Award-winning gospel group The Marksmen are celebrating their 40th anniversary with the release of “God’s Masterpiece,” a two-CD/one DVD offering from Rural Rhythm Records.” (Everyday Worship — Songs & Scriptures)” is a concept album about the death, burial and resurrection stories from the Bible, according to Sam Passamano of Rural Rhythm.

“Our company is so excited to bring this wonderful new approach to sharing a moving experience in music and scripture,” he said.

The set of of music and narrated scriptures also includes a DVD of The Marksmen performing songs from “God’s Masterpiece” and a 12-page booklet with scripture quotations from the King James Bible.

Produced by Mark Wheeler, the album includes guest appearances by bluegrass group Mountain Heart members, Barry Abernathy on banjo and Jim Van Cleve on fiddle.”

“This is a project I have always wanted to do,” Wheeler said. “When it came together and I finally heard the completed version, I knew this is the project that all the years and miles that The Marksmen have traveled is for - to share His word and His music through this soul-stirring CD and DVD.”

The title track, “God’s Masterpiece,” co-written by Wheeler, reached No. 3 on the “Christian Voice” magazine chart and the radio hit “Timber and Nails” went to No. 2 on the “US Gospel News” country chart. It also saw some chart activity on the “Singing News Magazine” radio list of top tunes.

The Marksmen have received numerous awards and recognitions throughout their career, including four-time recipient of the *Country Gospel Quartet of the Year* by Country Gospel Music Guild; four times as the *Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year* by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA); inducted into the *Gospel Hall of Fame* by the Texas Country Music Association; and most recently, Mark Wheeler was nominated as *Favorite Male Vocalist* at the Front Porch Fellowship Bluegrass Gospel Fan Awards.

Group members also include Darrin Chambers, Davey Waller, and Mark Autry.

The album is available for purchase at all larger music retailers via RYKO Distribution.

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Jesse McReynolds on stage during the 2006 Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival photo by Travis Tackett

Grand Ole Opry star and bluegrass legend Jesse McReynolds is holding a fall festival and grand opening of his new “Pick Inn Music Park” in Gallatin, Tenn., Oct. 26 and 27. For longtime friends and fans of the mandolin great and the iconic brother duo Jim and Jesse, it’s going to be quite a bash, featuring a Virginia Boys band reunion. Committed to attend are banjo great Allen Shelton, fiddler Jimmy Buchanan, all-around bluegrasser Carl Jackson, Buddy Griffin, Vic Jordan, Jim Brock, Monroe Fields and other former members of Jim and Jesse’s band.

A special tribute is being planned for all former Virginia Boys.

The grand opening of the Pick Inn grounds, which features a large and lavish private cabin that’s for rent, is being billed as a family bluegrass music festival. Jesse and Joy McReynolds are serving as hosts and innkeepers.

Grand opening features include hayrides, walking trails, jam sessions, story telling and food vendors.

The McReynolds are billing their new venture as a music park, vacation destination, retreat and fantasy camp. They say it’s “a lovely, private wedding spot. We love weddings, especially bluegrass weddings.”

The Pick Inn is located 30 miles north of Nashville, off Highway 25, at 550 Ziegler’s Fort Road, which is the second driveway past the Bledsoe Creek State Park entrance. First-time visitors to the area are advised to follow the signs to the state park. Although camping is not available at the Pick Inn, full hookups are available at the nearby state park.

Admission to the grand opening is $10 from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and $15 from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. A two-day ticket is available for $20.

Details about the festival or about leasing the inn are available by calling Joy McReynolds at (615) 452-7321, via e-mail at jimandjesse@bellsouth.net or through McReynolds’ Web site. www.jimandjesse.com.

The Web site has several photos of the inn and its scenic grounds overlooking Old Hickory Lake.

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In time to grab the attention of holiday shoppers, Time Life is releasing an 8-DVD set of Grand Ole Opry performances by country music superstars,”Opry Video Classics” will be released on Nov. 20 and be available at major music retail outlets and on line.

The set includes 120 performances from the 1950s to the ’70s, featuring classic country’s most significant artists. Most of these live television appearances were captured on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.

Most of these performances have never been available commercially before. The series is presented in eight thematic volumes, including Queens Of Country (Tammy Wynette, “Stand By Your Man”), Duets (Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn, “After The Fire Is Gone”), Pioneers (Hank Snow, “I’m Moving On”), and Honky Tonk Heroes (George Jones, “The Race Is On”).

Time Life will also issue a single volume of Opry Video Classics. Viewers will get the chance to see Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire,” Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin’” and Patsy Cline’s signature song “Crazy.”

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to present these classic artists and songs to existing and new fans” said Mike Jason, senior vice President, Retail, Time Life. “The performances have never been available on home video which makes them all the more special.”

“Each of the artists included on this project has made an indelible mark on country music over the past half-century,” said Pete Fisher, vice president and general manager, Grand Ole Opry. “The television performances included are, in many cases, the very performances that inspired many of today’s Opry superstars to dream of careers in country music.”

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