Lakeside Archives - Bluegrass Today

Take Me To Calvary – LakeSide

Since they began playing in East Tennessee area churches nearly two decades ago, LakeSide has remained firmly committed to sharing the message of Jesus Christ through their unique blend of contemporary bluegrass and southern gospel stylings. Their fifth studio release, Take Me To Calvary, demonstrates their versatility right alongside their originality.

The project opens with the title song, Take Me To Calvary, penned by Brad Frazier. With vocals from mandolinist Greg Blankenship and bassist Jackie Cummings, this song has a bit of a gritty, bluesy feel to it. Other band members on this track include Walt Williamson on guitar, John Robert Freels on banjo, and Amanda Thomas, who splits fiddling duties with Jimmy Sims.

From The Third Day On by Mark “Brink” Brinkman, is a powerful song about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Singing lead on this track is John Robert Freels, whose smooth baritone voice gets the message of this piece across effectively.

God Is Able by Jimmy Bilbrey is an a cappella piece that displays LakeSide’s smooth vocal harmonies. Featuring Greg Blankenship on lead, Jackie Cummings on tenor, John Robert Freels on baritone, and Walt Williamson on bass, this simple song shares a good reminder of all the things God can do in both good and bad times.

When He Laid Eyes On Me by Ben Allen is a simple song about a person’s journey coming to faith in the Lord. Once again featuring Freels on lead vocal, this track features elegant twin fiddling from Jimmy Sims and Amanda Thomas.

The following track, Satan Loves To See a Brother Fall, is a direct, yet appropriate contrast. Cowritten by Marc Rossi and Jeff Walter, this catchy driving melody has a great message about being careful of temptations on things that Satan can use to weaken one’s spirit. This track features the rumbling bass voice of Walt Williamson on lead vocals and is a good example of the group’s versatility in terms of vocal sounds.

The Longer I Kneel, by Blankenship and Ben Allen, features the high tenor voice of Jackie Cummings. This song has a simple yet powerful message about the power of prayer.

The closing track, Just A Little Light, was co-written by Tony Wood and Lyn Rowell. Featuring Becky Buller on lead and harmony vocals, as well as twin fiddling with Amanda Thomas, this one made for a powerful finish.

Take Me To Calvary is a pleasant collection of mostly original gospel material with a contemporary bent. LakeSide’s greatest strength is their singing. Some bands may have one or two notable lead vocalists, whereas in this case we have three of the six members sharing lead vocal duties, and doing so equally well. While the messages of each song have been heard time and time again, they’re presented here in new and refreshing ways.

LakeSide hosting Summer Concert Series in Loudon, TN

Popular east Tennessee bluegrass Gospel group LakeSide is hosting their Summer Concert Series again this year, with four shows spread out over the next two months.

Each of these concerts will find LakeSide opening the show, followed by a performance by a top touring act, at the Tate & Lyle Performing Arts Center in Loudon, TN. The Center features a modern, covered stage opening out into a large natural amphitheater where people can sit comfortably while socially-distanced.

The opening show was held last weekend with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, leaving three still to run.

June 12 – Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
July 10 – Blue Highway
July 31 – Chuck Wagon Gang

All concerts begin at 6:00 p.m., with the park opening an hour beforehand. Attendees are requested to bring their own chairs, and refreshments will be available on site.

The original show posters show that mask wearing will be requested, but that may no longer be in force in light of recent loosening of restrictions.

Tickets are $20 each, and are only available at the gate. Children 11 and under will be admitted free of charge.

For addition al information, contact LakeSide at 423-420-9408.

Moving On – LakeSide

LakeSide has never wavered from their determination and devotion to their faith. Their astute blend of country music, acoustic instrumentation, bluegrass, and grassicana is wholly immersed in the Gospel tradition. That said, their sound is immersive, engaging and accessible, and though the spiritual sentiment is evidenced throughout, it doesn’t negate the possibility of secular appeal as well.

With a combination of original material, outside contributions and a handful of traditional tunes, the songs on the band’s latest album Moving On contribute to a sound that can be easily embraced through high harmonies, soothing melodies, and articulate execution. It’s a tack they’ve taken since they first began performing together in church in the mid ‘90s, when they went under the name The Gospel Bluegrass Boys, prior to later re-christening themselves as LakeSide in 2007.

Moving On makes their deft ability evident at the outset with the one-two punch of the upbeat and exuberant title track, which is then followed by the similarly effusive One More Time. Other tracks — the contemplative ballad What A Day That Will Be and Thom Jutz’s sobering Somedays I feel Like David in particular — temper the energy but not the enthusiasm, ensuring that the commitment to their cause remains consistent throughout. Likewise, their effusive take on the time-honored classic, I Saw the Light, stays true to the tone and temperament of Hank Williams’ original, with mandolin and banjo reaffirming the bluegrass template Williams hinted at early on. So too, LakeSide’s cover of the ageless Gospel standard, Where the Spirit Never Dies, echoes the unbridled devotion the song has illuminated throughout the ages.

The band — Greg Blankenship (mandolin, vocals), Lucas Blankenship (cajon, vocals), Jackie Cummings (bass, vocals), John Robert Freels (banjo, vocals), and Walt Williamson (guitar, vocals) — maintain their earnest intent so well in fact, that even a deeply spiritual song such as The Blood could find an atheist or agnostic singing along in, strictly in deference to its compelling conviction. So too, the ballad A Sinner’s Prayer, which follows two numbers later, is so soothing and satisfying that those aforementioned skeptics might be encouraged to convert. Well, maybe. The ringing refrain and precise picking shared in the album’s closing track, Power in His Name, might just prove potent enough to actually seal the deal.

Of course, whether or not Lakeside has any potential or possibility to crossover to a non-Christian audience is merely a matter of conjecture. Yet given the divine delivery found here, moving on and attracting additional devotees is indeed a real possibility.

LakeSide to Morning Glory Music

Morning Glory Music is wasting no time signing new artists since being announced as a new bluegrass Gospel imprint in the Mountain Fever Records Group family.

Last month they signed King James Boys as their first artists, and have today revealed an agreement with LakeSide from Madisonville, TN. Like KJB, LakeSide presents a sound that combines bluegrass instrumentation with southern Gospel style singing.

The group consists of Greg Blankenship on mandolin, Jackie Cummings on bass, Lucas Blankenship on cajon, John Robert Freels on banjo, and Walt Williamson on guitar. All five take their turns singing lead and harmony vocals, offering a wide variety of combinations to their audience.

The guys issued this statement jointly upon signing with Morning Glory.

“LakeSide is truly looking forward to partnering with Morning Glory Music and The Mountain Fever Music Group. We know with this partnership we’ll be a able to create and release wonderful acoustic Gospel music and share it with folks everywhere to allow Jesus to minister to all.”

You can get a taste of the LakeSide experience in this electronic press kit they assembled earlier this year.

Morning Glory is planning to release new music from LakeSide later this year.

You can keep up with their comings and goings online.

Lakeside signs with Mercy Road

Bluegrass Gospel group Lakeside from Madisonville, TN has announced an agreement with the Mercy Road label, a subsidiary of Chapel Valley Studios. A new CD is in the works with a release anticipated in early 2011.

The band consists of Greg Blankenship on mandolin, Gary Woody on resonator guitar, Andy Miller on guitar, Eddie Morgan on bass, and Randy Taylor on banjo.

Here’s a video created to promote their previous CD, From The Heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DDZYzPWIZY