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Songs Of The Carter Family – Pam Linton

Described on her website as “Hollywood Down Home,” Pam Linton has pursued a career that brought her from her native St. Stephen, Minnesota, to singing in church, at local events, and eventually on local television. Midwestern entertainer Sherwin Linton took her under his proverbial wing and brought her cross country where her varied singing style and astute fashion sense, and recognition as a chef and jewelry designer, brought her further fame. As a singer and devout musical historian, she was inducted into the National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

Linton’s first solo album, Looking Back, was released in 2004, and it reflects her long-held love of musical tradition. That was followed by an LP recorded with her mentor and now-husband, Sherwin Linton, titled Pam Linton – 40 – Loves Ring Of Fire. Nevertheless, her new album, Songs of the Carter Family, from New Folk Records, may be her most telling expression of appreciation for the early influences ingrained in her by her aunt early on — specifically a love of country music standards borne from the ’40s and ’50s. She shares a debt of gratitude for the Carter Family, the traditional family folk group that recorded between 1927 and 1956, becoming the first vocal group to attain the status of legitimate country music stars, as well as one of the first groups to record commercial country music.

The Carters also helped foster the essential roots of bluegrass through their delicate weaving of an iconic traditional tapestry.

In the process, they produced a wealth of standards that remain an intrinsic part of the popular musical lexicon. Consequently, this particular set of songs, recorded in North Carolina and featuring contributions from Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Jeremy Stephens, and David Johnson, leans heavily on the familiarity factor, courtesy of such certified country classics as Keep On the Sunnyside, Can the Circle Be Unbroken, Wildwood Flower, Wabash Cannon Ball, Father On, and Are You Lonesome Tonight, among the many. The love of home and hearth, feelings of faith, humor and humility, and occasional tales of rejected romance take on new life through Linton’s emotive expression and decidedly down-home delivery. There’s a sense of unbridled joy and upbeat enthusiasm present in each of these reads, emotions that are evident even within the saddest and most sobering songs.

As a result, Songs of the Carter Family ought to be considered something akin to an essential acquisition. It also reminds us all that great music is timeless and easily transposed from past to present. Linton deserves due credit for keeping it all in context.

Thursday at the 2025 YeeHaw Music Fest

Larry Stephenson Band at the 2025 YeeHaw Music Fest (1/16/25) – photo © Bill Warren

Evans Media Source’s second festival of the year has kicked off in fine style. YeeHaw Music Fest is held at the Okeechobee Agri-center in Okeechobee, Florida. Ernie and Debi Evans took this show over a number of years ago and has kept it growing. The venue is covered and makes for a good watching and listening room.

Sherry Boyd is the MC that always keeps a show running smoothly.

Siblings Lucy and Luke Lindbloom handle the sound very well.

Florida band, Remedy Tree, opened the show. They are Mountain Fever Records newest band. Their first single, Beyond What I Can See, debuted on Sirius radio this past Wednesday. All four members of the band can sing both lead and harmony, giving good variety to their show. Band leader, Gabriel Acevedo, also plays fiddle doing some old time music. This is a band to see.

Larry Stephenson brought his band to YeeHaw for the first time in several years. He is starting his 36^th year leading his band. He put on a great show despite being a little “under the weather.” Sherry educated us on where the term “under the weather” came from. When sailors would fall ill they would go below deck – thus – under the weather! Thanks Sherry! 😊

Deeper Shade of Blue has become a staple at EMS festivals. Frank Poindexter played his final show with the band at the Jekyll festival earlier this month. They are currently playing as a four piece band. Bass player, Scott Burgess, said that you just can’t quickly replace someone like Frank. Milom Williams was unable to make the trip, so Jesse Smathers filled in on mandolin. Jesse is the guitar player and lead singer with the Lonesome River Band.

The Lonesome River Band is starting its 43^rd year. Sammy Shelor has been in the band for 34 of those years. He said it was 9 degrees when he left Virginia. He had to sweet talk his bus, “Bonnie Brown,” into starting!

There are two big days of music left. Join us to see the likes of Rhonda Vincent, David Frizzell, Mo Pitney, The Malpass Brothers, and several popular Florida bands.

Support your local music venues.

Sweet Forgiveness – The Church Sisters

The Church Sisters have released a new project, an EP entitled Sweet Forgiveness.

