Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run Archives

Caleb Bailey sings the anthem at Firefighters Memorial

Virginia bluegrass artist Caleb Bailey was invited to sing the National Anthem last weekend at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s National Memorial Weekend. The non-profit organization exists to honor firefighters lost in the line of duty, and to offer support to their families.

The Memorial Weekend ceremony is a rather large affair, with a great deal of pomp and circumstance, including a drum and bagpipe honor guard, and all the firefighters in their dress uniforms. Of course the point is to demonstrate to the families of the fallen the degree of dignity and respect in which the entire profession holds their missing comrades.

Bailey tells us that it was special for him, and a bit nerve wracking as well.

“I am a professional firefighter by trade. In my day job, I’m a Captain of Health & Safety with Rockingham County Fire & Rescue in Virginia. This was a distinct honor for me to blend both of my professional worlds.

The bluegrass community is a family, and so is the firefighting community. Many events in the bluegrass world are held to benefit firefighters. I think it’s that much more special that these two communities are in constant support of each other.

I will say it is the most nervous I’ve ever been to perform. You want every piece of this day to be perfect for the ones that we are there to honor.

I was truly grateful to be a part of the service.”

Typically, this service is held at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park in Emmitsburg, MD, but was moved this year to nearby Mount Saint Mary’s University due to inclement weather.

Here’s video of the honor guard entrance and Caleb’s anthem.

Well done all!

Caleb Bailey’s Merry Mountain Christmas 2023

Caleb Bailey at his 2023 Merry Mountain Christmas Show – photo © Fletcher’s Divine Creations

Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run hosted their second annual Merry Mountain Christmas Show in Grottoes, VA this past Saturday night. A great many talented performers graces the stage, and Tim White, host of Song of the Mountains, served as MC for the event. Mike Mitchell, Darren Beachley, Kyle Windbeck, Caleb Cox, Merle Johnson & Ben French all performed as special guests. Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run played a 90 minute set to cap off the evening.

Of course Mr. and Mrs. Claus were in attendance to visit the children.

Caleb first became familiar with Tim White when Tim hand stripped the 1948 Hahn Fire Engine from Bailey’s hometown fire department. Bailey had taken on the task of organizing a committee and heading up fundraising efforts to refurbish the engine. Tim’s uncle was photographed by the same famous rail photographer, O. Winston Link, who also captured a photograph of the 48 Hahn in Grottoes. So White wanted to paint the truck because of the kindred history between his family and the department. The truck was parked out front and decorated for the event!

Mike Mitchell has had a phenomenal year with his successful Fathers and Sons album, and put on a dazzling display with his his flawless rendition of O Holy Night, which got things started with a holiday feel. Beachley and Windbeck, both from The Country Gentlemen Tribute Band, put together a dynamic Christmas medley, along with some riveting vocal numbers from Beachley. Caleb Cox of The United States Navy Band Country Current, was on vocal rest, but ran sound for the evening and popped in to play Silver Bells as a captivating instrumental on guitar. Merle Johnson and Ben French capped the guest performances with some Freight Train Boogie.

Butter Bean the Rodeo Clown performed in a skit as well, which featured him as a Game Warden in training, and his twin sister Sharon Jean.

Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run, Turnberry Records recording artists, have also had a good year, with Bailey being featured as a 2023 IBMA Showcase Songwriter, and his band, Paine’s Run, being a 2023 IBMA Showcase Band, provided a dynamic set of original, traditional, and Christmas music.

Bailey says of the event, “I wanted to establish a Christmas event that folks wanted to experience as part of their annual Christmas time traditions, which provided good music, good food, and an overall enjoyable experience. I am so pleased with the 2023 turnout, we had 200 plus on hand, and we had some incredible sponsors this year. We were truly blessed, and we can’t wait for next year.”

Paine’s Run includes Caleb Bailey on guitar, Brandon Kyle on bass, Austin McGregor on banjo, Mark Comer on mandolin, and Robert Russell on fiddle.

The show was sponsored by 4B Bucking Bulls, TB Pallet, The Bluegrass Standard, Big L Tire Pros, Autowraps and Graphics, The Riverside Depot Overnight Stay, Diehl Tree Farm, Excalibur Excavation, and Fletcher’s Divine Creations.

Two new singles from Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run

Turnberry Records has a pair of new singles for rising bluegrass artists Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run, taken from their upcoming debut album with the label. They have chosen to release a secular song, written by Bailey, and a gospel number from Mark “Brink” Brinkman, Terry Foust, and Mike Evans.

First up is Pride of Appalachia, which Bailey says he composed to share the heritage of his family in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

“Pride of Appalachia is a song that I wanted to write for the rest of the world to feel what it was like to be Appalachian. The Cherokee and various other Native Americans, as well as the Scotch-Irish immigrants, had such an influence over the dialect and the culture, and I wanted people to be able to live in Appalachia through song.”

