No one who follows bluegrass music closely needs to be told that bands come and go as the vagaries of fate and the music industry may dictate. Here’s news of another such story.
The Railroaders, a group of bluegrass veterans who came together earlier this year, have announced their dissolution. The group combined the singing skills of Marylander Darren Beachley, Kentuckian Shayne Bartley, and North Carolinian Greg Luck with Virginia banjo man, David Carroll, each with long resumes working with top bluegrass acts.
They have worked a number of festival shows together this summer, but individual schedules and expectations seem to have changed and the band is calling it quits.
Beachley has been offered a coaching position where he teaches and won’t have the time to travel with the group. Bartley will be performing again with his older brother, Rick, as The Bartley Brothers who may play out the remaining Railroaders dates. Luck is already busy working with Grasstowne and we’re not sure where Carroll will land next.
Shayne said it was a mutual decision to disband.
“Unfortunately, that is the hand life deals sometimes and we hated to come to this point, but it was what was best for all. We would like to thank all of the folks who supported our effort. A big thank you to Chuck and Susie Neel who went beyond the call of duty.”
As they say, another one bites the dust.
Shayne can be reached by email about The Bartley Brothers.
