Randall Deaton and Lonesome Day Records have announced the launch of a new label imprint to be known as Dry Lightning Records. Its purpose is specifically to offer their non-bluegrass projects a separate brand identity in the market.
At the same time, Deaton has announced an agreement with The Holland Group to serve as the marketing arm of both labels. The company is a small shop run by Billy Holland, working very closely with Sony RED, who takes care of distribution for Lonesome Day.
“They will handle all retail marketing with our distributor, as well as work directly with artists to strategize about all aspects of the artists’ careers. They also have people who work specifically with publishing, so we will have added opportunity in song placement and song pitching.
I am very excited about the launch of Dry Lightning Records and the future of Lonesome Day Records. The new label is going to afford us targeted marketing opportunities that we have never had before. I am also looking forward to working with Billy Holland and his company as they help Dry Lightning and Lonesome Day increase the level of services that each label can offer their respective artists.”
Deaton anticipates no changes at Lonesome Day, with their bluegrass roster remaining intact, and Dry Lightning promoting and marketing music from more Americana-related artists and acts.
For 2015, new releases are expected from Jeff Clair and Shotgun Holler on Lonesome Day, and a Bob Seger tribute, Silver Bullet Bluegrass, on Dry Lightning. Also in the works is a Jackson Brown tribute album from Tim Shelton.
Talk about moving fast! Kentucky mandolinist Shawn Brock was inspired in February to start a new bluegrass band. Now in August he’s got the band, Shotgun Holler, and a record label contract with Lonesome Day Records.
Of course it helps that he’s known Lonesome Day’s Randall Deaton since before the label was founded, and that he’s recorded in Deaton’s Boonesville, KY studio a few times already. But it was their material, and their willingness to take chances with song choices and subject matter that caught the label’s attention.
“We don’t really fit the typical bluegrass mold of today, says Brock. “Instrumentally we are pretty recognizable as bluegrass. We’re using the traditional bluegrass instruments – banjo, guitar, upright bass, mandolin, and fiddle. Where we tend to cross into other areas is the material that we choose, which can be very non-traditional. Lyrically, all of the songs aren’t necessarily wholesome.”
But they aren’t necessarily dishonorable, either. These guys just aren’t afraid to tackle stories from the seamier sides of life.
Here’s a video compilation of several of their songs from a recent live show.
Brock says that he felt compelled to start the group after an especially irritating listening session.
“I was listening to a bluegrass radio station and it was kind of like a volcano was building up inside of me. It seemed like people were cutting this watered down sterile material, singing about the same subject matter and no one was trying to sound different. I listened to five songs and couldn’t tell one artist from another.
I have been playing bluegrass for 23 years, and in the ’90s I knew every artist who came on just by their sound. Blue Highway has a great distinctive sound, which is vastly different from the classic sound of the Bluegrass Album Band. Both are favorites of Shotgun Holler members, but each unit had their own thing going.
I called friend and former band member from the group Blue and Lonesome, Matt Jones, and I said, ‘I’m sick of hearing singers and pickers imitate each other and cover songs that were just recorded 3 years ago. Let’s put a band together and do what we’ve always tried to do, be different.’ His words to me were, ‘Man, I’ve just been waiting on you.’ “
Sounds like the marker has been laid down.
Matt and Shawn added Gil Benson on fiddle, Rod Lunger on bass, and Donnie Stevens on banjo, with Jones handling guitar and lead vocals. They are headed to the studio later this month to record their first album, with Jim VanCleve producing.
We’ll be watching for the next chapter in the story of Shotgun Holler. It would seem that they have high expectations.
We reported in November 2013 about Randall Deaton and Lonesome Day Records taking on a new partner, offering the small independent label the opportunity to record and release on a more aggressive schedule. It will also allow Deaton to expand beyond bluegrass, while still increasing his grassy output.
Today they have announced a number of new projects, and shared some more details about other upcoming albums.
Randall is especially excited about the August release of Silver Bullet Bluegrass: A Tribute to Bob Seger, which has been in the works for more than a year. It features a dozen Seger hits, performed bluegrass style by top grassers, including Tim Shelton, Darrell Webb, Tim Stafford, Jeff Parker, Josh Shilling and more.
Jeff Parker, of Dailey & Vincent fame, has just started production on a new solo record expected in the Fall. His previous effort for Lonesome Day was a 2013 holiday-themed album called Jeff Parker Christmas.
Also expected later this year is a new album from Jeff Clair, who signed with the label last Summer. Deaton says that he has brought on Gary Nichols from The Steeldrivers to produce Jeff’s CD.
