Nick Chandler & Delivered Archives

Never Did No Wanderin’ from Nick Chandler & Delivered

Nick Chandler has pulled a song from the world of folk music satire, and turned it into a legitimate bluegrass number for his latest single with Pinecastle Records.

Never Did No Wanderin’, written by Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, was a centerpiece of the 2003 film, A Mighty Wind, which offered a brilliant send up of the ’60s folk music scene in the US. Created by Christopher Guest, with many of his fellow actors and writers from This Is Spinal Tap and Best in Show, the movie follows a fictional reunion of three folk groups from the ’60s for a TV special in the early aughts. Anyone who lived through the folk revival of the 1960s surely found the film hilarious, and it remains a cult classic.

Chandler, however, just liked the song, and thought if was ripe for grassification.

“Never Did No Wanderin’ caught my ear twenty years ago when I heard it as a folk song in the movie, A Mighty Wind. I knew that, if done right, this song would make a great bluegrass tune. I felt like now is the right time to release it.

Never Did No Wanderin’ describes missing out on the sights and sounds this life has to offer. One of my favorite things about my job is arranging songs and being in the recording studio. I loved bringing this song to life and I really hope you enjoy this same ol’ tune, brand new, all over again.”

His version includes Nick on mandolin and lead vocals, with contributions from his touring band, Gary Trivette on bass, Jake Burrows on banjo, and Spencer Atkinson on guitar.

They offer a different vibe than the original, but remain true to the ’60s spirit with an arrangement reminiscent of The Dillards.

Check it out…

Never Did No Wanderin’, which will appear on Chandler’s next Pinecastle project, is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers will find the track at AirPlay Direct.

Old Devil’s Dream from Nick Chandler & Delivered

Pinecastle Records is back with a new single for Nick Chandler & Delivered, a catching little number called Old Devil’s Dream, written by Thomas Goldsmith. It’s the debut release from their next project with Pinecastle, and first new music in nearly four years.

Nick says

“Old Devil’s Dream has been a song on my list to record for a long time. I have always been drawn to songs that tell a story in a way that the listener can see in their mind, while the song plays.

This song is about someone who in their younger days was more of a devil than an angel. Not wanting to get involved, he let a good woman slip away. Now that he is older, he finds out that the young, carefree life can leave you lonely when you are done with your wilder days.

Like the song says, ‘When their devilment is done, and their wildest races run, old devils dream all alone.'”

With support from regular bandmates Spencer Atkinson on guitar, Jake Burrows on banjo, and Gary Trivette on bass and tenor vocal, Nick, on mandolin and lead vocal, delivers a strong version of this song.

Have a listen…

Old Devil’s Dream is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

Nick and the guys are one their way up to Canada now for the Prince Edward Island Summer Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Festival, where they’ll be performing Friday and Saturday.

Jake Burrows to Nick Chandler & Delivered

Pinecastle recording artists Nick Chandler & Delivered have announced a personnel change.

North Carolina banjo picker Jake Burrows has come onboard to tour with Nick. Jake is a bluegrass veteran, having worked previously with Lonesome Will Mullins, The Kody Norris Show, and The Kevin Prater Band.

He says he welcomes the chance to get back into performing again after a break.

“After having to come off of the road last year due to family and health issues, I didn’t know when I would be able to return to playing on the road, or if I even could. When the opportunity came up to play again I was excited to get back out there. Nick and the whole group are a great bunch of people to be with, and I am excited to see what the future brings.”

Chandler says that Burrows is a good fit.

“I have been following this young mans career for many years and I have always enjoyed his style of banjo playing. I think Jake will be a great asset to Nick Chandler and Delivered, and we are excited to bring him out on the road with us.”

Jake joins Nick on mandolin and lead vocals, Spencer Atkinson on guitar, and Gary Trivette on bass.

You can keep up with their comings and goings online.

Spencer Atkinson to Nick Chandler & Delivered

Nick Chandler & Delivered have announced their newest bandmate, Spencer Atkinson, on guitar.

Spencer is a bluegrass multi-instrumentalist, 21 years of age from Richmond, VA, and this is his first touring gig. He has previously worked with Rappahannock Crossing, and filled in on bass with The Country Gentlemen Tribute Band.

Atkinson tells us that he is mighty psyched about working with Nick and the guys.

“Ever since I was a kid and heard bluegrass for the first time, I have wanted to do it as a profession. I’m honored to get the share the stage with a phenomenal group of guys and musicians in my first professional gig.”

