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Bluegrass songstress Carrie Hassler and her husband, Thom, are celebrating the birth of their second son. Hayes Phillip Hassler was born on Christmas morning at 5:40 a.m., who came in at 7 lbs, 11 oz.
Carrie and Hayes, named for her dad, are doing great and older son, Halen, is enjoying his baby brother.
Welcome Hayes Hassler, and congratulations to Carrie and Thom!
But I’m pretty sure there’s never been anything like God Didn’t Choose Sides, the startling CD from Rural Rhythm in which each of the 13 songs is based on a factual story about a real, ordinary person.
How good it is? Good enough to make me go way out on a limb. I think this collaborative effort will be the runaway winner of IBMA’s recorded event of the year award later this year in Raleigh. It’s got everything: First-rate songwriting by Mark Brinkman, Paula Breedlove, Brad Davis, Mike Evans and others; incredible instrumentation by Ron Stewart, Adam Steffey, Tim Stafford and others; and an all-star cast of vocalists, including Russell Moore, Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gulley, Rickey Wasson, Ronnie Bowman, Bradley Walker, Carrie Hassler, Marty Raybon and Dave Adkins, who just may be the next big voice in bluegrass.
Hyperbole? Listen to the CD a time or two, then let me know.
But to me, the beauty of this project isn’t the assembly of talent. It’s the preservation of the darkest hours of our nation through songs that are heartbreaking, educational and inspirational all at the same time.
Try to listen to Dale Ann sing the story of Christmas in Savannah without shedding a tear as you hear about 90 Union soldiers from Michigan who rescue Christmas after “Santa couldn’t make it through General Sherman’s line.”
Hear Russell Moore tell of a New York woman who learns she’s a widow when she sees A Picture of Three Children in the newspaper and reads that the photograph was clutched by a soldier from the North as he died. Put yourself in her shoes and you feel the horror of war.
Or feel the admiration for a fellow human being who risks his own life to take a stand in Dave Adkins’ rendition of The River Man. This is the tale of a freed slave who worked in a foundry by day and put it all on the line when he “ran a secret freedom train by dark of night” to help other slaves find a taste of the freedom he enjoyed.
No matter which side your ancestors stood on 150 years ago, you’ll find stirring songs that cover the full range of emotions without being preachy or political. The overarching sentiment is expressed in the title cut, sung to perfection by Marty Raybon. God Didn’t Choose Sides tells of those from both the Blue and the Gray who gave their lives for what they believed in, only to be peacefully reunited on common ground in heaven.
But don’t stop with the music. Read the accompanying 16-page booklet that tells the stories behind the songs. In itself, that represents a stellar research and writing job by Jamie Lynn Brinkman.
And then get ready for more of the same. This project is billed as Vol. 1, with two more CDs in the planning stages.
The historic concert will celebrate the February 12, Lincoln Day, release of Rural Rhythm Records’ God Didn’t Choose Sides album that coincides with the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The concert and CD feature some of today’s top artists including Steve Gulley, Dale Ann Bradley, Marty Raybon, Carrie Hassler, Brad Gulley, Tim Stafford, Dave Adkins, and the Gap Creek Quartet. Supporting musicians include: Sierra Hull (mandolin), Jason Burleson (banjo), Brandon Godman (fiddle), Phil Leadbetter (Dobro), Bryan Turner (bass) and Debbie Gulley (vocals).
Mark “Brink” Brinkman will also provide a special songwriter segment.
The album, God Didn’t Choose Sides: Civil War True Stories about Real People, includes 12 original songs inspired by journals, stories and artifacts from soldiers, civilians and politicians during the Civil War. Also included on the recording is the traditional song There is a Fountain performed by the Gap Creek Quartet (Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gulley, Don Gulley & Vic Graves). It is a collection of songs that focus on the common men and women who were thrown together into the realities and horrors of war; people who displayed amazing acts of kindness, selflessness, faith, love and brotherhood. All but one track on the album, Legend of Jennie Wade, were recorded, at least in part, at Steve Gulley’s The Curve Studio in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee.
