Appalachian Smoke Archives - Bluegrass Today

Ronnie Parker to Appalachian Smoke on bass

Ronnie Parker – photo © Stephanie T. Photography

Mountain Fever Records artists Appalachian Smoke have announced a personnel change. Founding bassist Tim Williams has stepped away from the band, and Missourian Ronnie Parker has agreed to come on board.

Fellow founders and current band leaders, mandolinist BJ Taylor and banjo player Mikel Laws, expressed their gratitude to their departing friend.

“First, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to Tim for his dedication and contributions to Appalachian Smoke. As a founding member, Tim played a crucial role in shaping the band’s sound, and his creativity and talent will always be a part of our legacy. We wish him all the best as he continues his musical journey.”

Williams returns the favor in his exit statement.

“Experiencing the professional side of the bluegrass sphere during my four years with Appalachian Smoke has been inspirational; fueling my writing, arranging, and desire to make music. Now I’m sitting on a stack of songs that are raring to go – alongside a bucket list of goals, and a network of ambitious friends and mentors.

Bluegrass has always been a part of me, and I’ll continue to create, support, and pursue the industry – wherever life takes me. I’m well familiar with the bright talents of the remaining members, and know they are capable of great things ahead, collectively and individually.”

Prior to accepting this position, Parker had been playing bass with Ashleigh Graham, and had previously been on bass with David Parmley.

Taylor and Laws offer him an enthusiastic welcome.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ronnie Parker to the band. Ronnie brings a wealth of experience, not only as a skilled upright bassist but also as a talented vocalist. His rich, smooth sound and musical expertise will be a perfect fit for Appalachian Smoke. Ronnie has worked with some of the best in bluegrass, and we can’t wait to see how he elevates the band’s sound moving forward.”

And Parker is glad to have found a home with the band.

“I’m honored to be joining Appalachian Smoke, and to be part of this incredible journey. I’m looking forward to seeing where this next chapter leads, and grateful to BJ, Mikel, Jamie, and Kenneth for welcoming me into the group. I can’t wait to see what’s ahead!”

With Taylor on mandolin and Laws on banjo, Appalachian Smoke also includes Jamie Mason on guitar and Kenneth Rymer on rest-guitar.

Their debut album with Mountain Fever is expected in 2025.

Self-titled — Appalachian Smoke

If judged by their handle alone, Appalachian Smoke would seem to possess a firm commitment to their Blue Ridge origins. That’s evident to a great extent courtesy of the tightly spun saunter and sway that informs each of the ten tracks on this eponymous effort. The band — specifically, Mikel Laws (banjo, guitar, and vocals), Tim Williams (bass and vocals), Jamie Mason (guitar, banjo, and vocals), Kenneth Ryder (resophonic guitar and vocals), and BJ Taylor (mandolin, octave mandolin, and vocals) — exhibits a clear confidence that results in a decidedly assured delivery.

Consequently, while certain songs reflect their native environs — as evoked by the tangled tapestry and rustic ramble that define Maggie On My Mind, Don’t Wash Away Our Home, Good At Gone, and an adaption of the traditional tune, Bone Valley — there’s also a clear contemporary component that defines the majority of this music. Like Town Mountain and Steep Canyon Rangers in particular, Appalachian Smoke effectively integrate their reverence for the roots with a fully accessible approach that can connect with contemporary audiences as well. The banjo that dominates There Goes My Heart Again naturally makes an immediate impression, just as the instantly engaging ballad, The Scenic Road, also serves as one of the set’s standouts. Likewise, the steady stride of Nashville Blues also makes for another most agreeable entry.

That’s not to say Appalachian Smoke is adverse to rekindling their roots. The Way the Crow Flies comes across like a hillbilly elegy of sorts, filled with deep devotion and a riveting refrain. The gospel song, Dig A Little Deeper In God’s Love, with its robust harmonies, confirms their ties to a traditional grounding, while reaffirming their reverence for bluegrass basics.

With this self-titled offering, Appalachian Smoke emerges as an important entity clearly capable of attracting ongoing attention. It ought to be interesting to hear what they cook up next.

Growing Lonely from Appalachian Smoke

Mountain Fever Records’ latest single from western North Carolina’s Appalachian Smoke is a thoughtful song from mandolinist B.J. Taylor called Growing Lonely.

Taylor uses the season of reaping as the metaphor that informs this story of a man who has difficulty moving on from loss.

As he puts it…

“The time of harvest in the fall triggers a heap of senses in one’s mind that can uproot so many memories.

Growing Lonely is a song that is written about a seasoned farmer that finds himself harvesting the same results emotionally despite his attempt to sow new seed.”

Driven initially by Taylor’s octave mandolin, it’s soon joined by the banjo of Mikel Laws, and Kenneth Rymer on reso-guitar, before the full band comes in. Jamie Mason is on guitar with Tim Williams on bass.

The Smoke turns in an interesting arrangement which, absent a mandolin chop, carries a very different rhythm, served well by Laws’ perfectly subdued banjo, providing the eighth note pulse without calling attention from the lyrics.

Nicely done all. Check it out…

Growing Lonely is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

Good at Gone from Appalachian Smoke

Western North Carolina’s Appalachian Smoke has a debut single this month, Good at Gone, the first since their recent deal with Mountain Fever Records, a contract that resulted from the strength of their independently produced Colder Side of Love project in 2022.

The five members of the band came together as many groups do these days, as experienced bluegrass sidemen looking to produce their own music. Jamie Mason plays guitar and sings lead on this new track, Kenneth Rymer is on resophonic guitar, Mikel Laws is on banjo, BJ Taylor is on mandolin, and Tim Williams on bass. Rymer and Williams sing harmony.

