To celebrate the launch of God Didn’t Choose Sides Vol. 1: Civil War True Stories About Real People the Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) and the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum (ALLM) will welcome some of the nation’s top bluegrass artists for a special benefit music event at the Sam and Sue Mars Performing Arts Center in Harrogate, TN, on Friday, February 22.
The historic concert will celebrate the February 12, Lincoln Day, release of Rural Rhythm Records’ God Didn’t Choose Sides album that coincides with the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The concert and CD feature some of today’s top artists including Steve Gulley, Dale Ann Bradley, Marty Raybon, Carrie Hassler, Brad Gulley, Tim Stafford, Dave Adkins, and the Gap Creek Quartet. Supporting musicians include: Sierra Hull (mandolin), Jason Burleson (banjo), Brandon Godman (fiddle), Phil Leadbetter (Dobro), Bryan Turner (bass) and Debbie Gulley (vocals).
Mark “Brink” Brinkman will also provide a special songwriter segment.
The album, God Didn’t Choose Sides: Civil War True Stories about Real People, includes 12 original songs inspired by journals, stories and artifacts from soldiers, civilians and politicians during the Civil War. Also included on the recording is the traditional song There is a Fountain performed by the Gap Creek Quartet (Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gulley, Don Gulley & Vic Graves). It is a collection of songs that focus on the common men and women who were thrown together into the realities and horrors of war; people who displayed amazing acts of kindness, selflessness, faith, love and brotherhood. All but one track on the album, Legend of Jennie Wade, were recorded, at least in part, at Steve Gulley’s The Curve Studio in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee.
Accompanying the music is an extensive 16-page booklet filled with historical notes, photographs and lyrics. LMU and ALLM archivist Michelle Ganz provided historical content supervision and materials from the ALLM collection. Additional assistance was provided by ALLM Program and Tourism Director Carol Campbell and the historical booklet notes were provided by Jamie Lynn Brinkman.
Rural Rhythm Records has set up a dedicated site for the album that includes interviews, additional content relating to the history behind the songs, songwriters, performing artists and musicians.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the ALLM and help fund a documentary on the project that is currently under development. Ticketing details can be found online.
The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum is located on the historic campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN. Housing one of the top five Lincoln and Civil War private collections in the world, the Museum is open on Monday-Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, on Saturday from noon to 5:00 pm and on Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Rural Rhythm Records have released a series of videos to accompany the CD, which provide further background information regarding this first album in what is expected to be a trilogy …..
