Amanda Cook Archives - Page 2 of 4

Changes – Amanda Cook

One of the brightest voices in bluegrass music in recent years has been Amanda Cook, who has continually offered fans a selection of well-written, thoughtful numbers that keep the radio waves hot. Now on her fourth full length project for Mountain Fever Records, Cook has proven herself to be an all-around talent who also anchors a tight band – most of whom has been with her for at least several years. Though the album is titled Changes, Cook has wisely stayed the path in contemporary bluegrass, and listeners are sure to find much to enjoy here.

The album’s opening song was also the lead single, released several months back, and finding a warm welcome from bluegrass radio. Another Highway This Time, penned by Thomm Jutz and Mark Fain, features a gently rolling melody and a message of hope amongst loss. Cook’s former bandmate Aaron “Frosty” Foster passed away last year, and the song serves as a nice tribute to his memory: “I’ll keep the memories, I’ll keep the songs. I’ll hear the laughter long after you’re gone…”

Two other songs here also come from Jutz: Things That Matter Most, written with Will Jones, and Ohio, with co-writers Kim Richey and Jefferson Ross. The former has a light, cheerful sound, with an optimistic outlook on life found in its lyrics. The latter, guided by Brady Wallen’s guitar and George Mason’s fiddle, has a much more melancholy feel and allows Cook to fill her voice with emotion.

Some fans may recognize Look Me Up by the Ocean Door, originally recorded by the Cox Family in the early ’90s. It’s a fun number that was ripe for introduction to a new generation, sung with conviction by Cook and featuring tasty banjo from Carolyne Van Lierop. Van Lierop also comes in strong on Carried Away, a Paula Breedlove and Brad Davis number about the rush of falling in love. Mandolin player Troy Boone also gets to show off a bit here.

Boone also contributes two original songs to the project. Back to My Home is a bouncy, traditional-leaning number that reminisces on days gone by. Though it’s a popular topic in bluegrass music, Cook’s powerful vocals help this song stand out. Walk the Way of Light is a fiery gospel number, highlighted by driving banjo and rushing fiddle.

There’s nary a misstep here, just ten solid tracks of good contemporary bluegrass. With radio solidly behind her, Changes may be what helps Cook earn plenty of attention come awards season.

For more information on Amanda Cook, visit her online. Her new album is available from a variety of online retailers.

Look Me Up By The Ocean Door from Amanda Cook Band

Amanda Cook Band – photo © Laci Mack

For the past several years, one of the most consistently interesting female vocalists in bluegrass has been Amanda Cook, who moved from Florida to southwestern Virginia in tandem with her extended contract with Mountain Fever Records.

Her husband, Dennis, made the move as well, along with her long time banjo picker and co-writer, Carolyne Van Lierop, who is now married to the band’s mandolin player, Troy Boone.

Amanda is not only a compelling vocalist, she has a real knack for choosing material, something that has kept her on our Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay charts with each new release.

Mountain Fever has dropped the latest today, Cook and company’s reworking of a terrific song, Look Me Up By The Ocean Door, originally recorded by The Cox Family in 1993. Written by Sidney and Suzanne Cox, the song has such an alluring story and unusual chord changes that it holds your attention throughout.

Amanda says that it was her banjo picker who introduced the song to the band.

“On a road trip to play in Michigan last year, Carolyne played Look Me Up By The Ocean Door by the Cox Family. I immediately said, ‘OOOOh, we should totally do this song!’ Her response was, ‘yeah, that’s why I played it!’ So many times, we forget about songs we love so much, and they come back to us randomly. I’ve always loved the Cox family and their contribution to bluegrass music. This was so much fun to record, and it’s even more fun to perform live. I hope everyone loves what we did with such a classic song.”

Boone, along with fiddler George Mason, really get to stretch out on this one.

Check it out…

Look Me Up By The Ocean Door by Amanda Cook is available now from popular download and streaming services online. It will be included on her next Mountain Fever project, Changes, set for release on October 14.

Track Premiere: Carried Away by Amanda Cook

Mountain Fever Records has a new single tomorrow from Amanda Cook, Carried Away, which we are delighted to premiere today for our readers.