Caleb, on guitar and lead vocals, is supported by his Paine’s Run bandmates Wyatt Wood on guitar, Chandler Beavers on mandolin, Brandon Kyle on bass, Merl Johnson on fiddle, and Rob Slusser on banjo. Chad Darou sits in on reso-guitar and baritone vocal, with Wood handling the tenor.

Check it out…

On the flip side we have Hard Working Country Preacher Man, whose title pretty much describes the song. It shares the life of a man who farms all week, and then rides out to share the Word of God on Sundays, before returning to his labors again to start it all over again. It is well served here by Bailey’s mountain singing style.

Caleb says that he is quite proud of this recording, made again with his touring group.

“It was such an honor to be able to record one of Brink’s songs. Having a 5-time IBMA nominee for Songwriter of the Year pitch you a song is special, but to be able to cut it and have it as the debut gospel release for this project, is truly an honor. We got a great studio cut, and I’m certain our fans will be enjoying this song for quite some time.”

Have a listen…

Both of Caleb Bailey’s new singles are available now from popular download and streamings services online. Radio programmers will find the tracks at AirPlay Direct.

Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run to Turnberry Records

Turnberry Records has announced the signing of Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run to the label for a single project deal.

Bailey is a young bluegrass singer and songwriter from Virginia who grew up surrounded by the music. He made a bit of a splash in 2021 with his debut album, Poplar & Pine, which had a nice run on our Bluegrass Today charts.

Now he and his touring band are working on a new record for Turnberry, and Caleb is looking forward to sharing more original bluegrass with listeners wherever they may be.

“We’re a traditional bluegrass band that offers a unique sound that we own. If you’re a painter, you won’t go out and try to re-paint the Mona Lisa. That’s just not original.

Turnberry just seems to be the ‘happening’ place to be.

We’re now booking for 2023, and we want to be part of spearheading the next chapter for Turnberry.”

Paine’s Run includes Bailey on guitar and lead vocals, along with Rob Slusser on banjo, Brandon Kyle on bass, Joe Showalter on fiddle, Chandler Beavers on mandolin, and Wyatt Wood on guitar.

Turnberry Records is planning to release new music from Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run with a series of singles this spring, followed by a full album release later in 2023.

Check out their sound in this video from last year, House of the Lord.

You can learn more about the group by visiting Caleb’s web site.

Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run Merry Mountain Christmas

Guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, and bandleader Caleb Bailey hosted the first ever Merry Mountain Christmas celebration December 9-10 in Grottoes, Virginia, where his band, Paine’s Run, is based.

Music was provided by Shenandoah Drive, Chris Burton, Caleb Cox of the US Navy Band Country Current, and Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run. Attendees were treated to a pork loin dinner in addition to the music, plus comedy from Butter Bean the Rodeo Clown and his twin sister, ‘Sharon Jean.’

Caleb hopes to make this an annual event, and plans to continue bringing in top tier guest performers to join in the Merry Mountain Christmas.

He shared these photos from the 2022 event.

Wyatt Wood to Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run

Virginia bluegrass singer and songwriter Caleb Bailey has announced a new member of his band, Paine’s Run, as Wyatt Wood joins the group on guitar.

Bailey formed this group after the strong reaction to his debut album, Poplar & Pine, in 2021. Based in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Caleb is on guitar and lead vocals, with Rob Slusser on banjo, Brandon Kyle on bass, Joe Showalter on fiddle, and Chandler Beavers on mandolin. Wood joins as a second guitarist and vocalist.

Wyatt has been playing bluegrass music since he was 12 years old, learning through the encouragement of his dad and grandfather.

Bailey is busy with the guys finishing up their first band project at Homestead Recordings, with Caleb Cox at the board. Cox is another notable young bluegrass singer and songwriter who played for some time with Nothin’ Fancy.

Here’s Caleb’s music video from last year for his song House Of The Lord, which spent some time on our charts.

For more information on Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run visit them online or on Facebook.

Chandler Beavers to Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run

Chad Beavers – photo by Alauren McClary

Virginia’s Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run have announced a new band member for 2022 and beyond. Chandler Beavers from Princeton, WV has joined the band on mandolin, taking the spot vacated by Kyle Windbeck who has joined Sideline on bass.

Beavers has been playing mandolin since he was 12 years old, listening to Black Diamond, his neighbor’s bluegrass band. He has performed with a number of bluegrass and Gospel groups in and around West Virginia since that time.

He joins bandleader Caleb Bailey on guitar and lead vocals, Rob Slusser on banjo, Brandon Kyle on bass, and Joe Showalter on fiddle. Their sound might best be described as contemporary traditional bluegrass, primarily featuring original music Caleb has written.

Bailey says that Beavers will be a fine addition to the group.

“We are excited to have Chandler Beavers join Paine’s Run. Chandler is a top notch talent on the mandolin, and will also be featured as a baritone singer in harmony songs. We wasted no time in putting Chandler in action as his first gig with us will be January 8, 2022 at the Historic Masonic Theatre in Clifton Forge, Virginia.”

Here is the title track from Caleb’s recent album, Poplar & Pine.

You can find out more about Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Creek by visiting them online.