The fraternal twins grew up singing gospel music in southwest Virginia. Their latest release features a beautiful collection of six motivational hymns with tender harmonies that reflect their strong faith and love for the Lord and His mercies. It is sure to touch hearts and please any listener.

Savannah Church Alvis selected a few hymns that “we have always loved and never got the chance to record, along with some songs that we loved from artists since we were younger. I’ve always loved In Christ Alone because it perfectly displays the gospel message.”

“We chose The Commission, that was so beautifully written, because it goes hand in hand with In Christ Alone. What we are called to do as we wait for Jesus to return.”

Savannah continued…

“My husband, Zach [who plays with Chosen Road] helped produce the project. He also played mandolin and guitar on it. Tyler Robertson played bass, as well as mixing and mastering. Jared Easter played keys and steel guitar. And a good friend of ours, Ray Cossin, played fiddle.”

Easter shared…

“I’ve been a fan of The Church Sisters for years, and I’m always excited for any opportunity to perform with them, whether live or on a project. I know steel guitar and piano aren’t the ‘norm’ in this style of music, but I love the emotion and heart they can bring to special moments. These girls could have hired anyone in the world to play those parts, and I’m truly humbled that they chose me for this project.”

Carl Jackson, a Nashville-based, Grammy-winning record producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, sings the praises of the twins.

“I met Savannah and Sarah when they were 12-13 years old. I’ve been around a lot of kids that can sing, but I’ve never met anyone else that young that already sounded like an adult who’d been singing professionally for 20-30 years. I’m literally talking Eva Cassidy or Linda Ronstadt type control and pitch. I brought them in the studio not long after that to record I Wandered By A Brookside for the ‘Mark Twain: Words & Music’ project… no one could have done a better job on that song.”

These songs literally gave this reviewer chills. The emotion is conveyed through not only the sisters’ tight harmonies, but the tasteful instrumentation and powerful lyrics like Goodbye’s Not The End that concludes the project. Highly recommended.

CDs are available for purchase on their website now, and digital release on all streaming platforms is slated for January 24.

Cambium – Full Cord

Michigan-based Full Cord has continually drawn audiences with their exciting blend of bluegrass alongside numerous other musical forms. Their third release, Cambium, from Dark Shadow Recording, not only demonstrates this further, but spotlights the band’s lyrical originality as well.

The opening track, Ghost of Good Times, gives the album a riveting start. Written by Glenn House, this song is filled with reflection and pangs of regret about the end of a romance. Along with Brian Oberlin on mandolin and lead vocals, Full Cord also consists of Eric Langejans on guitar and vocals, Grant Flick on fiddle, Ricky Mier on banjo, and Todd Kirchner on bass.

Maces Spring is one of several songs written by Oberlin. Inspired by a visit to the Carter Family Home Place in Virginia, the lyrics hold a great deal of imagery and symbolism. Wild Mountain Rose, also by Oberlin, has the same level of detail in the song’s setting.

Logan’s Farewell is one of two instrumentals on this project. Written by Ricky Mier, the track displays his melodic sensibilities on the five string banjo. The other tune, Sallie’s Dancing, from Oberlin, is a bouncy mandolin piece with a strong old time flavor.

I Laugh When I Think How I Cried Over You comes from the western swing canon. Written by Maxine Fowler and Bob Wills, it demonstrates Full Cord’s signature ability to go beyond bluegrass and interpret multiple styles within their music.

The song that best demonstrates this skill, though, is Full Cord’s take on the Steely Dan classic, Reelin’ In The Years. This one will no doubt please fans of the original recording with its nod to the funky rhythmic patterns which they recreate here. On this track the band is joined by Katie Kirchner, adding an extra, needed layer to the vocal harmonies.

Cambium is a strong recording from start to finish. With an eye towards tradition alongside ideas from outside that realm, Full Cord has carved out a unique identity as a group, one that has earned them many loyal followers. This recording brilliantly captures the exciting originality that has captivated so many people.

Peaches and Apple Pies – Rita Bliss

According to the brief bio posted on her website, Rita Bliss is a folk musician from Rochester, New York who is now based in Austin, Texas. She shares delicate and delightful melodies spawned from old-time melodies, and her travels along the backroads of America’s South.