It’s one from popular bluegrass songwriters Paula Breedlove and Brad Davis, and it serves as the second track release for Cook’s next project, Changes. The story is one of falling in love, but in that classic bluegrass fashion, the modal/pentatonic melodic structure gives it an ominous sound.

Amanda sings lead, and is supported by her loyal touring band: Carolyne Van Lierop on banjo, Troy Boone on mandolin, Josh Faul on bass, George Mason on fiddle, and Brady Wallen on guitar. Carolyne and Josh sing harmony.

As always, she sings it beautifully.

Cook tells us that this one grabbed her right away.

“The demo of Carried Away immediately drew me in. It’s a great song about allowing love in and letting it grow without fear or hesitation. Paula Breedlove and Brad Davis did a great job writing this tune, and I’m so proud of what we did with the track as a band. Carolyne’s driving banjo intro sets the tone for this fantastic track.”

Have a listen…

Carried Away will be available on May 24 from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers can get the rack now via AirPlay Direct.

Michelle Canning adds big guns for Alzheimer fundraiser

What started as a way to memorialize her grandfather has become a permanent part of Michelle Canning’s annual musical calender.

The Nashville-based songwriter and bandleader will host her 11^th annual fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, A Night On The Edge, this Saturday night. For the third straight year, the event will be virtual, and she’s bringing in some bluegrass all-stars to help push the total she’s raised over the years past $50,000.

The Michelle Canning band will host the event. Guests will include Darrin Vincent, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Williamson Branch, and the Amanda Cook Band, among others. There will also be a special video performance featuring the late Aaron “Frosty” Foster, who was a member of both The Michelle Canning Band and the Amanda Cook Band.

“It is so important to me that we support the efforts of the AFA so that families going through this horrible disease can get the help and support that they need,” Canning said. “Music has such a positive impact on the lives of Alzheimer’s patients. It is truly an honor to use our music to support the foundation.”

Canning started the event in 2012 to honor her grandfather, Ken Canning Sr. Since then, her efforts have brought the foundation more than $47,000.

This year’s show will be available online Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Central time at on the Michelle Canning web site. Donations can be made there, or by sending a check to:

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
PO Box 160834
Nashville, TN 37216

One longstanding feature of the evening, carried over from the pre-COVID days when the event was live, is a photo montage of people with the disease, both living and deceased. This year, the soundtrack for the photo display will be Better Left Unsaid, a recently completed song that Canning co-wrote.

Help if you can, either by donating yourself, or by helping to spread the word. Then remember to tune in to hear some terrific bluegrass from some of the best in the business.

Another Highway This Time from Amanda Cook

Mountain Fever Records has a new single for bluegrass vocalist Amanda Cook, Another Highway This Time, from Nashville songwriters Thomm Jutz and Mark Fain.

Amanda says that this song is deeply personal to her, and her bandmates, coming to them at a time when they were all hurting from a profound loss.

“Thomm sent me the demo of Another Highway This Time in early 2021, shortly after the passing of our best friend and guitar player Aaron ‘Frosty’ Foster. To me, the song perfectly expressed how I was feeling. We know that we will always cherish the memories we have with Frosty from our travels and time together as a band. We recorded it as an uplifting remembrance of an incredible person that we were lucky enough to have called our friend.

The bluegrass world lost so many beloved members of our community this year, and I truly believe Another Highway This Time is a song we can all relate to about loss. It’s comforting to know it’s not the end, like the lyrics say, ‘It’s Just Another Highway This Time.'”

Cook recorded this at the Mountain Fever Studio in Willis, VA, where she regularly serves as an engineer, with her touring group: Carolyne Van Lierop-Boone on banjo, Joshua Faul on bass, Troy Boone on mandolin, George Mason on fiddle, and Brady Wallen on guitar.

Check it out in this lyric video.

Another Highway This Time is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers can get the track via AirPlay Direct.

Amanda Cook to Advance Artist Support – new album on the way

Advance Artist Support, an artist representation, social media management, and promotions company in Advance, NC, has announced the signing of Amanda Cook and The Amanda Cook Band to the agency. Mandy Tenery, who runs the organization, will take over these services for Cook and her group.

Tenery manages and books a number of other artists in bluegrass and related fields, like Balsam Range, Thomm Jutz, Unspoken Tradition, Anya Hinkle, and the Jon Stickley Trio, so she will be able to hit the ground running with Amanda. Advance will represent Cook going forward, and provide management services.

