Radio Ramblers Archives - Bluegrass Today

Paul and Joe Mullins to Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame

The Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame in Waynesville, OH has announced that Paul “Moon” Mullins and his son, Joe Mullins, will be inducted in 2025. Both father and son are recognized as bluegrass music icons, as well as celebrated radio broadcasters, in the state of Ohio.

Current bluegrass lovers are well acquainted with Joe, from his highly-successful touring band, The Radio Ramblers, his country and bluegrass radio network in southwestern Ohio, Real Roots Radio, and his twice-yearly festivals, Industrial Strength Bluegrass. But Joe is quick to attribute his natural talent, his professionalism, and his passion of broadcasting to his dad, along with his love for bluegrass and gospel music.

Paul, who died in 2008 at 71 years of age, was among the many Kentuckians who moved north to southern Ohio in search of work, though his career in music started in eastern Kentucky. A noted fiddler, a skill he picked up while stationed in Alaska with the US Army in the late 1950s, he went to work for The Stanley Brothers for a time when he was discharged. He then joined The Bluegrass Playboys, for whom he wrote the now classic song, Katy Daley, which they recorded as Katie Daly, which was based on an Irish drinking song.

As he became a popular radio host in Kentucky, and later Ohio, “Moon,” a nickname that derived from a popular comic strip, was also sought out as an MC at bluegrass festivals, a role he also served at the Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festivals in Brown County, IN at Bill Monroe’s behest.

Paul was involved in the founding of two 20th Century bluegrass bands that make the history books, The Boys From Indiana and The Traditional Grass, the latter of which was the bluegrass world’s introduction to a fresh-faced young banjo player and tenor singer named Joe Mullins.

That tenure with The Traditional Grass allowed Joe to go from a band member in his father’s group to leading his own band, absent the many years of working as a sideman with various groups on the way to becoming a solo artist. His own radio career was cemented when he purchased WBZI in Xenia, OH in 1995, followed shortly thereafter by a pair of other small regional stations. The Real Roots Radio signal now broadcasts on all three, as well as via online streaming, covering the bulk of southwestern Ohio and parts of Cincinnati and northern Kentucky.

Joe Mullins carries the family name forward in bluegrass with his many activities, which include hosting the widely-syndicated radio show, Front Porch Fellowship, while his son, Daniel, makes his own career in the bluegrass business world. Daniel has a popular noon time show on Real Roots Radio, and currently manages the two annual Industrial Strength Bluegrass Festivals.

Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame Director Jackie Thomas says of their 2025 inductees…

“The Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame remains true to its commitment of honoring Ohioans who have excelled in maintaining the genre of traditional country music with the induction of Paul Mullins (posthumously) and Joe Mullins. Both men have made it their mission to promote and preserve Ohio’s rich musical legacy. Their commitment to this aligns perfectly with our mission to ‘preserve the past in order to ensure the future’ for generations to come.”

The Mullinses will be inducted on April 26 during a ceremony at the Keepin’ It Country Farm in Waynesville, OH, starting at 7:00 p.m. The Radio Ramblers will perform, along with The Richard Lynch Band. Tickets for the show can be purchased online.

Many congratulations to Joe and Paul Mullins for this richly deserved honor!

Even Better When You Listen from Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers

Billy Blue Records is out of the gate quick this new year with a new single from Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, the second from their upcoming all-gospel project.

Even Better When You Listen, written by Rick Lang and Mark BonDurant, reminds us that prayer is a two-way form of communication, and that even though Jesus taught us to ask in faith, we have to remember to expect a response.

Or as Mullins put it…

“I have a friend who used to say, ‘God ain’t no big Santa Claus!’ We shouldn’t pray with a wish list. If we praise God in prayer and seek His will, we can find it and follow it easier if we look for God in every situation, and listen with our heads and hearts.

The Radio Ramblers have a ball playing this fun, bluesy melody, and Chris Davis delivers the right message with his powerful voice.”

The track does have a bouncy, swingy feel, and Chris really lets loose on the lead vocal.

All of the Ramblers contribute, with Joe on banjo, Chris on mandolin, Adam McIntosh on guitar, Jason Barie on fiddle, and Zach Collier on bass. All five are credited with vocals as well.

Have a listen…

Even Better When You Listen is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

Video Premiere: One Breath Away from Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers

Billy Blue Records has a new music video for Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, which we are pleased to be able to premiere this morning at Bluegrass Today.

It’s a cute and clever video for the band’s current single, One Breath Away, which they shot at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum over Labor Day weekend. They were in Owensboro, KY for Homecoming Weekend at the Museum, along with Doyle Lawson, and the writer of this song, Paul Williams.

