lot of kids into his camp at festivals, to give them the opportunity to jam and learn, many of whom have become professionals in the Industry.

Among those is his nephew, Tyler Griffith, currently playing bass with Seth Mulder & Midnight Run.

Known for his big personality as much as his music, Roy brought laughter everywhere he went. He had an uncanny knack for finding funny and unusual things to make people laugh. At most any festival in middle America, you’d find someone with a funny story about Uncle Roy to share.

Roy took great pleasure in hosting jams and feeding everyone who attended. All involved recall his outrageous chicken gadgets, and his classic line, “want a pickle?”

His body will be cremated, and all will be invited later this year to a big picking and cookout in his honor near where Roy had settled in Tennessee to be near his family.

R.I.P., Roy Beck.

Even Better When You Listen from Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers

Billy Blue Records is out of the gate quick this new year with a new single from Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, the second from their upcoming all-gospel project.

Even Better When You Listen, written by Rick Lang and Mark BonDurant, reminds us that prayer is a two-way form of communication, and that even though Jesus taught us to ask in faith, we have to remember to expect a response.

Or as Mullins put it…

“I have a friend who used to say, ‘God ain’t no big Santa Claus!’ We shouldn’t pray with a wish list. If we praise God in prayer and seek His will, we can find it and follow it easier if we look for God in every situation, and listen with our heads and hearts.

The Radio Ramblers have a ball playing this fun, bluesy melody, and Chris Davis delivers the right message with his powerful voice.”

The track does have a bouncy, swingy feel, and Chris really lets loose on the lead vocal.

All of the Ramblers contribute, with Joe on banjo, Chris on mandolin, Adam McIntosh on guitar, Jason Barie on fiddle, and Zach Collier on bass. All five are credited with vocals as well.

Have a listen…

Even Better When You Listen is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home from Max Wareham

Boston banjo player, singer, and writer Max Wareham has a new single, taken from his upcoming debut album, DAGGOMIT.

If Max looks familiar, he’s been playing banjo for the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band of late, and we featured him in 2022 when he released his musical biography of Rudy Lyle, Rudy Lyle: The Unsung Hero of the Five-String Banjo. The book featured a mix of tab transcriptions and interviews with Lyle’s fellow legends, Sonny Osborne, Bill Emerson, and others.

He also tours with his own group, Max Wareham & the National Bluegrass Team.

For the single Max offers a song he wrote with Rowan called Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home, which he says Peter helped him put into its final form.

“I wrote this one a while back. Then I took it to Peter Rowan, who proceeded to disassemble it completely and put it back together in a way that made more sense.”

It’s a very traditional song, recalling the music that characterized the early days of bluegrass. Max’s voice, however, gives it a much more contemporary sound, with studio support from David Grier on guitar, Laura Orshaw on fiddle, Chris Henry on mandolin, and Mike Bub on bass.

Have a listen…

Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Pre-orders for the full album are likewise enabled ahead of its February 21 release..