Chris Davis Archives - Bluegrass Today

Chris Davis to Pinecastle Records

Pinecastle Records has announced the signing of veteran bluegrass vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Chris Davis, currently mandolinist with Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers.

Chris is the very definition of a bluegrass sideman. He’s worked with a long list of acts, including Honi Deaton & Dream, Melvin Goins, Larry Cordle, Marty Raybon, Wildfire, Junior Sisk, The Grascals, and now Mullins. He even did a stint with country group Diamond Rio when their tenor vocalist, Gene Johnson, who had been a member of J.D. Crowe & The New South with Keith Whitley in the late ’70s, had to undergo heart surgery in 2014.

Along with the signing announcement, Pinecastle has released a first single with Davis called Blue Kentucky Wind which was written by Chris’ former bossman Cordle, and Leslie Satcher.

Davis says that this one is close to his heart, as a tribute to his hallowed home state.

“I’ve lived and raised a family in Kentucky. I’ve seen the beauty of an early morning in the hollers and hills of East Kentucky, and I can say without a doubt, it is one of the prettiest states on earth.

I worked for Larry [Cordle] for five years, and with him being from Kentucky, he could relate to how I feel about our beloved state. While Blue Kentucky Wind has never been cut before, Larry has written many other iconic songs like Highway 40 Blues by Ricky Skaggs, Don’t Forget to Pray for Me by Diamond Rio, and Against the Grain, recorded by Garth Brooks.

I love Kentucky, and my personal relationship with Larry goes back many years now. I hope you enjoy the time we spent making this song!”

Helping out are Scott Vestal on banjo, John Meador on guitar, Jason Barie on fiddle, and Evan Winsor on bass. Chris is on mandolin and lead vocal, with Meador singing harmony.

Cord never fails, and neither does Davis on this new single. Check it out.

Blue Kentucky Wind is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

Late season band member changes go into effect – Jeff Parker, Chris Davis

As the world finishes reopening after two years under a global pandemic, bands are gladly returning to the road playing live shows. New bands and new personnel are popping up as the bluegrass community strives for normalcy following their hiatus.

Jeff Parker has left the mandolin position in Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers to resume playing his own music with his own band. Chris Davis is filling Parker’s slot in the Radio Ramblers, and leaving a vacancy yet to be decided upon by the Grascals.

Parker’s new ensemble, Jeff Parker & Company, is comprised of himself on mandolin with Jake Vanover on guitar, and the father/son duo of West Parks on bass and 18-year-old Taylor Parks on banjo.

In a phone interview, Parker stressed, “Now that the pandemic is over, I want to pick up where we left off with three new members. Jake was my first choice. He’s a good singer, good musician, and good person. He also lives close to home (in Kentucky). Taylor will be sought after. He’s very talented, raised right, and a good person as well.”

“I’ve got a lot to do. I want to work on original songs. We play the Station Inn on November 26 and, while in Nashville, we plan to take new band photos. By the end of the year, I will get branding started. We hope to have a new project out in 2023.”

Parker’s quintet has signed with Graham Talent Group, with Amelia Ricci as his booking agent.

“This is a big change for me. I’ve always done my own booking.”

The professional musician is grateful for the work he has had with other acts. “Joe (Mullins) was a great guy to work for, and I still fill-in some with Dailey & Vincent.”

And Parker is excited for the future. “I have my own sound, and I really believe in bringing good quality music to people. I just want to be me.”

Chris Davis, formerly with the Grascals, is Parker’s replacement in the Radio Ramblers.

The multi-instrumentalist shared, “The main reason for the switch is traditional bluegrass has always been at the core of my heart. The Grascals are all my dear friends and I love every single one of those guys and gal. I’ll leave the guitar position at the end of November. My first love (instrument wise) has always been the mandolin, and that’s what I get to do with Joe (Mullins).”

Less distance is another plus for Davis. “I’m a Buckeye from the state of Ohio, and the band is based there. My commute to work will be lessened, and I will share singing duties with Adam Macintosh, and sing harmonies in the trio as well as the quartet.”

The Grascals will announce Davis’ replacement in the near future.

The music scene looks bright and musicians are eager to perform their best for receptive audiences.

Chris Davis to RBR Entertainment, new single

RBR Entertainment has announced the signing of Grascals guitarist and vocalist Chris Davis to the label, and have released a first single today from an upcoming album.

Chris has been active in bluegrass for many years, working alongside some of the biggest names in the music. Playing mandolin or guitar, he has worked in the touring bands of Larry Cordle, Melvin Goins, Larry Sparks, Junior Sisk, and Marty Raybon, and even did a stint with country artists Diamond Rio when former New South mandolinist Gene Johnson had to miss several weeks for health reasons. And it was as a vocalist that gained him notoriety, and his ability to make any ensemble sound better when singing harmony.