They shot the video on the Museum stage, and mocked it up as though Paul was a rigid taskmaster directing the band, trying to pull a quality performance from some lackluster students. Doyle even gets into the act at one point.

Adam McIntosh sings the lead on this gospel quartet, with Joe taking the tenor, Chris Davis the baritone, and Jason Barie the bass. The only accompaniment comes from Adam’s guitar and Chris’ mandolin, in the old time style.

It’s great fun. Have a look and listen…

One Breath Away is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via AirPlay Direct.

The Sideman Steps Out – The Adam McIntosh story

We are all accustomed to seeing Adam McIntosh on stage with Joe Mullins as a Radio Rambler. He also has a solo album set for release this year from Billy Blue Records. But how much do you know about his long road to success?

Adam started his musical career as a teenager playing in local bands. At age 18, Ron Thomason recruited him to be part of the Dry Branch Fire Squad. This would be the first of two stints with the group.

Ron had this to say about Adam…

“I think Adam was 18 years old when he came to my farm and took a job with Dry Branch Fire Squad; our former guitarist needed to move on for reasons regarding his other business.

Adam came fully blue-grassed! He could play with soul right from the start. He intrinsically understood that the words were as important as the music—often more so—and he brought his own voice to both his instrument and his deep understanding of the music that bluegrass can—and did—render important.

He did two separate turns’ with Dry Branch over the years, and each was exquisite. He has also helped us as well as others when they need someone to sit in on an emergency basis. By the time of the second ‘inning,’ he had mastered, in every respect, not only the guitar—on which he has no equal—but also the mandolin, bass, and particularly the banjo.

He sings ‘all the parts’ and gives each a special reason for being. He is a family man in the most beautiful sense of the word, as well as a great artist, and he is fun to travel with.

I count him a dear friend and will beyond the end.”

It wasn’t long until Adam met and married Jessica Dye. As a newlywed, he left the music business for a day job in the concrete business.

But the music bug was still in Adam’s heart. Joe Mullins reached out to him in 2006, and he became one of the founding members of the Radio Ramblers.

Joe had this to say…

“I’m not sure Adam even had a driver’s license when I first saw him performing. My children were small and our family was visiting an Ohio amusement park near Cincinnati. I heard bluegrass music, and soon observed a trio of teenage kids just wearing out a short set of tunes. Adam McIntosh was already impressing audiences with his smile and style.

When I began organizing The Radio Ramblers in early 2006, he was my first call. He had grown into a professional on the road with Dry Branch Fire Squad, and had left Ron’s band the year before. The sincerity in his vocal delivery, and his commitment to presenting bluegrass with class, were foundational to our early successes, and are still key components for JMRR.

Adam’s passion for vocal harmonies is so important to our band. His warm lead voice is great for me to sing to, but he knows all the vocal parts and loves to create the harmonies for any kind of song we arrange. His keen ear has allowed him to grow into a top shelf producer. And his guitar playing is so versatile! He’s a lifelong learner, taking notes from the work of George Shuffler to Kenny Smith and creating his own style.

Our years of friendship mean as much to me as the music we’ve made together. He’s so reliable in every way, and easy to love, on stage and off.”

In 2013, the urge to move on hit. Adam left the Radio Ramblers and moved his family to Arizona to work at The Mandolin Store for a year, but then moved back to Ohio to be closer to family. He worked retail and spent a year playing with American Drive. He then rejoined Dry Branch Fire Squad.

The opportunity to rejoin the Radio Ramblers presented itself and Adam knew that was where he wanted to be. Since returning to Ohio he has gotten a degree in pastoral counseling, and has been doing some counseling and substitute teaching. He is now considering a masters degree in Social Work to facilitate becoming a marriage counselor.

As daughters Jonna and Libby started growing up, Adam and Jessica decided to work on qualifying to become foster parents. They gained this qualification in 2019. Enter baby Harper. The whole family fell in love with her. She is now Harper McIntosh and is currently four years old. Jonna and Libby are 19 and 14. The family is currently fostering a little boy.

Through all of these moves and changes, Adam has harbored the desire to make a solo project. Billy Blue Records through Jerry Salley have signed Adam for this effort. He has been collecting music and ideas for this album for 20 years. Two of the songs, Baby You Ain’t Baby Anymore and Touch of God’s Hand are out and getting air play. The completed project drops March 22 with the title, Restless.

Adam feels that the title describes his life journey to a tee!

