This post is a contribution from Mike Reed, one of our 2010 IBMA correspondents. Photos for this post come from Roy Swann.
Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers (Joe Mullins – banjo, Mike Terry – mandolin, Evan McGregor – fiddle, Adam McIntosh – guitar, and Tim Kidd – bass) kicked off with a mid-tempo number with lead vocals by Adam McIntosh.
It was the second song, however, that set the tone for the rest of the set – a driving number with the lead vocals by Joe Mullins and tight harmonies provided by Adam and Mike Terry. Joe put his tenor voice in high gear and you could almost see his words bouncing off the back wall.
The rest of the set feature vocals by Joe, Mike and Adam. The intensity vocals, harmonies and instrumentation built with each song, the highlight being No Longer and Orphan with Tim Kidd providing the fourth leg of the gospel quartet. In this case, the short time allotted to each band was a real disappointment as if felt that the band was really starting to pick up steam.
Joe noted that this version of the Radio Ramblers have been intact for 4 1/2 years with no personnel changes, a rarity in the bluegrass field. Their current release is Rambler’s Call, and their next will be Hymns For The Hills due out later this year, both on Rebel Records.