Amanda says that the timing is perfect for this move, as she is set to start recording her next album later this mo nth.

“Going into 2022, and releasing my 4th album project with Mountain Fever, the band and I are looking forward to working with Mandy at Advance Artist Support. I love the work she’s done with Balsam Range and my good friend, Thomm Jutz.

We are scheduled in the studio next week to track the entire project, so be looking for a single in January sometime! We pulled material from some of our favorite writers and are proud of the mix of songs that we have chosen and arranged. I’m really excited about the project and all the behind the scene things we have planned for the new album.”

The Amanda Cook Band includes Cook on guitar and lead vocal, Carolyne Van Lierop-Boone on banjo, George Mason on fiddle, Josh Paul on bass, Brady Wallen on lead guitar, and Troy Boone on mandolin.

Their most recent release was When You Come Back Down, their take on this Tim O’Brien song previously recorded by Nickel Creek.

For more information about Cook, contact Mandy Tenery at Advance Artist Support online.

When You Come Back Down video from Amanda Cook

Mountain Fever Records has released a new music video for Amanda Cook, showcasing her recording of When You Come Back Down, on her current album, Narrowing The Gap.

Long time bluegrass fans may recall the Nickel Creek cut of this Danny O’Keefe and Tim O’Brien song back in 2000, during their period of pop stardom. Cook maintains the somber tone of that version, with more of a bluegrass feel, courtesy of her touring band.

Amanda sings lead, with Carolyne VanLierop-Boone on banjo, the recently deceased Aaron “Frosty” Foster on guitar, Josh Faul on bass, and George Mason on fiddle. Aaron Ramsey provided mandolin on the session, a role fulfilled now by Troy Boone. Carolyne and Josh provide vocal harmonies.

Cook shared a few thoughts about why this song – and video – are so personal for her.

“In the final stages of putting together Narrowing the Gap, we were looking for one final track to add to the album. I always loved the song When You Come Back Down by Nickel Creek. I took it to the band and explained the meaning this song had to me personally, and how it needed to be on this album.

When You Come Back Down came out the year my oldest child was born, and I listened to it many many times, putting the lyrics in perspective of the love and support I would give her growing up. Fast forward 20 years and we moved to Virginia and began the production of this album. During that time, Olivia decided she was going to stay in our hometown and finish up college there.

Within a 30 day window we purchased a home and moved, forcing my little bird from the nest in a time frame I thought to be much too fast. When You Come Back Down hit the nail on the head, I’m so very proud of the young woman she has become and the amazing things she has accomplished on her own, although through it all she knows I’ll be there if she ever falls and needs me to pick her back up.

In the video you can see the honest to goodness tears on my face… it was one of the hardest videos for me to shoot because it was like I was telling our story in real time.”

Enjoy.

Amanda and her band have been selected as official Bluegrass Ramble showcase artists for World of Bluegrass 2021 in Raleigh the last week of September. Check them out if you are in attendance.

Cook has also announced the newest member of her band, Brady Wallen on guitar.

“Brady Wallen is an ETSU alumni, originally from Williamsburg Kentucky. He now makes his home in Johnson City, Tennessee. Formally a member of the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, he toured with the Clay Hess Band for a couple years. After leaving Clay he began playing banjo with Dreamcatcher at the Ole Smokey Moonshine Distillery in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and can still be seen playing there. Brady grew up in a very musically talented family and began playing guitar at the age of seven, learning from his cousins growing up, and playing guitar in his high school’s bluegrass program, the Whitley County Colonel Strings led by Rob Powers.”

When You Come Back Down and Narrowing The Gap are available now wherever you stream or download music online. The CD is available directly from the Amanda Cook web site.

My Used To Be Blue Ridge Mountain Home from Amanda Cook

Mountain Fever Records has made quite an investment in Amanda Cook. The Florida-born singer and songwriter was signed to a seven year, five album deal with the label in 2018, a commitment rarely seen in today’s music business.

Cook has returned the favor, delivering a number of hits from her two subsequent records, and both she and her banjo picker, Carolyne Van Lierop Boone, moved from the Sunshine State to the Virginia/North Carolina region where Mountain Fever is located. Amanda now works at the studio as an engineer as well.