Bandleader and mandolinist Chandler says that Spencer is also a terrific singer, and that they are happy to bring him in to Delivered.

“Spencer has been with us for a few months, and sometimes that’s how long it takes to make sure you have the right fit. This band is a tight knit group and we have to make sure we do what’s best for the band as a whole. As an up and coming band we have to work really hard for every inch we gain. How we do things works, but I expect a lot from the guys in my band. Not more than I am willing to give, but this is a job and it requires a lot. Sometimes when how much work goes into being a professional musician is realized it can change peoples paths. Spencer has proved he’s on the right path and with continued hard work and dedication there will be no stopping him. We are really happy to have him with Nick Chandler and Delivered.”

The band is completed by Jamie Sparks on banjo and Gary Trivette on bass.

Here’s a look at Nick et al at Silver Dollar City back in May.

You can learn more about Nick Chandler & Delivered by visiting them online.

Nick Chandler & Delivered in Norway

Norsk Countrytreff Music Festival in Breim, Norway

Earlier this month, Nick Chandler & Delivered were the American bluegrass artist at this year’s Norsk Countrytreff Music Festival in Breim, Norway. Trudy Chandler, Nick’s wife and the band’s tour manager, shared this brief report, along with photos from their trip.

“Josh Turner was the headliner and we had a great time at this amazing festival. Norway was beautiful, and the festival had about 17,000 people in attendance. This festival has been running for many years and the list of bluegrass and country artists that have played there over the years is very impressive.

We were honored to be invited to this years festival and we had an unforgettable time. Gary even found a way to go fishing in the fjord!”

The band even got to join Josh Turner for a version of Will The Circle Be Unbroken.

Delivered is Nick Chandler on mandolin and lead vocals, Gary Trivette on bass, Jamie Sparks on banjo, and Spencer Atkinson on guitar.

Missing You Blues video from Nick Chandler & Delivered

Pinecastle Records has produced a music video for a new single from Nick Chandler & Delivered, Missing You Blues.

The song is one included on the band’s current album, Silver Bird, which Chandler wrote and sings. It tells a familiar story of lost love, which is reflected in the music video’s somber look and feel.

Though Nick is the only one shown in the video, the track finds him supported by bandmates Hudson Bosworth on guitar, Zach McCracken on banjo, and Gary Trivette on bass. Nick plays mandolin, and David Johnson adds fiddle, with Hudson and Gary singing harmony.

Since this recording, Bosworth and McCracken have taken their leave, with Bobby Powell now playing guitar and Jamie Sparks banjo with Delivered.

Check it out…

Missing You Blues, and the full Silver Bird album, are available now from popular download and streaming services online. Audio CDS can be ordered directly from the artist.

Radio programmers can get all the tracks via AirPlay Direct.

Silver Bird – Nick Chandler & Delivered

Mandolinist Nick Chandler and his western North Carolina based group, Delivered, have made a name for themselves as one of today’s premier traditional bluegrass artists. Their latest release, Silver Bird, on Pinecastle Records, is a continuation of the straight ahead traditional sound that fans have come to know and love.

Like the Lonesome River Band’s newest album, Heyday, this project captures Nick Chandler & Delivered during a transitional period. The opening track, Darling Please Come On Home, features the current lineup of Chandler on mandolin and vocals, Gary Triviette on bass and vocals, Bobby Powell on guitar and vocals, and Jamie Sparks on banjo. Like other configurations of Delivered, this particular grouping has tight vocal harmonies and solid instrumental abilities.

The majority of the material on Silver Bird consists of Chandler and Triviette along with guitarist Hudson Bosworth and banjoist Zach McCracken. There is a slight difference between this configuration and the current one, but it’s very minimal. Missing You Blues is a strong original from Chandler that features this configuration and also includes some great fiddling from David Johnson.

Slowly Getting You Out Of The Way written by the late Randall Hylton, has been recorded by several artists over the years. This new rendition by Chandler is clearly influenced by the Bluegrass Cardinals’ 1984 recording of the song. Nonetheless it’s very well done and one of the best performances on the entire project. This track also features Delivered’s former banjoist Will Eller.

The album’s title track was written by Doyle Lawson, and originally recorded on his 1977 instrumental album Tennessee Dream. Nick’s performance of this tune is wonderful, and is especially complimented by Alan Bibey, who plays twin mandolin alongside Chandler on this cut. It’s a nice tip of the hat to one of the most influential musicians in the bluegrass genre.

I Don’t Want To Be Me Anymore, written by David Stewart, is another strong cut which spotlights the group’s smooth vocal harmonies as well as excellent dobro playing from Tim Surrett.

