Sound Biscuit Archives - Bluegrass Today

B Funky from Laney and Bishop

Sound Biscuit Records are bringing out a new single from Laney and Bishop, an instrumental whirlwind written by Colby Laney called B Funky.

Sharp-eyed grassers may have caught the hint in the tune’s title that this one is likely in the key of B, a challenging signature for new string players, but a favorite for seasoned pickers.

Colby says that, yes, this is the case.

“It’s just a fun tune that really lets us stretch out and improvise in the key of B. Bluegrass players often think of B as the ‘blues jam’ or ‘mash’ key, but we wanted to take it in a completely different direction—something fresh and different but still rooted in the tradition of jamming.

It’s one of those tracks that just makes you smile and have a good time while playing or listening.”

Support comes from his partner, Danielle Bishop on fiddle, and a crew of east Tennessee all-stars. Both Laney and Bishop are widely-recognized bluegrass professionals, he with Volume Five, Larry Stephenson, and others, and she taking titles at Fiddlers Grove, the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, and the Georgia Mountain State Fair.

Helping out on this funky romp are Aaron Ramsey on mandolin, Jeff Partin on reso-guitar, and Jacob Burleson on bass. Colby plays guitar and Danielle fiddle.

Check it out…

B Funky will be available from popular download and streaming services on January 17. Radio programmers can get the track now via AirPlay Direct.

Sound Biscuit auctioning a Josh Rinkel guitar for ETSU Youth Summer Camp

Sound Biscuit Productions in Sevierville, TN is donating a new, custom Gallagher Josh Rinkel signature guitar, to be auctioned to benefit scholarship opportunities for deserving youngsters to attend the ETSU Bluegrass Summer Camp. ETSU is located in Johnson City, TN and the Camp runs from July 8-12.

The Camp welcomes young pickers aged 11-19 to spend a week on the ETSU campus which houses the school’s Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music program, where they offer bachelors degrees in the named disciplines. Camp students have the option of staying in supervised student housing, for out of town visitors with meals included, or with a lower rate for local campers. They will study with ETSU faculty and noted bluegrass performers, have instrumental and vocal lessons, and get to visit the ETSU Studio Lab. Bands will be assembled, grouped by ability and experience, which will be coached by faculty members.

Thanks to Sound Biscuit and Gallagher, auction participants have the opportunity to obtain this unique guitar, valued at $5,000, through the auction process, with proceeds donated to provide scholarships for worthy young players who can’t afford the Camp’s $750 registration fee.

A minimum bid of $2,500 is required to get in to the auction, which is open now.

Rinkle, guitarist with The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, made this short video to explain the auction, and show off his personal Gallagher signature guitar.

The guitar up at auction has two custom features, a special inlay in the first two frets that reads “Spirit in the Bluegrass,” and a label that identifies it as being made in support of the ETSU Bluegrass Summer Camp.

Multiple student family discounts are available of 50%. Faculty include Trey Hensley, Kalia Yeagle, Dan Boner, Ben Bateson, Angelica Branum, and Jeremy Fritts, with more to be announced.

Full auction details an be found on the Sound Biscuit web site.

Colby Laney signs with Sound Biscuit Records

Sound Biscuit Records has announced the signing of veteran bluegrass performer Colby Laney to the label. Involved in bluegrass performance since his teens, most folks know him best for his time on guitar and vocals for the Larry Stephenson Band and Volume Five.

Colby started in the bluegrass program at ETSU when he was awarded a public performance scholarship at 17 years of age, and made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry a year later. While still in school he worked with Next Best Thing, which featured Rhona Vincent’s two daughters, Sally and Tensel.

He earned hard won experienced touring with Stephenson, but really came into his own during a multi-year tenure with Volume Five. Singing tenor to Glenn Harrell and supplying solid rhythm and lead guitar, he also wrote one of their more popular songs, Rich Man’s Daughter. Laney also made prominent contributions to Darren Nicholson’s terrific new album, Wanderer, as producer, also providing guitar and harmony vocals.

Colby says that he is psyched to get started on new music with his new label partner.

“I am excited to join forces with Sound Biscuit and embark on this next chapter of my musical journey. The label’s passion for preserving and advancing bluegrass music aligns perfectly with my own artistic vision. Together, I am confident that we will create something truly special.”

Label head Dave Maggard feels the same way.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Colby Laney to the Sound Biscuit family. Colby’s exceptional musicianship, captivating songwriting abilities, and impressive accolades make him a standout artist in the bluegrass community. We are committed to supporting Colby’s artistic vision and believe that our collaboration will result in remarkable contributions to the genre.”

Expect to hear new music from Colby Laney on Sound Biscuit Records in the coming months.

Corey Zink to Sound Biscuit Productions

Corey Zink with Dave Maggard of Sound Biscuit Productions

Anyone who follows bluegrass closely is aware that east Tennessee has become a regional hot spot in our music. In fact, it has been for quite some time, even before East Tennessee State University in Johnson City began offering a degree in bluegrass and old time music.