This isn’t the end of the story. His “restless” nature always has him looking for that better playing and sounding instrument. This has led to a great many guitars over the years. He tells me he has found the perfect (so far) capo with Paige Capo’s Pro model. He has partnered with them to make a special version that is available through Adam on his website. Proceeds go to the local fostering program that he works with.

Restless is the project that will put the sideman out front, but his journey will keep him there.

I am proud to call Adam McIntosh friend!

Run Run Rudolph video from Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers

Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have a very clever music video premiering today for their rockin’ bluegrass cut of Run Run Rudolph, from their new Billy Blue Records Christmas album, Because It’s Christmas Time.

Younger listeners may just think of this song as a holiday classic, while a more mature audience will recall its introduction to the canon of popular Christmas music in 1958 when it was recorded by Chuck Berry. Interestingly, though Berry wrote the song, and it is clearly in his inimitable style, the song is credited to Johnny Marks, who sued Berry as an infringement of his copyright from the song, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.

The Radio Ramblers pull off the essential rock ‘n’ roll guitar vibe with Chris Davis on electric mandolin, though Mullins supplies plenty of bluesy licks on his banjo as well. They turn in a fun version of this familiar number, on which Davis also takes the lead vocal. Their cut starts off Chuck Berry style, the jumps into a bluegrass groove, before ending out as a slow blues.

But the star of the video is the stop action animation by Bryce Free that portrays all the guys in the band as puppets in the characters you see them as in the photo above. We all recognize Joe as Santa, Chris as an elf, Adam McIntosh as Ralphie in his bunny suit, and Randy Barnes as the Grinch, but it took some thought to perceive Jason Barie in his nog-swilling Cousin Eddie get up from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Joe shared a few words about the concept for the music video, and the song itself.

“Bill Monroe recorded Blue Moon of Kentucky in 1946 – eight years later so did Elvis Presley. I’m sure Chuck Berry was picking up what Bill was putting down, too! And, Monroe is a member of the rock n roll Hall of Fame. Then there’s Jim & Jesse, with their famous album of Chuck Berry tunes.

Now we have a bluegrass version of a super-fun Christmas classic, complete with electric mandolin from Chris ‘Buddy the Elf’ Davis, acoustic guitar from Adam ‘Ralphie’ McIntosh, hot fiddle from Jason ‘Cousin Eddie’ Barie, and Randy ‘Grinch’ Barnes laying down a bass groove connecting Bill and Chuck. I’m Santa Claus proudly picking the banjo.

Merry Christmas everyone!!”

Strap in and enjoy this delightfully entertaining video. Well done Mr. Free!

Run Run Rudolph, and the full Because It’s Christmas Time album, are available now from popular download and streaming services online. Audio CDs can be ordered directly from the band.

Because It’s Christmas Time – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers

Upon learning that Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers would be releasing a Christmas album, I was filled with anticipation. Mullins and his band have always maintained a high level of consistency on their recordings with vocal harmonies, instrumentalism, and song selection. Because It’s Christmas Time on Billy Blue Records has all of that and more.

The title track, Because It’s Christmas Time features a vocal harmony stack that isn’t particularly common with the Radio Ramblers. Featuring Joe on lead vocals, this song showcases the tenor singing of mandolinist Chris Davis. It’s a nice change up and a fun song to get things started.

The Manger and No Room at the Inn talk about the birth of Jesus Christ in slightly different ways, and are performed in contrasting styles. The former written by Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, and Anne Wilson is a contemporary piece which reflects on the effect that this event had on the world. The latter by Jimmie Davis and Anna Banks is rendered in a traditional vein and retells the events of Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem.

From My Broken Heart To You was written by guitarist Adam McIntosh and his sister Angie Lewis. It’s a brilliant take on the common lament of lost love that’s set within the holiday season. Chris Davis delivers an emotional performance on this track, which is complemented by the triple fiddling of Jason Barie.

Reindeer Boogie and Run Run Rudolph are both Christmas classics. The former was originally recorded by Hank Snow in 1953. The Radio Ramblers’ rendition of this song makes for a fun listen. The latter, fist recorded by Chuck Berry in 1958, is literally and figuratively one of the most electrifying performances on this entire project. Featuring Davis on electric mandolin and lead vocals, this highlight track allows everyone to shine. It particularly features great instrumental performances from Mullins on banjo, Jason Barie on fiddle, Adam McIntosh on guitar, Randy Barnes on bass, and Mike Rogers on percussion.

Christmas At The Old Home Place is sung by Randy Barnes and was written by his father, Earl. It’s a wonderful sentimental piece about the family traditions that surround the Christmas season.