Lonely Road, written by bassist Gary Trivette, is the album’s sole gospel song. Like most of the other material on Silver Bird, it’s a strong original piece. The closing track, For So Many Years by JC Davis, reinforces the group’s hard driving traditional identity.

Silver Bird is a terrific recording. I have to admit I wasn’t too familiar with the music of Nick Chandler & Delivered before I heard this project, but I found myself captivated very quickly. This is an exciting group with strong traditional roots and extremely well-crafted material.

Darling Please Come On Home from Nick Chandler

Pinecastle Records has released a new single today for Nick Chandler & Delivered, his first recording with the newly-configured band.

Over the past few months Nick has brought guitarist Bobby Powell and banjo player Jamie Sparks into the group. Both bring a wealth of professional experience to Delivered, and Chandler has been itching to get some new music out with this bunch, which also includes Gary Trivet on bass.

This new single is Darling Please Come On Home, written by Roy Chapman, a fast moving grasser about a woman who spends her time everywhere but home.

Nick says that he is delighted with how it turned out.

“Darling Please Come On Home is the perfect single to release right before the new album releases on September 23. This tune has everyone in the current lineup and it’s a great showcase that features every one of us. I know my fans will love this Roy Chapman tune as much as I do.”

Have a listen…

Darling Please Come On Home is available now from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers can get the track via AirPlay Direct.

Jamie Sparks to Nick Chandler & Delivered

Nick Chandler & Delivered have announced a new member of the band, with Jamie Sparks coming on board to play banjo.

Bluegrass fans will remember Jamie from his time with The Bluegrass Brothers, standing out as one of the few left-handed banjo pickers you may run across on stage. He is a Virginia native living these days near Richmond.

Nick tell us that Sparks has been a perfect fit with the group.

“He is a fantastic banjo player and overall excellent musician. He fits in with the group so well and he is a lot of fun to travel with. We are so honored to have him with us and can’t wait for folks to hear this new lineup.”

Chandler has a new single, Darlin’ Please Come On Home, coming up later this month with Pinecastle Records, which will feature the current lineup of Nick on mandolin and lead vocal, Gary Trivette on bass, Bobby Powell on guitar, and Jamie on banjo. Nick has beefed up the group a good bit this year, and he is stoked to get some new music out with this bunch.

Keep an eye on the band’s tour schedule online for a chance to catch them near you. Nick Chandler & Delivered will be Bluegrass Ramble showcase artists at this year’s World of Bluegrass convention in Raleigh, NC at the end of September, so you can certainly see them there.

Bobby Powell to Nick Chandler & Delivered

Nick Chandler & Delivered have announced a new member of their touring band. Guitarist Hudson Bosworth is moving back to Ogden, UT, and Nick has brought on Bobby Powell, co-founder and guitarist/vocalist with Carolina Blue for many years.

Chandler tells us that Hudson has been a big part of their success, and that it is hard to see such a fine young man leave the group. But with him making the move, he is delighted to bring Powell on board.

“Bobby and I are great friends, but more than that, he is a great musician and wonderful songwriter. When Hudson told us the news, Bobby was the first name that came to mind. We have been rehearsing for a few months and I am excited about getting Bobby back on stage.”

Bobby will do his first show with Delivered on May 21 at the BrewRidge Festival, held at the Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, VA.

Powell has been playing and singing bluegrass music since he graduated from high school, being included in a number of regional groups in western North Carolina, before partnering with his long time friend Timmy Jones in Carolina Blue. The group became a sensation in the field for their clever songs and skillful execution, until Timmy decided that hi full time career in farming required more of his time.

Bobby joins Chandler on mandolin and lead vocals, Gary Trivette on bass, and Zach McCracken on banjo, and says that he is rarin’ to go later this month.

“I have been great friends with Nick for many years, and have admired his music for longer than that. I can remember when I was very young and just learning to play, seeing Nick jamming at The Shindig on the Green in Asheville, NC, and his mandolin playing just blew me away. In my opinion, he is one of the greatest mandolin players to ever pick up the instrument! When I got the call that Hudson was leaving the group, it didn’t take me long to make up my mind to accept the position. Nick and I are very like-minded when it comes to the music and the business of the music as well. Playing with top-notch musicians and singers like Gary and Zach is icing on the cake. I’m excited to get back out on the road and see all my friends I’ve missed so much this past year, and really appreciate the opportunity that Nick has given me!”

You can follow the tour schedule for Nick Chandler & Delivered on their web site for a chance to see them perform near you.