Driven mostly by her sublime singing, tasteful banjo picking, and the occasional harmonica, Bliss is given delicate accompaniment courtesy of Noah Jeffries on guitar and fiddle, producer Dom Fisher, who also contributes bass and mandolin, and the backing vocals of Jimmie Scott Calhoun. Naturally, Bliss herself takes center stage throughout, whether it’s with the joyful jaunt taken on Drive You To Kentucky, the exceedingly upbeat Love From Lufkin, the easy swoon and sway of Two Dollar Bill, or the quiet caress of banjo ballads like Jeanie, Mountain Time, and Goodbye.

Through it all, Bliss has a way of evoking enduring emotion, and regardless of whether it’s a tender homage to a forever lover, the wistful reflection that brings to mind a favorite watering hole, or simply a shared repast about times spent with friends prior to hitting the highway, the sentiments ring with authenticity and the tender tones that only a highly sensitive singer and songwriter can bring to bear.

What’s all the more remarkable is the fact that Peaches and Apple Pies represents Bliss’ initial outing, one that’s released under independent auspices no less. So while it’s best to reserve some quiet, concentrated time to fully appreciate her delicate debut, one can be assured that it’s time well spent.

A gentle and much-needed respite from a frantic and frenetic world, Peaches and Apple Pies is as thoroughly tasteful and inviting as the temptation of its title implies.

Memory Lane – Wilson Banjo Co

What began as a tool to promote high quality, hand built banjos has become an outlet for presenting lyrically captivating material. Wilson Banjo Co’s release, Memory Lane, on Pinecastle Records contains a variety of themes from coal mining, murder, and heartbreak, among others.

The opening track, Sadie Danced a Hole in Her Stocking, has a fun swing feel to it. Written by Jack Shannon, Troy Engle, and Rick Lang, this song speaks of the energetic dances that would often be hosted inside a country home. At the time of this recording, Wilson Banjo Co was a duo consisting of Steve Wilson on banjo and vocals, and Sarah Logan Lewis on fiddle and vocals. Other studio musicians were brought in to create a full band sound. On this track Wilson and Lewis are joined by Glen Crain on resonator guitar, Tony Wray on guitar and bass, Milom Williams II on mandolin, and Melanie Wilson on harmony vocals.

Holler, by Jordan Rainer and Bill Packard, is another song which explores the country life. Here the duo is joined by Wray on guitar and bass, Williams II on mandolin, Melanie on vocals, and Deanie Richardson on fiddle.

Nightbird by Rick Lang is a gritty, yet mournful song about love coming to an end, and the encompassing feelings that come with it. This is especially punctuated by the resonator guitar work of Glen Crain. Also on this track are Jaime Carter on bass, Adam Plott on percussion, Josh Raines on guitar, and Jason Fraley on mandolin.

The Gavel also carries darkness, both in its lyrics and melody. Written by Jordan Rainer and Lance Carpenter, this murder ballad tells a captivating tale of a romantic relationship from its happy beginning to a tragic end. This is one of several tracks featuring great guitar work from Clay Hess.

Our Last Goodbye/Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine is a clever medley of two bluegrass classics. Rendered in a strong contemporary fashion, Wilson Banjo Co. shows through this arrangement how these two songs will always stand the test of time.

Memory Lane is a strong effort. Though the makeup of Wilson Banjo Co. has changed since the release of this album, this recording is an excellent example of the material that the group has brought, and will continue to bring to the table.

2025 Jekyll Island wrap up

Don Rigsby with Southern Legacy at the 2025 Jekyll Island Bluegrass Festival – photo © Bill Warren

This year’s Jekyll Island Bluegrass Festival was one for the books. It is not often that this old picture-taker is blown away by festival activities, but this weekend I was! That will be the second part of the story.

The first part of the story was the awesome music.

Friday kicked off with Retro 78, who included new member. Festival promoter, Ernie Evans, has picked up his guitar and joined forces with Clint Groves and the guys. Ernie has not played as part of a band in several years. Welcome back, Ernie!

The Kody Norris Show puts everyone on the edge of their seats with their high energy show. This award winning group must be seen live to be fully appreciated.

The Country Gentlemen Show was featured both Friday and Saturday. More about them in part two.

