Farm Hands Archives - Page 2 of 3

Hillbilly Graham drops for The Farm Hands

Pinecastle Records has released a new single for The Farm Hands from their upcoming Good Things album, due in September. It’s one about a mountain preacher who roamed the hills tending to the needs of his flock called Hillbilly Graham.

The band consists of four experienced grassers. Tim Graves is on reso-guitar, with Daryl Mosley on bass, Keith New on guitar, and Don Hill on banjo. All four sing, and they specialize in Gospel harmony.

Here’s a sample of the new track in this static video.

Radio programmers can get the single now from AirPlay Direct, and pre-orders for Good Things can be placed online.

The Farm Hands go to the movies

Nashville’s Farm Hands made a trip to Missouri recently to film an appearance for a movie, A Date With The Eclipse, set for release in 2018.

Produced by Cliff House for Fly Bye Films, the movie is a faith-based project, a romance set in rural Missouri. They had previously created a film called Heaven Won’t Wait in 2015.

The band appears as themselves, performing for a town festival in the film. They shot four songs while on set, and the director is as yet uncertain which one will be used in the final edit.

The Farm Hands are Tim Graves on reso-guitar, Daryl Mosley on bass, Keith Tew on guitar, and Don Hill on banjo. Their latest album, Colors, is recently released on Pinecastle Records.

We’ll share more information on the film as the release date approaches.

Farm Hands Rural Route photo contest

To celebrate their single, Rural Route, going to #1 this week on our Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay Chart, The Farm Hands are hosting their first-ever photo contest.

Rural Route, written by Farm Hands bassist and vocalist Daryl Mosley, conveys a love of the country way of living. It is included on their new Pinecastle album, Colors. Everyone is invited to give the song a listen, and submit a photo with their impressions of what the song says to them.

One photo will be chosen each week by the band, and featured on their Facebook page. Then after four weeks, one of those four photos will be chosen as the grand prize winner, and the photographer will receive a Colors CD and a t-shirt.

Here’s a sample of the song…

To be eligible, each photo must be the property of the person sending it in, and any recognizable faces in the photo must sign this photo release form and submit it with your photo.

Photos and forms should be sent to the band by email.

Take your best shot, send it in, and good luck!

Colors video from The Farm Hands

In a nod to yesterday’s celebration of Independence Day, the new video from The Farm Hands uses a series of patriotic images as the background to the song Colors, the title track from their upcoming Pinecastle album.

It was written by Tedd Graves, brother of Farm Hands reso-guitar man, Tim Graves, who also sings lead on the track. Other band members include Daryl Mosley on bass, Keith Tew on guitar, and Don Hill on banjo.

Colors is due for a July 21 release, with pre-orders enabled now from popular download sites. The tracks are available to radio programmers at Airplay Direct.

The Farm Hands honored in the Tennessee Senate

Keith Tew, Don Hill and Tim Graves of The Farm Hands, Tennessee Senator Kerry Roberts, and Daryl Mosley

Today was a big day for The Farm Hands, when the bluegrass quartet was invited to perform on the floor of the Tennessee Senate, and hear the reading of a proclamation honoring them for their success as musical ambassadors for the state of Tennessee.

The proclamation was sponsored by Senator Kerry Roberts of Springfield, TN.

Tim Graves, who plays reso-guitar with the band, said that they are all proud sons of the Volunteer State.

“We are so honored and humbled by both the proclamation and the opportunity to perform on Capitol Hill. We are proud to call Tennessee our home and thankful to be able to take a little bit of Tennessee to the places across the nation where we perform.”

The proclamation as read today in the state Senate says:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this legislative body recognize those artists who devote themselves to their craft, thereby enriching the lives of their fellow citizens; and

WHEREAS, The Farm Hands Bluegrass Quartet is one such group of artists, which was recently awarded Entertainer of the Year, Gospel Band of the Year, Album of the Year (Dig In The Dirt) and Song of the Year (Dig In The Dirt) honors at the 2017 Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) awards, accolades most befitting this distinguished group of musicians; and

WHEREAS, Tim Graves, Daryl Mosley, Keith Tew, and Don Hill comprise The Farm Hands, the combined talents of whom are synergistic and have taken the group throughout the country and to various heights during their seven years together; and

WHEREAS, with over thirty years of experience in professional music, twenty of which were spent as part of the Grand Ole Opry, Grammy Award-winner Tim Graves has toured extensively across the United States, both as a sideman and with his own group; a master of the dobro, he has been nominated for SPBGMA’s Dobro Player of the Year every year since 2002, winning the honor an astounding twelve times; and