Tim, who wrote Good at Gone, explained what the song is all about.

“It’s a story of using the aggravation of failures to fuel the never-ending pursuit of something worthwhile. You can feel the shifts between restlessness, disappointment, and hope in the chords.”

They have a good sound, this is a clever song, and they’ve made a nice recording. Check it out…

Good at Gone is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

Appalachian Smoke to Mountain Fever

Mountain Fever Records has announced the signing of Appalachian Smoke to the label, with a new album expected next year.

The band hails from that part of the southeastern US where Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee intersect, and with all five members being skilled singers and songwriters, they are never at a loss for new material. Their debut album, Colder Side of Love, generated attention for both their songs and their performance, and the guys are stoked to finish up their next project with a new label partner.

BJ Taylor is on mandolin, Jamie Mason on guitar, Kenneth Rymer on reso-guitar, Mikel Laws on banjo, and Tim Williams on bass. They all take turns with lead and harmony vocals, giving them a wide variety of sounds on stage and in the studio.

Amanda Cook, COO at Mountain Fever, says that she has high hopes for the band’s first Mountain Fever recording.

“I think Appalachian Smoke is a great group of musicians that love bluegrass and are working to carry on the traditions of the genre, at the same time creating their own sound and innovating with their original music.”

Mountain Fever President and CEO Mark Hodges agrees, saying that he sees Appalachian Smoke as a great fit for the label.

“At Mountain Fever Records we are always looking for new talents. We watch out for bands that are displaying amazing skills, but also bands with heart and a dedication to the craft. Appalachian Smoke fits the bill in every category, and we are excited about the future working with them.”

Here’s a listen to a track from Colder Side of Love, one called Katie Did.

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Line from Appalachian Smoke

Western North Carolina’s Appalachian Smoke is one of several groups whose exposure during the IBMA World of Bluegrass convention generated some buzz. In addition to a very cool band name, this young outfit brings a strong original sound to contemporary bluegrass.

Their second single, Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Line, is now available, which tells of a young boy’s first experience with a locomotive train. Writer and singer Mikel Laws based it on his own encounters with a local train in his youth, and put the song together in hopes that his own children will someday feel that same excitement seeing, hearing, and feeling the giant engine roll by.

In a switch from their previous release, Laws is playing banjo on this one rather than guitar, with Jamie Mason making the opposite shift. BJ Taylor is on mandolin, Kenneth Rymer on reso-guitar, and Tim Williams on bass. Listen for the repeated train references in the musical arrangement.

Following on their success at IBMA, the guys are practicing up for a run at the SPBGMA Band Championship next January in Nashville.

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Line, and their full Colder Side of Love album, are available from popular download and streaming services online. Audio CDs can be ordered from the band web site.

Radio programmers can get all the tracks via AirPlay Direct.

Colder Side Of Love – Appalachian Smoke

Appalachian Smoke, a relatively new group with North Carolina and Georgia roots, has an edgy modern sound which is reflected on their debut release, Colder Side Of Love.

The band’s greatest strength is their originality. Eleven of the twelve songs contained on this project were written by members of Appalachian Smoke. The opening track, Carolina Calling Me, penned by banjoist Mikel Laws, is a great straightforward song about yearning for the place you call home.

Hope For The Harvest, as well as the album’s title track, Colder Side Of Love, were both written by mandolinist BJ Taylor. The former describes the grueling hours of working on a farm while the latter explores the familiar theme of a dissatisfied woman leaving her lover.

Starlight, the lone instrumental piece on Colder Side Of Love was composed by guitarist Jamie Mason. Mikel Laws’ banjo work on this track really shines, but Mason, BJ Taylor, dobro player Kenneth Rymer, and bassist Tim Williams also make great contributions to this tune.

In That Morning is the sole gospel piece, and the only track not written by members of Appalachian Smoke. Performed a cappella, this public domain spiritual captures the group’s smooth vocal harmonies wonderfully.

The tracks that stand out most on Colder Side Of Love are Katie Did and Reverend’s Affair, both of which are story songs written by BJ Taylor. The former is a really moving piece about a Vietnam soldier and the woman he loves, while the latter tells a really dark tale about a man discovering his wife’s romantic involvement with his brother, who happens to be the minister that officiated their wedding. The lyrics are captivating and will leave the listener on the edge of their seat, bringing this album to a dramatic close.

Colder Side Of Love is a strong debut. Not only are the members of Appalachian Smoke great vocalists and musicians, but their original songs are well crafted both from a lyrical and melodic standpoint. If the group sticks to this formula, we will be hearing about Appalachian Smoke for a long time to come.

Reverend’s Affair from Appalachian Smoke

Appalachian Smoke is a relatively new bluegrass group from western North Carolina and Georgia, with a serious sound and some intriguing original material. While the members are still fairly young, they are all experienced players, singers, and songwriters with a nice take on the contemporary bluegrass sound.

Their first album, Colder Side of Love, was just recently released, and we are happy to share their debut single today, a dark and brooding song called Reverend’s Affair, written by mandolinist BJ Taylor. It’s a new murder ballad about a man who discovers his wife in the arms of his brother, the minister who had married them. Talk about a betrayal! Taylor is something of a wordsmith, and the lyrics are worth pondering as you listen.

BJ is supported by his bandmates Jamie Mason on guitar, Kenneth Rymer on reso-guitar, Mikel Laws on banjo, and Tim Williams on bass. They’ve arranged the song in a bluesy, mid-tempo style which serves this melancholy number well.

Have a listen…

Reverend’s Affair and the full Colder Side of Love project are available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers will find the tracks at AirPlay Direct.