Another highlight of this recording is the closing track, Old Fashioned Christmas. Written by Bluegrass Hall of Famer, Paul Williams, and recorded during his time as a member of Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys, this new rendition fittingly features Williams’ delivering the heartfelt spoken recitation. It’s a beautiful way to end the album.

Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have knocked it out of the park once again. With the combination of great material, solid vocal harmonies and musicianship, this is an album that’s destined to be ranked alongside the Christmas recordings by Larry Sparks, Rhonda Vincent, and other bluegrass luminaries. It’s the perfect recording for the holiday season.

Adam McIntosh to Billy Blue Records

Ed Leonard, Adam McIntosh, and Jerry Salley at Billy Blue Records

Bluegrass artist Adam McIntosh has been announced as the newest signee with Billy Blue Records.

We all know Adam from his many years on guitar with Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, over two different stints, from 2005 to 2013, and from 2019 to the present. In between, he took a full time job with The Mandolin Store, before finding his way back to music.

Prior to coming onboard with Joe, McIntosh had worked with Dry Branch Fire Squad, but he started picking and singing as a teenager. At 16 he was playing bluegrass professionally at an amusement park near his home.

A debut solo album, Restless, is expected next year, and Adam says that he feels blessed to have this opportunity.

“What a blessing! I am thrilled to announce my upcoming album Restless on Billy Blue Records! This record has been a long time in the making. I was only 18 years old when I started playing bluegrass music on the road with Dry Branch Fire Squad, and knew even then that I wanted to record a project like this one day.

The COVID pandemic gave me a new perspective, and that year I redoubled my efforts and finished my bachelor’s degree. I took time to reflect on what I wanted to do musically, and decided it was time to buckle down and really work on this project. I collected songs from a few of my favorite writers, as well as songs that speak to me that perhaps the general bluegrass audiences may have never heard. More than anything, I wanted to produce a collection that touches the listener. There are songs that make you tap your foot, some that make you sing along, and others that just might make you cry.

I am honored to be working with Billy Blue Records on this project. I was adopted into the Billy Blue Records family when I returned to Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers in 2019. I could tell right away that their dedication and professionalism was second to none.

Thank you to Ed, Jerry, and Kyle for believing in me and encouraging me! I am thankful for the talents of some heroes and friends on this record as well, including Mike Rogers (percussion and vocals), Ron Stewart (banjo), Scott Vestal (banjo), Ned Luberecki (banjo), Jason Barie (fiddle), Mitch Meadors (mandolin), Evan Lanier (banjo), John Meador (vocals), Jesse Smathers (vocals), Dale Perry (vocals), Don Rigsby (vocals), and Angie McIntosh Young (vocals). It was an amazing experience making music with these extraordinarily talented individuals.”

Billy Blue will have an initial single from Adam, Baby, You Ain’t Baby Anymore, on October 13. The full Restless album is expected early in 2024.

Billy Blue Records A&R Director Jerry Salley said they likewise feel fortunate to have brought Adam into the fold.

“Billy Blue Records is grateful for the opportunity to represent this exciting collection of great songs, performed by one of the very top male vocalists in bluegrass music!”

You can learn more about Adam McIntosh and his music by visiting him online.

The Toolbox from Jason Barie

Billy Blue Records has a new single from fiddlin’ Jason Barie, also known on his recorded projects as The Ramblin’ Fiddler. We see him mostly these days performing with Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, but Jason is a recording artist in his own right, and becoming quite well known as a violin luthier as well.

For this third single from his most recent album, Radioactive, we get to experience Barie’s musical talents in a new way, as he steps up to sing the lead vocals for the first time.

The song is a Dennis Duff number called The Toolbox, which Jason says really hit him hard when he initially encountered it.

“The first time I heard this song, it was sung by Bradley Walker. I was in my car running some errands while off the road and home for a few days. I didn’t even make it halfway through the song when I started to tear up. I nearly had to pull off the road.

The subject of the song being that of your Dad’s tools and him passing them on to you, and the knowledge of how to use those tools, hit me square in the chest. I chose this song to sing because of the very reason in how much I can relate to the words.

When I hear the song it makes me think of my Dad, the time we spent together working on various projects, and him passing on some of his tools to me as I was starting my collection. But it’s not just a subject of dads and sons, this can also relate to any relationship where you learn and carry on the knowledge bestowed on you by a friend or loved one. I hope that you think of those people as you listen to my version of The Toolbox.”

In addition to sharing his vocals skills on The Toolbox, Barie plays the fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and bass on the track, with banjo supplied by Jesse Baker, and harmony vocals from Michael Rogers and Adam MacIntosh.