WHEREAS, a member of the Bluegrass Music Preservation Hall of Fame since 2015, Tim Graves received his Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album with The Great Dobro Sessions, a 1994 album that included Mr. Graves playing alongside other greats, including Josh Graves and Jerry Douglas; and

WHEREAS, referred to as a poet by gospel music icon Bill Gaither, Daryl Mosley is a multi-award-winning songwriter with songs featured on American Idol, The View, and True Hollywood Story; he has several No. 1 songs to his credit, including the southern gospel classic “(Ask the Blind Man) He Saw It All”; and

WHEREAS, prior to joining The Farm Hands, Mr. Mosley was the lead vocalist of the beloved bluegrass gospel group New Tradition and later performed for over a decade as part of the legendary Grand Ole Opry; he took home Songwriter of the Year honors from SPBGMA in 2016 and again in 2017, and he won SPBGMA’s Song of the Year award in 2006; and

WHEREAS, three-time Guitar Player of the Year nominee Keith Tew has toured with various acts, including High Strung, Vassar Clements of the Grateful Dead, and Rhonda Vincent, with whom he performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage; a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, he is a two-time SPBGMA Song of the Year award winner; and

WHEREAS, rounding out the group of four vocalists and virtuoso musicians is Don Hill, who has the distinction of being named state champion banjo player in several states, including Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee; a Tennessee native, he has worked with many major artists in bluegrass, including Bobby Osborne and Jesse McReynolds, and he was a 2017 SPBGMA Banjo Player of the Year nominee; and

WHEREAS, as a unit, The Farm Hands have garnered many SPBGMA accolades; in addition to this year’s Entertainer of the Year, Gospel Group of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year awards, the group won Entertainer of the Year in 2015, Vocal Group of the Year in 2016, Gospel Group of the Year in 2015 and 2016, and Album of the Year for In A Country Town in 2014; and

WHEREAS, The Farm Hands continue to foster appreciation and ensure the continuance of the bluegrass genre through their commitment to writing and performing their music, and it is wholly fitting that the group be recognized; now, therefore,

I, Randy McNally, Speaker of the Senate of the One Hundred Tenth General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, at the request of and in conjunction with Senator Kerry Roberts and Representative Jay Reedy, do hereby proclaim that we commend The Farm Hands Bluegrass Quartet’s commitment to excellence, congratulating members Tim Graves, Daryl Mosley, Keith Tew, and Don Hill on their recent honors from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass

Music of America and wishing them much success in their future endeavors.

Proclaimed in Nashville, Tennessee, on this the 19th day of April 2017.

After the proclamation was read, the boys played a live version of Dig In The Dirt for everyone in the chamber, which was very well received.

Their next album, Colors, is expected from Pinecastle Records in June.

Well done Farm Hands!

Dig In The Dirt – The Farm Hands

Even if you’re not that familiar with The Farm Hands, you’ve probably heard their recent single, Dig in the Dirt, which has one of the catchiest choruses I’ve heard lately. The song, which is the title track from the group’s latest album, has found quite a bit of success on bluegrass radio and on the Bluegrass Today charts. It’s a great introduction to the rest of the album, which features twelve tracks of well-written, strongly performed bluegrass Gospel.

This is the third album from The Farm Hands, a Nashville-based four-piece group that has racked up a number of trophies at the SPBGMA Awards in recent years, including Vocal Group of the Year and Gospel Group of the Year in 2016. Their music leans towards the traditional side of things, with dashes of southern Gospel, classic country, and contemporary grass when the song calls for it. While many of the tracks have an overtly Christian message, others simply offer positive and uplifting thoughts to listeners.

Dig in the Dirt is the opening track, kicking things off with a peppy fiddle intro from guest Kimberly Bibb. Written by guitarist Keith Tew, it’s a cheerful, toe-tapping number about the virtues of hard work. The singer tells of lessons passed down from his father, reminding listeners that “When hard times are calling, there’s still mouths to feed… And praying’s not the only thing we do on our knees.” Bassist Daryl Mosely’s All the Way Home also honors fathers, using the story of a young boy trusting his father to guide him home from the dark woods to lead in to the same boy learning to follow and trust in the Lord.