Rhonda Vincent & the Rage gave us two great sets of music, and closed out Friday night. She spotlighted Chris Sexton of Nothin’ Fancy, who had bought a viola from one of the festival vendors. He played in a trio with Adam Haynes and Rhonda, and then he and Rhonda played an improvised version of the Mule Skinner Blues. Just Wow!

Penny Creek, opened the Saturday show. They are a Florida band that have become a staple at Jekyll. They are Fritz Kraemer on mandolin, Susan Pounds on bass, Chris Paganoni on guitar, and John Apfelthaler on banjo. They play weekly in the Melbourne, Florida area.

Southern Legacy is a new band with some of the most seasoned musicians in bluegrass. We see them at many of the EMS festivals. This a group of super-pickers that everyone needs to see. They are working on their own album

Darin & Brooke Aldridge brought their unique sound to Jekyll this year. Brooke is one of the strongest female vocalists in all of music. The band has a new young fiddle player, Marissa Colter, a talented youngster.

The Malpass Brothers presented two sets of top notch traditional country music to close out the festival.

Now on to the second part of the story…

Ernie and Debi have undertaken a project to honor pioneering bluegrass music acts. The first year was Doyle Lawson, who performed his final show with Quicksilver at the festival. Last year the Osborne Brothers were honored with Bobby accepting the honor.

This year the honorees were the Country Gentlemen. Darren Beachley was Ernie’s go-to guy in getting this whole thing set up. He worked very hard to contact Gents alumni and families and get them to the show.

The four members of the early Gentlemen were awarded the Norman Adams League of Innovators award. Tom Gray was on hand to accept his, and on behalf of Eddie Adcock. Eddie’s health did not allow him to be present. However, Ernie got him on the phone and he and Tom told a couple stories. Tom told about John Duffey parking the band limo with a sleeping Charlie Waller in a junkyard next to the hotel they were staying in. You’ll have to ask Tom about the end of that story!!

Sachiko and Mina Waller accepted the award in Charlie’s behalf.

John Duffey’s son-in-law, Kent Dowell, accepted on his behalf.

There was a Country Gentlemen reunion performance as well on Saturday. The Country Gentlemen Show welcomed alumni Tom Gray, Darin Aldridge, Billy Gee, Rick Allred, Kent Dowell, Ronnie Davis, Billy Lee Cox, and Calvin Corbett (Greg’s son).

All of them gathered by the Gents banner along with Sachiko and Mina and the Gents Show guys. They autographed the banner and had pictures taken with it.

This was an experience of a lifetime for me. I can only hope that the pictures do it justice.

MC Sherry Boyd interviewed Tom Gray on stage. That video is on Ernie’s Facebook page.

He plans on honoring the Stanley Brothers at the 2026 Jekyll Island festival, January 1-3.

Support your local music venues.

Country Symphony – Pick & Howl

The Denver-based quintet that goes by the descriptive handle, Pick & Howl, makes a formidable impression courtesy of their new album, Country Symphony, a set of songs that find them firmly entrenched within today’s populist and progressive bluegrass genre. Like others that operate within these realms, the group — made up of guitarist and lead vocalist Jeremy Richards, Paul Larson on banjo, Melissa Stube on fiddle, Andrew Gordon on dobro, and Eric Gordon on double bass — manage to carefully tow the narrow divide between the classic and the contemporary, while delivering ready and reliable melodies that easily and effectively frame that finesse.

That was first affirmed by the fact that Pick & Howl won the 2022 RockyGrass band competition, doing so while drawing from a diverse variety of influences that range from The Grateful Dead and Billy Strings, to Townes Van Zandt and Flatt & Scruggs. Nevertheless, they don’t necessarily sound especially similar to any of them, given that comparisons bring them closer to the Steep Canyon Rangers, Punch Brothers, and Town Mountain. Richards is responsible for the majority of the material and keeps the momentum moving, whether it’s the rousing and robust No Window, Fever, Coyote, and My Own Shoes, the heartfelt balladry of Cartersville, the light-hearted 9 Mile Cigarettes, or the reflective yet resolute, American Boy. The band inject both emotion and enticement into their music, keeping melody solidly at the fore throughout.