It’ll tug a bit at your heartstrings if you can see yourself in this song.

Have a listen…

The Toolbox, and the full Radioactive album, is available from popular download and streaming services online. Audio CDs can be purchased directly from the artist.

Radio programmers will find all the tracks at AirPlay Direct.

Let Time Ride – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers

In a recent conversation with Joe Mullins about his latest album, Let Time Ride, he told me, “I’ve never been more excited to lead a group of musicians than I am now.” I have to say, I agree with those sentiments. Let Time Ride, recently released by Billy Blue Records, is hands-down the best album ever released from Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, and the musicians here truly make all the difference. With fresh songs and arrangements, several solid lead vocalists, and the strong traditional-style bluegrass Mullins is known for, there’s not a misfire on the album.

The title track is a top contender for my favorite on the album. Written by Mullins’s daughter-in-law, Santana Mullins, several years ago while she was a student at ETSU, it’s a toe-tapper guided by Mullins’s banjo and Chris Davis’s warm lead vocals. It quickly takes listeners through several stages of life for the song’s narrator as he embraces growing older and the life changes he encounters. Another fine track, and one which Mullins says may be his favorite here, is the Gospel number, The Glory Road. Written by Marty Stuart, Paul Martin, and Harry Stinson, it’s a newer song with a classic first generation feel. Mullins has one of the strongest vocal groups currently performing in bluegrass music, and this track allows them to show off in full force. Davis and McIntosh trade off lead vocals throughout the song, while Mullins adds in a crystal-clear tenor.

Another unique vocal arrangement can be found on Play the Wildwood Flower, written by Conrad Fisher. It’s a sweet love song that Fisher wrote after hearing the story of a woman who agreed to marry a man because he could play Wildwood Flower. Though it’s definitely a bluegrass song, autoharp from guest Lizzy Long and the brother-duet style vocals on the chorus add an old-time flavor. Also with a vintage feel, or as Mullins put it, “it sounds like it was written 150 years ago,” is Forsaken Love from Canadian folk/old-time duo Pharis and Jason Romero. Whereas the original has a haunting, stripped-down arrangement, Mullins has mixed fairly straightforward bluegrass instrumentation with vocals that are again reminiscent of old-time country brother duets.

Several songs here were released as early singles, including the radio hit, Big City. Written by Paul Williams when he was a staff writer for Decca Records, it was recorded by several country artists, including Ernest Tubb, in the 1960s. The Radio Ramblers have kicked the tempo up quite a few notches and added some hot percussion from Mike Rogers – sort of a later-career Jimmy Martin vibe. Another well-received single was I’ve Been Down That Road, a classic country weeper featuring McIntosh on lead vocals. From the all-star writing duo of Jerry Salley and Larry Cordle, it’s an outstanding track on an album packed full of well-written songs. Jason Barie’s triple fiddles and solid bass from Randy Barnes help enhance the country feel.

I’ve always enjoyed albums from Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, but Let Time Ride has me truly excited. It’s one of those rare albums that can be listened to from start to finish, and then started over, again and again. Mullins told me that this lineup of the band has inspired him so much, and the crisp arrangements and excellent song selections here make that obvious. I’m looking forward to what the Radio Ramblers have coming next – which Mullins hinted was a Christmas release, as well as more hardcore traditional bluegrass.

The Glory Road video from Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers

Billy Blue Records has released a music video of Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers’ a cappella cut of The Glory Road, a song written by Marty Stuart and two of his Fabulous Superlatives, Paul Martin and Harry Stinson.

Joe wanted to get this video out to share with folks before Easter, and has kindly offered us the premiere this afternoon.

He explained a bit about how he found this lovely call and response song from this current album, Let It Ride.

“Boy, Chris Davis can play that Monroe-style mandolin! Bill and the Blue Grass Boys started doing quartet tunes with just the mandolin and the guitar in the first days of bluegrass recordings in the ’40s. That sound still speaks to my soul, and, hopefully, to a lot of bluegrass gospel fans.

Chris’ mandolin, Adam’s guitar, then the quartet, on a tune Marty Stuart and his boys did. To my knowledge, I couldn’t find a recording of this song except for Marty’s television show several years ago. We wanted to recreate it like Marty and the boys, and sing our version of The Glory Road.

Every Radio Ramblers album has a few gospel numbers, and we hope this one will be a favorite for a long time.”

Have a look listen…

The Glory Road, and the full Let It Ride album, are available from popular download and streaming services online. Radio programmers can get the tracks via AirPlay Direct.