When her debut solo project was released in 2012, we celebrated Rachel Burge as a solid new contender among bluegrass singers and songwriters. At the time, she was a member of West Virginia’s No One You Know band, and teaching choral music in the WV school system.
The band has since dissolved, and Burge can now add band leader to her credentials. Rachel Burge & Blue Dawning is signed with Mountain Fever Records, and a first single from their first record, My Cold Heart, is released today.
It’s a new song of Rachel’s, with her singing lead, assisted by Lance Gainer on guitar, Radford Vance on banjo, Michele Birkby-Vance on fiddle, and Rick Westerman on bass. In a twist on the broken-hearted lover story, this one is an I-Done-You-Wrong song.
Strong singing on a fine song, with able accompaniment – what’s not to like?
Mark Hodges with Mountain Fever is also high on this group.
“I love the harmonies and musicianship of this group. Their sound is immediately identifiable with the West Virginia mountains but is contemporary in its styling and their driving tempos take bluegrass to new places.”
My Cold Heart is available now in iTunes, and a full album from Rachel Burge & Blue Dawning is expected in June. Radio programmers can download the track from Airplay Direct.
