Greenbrier - “Back of the Book”

When the first track and title cut of Greenbrier’s new CD, “The Back of the Book,” came through my speakers, I thought: Great thumb-style (ala Travis-style) guitar, good vocals, good harmony. But strictly bluegrass it wasn’t. Way too much reverb on the lead vocals and the mandolin chops sounded too much like a snare drum tapping out the afterbeat. All in a good way, mind you. It sounded like mighty fine Southern gospel music.

But, Track No. 1 misleads what follows. Make no mistake, this is bluegrass — bluegrass gospel with plenty of new tunes written by members of Greenbrier, including the title track, written by band member Roger Helton, who does plenty of singing on the project and adds guitar, banjo and dobro support.

Others in the trio which is based in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., are Jimbo Whaley on guitar and vocals and bass player Scott Carris, who also adds vocal work to the 11-track CD, which is available from the Web site, www.jimbowhaley.com.

Two things really stand out on this CD. One, it contains a great deal of quality original material, songs that will have you really listening to the lyrics. Too often, it seems gospel CDs have a tendency to be filled with songs that invite a capella arrangements, but otherwise are generally weak in the lyrics department. Not so with the compositions here, including the a capella offering of “Gloryland,”a public domain tune performed by whaley and Helton. That track is followed by a wonderful Easter Brothers song, “Thank You, Lord.” The simple but effective version of the old Carter Family classic, “Workin’ On A Building,” is also difficult not to like.

In the bluegrass genre, honest and powerful voices like these are allowed to stand on their own, unpolished merits. May it always be so.

The other standout quality of “The Back of the Book” is the genuine, earthy vocals that Helton and Whaley contribute. Rest assured that if this group had been pegged to compete in the commercial country market, studio-hired vocal coaches would have ruined these two fine vocalists. In the bluegrass genre, honest and powerful voices like these are allowed to stand on their own, unpolished merits. May it always be so.

Guest musicians on the CD are Danny Barnes on mandolin and revered fiddler Shad Cobb. Ray Ball joins the group to sing the lead in the final track, “I’ll Have a New Life.” Ball’s vocal style is a good fit for the group with its rich earthiness.

Greenbrier has one previously released CD, “I Want to Know More,” that was released in 2005 and Whaley has numerous solo projects including: a live performance DVD/CD, “Jimbo Whaley & Friends” released in 2007, “The Kings of Orebank” released in 2006 and his self titled album released in 2005.

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The Steeldrivers will make television appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Mountain Stage this month. Photo by David McClister.

Burlington, MA – The SteelDrivers, referred to as “a force in bluegrass and beyond” by USA Today, continue the momentum they have gained from the release of their acclaimed self-titled album earlier this year. The group will be performing on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien on Friday, July 18 and on Mountain Stage on Sunday, July 27. The SteelDrivers were also recently nominated for the New Emerging Artist of the Year Award by the Americana Music Association.

On their national debut album (consisting of all original material), The SteelDrivers’ back-country high lonesome collides with Delta soul, and is one of the most refreshing sounds to emerge from Nashville in a long time. Highly regarded behind the scenes as songsmiths and session players with innumerable hits, cuts and licks to their credit, this batch of seasoned pros has performed to sold out crowds from their inception almost two years ago. While offering new takes on classic themes of redemption and loss, and hope and home, their songs are equally informed by the mountain sound of Ralph Stanley and the rhythm and blues of Ray Charles. Stretching the boundaries of your typical bluegrass band, the rock/blues/soul vocals of guitarist Chris Stapleton put back-country lonesome sounds smack dab in the middle of town.

The SteelDrivers are: mandolinist/guitarist/vocalist Mike Henderson, guitarist/vocalist Chris Stapleton, fiddler/vocalist Tammy Rogers, banjo player Richard Bailey and bassist Mike Fleming.

The Steeldrivers Performance Schedule:
Jul 17 — Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival - Oak Hill, NY
Jul 25 — Rocky Grass Festival - Lyons, CO
Jul 26 — Musicians Against Childhood Cancer - Columbus, OH
Jul 27 — Mountain Stage - Charleston, VA
Aug 2 — Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival - Hartford, CT
Aug 8 — Lovett Live - Murray, KY
Aug 9 — Bluegrass in the Park Folk Life Festival - Henderson, KY
Aug 22 — Station Inn - Nashville, TN
Aug 23 — Bluegrass Festival in the Square - Corydon, IN
Aug 30 — Strawberry Music Festival — Yosemite, CA

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Beth Stevens “Strong Enough” (Pinecastle Records)  The Churchmen - “I’ll Be Long Gone” (Pinecastle Records)

Pinecastle Records will be releasing two new CD’s to radio this month. Beth Stevens’ “Strong Enough” and The Churchmen’s “I’ll Be Long Gone.” Both CD’s are currently set for an October 14 street date.

Beth Stevens
“After traveling on the road with her family for over 20 years, East Tennessee native Beth Stevens has found a new home with Pinecastle Records. Beth Stevens has been performing since the age of 12 years old. The eldest daughter of the Stevens Family band decided to take up the banjo and it wasn’t long before she quickly picked up the piano, guitar, dobro and bass. She also wrote her first song at the age of 12, which lead to a string of many original songs that Beth penned along with the help of her family.” Pinecastle Records

“Strong Enough” was produced by Scott Vestal and includes guest appearances from Jesse Cobb, Matt Leadbetter, Steve Thomas, Dale Ann Bradley and Steve Gulley. The album contains eight originals and songs “that cut across bluegrass, blues, country and gospel.”

The Churchmen
“I’ll Be Long Gone” features 7 original tunes written by David Guthrie, along with Jason Barie, Rick Pardue, and Josh Manning. David penned 4 of the originals with Jason, Rick, and Josh each contributing one song each. The remaining songs are Bluegrass Gospel standards or re-makes with a new twist.” The Churchmen

The Churchmen were formed in 1989 when they began singing in local churches together. The Southern Gospel style, four-part harmony, along with bluegrass instrumentation, gives them a unique sound that has gained them attention on a nation-wide level including 2 DOVE Award nominations. The group consists of five Christian men, and each one feels that God personally calls him into music ministry. Pinecastle Records

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Indiana
July 11 — Dailey & Vincent - Simon J. Graber Community Center - Odon, IN. Tickets are $10.

July 12 @ 9:00 P.M. — Del McCoury Band - The Bluebird Nightclub - Bloomington, IN. General admission tickets are $18 and are available through Ticketmaster.

Minnesota
July 10-13 — Garden City Family Bluegrass Weekend - Garden City, MN. Bands scheduled to perform include: Lindley Creek, Mark Phillips & IIIrd Generation, The Kenaston Family, Courier, String Fever, Blue Wolf and more. Single day tickets run $10 - $15 depending on the day and a weekend pass is available for $35.

Ohio
July 10-12 — Central Ohio Bluegrass Festival - Hartford Village (Croton), OH. Bluegrass artists scheduled to appear include: Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Spanky Moore Bluegrass Band, Appalachian Grass, Hart Brothers, Grassahol and more. Single Day passes are available for $10 (Thur) and $12 (Fri and Sat) and weekend passes are $30.

Got an item for the calendar? We’re looking for Festivals, Special events, Jam Sessions, etc… If it relates to the world of Bluegrass we want to know about it. Send us the who, what, when and where and other details you’ve got and we’ll do our best to let everyone know about it. Send your Bluegrass Calendar items to subscriber@bluegrassjournal.com.

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