“I met Gary at the bluegrass festival Rudyfest in Kentucky and we kept in touch. I was a big fan of the SteelDrivers and thought Gary was an excellent singer and was happy to get him on the Bob Seger tribute. He had expressed an interest in producing more and asked if I had any artists. I mentioned Jeff so Gary looked him up on YouTube, they had a few conversations and hit it off, and now here we are.”
Work will start this summer for a new album for Tim Shelton, formerly the lead singer with NewFound Road. Producing Tim’s project will be Paul Kolderie, known or his work with multiple pop artists. It should hit early in 2015.
Lonesome Day’s next release will be for Richard Bennett, whose In The Wind Somewhere is due May 27. It was tracked live in the studio with Adam Steffey on mandolin, Ron Stewart on fiddle, Mark Schatz on bass, and Shawn Lane providing harmony vocals.
On the non-bluegrass front, the label released Good Luck earlier this year for alt-country group Girls Guns And Glory, and will have Radio Sweetheart ready for rocker Sarah Borges on June 24.
In November of 2013 we reported on changes at Lonesome Day Records. Label President Randall Deaton has taken on a new partner, Jeff Carter, CEO of Viamedia. In addition to many years of expertise in media marketing, Jeff’s investment will allow Randall more options when it comes to publicity.
To wit, Lonesome Day has announced an agreement with Shock Ink, an Los Angeles-based publicity firm, to handle label publicity on an ongoing, long term basis. Deaton says that one prior experience with the company convinced him that it would be a good fit.
“I worked with Elaine Shock a few years ago when we did a record with Fred Eaglesmith and knew that if we ever got the opportunity to work with her again we would love to do so.”
He also mentioned four new projects scheduled for 2014: his multi-artist bluegrass tribute to Bob Seger, new albums from Richard Bennett and Tim Shelton, and in a deviation from the norm, a new release from Guns & Glory, a Boston band that mixes country and rock themes.
And it’s not just business success that motivates Randall. Like most people in a niche music market, it’s his love of the music that pushes him forward.
“The power of music is astonishing. The subject matter of songs has not really changed over hundreds of years yet there is ‘new’ music created everyday and people still want it. I think we have done some records that will still be played years down the road. The music industry may change but it isn’t going anywhere. People will always want good music but they just may buy it in a different way.”
You can find more details on Lonesome Day, and their artists and releases, on their web site.
Randall Deaton and Lonesome Day Records are making a big play in the bluegrass market, announcing a new partner and plans for a major expansion.
And not just any partner. Jeff Carter, co-founder of cable advertising giant Viamedia, has purchased a minority shareholder stake in Lonesome Day. While he doesn’t expect to be a truly silent partner, Carter won’t involve himself in day-to-day operations. But will be bringing his 30 years of marketing experience to the benefit of the label.
Perhaps most importantly, in addition to the stock purchase, Carter has agreed to provide short term financing as needed for operations and growth. Deaton tells us that this will allow him to double or triple their annual releases, and offer marketing, distribution and publicity services to their artists that will rival what the largest labels in bluegrass provide.
“Jeff has already exposed me to new ways of looking at the business, paying attention to things in new ways.
I’m really concerned for the future of bluegrass music. We need to cultivate new fans and artists. If we can provide services to more artists, and expose them to more people, I think it’s good for everyone.
With his contributions, we’ll be in a position to thrive, not just survive.”
Carter has spent the past 12 years as CEO of Viamedia. They launched in Lexington, KY – not far from Lonesome Day’s base in Booneville – and have grown into a national company with 59 offices around the country. Viamedia services cable television advertising to local, regional and national accounts, and ensures delivery for their clients. They have more recently gotten involved in online advertising and marketing, and self-service TV campaigns for smaller clients.
He and Deaton became acquainted about two years ago when Jeff was looking into the purchase of a large, full-service recording studio in Lexington. They quickly became friends, and Carter developed a fascination with both the music and Randall’s business model.
“I’m a performing musician myself, but not in the genre that the label specializes in. I have known Randal for a period of time. He’s always impressed me as a gentlemen with a good ear for music, and as an honest, hardworking guy who deals with artists on a fair and equitable basis. What he does is about the quality of the music.
I like the genre and the artists in bluegrass, and from the outside looking in, it seems like too much market share is being directed to a few larger labels, and some diversity would be good for the music.”
The ink is barely dry on their new partnership, and Randall says that it has been something of a whirlwind considering the new opportunities it will present to the label. In the meantime, he has a Christmas project to promote for Jeff Parker and an all-star bluegrass tribute to Bob Seger in the pipeline.
Look for Lonesome Day to be a big player in short order.