Accompanying the music is an extensive 16-page booklet filled with historical notes, photographs and lyrics. LMU and ALLM archivist Michelle Ganz provided historical content supervision and materials from the ALLM collection. Additional assistance was provided by ALLM Program and Tourism Director Carol Campbell and the historical booklet notes were provided by Jamie Lynn Brinkman.
Rural Rhythm Records has set up a dedicated site for the album that includes interviews, additional content relating to the history behind the songs, songwriters, performing artists and musicians.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the ALLM and help fund a documentary on the project that is currently under development. Ticketing details can be found online.
The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum is located on the historic campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN. Housing one of the top five Lincoln and Civil War private collections in the world, the Museum is open on Monday-Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, on Saturday from noon to 5:00 pm and on Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Rural Rhythm Records have released a series of videos to accompany the CD, which provide further background information regarding this first album in what is expected to be a trilogy …..
Mason Parker McKinnon was born this morning (11/7/12) at 11:57 a.m. to Kevin and Kendra McKinnon. He came in at 6 lbs, 12 oz; everyone is doing well.
Kevin is a powerhouse multi-instrumentalist, having worked with both Carrie Hassler and Still-House. He is currently touring as audio engineer with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.
Congratulations to the McKinnons!
This two-part miniseries will air as part of the network’s popular Reno’s Old Time Music program, with Ronnie Reno visiting the famed Renfro Valley in Kentucky. In addition to presenting the history of this storied venue, the show will include performances by Marty Raybon, Carrie Hassler, Audie Blaylock & Redline, The Darrell Webb Band, and Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band.
Saturday’s premiere will air at 7:00 p.m. (EDT), with part two coming at the same time on September 22.
Bluegrass Comes To The Valley was produced by Lost Echoes Productions, with assistance from Rural Rhythm Records. Additional support was provided by the Mt. Vernon-Rockdale County Tourism Commission and the City of Mt. Vernon, KY.
RFD-TV is carried on a large number of cable systems and satellite providers in the US, Europe and Australia. You can check for a provider in your area online.
Mark has been writing long enough to have more than 80 cuts by artists in the bluegrass, country, pop and Christian markets. Three of his songs have been recorded by Carrie Hassler (Hard Rain, Tell Me Like A Man, Seven Miles From Wichita), and by country artists as diverse as Rodney Atkins, Jack Greene, David Adam Brynes, Arlo Gilliam, and Addison Johnson. He’s also written for Australian pop-rockers Little River Band, whose guitarist Rich Herring co-produced the new album with Houser.
The single is one Mark wrote with Hassler and Arlo Gilliam, called River of Regret. It’s available to radio now via Airplay Direct, and Rural Rhythm’s latest Fresh Cuts & Key Tracks CD. Houser is on guitar and lead vocal, with Cody Kilby on banjo, Andy Leftwich on mandolin and fiddle, Barry Bales on bass and Scotty Sanders on resonator guitar. Harmony vocals on the track are provided by Paul Brewster and Dawn Sears.
River of Regret: [http://traffic.libsyn.com/thegrasscast/river_of_regret.mp3]
You can see a list of all of Mark’s recorded cuts, and read his brief stories about the songs on Uneven Road, on his official web site.
Featuring eight tracks by songwriters including Carl Jackson, Steve Gulley, Tim Stafford, and Ashley McBryde (just to mention a few), Hassler has chosen her songs with care. She has not just picked songs she likes – in the liner notes, she states that they all make her “feel something when she hears them.” She even goes on to say “If I had to choose one last song to ever sing… this would be it” in regards to the album’s title track. Hassler is also supported by a standout group of musicians including Ron Stewart (banjo and fiddle), Alan Bibey (mandolin), and Justin Moses (dobro and fiddle).
