Farm Hands Archives - Bluegrass Today

Bluegrass DNA video from The Farm Hands

Tim Graves is a pretty happy guy these days. The current edition of the Nashville reso-guitar man’s band, The Farm Hands, is as good as any he has had on the road this past dozen years, with Don Wayne Reno on banjo, Terry Eldredge on bass, and Jimmy Haynes on guitar.

Plus their current single, Bluegrass DNA, has struck a chord with traditional grassers, for its retelling of how the music has been passed down from one generation to the next, using Tim and Don Wayne as examples, with snippets of a number of classic bluegrass songs and tunes worked in.

Today Pinecastle Records has released a music video for the song, which features all the current members of The Farm Hands, with some help from Jimmy’s brother, Adam Haynes, on fiddle.

Tim tells us how the song came to be.

“There’s not many people left in bluegrass music that have a direct bloodline to the pioneers of our wonderful music. I am so happy to have two members of my group, The Farm Hands, that have the bloodline to the first generation of bluegrass pioneers. Myself, Tim Graves – the nephew of Uncle Josh – and Don Wayne Reno – the youngest son of legendary banjo man Don Reno. The song Bluegrass DNA was written because of this wonderful legacy we have in our group. It was written by my brother, Tedd, and his wife, Nita Graves. Hope you enjoy our song and this video.”

Have a look/listen…

Bluegrass DNA is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers can get the track via AirPlay Direct.

It is also the title track of The Farm Hands’ latest album, likewise available online, and on CD directly from the band.

Don Wayne Reno to The Farm Hands – new Christmas video

Don Wayne Reno with Tim Graves

Tim Graves has announced the lineup for The Farm Hands going into 2022. Don Wayne Reno, son of the legendary Don Reno, has joined the group on the five string banjo.

Don Wayne has had a long career as a banjo player in his own right, in addition to being a fine exemplar of the distinctive style pioneered by his father. Many music lovers recall his time with the group Hayseed Dixie, which began as a bluegrass group dedicated to playing covers of AC/DC, and went on to become a sensation in Europe.

He says that he is excited to get back on the road and pick some grass.

“I am thrilled to be the newest member of the Farm Hands. Tim Graves is the hardest working man I know, and I truly believe this is a great fit. Looking forward to the adventure and the bluegrass!”

Graves will continue to lead the group on reso-guitar, with Jimmy Haynes on guitar. A nw bass player will be announced shortly.

Recently Tim got the guys together to shoot a Christmas video for their fans. It’s their version of the Elvis Presley classic from 1957, Blue Christmas. Terry Eldredge helps out on bass.

You can learn more about The Farm Hands by visiting them online.

4.0 – The Farm Hands

Since first forming eleven years ago, The Farm Hands have garnered considerable recognition for their tasteful blend of bluegrass and Gospel music. Although the group started its journey as a quartet, they have recently expanded to five members, ultimately allowing more possibilities in terms of vocal harmonies, instrumentation, and song arrangements. The Farm Hand’s latest release, 4.0 is a demonstration of their evolving sound.

4.0 starts off with a wonderful rendition of Pride, originally recorded by Ray Price in 1962. Sung here by fiddler Kimberly Bibb, her spirited delivery had my attention from the minute the album began playing. One issue that I do take with this project, and it’s a very minor one, is that the liner notes give no indication as to who is singing the lead vocal on each track. There were several strong performances throughout the recording with varying vocalists. I found myself having to guess who was singing which song, which sometimes took away from my listening experience.

This recording’s greatest strength is the story-based material which all touch on relatable themes. Songs such as This World Of Mine and Missing You pertain to feelings surrounding lost love and heartbreak, while Trains Make Me Lonesome and Back In My Day directly correlate to nostalgia and longing for things to be the way that they once were. Circle Of Wood, penned by Mike Waddle, is an excellent song centered around the historic Grand Ole Opry. While other songs have been written about the legendary show and similar live radio broadcasts, Circle Of Wood sums up the legacy of the WSM broadcast in a way that no other composition has before.

Instrumentally speaking, The Farm Hands are a dynamic powerhouse. This is most notably demonstrated on their rendition of the Billy Joel song, Travelin’ Prayer as well as Cuttin’ Grass, written by Josh Graves, the uncle of Farm Hands founder, Tim Graves. Appropriately this tune is played by Tim on Elbert, a resophonic guitar that his legendary uncle owned from 1977-1984.

As per usual on Farm Hands recording, there are four Gospel selections. I was particularly struck by He’s My Rock and Salvation and I Wanted To Be Saved. Both songs are performed in such a way that you can’t help but be drawn in by the lyrics, and really pay attention to the messages that they are conveying.

