Audey Ratliff – “Piece of Cake” (Dream Walk Records)

Nashville, Tenn. — Audey Ratliff, the man who has enriched bluegrass music the world over with his finely crafted mandolins, has released his first solo album, “Piece Of Cake,” on Dream Walk Records. Ratliff owns and operates Ratliff Mandolins in Church Hill, Tennessee.

Produced by James Alan Shelton, lead guitarist for Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys and a recording artist in his own right, “Piece Of Cake” is 14-song treasury of classic country, folk and bluegrass tunes—plus one particularly catchy movie theme.

The lineup includes “Oh Lonesome Me,” “Early Morning Rain,” “Sleepy Eyed John,” “John Dig A Hole,” “Carolyn’s Concerto,” “Twinkle Little Star,” “Raised By The Railroad Line,” “Cactus Polka,” “Pretty Little Miss,” “Heartland,” “Foggy Mountain Special,” “Goodbye And So Long To You,” “Piece Of Cake” and, from the movie of the same name, “Never On Sunday.”

Ratliff’s talented touches are all over Piece Of Cake as he variously provides vocals, mandolin, guitar, bass and percussion for the songs he and his producer have chosen. Backing him are Shelton on lead guitar, bass, vocals and banjo and Savannah Vaughn on fiddle and vocals. Guitarist John Maylater guests on one track.

Ratliff has crafted mandolins for some of the most-awarded musicians in bluegrass and country music, among them Adam Steffey (the former Union Station picker whom Ratliff taught to play) Jimmy Gaudreau, Norman Wright, Shawn Lane, Tammy Rogers, Billy Panda, Stephen Cagle, Emory Lester, Jennifer McClain and Dino DiGiacomo.

As a studio musician, Audey Ratliff has recorded with Shelton, the Larkins, the Ball Sisters and Tennessee Skyline, among others. He is a former member of the band Whetstone Run and currently performs with Tennessee Skyline, Savannah Vaughn & Fall Creek and the Laurel Duo with John Malayter. His one thousandth Ratliff Mandolin will be completed sometime in late 2008.

Piece Of Cake is available online at The Music Shed, CD Baby or directly from www.ratliffmandolins.com.