So why now for his own record? The answer is as simple as out is obvious.

“I’ve been playing bluegrass music as long as I can remember, and I just felt the timing was right to do a solo project.”

Billy Droze, President of RBR, agrees with the timing, and sings the praises of the newest signee.

“Chris is a perfect fit for RBR Entertainment. He is an awesome vocalist, phenomenal player of many instruments and just an all around cool dude. We are very excited to have him be a part of the RBR family.”

You can see the truth of Billy’s comment in this first single, Down South in New Orleans, written by the team of Jim Anglin, Jack Anglin, and Johnny Wright. This is the same crew that wrote Ashes of Love, which was a hit for Johnny & Jack, i.e., Johnny Wright and Jack Anglin, in 1951. The song became a staple in the rock and pop music world when it was recorded by The Band in the film version of their live concert as The Last Waltz.

Davis provides a rollicking treatment with both bluegrass and New Orleans jazz elements, by including an accordion playing in unison with the fiddle, giving the track an unmistakable flair.

Chris says that the song made its mark on him many years ago.

“When I was a youngster, a band from Southern Ohio called ‘The Powell Brothers with Red Spurlock recorded the song. My dad had the record and I just loved the song. I thought, ‘if I ever get a chance to record it, I would.'”

Chris plays guitar and sings the lead, supported by Ron Stewart on banjo, Jame Seliga on mandolin, Tim Crouch on fiddle, Josh Swift on reso-guitar, Jeff Taylor on accordion, and Greg Martin on bass. Swift adds backing vocals.

It’s a real humdinger.

Down South in New Orleans releases today from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers will find the track at AirPlay Direct.

Track Premiere: Not That Far Along from Bluegrass at the Crossroads

Mountain Home Music Company has released another single from their compilation project, Bluegrass at the Crossroads. Their concept for this album has been to match artists from both the traditional and more contemporary bluegrass communities, in many cases who have never played together beforehand.

This latest finds Chris Davis, guitarist and vocalist with The Grascals, taking the lead on Not That Far Along, a highly engaging song about watching a love come apart, and trying to move on. Supporting are Gina Furtado on banjo, Cody Kilby on guitar, Andy Leftwich on fiddle, and Sav Sankaran on bass. Davis also plays mandolin, with vocal harmonies from Sankaran and producer Jon Weisberger.

Chris explains a bit about why he finds this number so appealing.

“I love a good heart break song — a tale of romance gone wrong and love that’s been deceived. When paired with a beautiful melody, you come up with Not That Far Along, written by two of my favorite writers, Craig Market and Jon Weisberger.”

Have a listen…

Not That Far Along is available now wherever you stream or download music online. It is offered to radio programmers at AirPlay Direct.

Meet Gibson Davis, the next generation of bluegrass

With a name like “Gibson,” one might guess that this West Virginia teenager was a musician. Well, that would be correct! Gibson, a fourth generation musician, hammers the five string.

The rising 9^th grader explained his name. “My dad is friends with Elmer Burchett, banjo picker with Wildfire. They went camping and Dad was wondering what to name me. Elmer suggested Gibson…and it stuck.”

Gibson has quite the family lineage.

His great grandpa, Elzie Davis, was an old time fiddler who played with Red Allen, and embedded the pickin’ gene for his future generations.

“Grandpa (Danny Davis) played with Ralph Stanley and some of the greats.”

Gibson’s dad is Chris Davis, who currently performs with the Grascals, but has played with Larry Cordle, Melvin Goins, Junior Sisk, and Marty Raybon among others.

The fourteen-year-old stresses that his name wasn’t what led him to the banjo. “My name wasn’t the factor. I liked the way the banjo sounded. I thought (learning to pick) it was a good thing to do.”

Gibson gravitated toward the instrument when he was 7 or 8 years old.

“My grandpa showed me a forward roll and told me to do that 100 times. He showed me some of Earl Scruggs’ stuff. He kick started me.”

Cripple Creek was the first tune that Gibson learned to play on his grandpa’s Gibson bowtie archtop. As he progressed, he began to explore other styles and other pickers.

“I really like Terry Baucom and the original Quicksilver. I like Scott Vestal, Béla Fleck, Noam Pikelny, and Steve Dilling,” the aspiring musician stressed. “There are so many great ones. I went with Dad to bluegrass festivals and jam sessions, and folks would show me stuff; folks like Kristin Scott Benson and Jody King.”

“People gave me banjos. Marty Raybon gave me a Rual Yarbrough banjo. It’s one of my favorites. I don’t take it out to jams or plan on selling it. Currently, I am playing (you guessed it) a Gibson, an RB-250 built in the ’80s.”

The surviving three generations of Davises enjoy jamming with each other.

“We play every time we see each other,” Gibson confirmed. During the quarantine, the trio has performed several times on Facebook Live.