Three previous singles from her current project, Narrowing The Gap, have done well on our Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay chart. This week a fourth is available, My Used To Be Blue Ridge Mountain Home, one Amanda wrote with Carolyne about seeing changes over time to your home town. They are supported by Cook’s regular touring group, George Mason on fiddle, Josh Faul on bass, and Troy Boone on mandolin.

Have a listen.

My Used To Be Blue Ridge Mountain Home can be purchased now as a single wherever you stream or download music online. The full album is also available from online resellers, and on CD directly from the artist.

Narrowing the Gap – Amanda Cook

Few new voices have been embraced by bluegrass radio in recent years like that of Amanda Cook, whose first two albums from Mountain Fever Records have garnered a number of top singles over the past few years. Cook has recently released her third album with Mountain Fever, Narrowing the Gap, and from the sound of it, it seems she’s looking to continue the trend.

Several singles have already been released from Narrowing the Gap, including opening track Get On Board from Darrell Hayes and Vida Wakeman. It’s a rip-roaring number that was a great choice to kick off the album, with driving banjo from Carolyne VanLierop-Boone and a rushing melody that fits well with the train imagery in the lyrics. Trains also feature in Lonesome Leaving Train, which Cook began writing over a decade ago, and recently finished with the help of ace writer Thomm Jutz. It’s a bright tune with the heart-breaking story of a young bride who doesn’t find what she expected when she heads west to meet the one she loves. Cook’s vocals stand out on the chorus, in particular.

Listeners have also probably heard West Virginia Coal on the radio. Written by the band’s husband and wife pair, Troy Boone and Carolyne VanLierop-Boone, it’s a dark-sounding number about the pain and worry coal-mining families often face. My Used to Be Blue Ridge Mountain Home is a bit more uptempo, but has a similar melancholy feel to the lyrics, as Cook sings “the place I call home is packed up and gone, ruined and tumbled to the ground.” It’s a familiar bluegrass theme, but Cook and VanLierop-Boone’s lyrics give it a fresh feel.

Curtains, penned by Adam Larkey, is a strong acoustic country-style song, with haunting dobro from Jeff Partin. The heartbreak and pain are palpable in Cook’s voice as she reveals her role in a devastating break-up. Donna Hughes’s Where Are You Darlin’ also finds the singer searching for a lost love, but is a more straightforward bluegrass number, sure to have listeners’ toes tapping.

Throughout the album, Cook demonstrates excellent control of her powerful vocals, often staying more restrained through the verses and allowing her voice to soar on the choruses. She does a fine job filling the lyrics with emotion – it’s easy to believe that she’s singing about real experiences in her life, even on songs penned by others. Her supporting band is no slouch, either, handling driving numbers like the opening track and the more atmospheric country-style songs with equal ease. In addition to the previously mentioned VanLierop-Boone and Partin, musicians here include the late Aaron “Frosty” Foster on guitar, Josh Faul playing bass, and George Mason on fiddle. Aaron Ramsey also fills in on mandolin, guitar, and bass on a few tracks.

Listeners have come to expect solid contemporary bluegrass from Amanda Cook, and they won’t be disappointed by Narrowing the Gap. With awesome vocals and musicianship and a good selection of new and original songs, it’s sure to be quickly added to many fans’ – and radio stations’ – playlists.

For more information on Amanda Cook, visit her online. Her new album is available from several online music retailers.

Welcome Emeree Boone!

There is great rejoicing in bluegrass circles here in southwestern Virginia today. There is a new bluegrass baby, where both parents are not only bluegrass people, they perform together in the same band!

Troy and Carolyne VanLierop Boone are celebrating the birth of their first child. Emeree Ann Boone was born this morning at 8:37 a.m. She made her arrival at 6 lbs 1 oz, and is said to be thriving.

Both the Boones perform with the Amanda Cook Band, him on mandolin and her on banjo.

Amanda was beside herself when she shared the news this afternoon.

“What a beautiful thing!!!! We are all so excited and happy for Carolyne and Troy. She’s gonna be spoiled rotten.”

Many congratulations to the growing Boone family, and a big Bluegrass Today welcome to little Emeree!