So it was no surprise when New England grasser Corey Zink moved from his native Massachusetts to Pigeon Forge earlier this year. Zink has taken a job at Dollywood, which both allows him to keep his entertaining chops in top form, and have time free to also tour with his own group, Zink and Co.

Now today it is announced that Corey has signed with Sound Biscuit Productions in Sevierville, who will produce and release his next album.

Dave Maggard, chief engineer and label principal with Sound Biscuit, says that he is excited to have Zink on board.

“I’m totally stoked about having Corey Zink on the Sound Biscuit label and I’m proud he chose Sound Biscuit to work with. Corey brings a smooth classic country tonality to his vocals with everything he does. It’s kinda like Bluegrass Junction bumped into Willy’s Roadhouse. Corey is a talented songwriter as well as an accomplished musician. I’m really excited to see what comes out of this partnership.”

Here’s an example of what Dave is talking about in this video of the band on an old country classic.

Zink and Co will begin work soon on their fifth album, and Corey says that they are eager to get working in the studio.

“In early 2019, my family and I relocated to Tennessee. Since that time, I have met and been encouraged by many people to continue to pursue my passion of songwriting, recording and performing the kind of music that defines who I am as an artist. Dave Maggard is one of those people. What I look forward to most about signing with Sound Biscuit is that I will be working with quality folks who will allow me to be myself in an environment where I feel driven to be the best I can be. I am humbled and excited for my future as a part of the Sound Biscuit Family!”

To date, most of the shows Corey and his group have played have been centered in the northeast, so we look forward to seeing more of them in the southeast in the coming years.

Seth Mulder & Midnight Run to Sound Biscuit Records

Dave Maggard with Seth Mulder & Midnight Run at Sound Biscuit Studio

Sound Biscuit Records, the new bluegrass label associated with Dave Maggard and his Sound Biscuit Studio in Sevierville, TN, has announced the signing of east Tennesse’s Seth Mulder & Midnight Run to a recording contract.

The band consists of four recent graduates of university bluegrass programs, who are dedicated to recording and performing both classic and original grass, infused with wit and humor, and a big dose of good old fashioned fun. Seth Mulder on mandolin leads the band, along with Colton Powers on banjo, Ben Watlington on guitar, and Max Etling on bass. Mulder is the lone original member of Midnight Run, which was formed in 2015.

With a sound forged over roughly 200 shows each year at the Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg, TN, Seth and the boys have developed a very powerful stage presence, anchored by clever songs and Ben’s dry repartee. In some ways they are following in the footsteps of the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, who likewise got their start at Ole Smoky and have found great success as devotees of an arch traditionalist sound.

Here’s a look at Midnight Run live on stage, with a song written by Watlington called Don’t Let The Door Hit You On Your Way Out.

In another big move for the band this month, they have signed with Wilson Pickins Promotions for publicity services.

Agency principal Melanie Wilson says that she is eager to help them promote the upcoming Sound Biscuit project.

“I am really looking forward to working with the guys from Midnight Run. They have an innate ability to harness traditional bluegrass music while infusing their own flavor and hard driving instrumental and vocal skills into the music. That combination is so powerful to watch on stage, and will be so exciting to hear come together on the recording.”

You can follow Seth and Midnight Run on their official web site and on the socials.

Sound Biscuit Records launches in Sevierville

Dave Maggard, owner and operator of the Sound Biscuit Studios in Sevierville, TN, has announced the launch of his latest venture, Sound Biscuit Records.

Maggard, who has a long history supporting bluegrass and acoustic artists with both studio engineering and live audio, is ready to add record label exec to the hats he wears in our industry. Also a longtime songwriter, Dave feels that with his audio and video studio credentials he can offer the rising stars of the bluegrass world the ideal spot to start their careers, as well as a comfortable and experienced place for established artists to work.

The studio is recently expanded and revamped, with new equipment brought in, and had been designed for acoustic instruments and voices from the beginning. Dave has contracted with a number of promotional and marketing professionals to enable him to offer the services that artists expect from a label.

Currently working with Sound Biscuits Records are mandolinist Jesse Brock, and singer/songwriters Jada Star & Barry J. Along with the announcement of the label launch, Maggard also has shared the signing of his newest artists, The Grassabillies, from western North Carolina. These guys are a bluegrass power trio with an aggressive stage show and a sound that lands somewhere between traditional mountain music and outlaw country.

The Grassabillies are Robbie Helton on bass, Luke Edwards on guitar, and Randy Saxon on banjo and mandolin. You can visit them online to learn more about the band.

Maggard says that he expects a new project from them next year.

“Sound Biscuit is excited to add the Grassabillies to our growing label. I had the pleasure of working with Robbie Helton a few years ago and we became friends. The Grassabillies have a unique style that pushes the limits of the genre up against the wall. Fun to work with, fun to listen to, and fun to watch. There will be a number of talented guest surprises on the project. We’re working towards a release in early Spring.”

More information about Sound Biscuit and the artists that record there can be found online as well.