Like all artists, The Farm Hands have continually developed and refined their sound since they first formed in 2010. 4.0 is not only a wonderful example of the group’s recent momentum, but it also shows how much of a knack the quintet has for selecting material that the listener can connect to on a personal level.

Pride – new single, new sound from The Farm Hands

Pinecastle Records has released a single from The Farm Hands, highlighting the new and more versatile sound that the group offers with their most recent lineup.

Since its inception as The Farm Hands Quartet, Tim Graves’ band has been an all male bastion of bluegrass and bluegrass Gospel music. Now, with the addition of Kimberly Bibb Marrs on fiddle, the guys also have a female voice to add to the mix.

And they have used her vocals, and her twin fiddles, on their latest release, a remake of Pride, Ray Price’s hit song from the ’60s. Written by Wayne Walker and Irene Stanton, Ray’s version was released by Columbia at the very beginning of 1962.

Graves is beside himself over the versatility the band currently has at its disposal.

“I am so excited about this group now. We have the ability to move in any direction we want to go. With every member being able to play multiple instruments, and every member being able to sing lead vocals or sing parts, it gives us unlimited possibilities with any material we choose to record.

“The new single is a good example. This is a Ray Price song that went to #4 for Ray. I have heard it a thousand times, but when I heard Kimberly Bibb Marrs, our fiddle player, sing it, I knew it needed to be the next single. When you can take a song as big as Pride from a star as big as Ray Price and make it yours, then you have done something special. Pride sounds like The Farm Hands with power and a new twist to it.

“I know whoever hears this song will want to hear it more than once. Kimberly Bibb Marrs sings Pride as good as it has ever been done before.”

Also new to The Farm Hands are Bryan Graves on bass, Kelsey Crews on banjo, and David Mansfield on guitar.

Have a listen to their version of Pride.

Pride is available now as a single wherever you stream or download music online. It will be included on the next Pinecastle album from The Farm Hands, expected sometime next year.

Radio programmers can grab the track at AirPlay Direct.

The Farm Hands – new look, new sound, same bluegrass focus

The Farm Hands have been through a lot in 2020, as we all have, and they are back as strong ever with some new members, an updated sound, and even a new web site. But they are still playing the same mix of traditional bluegrass and Gospel music that has kept this bunch on the road for a decade.

Co-founder and reso-guitarist Tim Graves told us today that this has been a tough year, with several band members leaving, including Daryl Mosley, who started the group with Tim about ten years ago. It was Daryl’s plan to start his own group and function as a solo artist, which he has done, but that was all set before the virus struck.

Graves says that it didn’t take long to reconfigure a touring band.

“The other guys quit when the pandemic hit. We had a full year on the books, but they left when we were shut down. We started working again some in June, and are booked pretty regular now through the end of the year.

So we have three new members. Bryan Graves is on bass, my cousin, who played with Uncle Josh for some time before he died. Kelsey Crews is on banjo, David Mansfield is on guitar, and Kimberly Bibb is still with us on fiddle.”

Even while gigs were slow this summer, the new edition of The Farm Hands were plenty busy in the studio. A new record from Pinecastle is expected in January.

And Tim says that he can’t wait for all their fans to see and hear what they have in store.

“Everybody in the band can sing all the parts, so we can split all the vocals among us. Plus they all play multiple instruments, giving us a chance to mix it up, even having twin fiddles on some songs.”

Graves says that 2021 looks good for The Farm Hands, officially shortened from The Farm Hands Quartet since they have gone to five members.

Keep an eye on their web site for a chance to catch them live somewhere near you.

Winds of Fall, new single from The Farm Hands

Here’s a perfectly timed single release…

Just as most of us are getting used to fall temperatures, and the first hints of the winter winds, Pinecastle Records has a new song from The Farm Hands that suits the season. It’s the second single from their upcoming Memories of Home album, one written and sung by guitarist Keith Tew called Winds of Fall. Keith compares the coldness he feels from his romantic companion to those first chilly winds.

As is their habit, this one is an easy-going, old time bluegrass number.

The new album releases tomorrow, November 8, and co-founder Tim Graves says that they are all very happy with the way it turned out.

“I think Memories of Home is our best effort yet. The songs on this project will relate to everyone that listens to it. From Stop and Smell the Roses to Winds of Fall plus 10 other songs, everyone can get some enjoyment from this project.”

Memories of Home will be available wherever you stream or download music online, or directly from the band on CD. Radio programmers can get the tracks at AirPlay Direct.