Chris, Gibson’s dad, is his biggest fan. “He has an old soul and doesn’t think like other kids. He approaches music the same way. He has a keen ear for melody, timing, and tone. All three are very important. He has stood side by side with some of the best in bluegrass and held his own. I couldn’t be prouder of Gibson.”

His grandpa weighed in. “I think my grandson is well ahead of his time. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not bragging, but I’m very proud of him. I was a little rough on him really, but he stuck with it. It was then I knew he was going to be a good little picker.”

Gibson is appreciative of his mom, Rhonda Davis, as well. “She really encouraged me with my music!”

Also an outdoorsman, he enjoys bass fishing, and hunting (deer, squirrels, and turkeys). Like most youth, he likes to ride four-wheelers.

The Ona, WV teenager utilizes technology, learning new tunes from YouTube. However, he credits his musical talents to his grandpa.

“He has worked hard and practiced. He has bright future in music should he chose that as a life career,” his father stressed.

“Bluegrass is my style,” Gibson firmly stated. “I have three goals for my life: I want to work on banjos. I want to travel and play in a band. I want to teach and give banjo lessons.”

There is no doubt that this young man has obtainable goals with the skill and determination to achieve them. Remember the name, Gibson. You will be hearing his name, not just describing banjos and mandolins, but as a solid picker in bluegrass circles and beyond.

With rising stars like Gibson Davis, the future of bluegrass music is in good hands.

Chris Davis to Diamond Rio

Gene Johnson, a founding member of country group Diamond Rio – and a former mandolinist/vocalist with J.D. Crowe & the New South – is set to undergo open heart surgery in June, with Chris Davis, recently of Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice, set to fill in for the duration of his recovery.

Johnson was with Crowe during roughly the same time frame as Keith Whitley, with Steve Bryant on bass. He was, and is, a strong tenor singer memorable for his trios with Whitley and Crowe.

Needless to say, Chris is plenty excited about this opportunity.

“It’s an honor to even be considered, though I pray that Gene will be back even sooner than expected.”

He tells us that the opportunity came his way by a circuitous route. Johnson asked John Cowan to suggest a mandolinist who was a good high tenor singer, and who would be free for a summer tour. Cowan in turn asked Nashville fiddler/singer Aaron Till, who asked his friend Lorie Davis.

Lorie, who is a popular bartender in Nashville – and Chris’ sister – quickly suggested him for the gig.

“Gene called a few days ago and left a message. I was completely overwhelmed. I’ve been doing this for so long – since I was 15 – and I was so proud to hear his message asking me about filling in.”

Davis will be covering 18 dates over 3 months, traveling in a style few bluegrass artists will be accustomed to, with an instrument tech to tune and set up his mandolin on the road.

Congratulations Chris, and best wishes for a quick recovery to Gene!

Chris Davis to Wildfire

Mandolinist and tenor vocalist Chris Davis has been announced as the newest member of Wildfire. He joins Robert Hale on guitar and lead vocals, Curt Chapman on bass, and Johnny Lewis on banjo.

Until just recently Chris had been performing as a member of Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice. He had worked previously with Larry Cordle, Larry Sparks and several others.

Hale is looking forward to having Davis on board.

“We are excited to welcome Chris as the newest member of Wildfire. We believe that his talent and experience make him an excellent addition to the band and are looking forward to our first performance together.”

You can keep up with Wildfire at www.wildfireband.com.

Chris Davis departs Rambler’s Choice

Chris Davis, who has been playing mandolin with Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice, has made his exit.

Anyone close to a bluegrass musician knows the difficulties that job can bring, with the long drives and time away from family, and Chris decided that staying closer to home was where he wanted to be. He is planning to start a new musical venture, a country band with his wife, Julie Reeves Davis.

Junior tells us that it was their recently-concluded 14 day tour that cinched it for Chris. Rambler’s Choice had been in Canada, down to Bean Blossom, and then back up to Ontario on this two week swing.

But as Sisk tells us, “the show must go on,” and they will be trying out a few possible replacements over the newt few weeks.

“We want to make sure we get the right person, someone who can not only cut the gig, but also rides well and is really one of us.

We’re sorry to see Chris go, but we wish him and Julie all the best. Good luck to both of you on this new adventure!”

You can catch them this weekend at RudyFest and the Ozark River Festival, and next week at The Ryman and Circle E.

Welcome Rylan Wesley Davis….

Congratulations to Chris Davis and fiance Julie Reeves on the birth of their son, Rylan Wesley Davis. He entered the world at 9:50 a.m. on November 5, 2011. Little Rylan weighed in at 8 lbs 2 oz. and was 21 inches long.

Join us in congratulating the wonderful couple on this miraculous event. Rylan joins big brother Gibson & sister Caitlyn.

You can find Chris these days as mandolin player/vocalist with Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice.

Here are a couple of shots of the new Davis, and his lovely family from the hospital!