It’ll Getcha Where You’re Goin’ uses a similar storytelling structure, as a father shares with his son that both a hand-me-down Ford and a Bible will get him where needs to go in life. Bluegrass fans may recognize the Jerry Salley/Kelley Lovelace co-write from Salley’s 2012 recording of it, or from the version cut by country duo Joey + Rory. Homefolks also came from Salley’s pen (as a co-write with Carl Jackson); it’s a tender reflection on thoughts of home and family when you’re far away, with a gentle melody and an acoustic country sound. I Would has a similar country-tinged feel, with tasteful dobro from Tim Graves. It’s another strong contribution from Mosley, and reminds listeners of a powerful lesson – that “no matter who’s watching, no matter who sees,” we always know when we have made a wrong choice, and so does the Lord.

Mansion on Main is one of the album’s highlights, especially for fans of the classic bluegrass sound. Tew opens the number with skilled traditional guitar, while Graves channels his uncle Josh with excellent old-school dobro. The vocals are earnest and sincere as the singer tells the story of a homeless man who, even though he has lost most of his worldly possessions, spends his time sharing Jesus with others. Closing track I Saw the Light throws a little southern Gospel into the traditional sound, with top-notch harmonies and exuberant instrumentation. I’d enjoy hearing this one live.

With Dig in the Dirt, The Farm Hands have put together one of those great, well-rounded albums that has a little something for everyone but still feels like a cohesive effort. The band does a fine job of meshing together slightly different styles to create a truly enjoyable record. Graves’s dobro work is particularly of note in this regard. He, Mosley, Tew, banjo player Bennie Boling (who has since left the group), and guest fiddler Bibb are a talented group and I’m looking forward to hearing more from them.

For more information on The Farm Hands, visit their website at www.farmhandsquartet.com. Their new album is available now from Pinecastle Records, and can be purchased from several online music retailers.

From Your Knees video from the Farm Hands Quartet

Pinecastle is about to release Better Than I Deserve, their latest album from The Farm Hands, and have dropped a new music video today for the title cut. The song is From Your Knees, written by Leslie Ann Winn, and sung by long time Farm Hands bass player Daryl Mosly.

Joining Mosley in the Quartet are Bennie Boling on banjo, Tim Graves on reso-guitar, and Keith Tew on guitar.

Look for Better Than I Deserve to hit on February 1.

Jesse Turner to The Farm Hands

The Farm Hands Bluegrass Quartet have announced their newest member. Alabamian Jesse Turner has stepped into the guitar spot recently vacated by Kevin Williamson, who left the group to develop his family band.

Turner is an experienced sideman and session player, who is comfortable on any of the bluegrass instruments. Upon accepting his new role, he remarked:

“The Farm Hands are a class act and I’m so happy to be part of such a great group.”

Reso-guitarist Tim Graves says that all the guys are delighted with their new fourth.

“We’re really happy to have Jesse join us. He’s talented on so many levels. He’s going to be a great fit with us.

Jesse gives us some new options musically that we are looking forward to exploring.”

You can follow the Farm hands online.

Kevin Williamson leaves Farm Hands Quartet

The Farm Hands Bluegrass Quartet has announced that guitarist and vocalist Kevin Williamson is leaving the band at the end of the year.

The Quartet works a very busy schedule, and Kevin has a young family at home. He also works as a solo children’s performer and felt the need to release some of his responsibilities.

Tim Graves, who plays the reso-guitar and sings with the group, tells us…

“We love Kevin and we will miss his talent and contribution to the group. We wish him the best.

We are sad to see Kevin leave but we are excited about some options and possibilities we are considering. 2014 is shaping up to be our best year yet. We expect to have some exciting news to announce very soon.”

Remaining with Tim are Bennie Boling on banjo, and Daryl Mosley on bass. They have put together an interesting challenge for aspiring songwriters, inviting anyone who has never had a song recorded by a professional artist to send them in. They will choose the best one they receive to record on their next album.

Full details of their Farm Hands Quartet songwriting contest can be found online.

Williamson Branch serenades us at WOB 2013

Williamson Branch is a young family band from the Nashville area, featuring Kevin and Debbie Williamson and their three young daughters, Melody, Kadence, and Caroline. Bluegrass fans will recognize Kevin as the guitarist with The Farm Hands Quartet, one of the busiest gospel bluegrass bands in the US.

He brought the whole crew by for a visit during World of Bluegrass last week, and treated us to an a cappella performance in our Bluegrass Today press room. These kids can sing!