Indeed, there’s nothing rote or routine in terms of Pick & Howl’s primary pursuits, only good music flush with easy engagement. The sparkling instrumental, Dottie’s Dance, is but one example of the sweep and sway the band has at their command, just as Live Today finds the full fruition its title implies.

Through it all, fiddles flail, mandolins provide a constant strum, and banjos add an emphatic embrace. The results coalesce in a delivery that’s fully fueled by both emotion and intent, making this Country Symphony an assured display of the band’s passion and purpose. In that regard, it easily ranks as one of the best debuts of the past year, and a promising prospect for what’s yet to come.

Thursday at the 2025 Jekyll Island Bluegrass Festival

The Jekyll Island Bluegrass Festival always kicks off the year’s big bluegrass events. It is a great way to your new year.

Sherry Boyd keeps all of the shows she works running smoothly as MC, while promoters Ernie and Debi Evans, along with their crew, do what it takes to make every show enjoyable,

The festival was kicked off by Florida band Remedy Tree. Band leader Gabriel Acevedo is also a member of the EMS crew. He is part of the creative team. Remedy Tree is an up and coming band that has had a big 2024, including a tour in Ireland.

The antics of Nothin’ Fancy came next. The band chartered a bus and brought over 20 Virginia bluegrass fans to Jekyll. Always a fan favorite, they host their own festival in September in Buena Vista, VA.

Deeper Shade of Blue put on what can only be described as a bittersweet show. Frank Poindexter is retiring after 15 years as part of the band. The “Cat in the Hat” is looking forward to spending time with family and doing some fishing. The band’s second set was kicked off with Frank onstage by himself, and the band followed about midway through his solo. When Frank finally looked up he was taken aback. The band all were wearing hats that matched his. Ernie, Debi, and Sherry presented him with the first EMS Heart of Bluegrass award.

The Gibson Brothers closed out the first day of the festival as only they can. Opening their first set with Ring the Bell, the crowd demanded it again for their closing encore.

There are two more big days of music left in Jekyll Island, GA.

Support your local music venues.

Darin & Brooke Aldridge – Talk of the Town

Darin & Brooke Aldridge have continually captured the attention of audiences with their signature vocal harmonies, along with their chemistry, as both a married couple and performing artists. Their tenth release, Talk of the Town on Billy Blue Records, is a collection of songs exploring a wide variety of themes, heartache, nostalgia, hope, and faith among them.

The album kicks off with a barn burning rendition of The Price I Pay, a song that was originally recorded by The Desert Rose Band with Emmylou Harris. Appropriately, this track features John Jorgenson who provides dazzling lead guitar all throughout the song. Along with Darin, Brooke, and John, backing is provided by Matt Menefee on banjo, Cody Kilby on rhythm guitar, Samantha Snyder on fiddle, Mark Fain on bass, and Lynn Williams on percussion.

Jordan is one of several gospel songs on this recording. Here Darin and Brooke are joined by Ricky Skaggs on mandolin and vocals, Mo Pitney on bass vocals, and Mark Fain on bass. Utilizing the standard yet minimalist bluegrass gospel configuration akin to Bill Monroe’s early recordings, this song carries a simplistic, yet dynamic feel.

(Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such As I was originally recorded by Hank Snow in May 1952 and is fittingly rendered here in a hardcore country vein. Brooke Aldridge’s voice alongside the pedal steel guitar work of Eddie Dunlap, and the fiddling of Stuart Duncan, makes for a beautiful combination. This track also includes Brent Rader on percussion and piano, and once again Fain on the bass.

My Favorite Picture of You falls squarely into the bluegrass vein with driving banjo picking from Ron Block. This is one of the songs that fits the theme of this recording perfectly.

Another song carrying that sentimental vibe is Wildflower Too. Written by the Aldridges with Bill Whyte, the lyrics reflect on good times while also gazing at the future and wondering what lies on the road ahead.

The closing track, A Million Memories (A Song for Byron), was written by Vince Gill as a tribute to his friend and fiddle master, Byron Berline. Featuring Gill on vocals, this song chronicles the friendship these two men shared and the emotional weight Berline’s loss carried for Vince and many others. It’s a beautiful way to end this recording.

Through different musical styles and varying collaborators, Darin and Brooke Aldridge have expressed a variety of emotions on Talk of the Town. It’s an album that can bring any listener a sense of closeness and relatability.