Bennie Boling back with The Farm Hands

Following the recent retirement of Daryl Mosely from the group, The Farm Hands have welcomed back a long lost bandmate, Bennie Boling, to play bass. Bennie had worked with the quartet in the past on banjo, and is happy to return again to hold down the low end. He is a life-long grasser who has performed in bluegrass groups since he was a teen.

Boling is also a fine singer and songwriter, and a talented luthier who works by day for Huber Banjos in Hendersonville, TN.

Bennie has released a single in recent weeks, one he wrote and recorded when he was a young man. It’s a banjo tune called Thunderhead, which is available wherever you find music to stream or download online.

He also spent his time away from The Farm Hands on a project with Billy Troy, who is the son of bluegrass dobro legend Josh Graves. They call their group 40 Horse Mule, and have been working on a new recording of new songs that Billy and Bennie have written. With Billy living in Nebraska and Bennie ion Tennessee, they won’t have many opportunities to perform, but the music they have cut is powerful and fresh. Billy is a gifted vocalist, and their sound together mixes bluegrass with gritty country.

Look for more on 40 Horse Mule when their project is completed.

Daryl Mosley to depart The Farm Hands

The Farm Hands have announced the imminent departure of bass player and vocalist, Daryl Mosley.

After touring with the band this past 9 years, Daryl has decided that it is time for him to dedicate himself more to songwriting than performing. So at the end of September, he will be leaving the road to do just that.

In a Facebook video to fans of the group, he indicates that doing 150 concerts with The Farm Hands each year leaves him with little time for anything else, but that far from retiring from the music business, he will be working on a solo career for himself, and writing bluegrass and Gospel songs for his many friends in the industry.

No word yet from the band as to who might be joining in Daryl’s stead, but keep an eye out for an announcement soon about that.

You can follow Mosley through his official web site, or on Facebook.

I Can’t Go Home Anymore video from The Farm Hands

Pinecastle Records has released a first single from Memories Of Home, their upcoming album with The Farm Hands.

It’s a new song written and sung by their bass player, Daryl Mosely, who tells us that I Can’t Go Home Anymore relates a feeling most all of us share.

“A friend of mine gave me the idea for the song probably 15 years ago. The idea of ‘you can go back but you can’t go home’ has always intrigued me. Well, I still live in the same little town of Waverly, Tennessee where I grew up. From time to time I will drive out past the little house where I grew up. Like the song says, there are people living in the house now that are strangers to me. It’s always a bittersweet moment to see that old house. I think a lot of people feel this way about the house they grew up in.”

Daryl is joined in the video by bandmates Tim Graves on reso-guitar, Keith Tew on guitar, and Don Hill on banjo.

I Can’t Go Home Anymore is available now wherever you stream or download music online, and to radio programmers at AirPlay Direct.

Look for the full Memories Of Home project from Pinecastle sometime this fall.

Good Things – The Farm Hands

The Farm Hands may have assigned themselves a humble handle, but the fact is, they have accrued an impressive history along the way. Having amassed more than 80 award nominations — and garnered 30 of them in the process — they’ve become one of the most prolific touring outfits on the live circuit today, especially when considering the fact that they average over 150 dates each year.

None of this should come as any real surprise — the four members of the band (singer and resonator guitar player Tim Graves, singer and bassist Daryl Moseley, singer and guitarist Keith Tew, and singer and banjo player Don Hill) are all accomplished artists in their own right. On this latest project, fiddler Kimberly Bibb contributes to the proceedings, adding further resilience to their sound.

Consequently, it takes an album like Good Things to underscore their particular appeal. While the band blends bluegrass with a distinct Gospel devotion (hence their win as Bluegrass Gospel Band of the Year at this year’s SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards), their music offers a broad embrace that asserts the possibility of secular success as well. The sound is easy and assured, tailor-made to ensure an instant engagement. That fact’s affirmed both through such jaunty instrumentals as Draining the Swamp (presumably no political posturing is intended) and the rousing and rambling Dixie Breakdown, two songs that bring their knowing instincts to the fore.

Mostly though, Good Things focuses on story songs and narratives, whether it’s the tale told of Hillbilly Graham about an unassuming preacher chided by his religious peers for “talking about Jesus when you look like you’ve been left out in the rain,” or the benefits of a positive upbringing even amidst humble circumstances, as described on the tuneful title track. Indeed, every one of the 13 songs matches purity with positivity, resulting in an upbeat delivery from beginning to end. The fact that all the material comes from the band’s confines save the bonus track IOU, penned by Jimmy Dean, attests to their skill with both words and music.

It’s not often one finds an entire album that’s not only upbeat and effusive, but also decidedly lacking in cynicism or self doubt. Indeed, faith and optimism tend to go hand in hand. Or in this case, hand in Farm Hands might be the better description.