Ernie Thacker "The Hangman" (Pinecastle Records)

David Parmley "3 Silver Dollars" (Pinecastle Records)

Pinecastle Records this week released two new CDs, The Hangman by Ernie Thacker and Route 23 and 3 Silver Dollars from David Parmley & Continental Divide.

In a news release, Pinecastle called the release of the The Hangman “a monumental achievement for Ernie Thacker and Route 23.”

“On April 18, 2006, in the middle of recording the album, Ernie Thacker’s musical career nearly came to an end when he was involved in a car accident. He was left on life support and in a coma for two months,” the label said. ” After 102 days in intensive care, Ernie was transferred into rehabilitation where he spent an additional three months before returning home. As a result of the accident, Ernie is now paralyzed from the waist down.”

Thacker, with the help of his band, was able to finish the CD and returned to the concert stage last April. The Hangman features Thacker’s bandmates, brother Matt Thacker on basse, Dick Roach on banjo and Brandon Shupping on mandolin. John Rigsby guests on fiddle.

3 Silver Dollars marks the sixth release for David Parmley & Continental Divide with Pinecastle Records. The union began in 1994 when Parmley and banjo great Scott Vestal formed Continental Divide and went on to win IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year award in 1995.

3 Silver Dollars features Parmley on guitar and vocals, Dale Perry on banjo and vocals, Ron Spears on mandolin and vocals, with special guests, Ron Stewart on fiddle, Kyle Perkins on bass, and Rhonda Vincent singing harmony vocals on “Meadow On The Mountain.” Tom T. and Dixie Hall contributed the title track.