Songs range in scope from heartfelt melodies to pieces like the album’s opening track, Luxury Liner, a fast-paced, banjo-driven take on a Gram Parsons tune which fans of Emmylou Harris may recognize from her recording of the song. Adding an interesting aspect to the album is hit songwriter Bobby Boyd’s Catch My Breath, which sounds more like an old-school country hit, with electric and steel guitar accompaniment. Other notable numbers include Eugene and Diane, a duet with Steve Gulley with a simple arrangement conveying a sweet love story.
While Hassler is well-known in the bluegrass world, including two 2011 IBMA nominations for her work on the All Star Jam – Live at Graves Mountain album, The Distance could help her easily slip onto the country charts, as well. Hassler’s sweet melodies and smooth vocals are reminiscent of Patsy Cline and other classic female country artists, and her voice lets the listener know that she feels every note of both the love songs and the lonesome songs.
For more information on Hassler and her new album, visit her website at www.carriehassler.com.
Company President Sam Passamano has been hard at work looking for opportunities for Rural Rhythm artists within the Music City media market, while son Sammy has taken the reins of music video production for the label.
Among their successes are The Roys, who are involved in a pair of shows airing in the US, Britain and Australia, and a new music video for IIIrd Tyme Out which has just been released.
Another triumph occurs tomorrow (5/15) at the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center when taping takes place for Bluegrass Comes To The Valley, a new program hosted by Ronnie Reno set to air on RFD-TV and BlueHighways TV. It will feature live performances by Carrie Hassler, The Darrell Webb Band, Marty Raybon, Audie Blaylock & Redline, and Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band.
Episodes of the show will air on Reno’s Old Time Music Festival on RFD, and later on Reno’s network, BlueHighways.
The taping is free and open to the public, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
She is set to be the featured guest on tonight’s debut edition of The Revolution, a new radio show on WSWV FM, hosted by Jamie Dean of Cumberland River.
The station is located in Pennington Gap, VA, in the far western part of the state, with a signal that reaches into bluegrass-friendly markets like Hazard and Harlan, KY, and Morristown and Johnson City, TN.
Jamie’s show will run each Wednesday evening from 7:00-11:00 p.m. WSWV broadcasts at 105.5 FM, and is also streamed live online.
Tonight he will play music from The Distance, Hassler’s new CD, and talk with her about the music – and their joint appearance this Satutrday in Pikeville, TN for Carrie’s CD release party.
Check them out this evening, over the air or online.
As always, Hassler’s powerful voice is front and center, and she is assisted by some real heavyweights in the studio. Ron Stewart is on banjo, Alan Bibey on mandolin, Tim Stafford on guitar, Justin Moses on fiddle and Mark Fain on bass. Harmony vocals are provided by Dale Ann Bradley and Steve Gulley, who also produced.
The material also comes from a notable list of writers. Tim Stafford, Steve Gulley, Jennifer Strickland, Craig Market and Carl Jackson are all listed as having contributed songs to the project.
And again, like her previous records, The Distance showcases Carrie’s expressive singing on a set of modern bluegrass with a strong country influence.
The 8 song set starts with her recreation of Luxury Liner, a Gram Parsons song that Emmylou Harris recorded in 1977 with Tony Rice and Ricky Skaggs. This version holds true to Harris’ classic statement, but with a more decidedly grassy edge. It’s a perfect vehicle for Hassler and her ability to belt one out.
All I Have To Do Is Breathe is another stellar Tim Stafford/Steve Gulley composition. If the fates continue to smile on these two, they could go down as the Lennon & McCartney of bluegrass.
The bulk of the tracks are on the mellower side, with a real standout Carrie’s duet with Steve Gulley on Carl Jackson’s Eugene & Diane, which tells of a love song that never was.
Get Me Over You is a textbook example of polished contemporary bluegrass, with strong contributions from Stewart, Bibey, Stafford and Moses.
Carrie Hassler and Rural Rhythm have been a good team, with her two previous albums spending time on the bluegrass charts. Unless I miss my guess, The Distance should follow that same track.
