Drew Emmitt released “Long Road” on Compass Records July 15.

Nashville, Tenn. — Drew Emmitt, vocalist and mandolin player for Leftover Salmon, is revered as one of the most energetic and innovative mandolin players on the jamband/newgrass scene today. On his new album, Long Road, Emmitt’s “inestimable talents” (An Honest Tune) don’t end with just the instruments that can be picked. Holding the wheel steady on acoustic and electric slide mandolin, acoustic and electric guitar and mandola, Long Road also showcases Emmitt’s superlative storytelling and versatile vocal abilities.

With seven originals, including co-writes with John Cowan (”Long Road”) and Jim Lauderdale (”I’m Alive”), Emmitt saavily chose a few best-of-life-on-the-road songs, such as Supertramps’ “Take the Long Way Home”, Marshall-Tucker Band’s “Take the Highway”, and Van Morrison’s “Gypsy in my Soul”.

Co-produced by Emmitt and Compass Records co-founder Garry West, “my heaven band”, is how Emmitt describes the special guest musicians on Long Road: Billy Nershi of The String Cheese Incident (dobro), Chris Pandolfi of The Infamous Stringdusters (banjo), Andy Hall of The Infamous Stringdusters (dobro), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Tim O’Brien (harmony vocals), Alison Brown (banjo), Darrell Scott (vocals), Eric Thorin (bass), Jeff Sipe of Leftover Salmon and The Aquarium Rescue Unit (drums), John Cowan (vocals), Reese Wynans (Hammond B3), Steven Sandifer (percussion) and Tyler Grant (guitar). Hallelujah.

In addition to appearances with Leftover Salmon and the Emmitt-Nershi Band, the Drew Emmitt Band will tour the US with The Waybacks fall 2008.

You can also visit Drew Emmitt on MySpace.

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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.

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Special Limited Edition version of “Moneyland” available from McCoury Music online only.

Nashville, Tenn. — McCoury Music and Del McCoury’s “Moneyland” is now in stores but McCoury Music if offering a Limited Edition version of the CD through the label’s web site, www.McCouryMusic.com. The Special edition of Moneyland features Del McCoury on the cover, and will be limited to 1000 copies each of which will be signed by Del himself. A portion of the proceeds of the limited edition version of “Moneyland” will benefit an organization that helps the homeless.

Modern day bluegrass patriarch Del McCoury adds a new dimension to his role as a musical leader on July 8, 2008 when his family owned McCoury Music label, distributed by powerhouse RED Distribution (a division of SonyBMG) releases Moneyland, a timely multi-artist collection that offers a hard-hitting look at today’s economic injustice through a thoughtful selection of six new (or newly recorded) songs, mixed with eight neglected gems and classic favorites. Framed by excerpts from two of Franklin Roosevelt’s Depression-era “fireside chats,” Moneyland revitalizes country and bluegrass music’s connections to the lives of hardworking people in ways that honor the past, look to the future and challenge listeners to act in the present.
Moneyland

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“Modern Hymns” hits Aug. 19.

Nashville, Tenn. — Darrell Scott is a successful and acclaimed songwriter, but on his new album the gifted musician turns to his heroes to find inspiration of his own. Out August 19 on Appleseed Recordings, ‘Modern Hymns’ is Scott’s honest, imaginative take on 12 songs from masters like Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen and many more. Some of Nashville’s leading lights came out to help Scott with the project, including Del McCoury, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, David Grier, Mary Gauthier, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, and Stuart Duncan.

“’Modern Hymns’ is a collection of songs and artists/songwriters whose music shook me as a kid (with ears nearly as big as my heart). They guided the way to my own path as an artist and songwriter. These songs still inspire me and are a watermark held to the light: how an honest, open life brought to music can resonate with and move people. These songs are the truth; they are spiritual…and i do not know what more we could ask of any hymn?” Darrell Scott

Darrell Scott

Produced by Scott himself and recorded with the help of Grammy-winning engineer Gary Paczosa, the album was recorded almost entirely live in studio, giving it a pure, down home feel. At times it sounds as effortless as a group of friends over for an impromptu jam session.

A former ASCAP and NSAI songwriter of the year, Darrell Scott has written Grammy-nominated songs for the Dixie Chicks (“Long Time Gone”), and “Hank William’s Ghost” (from his 2006 album ‘The Invisible Man’) won him Song of the Year at the 2007 Americana Awards. Scott has had songs recorded by over 75 artists including: Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Hayes Carll, Kathy Mattea, Keb Mo and Guy Clark, for whom he co-produced two albums. He’s also collaborated with an amazing variety of artists including Bill Frisell, Steve Earle, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Jim Lauderdale, Joan Baez, Orchestra Nashville and many others.

‘Modern Hymns’ tracklisting:

1. All The Lovely Ladies- (Gordon Lightfoot)
2. Urge For Going- (Joni Mitchell)
3. Out Among The Stars- (Adam Mitchell)
4. Jesus Was A Capricorn- (Kris Kristofferson)
5. The Devil- (Hoyt Axton)
6. James- (Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays)
7. Frisco Depot- (Mickey Newbury)
8. American Tune- (Paul Simon)
9. Nobody Eats At Linebaugh’s Anymore- (John Hartford)
10. Joan Of Arc- (Leonard Cohen)
11. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Met)- (Bob Dylan)
12. That Old Time Feeling- (Guy Clark)

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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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