Earlier this Summer we told you about Jeff Parker’s next CD, a Christmas album due in October from Lonesome Day. The record will be titled It’s Christmas Time, with a debut single, Step Into My Christmas from Elton John, due October 1.
Tracking started in July, and just recently, Randall Deaton at Lonesome Day sent a long a few photos they grabbed while recording at Ricky Skaggs’ studio in Nashville.
See our earlier article for more details about musicians and songs included on It’s Christmas Time. A mid-October release is anticipated.
Shelton had until this year been the lead singer and guitarist for NewFound Road, a contemporary bluegrass group that was mixing pop and blues influences in their music. They had a number of projects on Rounder along with a strong fan base and festival following, until Tim decided that he wanted to come off the road to both pursue a solo career, and get ready for the birth of a new child with his wife Holly, due January 15, 2014.
And then, out of the blue, Tim said he received a call from Randall Deaton at Lonesome Day with a proposal to cut a number of albums for them, and it was something he couldn’t turn down. He tells us that they are shooting first for a grassy release, with something more in the Americana vein to follow.
“After discussing this with Randall, I started thinking that there are a lot of classic bluegrass songs that I love, but never got to do on stage or on record. People often think of me for doing Jackson Browne and Bill Withers with NewFound Road, but I cut my teeth on Ralph and Sparks and Flatt & Scruggs, so I’m excited to get to cut some of that stuff.
Half of this first record will be be my favorite classic bluegrass songs, and half my favorite classic country songs. We’re looking to go in to the studio in December, with some of my favorite musicians.”
Deaton shared a few words about working with Tim, along with a sneak peek from Lonesome Day’s Bob Seger tribute release.
“I first had the opportunity to work with Tim Shelton when he recorded the song Against The Wind for the Bob Seger bluegrass tribute record that we are producing. I had of course heard Tim’s music before but I was blown away by his singing when I heard it in person. We subsequently had several conversations about the music business and I knew that I would like to work with him again someday. I am looking forward to working on a new record this winter and many other records in the future.”
On that track with Tim are Stephen Mougin on guitar, Mike Bub on bass, Darrell Webb on guitar and mandolin, Ned Luberecki on banjo, and Megan Lynch on fiddle. Look for the Seger tribute, Silver Bullet Bluegrass, early in 2014.
We hope to have more details soon about some other new plans Tim is cooking up. You can keep up with him online.
Clair’s debut album, They Called Him Jesus, was released in late 2012. It was warmly greeted by fans of traditional bluegrass, with more than a taste of the Larry Sparks sound that Jeff helped create during his time with Sparks’ band.
Touring now with his own group, Half Past Lonesome, Clair is keeping it old school with Ken Blanton on mandolin, Mitch Bentley on bass, and Rex Patrick on banjo. Jeff plays guitar and songs lead.
Randall Deaton with Lonesome Day says he has had his eye on this talented young artist for some time.
“I have known Jeff Clair sense he was 14 years old. We both grew up in the same county in Eastern Kentucky. Jeff’s love for bluegrass music and his dedication to using music to give back to his community are second to none.
I look forward to helping Jeff take the next step in his music career. I believe that Jeff will be creating fresh new music that will help keep bluegrass music alive and well for years to come.”
Deaton says that they will start work on a new Half Past Lonesome record this Fall, with a release loosely projected for early in 2014.
It seems we all love Christmas music, and we all love our favorite artists, which makes holiday-themed albums from popular artists a recurring part of the Christmas tradition.
The latest bluegrasser taking this route is Jeff Parker, whose strong voice and hilarious stage antics are a highlight of the Dailey & Vincent live show.
Tracking will start next week at Ricky Skaggs’ studio in Nashville, with assistance from Mark Fain on bass, Seth Taylor on guitar, Jessie Baker on banjo, BJ Cherryholmes on fiddle, Paul Hollowell on keys, and Bob Mummert on drums and percussion. Parker will play mandolin and sing lead. Vocals will be tracked later this summer at Lonesome Day Studio in Booneville, Kentucky.
Jeff shared a few words about his plans for this project.
“I’m excited about recording my first Christmas CD. I’ve always wanted to do one and many fans have asked me about it for years, so here it comes on Lonesome Day Records. It will be just in time for this season!
I have picked some of my favorite traditional Christmas songs, and also some original songs I think you will enjoy. I may even read a story or two.”
Songs slated to be tracked include staples like…
Christmas Time’s A Coming
Christmas In Dixie
It’s Christmas Time
Little Drummer Boy
Frosty The Snowman
Blue Christmas
…along with a few that may be new to your ears:
Christmas In The Mountains (Bill Castle)
Next Year (Randy Moore)
Nothing But A Child (Steve Earl)
Birthday Of Our King(Bill Castle)
Hopefully we can get some photos and/or video from next week’s tracking session.
He grew up surrounded with bluegrass pickers; he has been playing guitar since he was in high school; he has built his own recording studio and started his own record label.
Nothing unusual there, but Randall Deaton is different, as he mentions below.
Deaton grew up on a small farm near Booneville in eastern Kentucky, instilled with a strong work ethic and a great passion for music. While playing in bands throughout high school and college he earned a degree in business administration and a minor in political science. Deaton graduated from The University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, in 1997.
In the summer of 2002 he started Lonesome Day Records – named after a Bruce Springsteen song – and in the past decade Deaton has released albums by Blue Moon Rising, Larry Cordle, Lou Reid and Carolina, Steve Gulley, Randy Kohrs, Ralph Stanley II, Ernie Thacker, Darrell Webb, Jeff Parker, Richard Bennett, Fred Eaglesmith and Wildfire. All are of the highest quality, both sonically and artistically.
Randall enjoys the married life with his wife Shelagh, a mental health therapist who works with children; they have two of their own, an eight-year-old named Aiden and a five-year-old named Rosalia. Besides listening to copious amounts of music – he is a great Springsteen enthusiast – he enjoys watching sports, travelling and reading Stephen King books.
He has strong views on the best way forward for the bluegrass recording business ……
So, tell me about yourself please …… you have a debilitating eye condition; what is it exactly and when was it diagnosed? What adjustments have you had to make to your life as you grew up?
“I have a genetic condition called retinitis pigmentosa. I have had it since birth. It is a condition that deteriorates over time. The nerve cells in the retina end up becoming useless and will no longer transmit information from the eye to the brain.
When I was growing up I would use things like large print text books. As I got older and the condition got worse, I would use more things like audio books and adaptive technology. I used to be able to use a computer monitor but now everything I do on a computer is done with a text to speech program.
I now use a cane as well. Since my eyes have gotten worse at a relatively slow and steady pace, I have been able to adapt gradually to whatever I need to do. At first I was behind because I didn’t want to fully accept where things were going, but once I did I have been able to stay ahead of things. I have a lot of talking stuff. I use an iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV because they all have great text to speech built into the OS. I also have talking thermometers and other little gadgets. Mostly though I just learn how to use the things that everyone else uses.”
Tell me about your interest in music (was that bluegrass music from the beginning?) …..
“When I was a kid we listened to country music around the house. I knew more about Exile than I did about The Police. I knew a little bit about bluegrass but I didn’t really get into bluegrass until I started learning how to play guitar. All the people that I could play with around home were mostly playing bluegrass songs. That’s how I really got introduced to it. I knew the names and some songs from people like The Stanley Brothers but not really more than that.
I really started getting into bluegrass more in the mid. 1990s when I was in college. My first introduction to a real bluegrass performer was Richard Bennett. He was the first person actively playing on the bluegrass circuit that I personally interacted with. I took lessons from Richard from around 1994.”
You have your own recording studio; when did you set that up? Which items of recording equipment do you manage and what are the difficulties that you have to overcome when using them?
“I started my recording studio in 1999. I soon realized that I wasn’t going to get enough business in eastern Kentucky, so that is how I started the record label. I wanted to record music that I had more control over.
There was a record label based out of Hazard, Kentucky, called Crosscut and they had their own studio. I heard what they were producing and I thought that I could do a better job and produce better records. That is how it started.
I originally used a couple of ADAT machines when I started my studio. I moved to a computer based system and I had two monitors. I was able to make one of those monitors like a giant magnifying glass. This allowed me to do pretty well for a while. I recorded Jeff Parker’s first record this way as well as records by Darrell Webb, Blue Moon Rising, and Lou Reid.
When my eyesight got to the point where I didn’t feel I could do as good of a job as needed, I pretty much stopped doing engineering work in the studio. I used Michael Latterell for several recordings the last few years.
I recently started using a program called Sonar, and my text to speech program JAWS. A company developed special scripts for JAWS and Sonar that makes the program very accessible for me. Sonar is a program that is similar to the other computer programs like Cubase, Neuindo, and Pro Tools. Certain things are still difficult to do with Sonar so I treat it almost like recording to a tape machine. I can do editing but I try to just get everything right while we are recording.
In the period from 2002 through 2005 I worked a lot with Harold Nixon and Ron Stewart. Ron helped mix several of the records in that timeframe. Harold and Ron have also appeared as musicians on more Lonesome Day recordings than any other musicians. They are kind of like my ‘Wrecking Crew.’ “
