The McKinnon twins — Keith on guitar and Kevin on mandoln — fllank Carrie Hassler Friday at the Greater Downstate Bluegrass Festival in Springfield, Ill. Hassler and her band, Hard Rain, performed two shows during the weekend event. Big names, including Rhonda Vincent, Doyle Lawson, Nothin’ Fancy and Dailey & Vincent pulled in sizeable crowds for the festival, part of the Midwest Bluegrass lineup of festivals. [end]

After the success of “Buckaroo Blue Grass” and “Cowboy Classics – Old West Cowboy Collection,” Michael Martin Murphey has decided to remain with Rural Rhythm Records. Michael Martin Murphey and Rural Rhythm finalized the multi-album deal during the recent IBMA World of Bluegrass business convention in Nashville, Tenn….

Audie Blaylock is a special guest this week on XM Radio’s Bluegrass Junction show, entitled “Track by Track,” hosted by Kyle Cantrell.

Blaylock will go down the track list of his new CD, Audie Blaylock and Redline, vwith Cantrell.

Nashville Tenn. — Rural Rhythm recording artist, Carrie Hassler will be honored by her hometown of Pikeville, Tenn. when Mayor, Greg Johnson presents her with the Key to the City of Pikeville and proclaims “Carrie Hassler Day.” The event takes place, December 5, 2008 with a reception from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at the Perfect Light Gallery located at 421 Spring Street, Pikeville, TN.

Nashville Tenn. — Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the release of Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain’s first single from the group’s upcoming CD titled, CHHR2. This highly anticipated new album from the group and the second on the Rural Rhythm label, is set for release on July 29, 2008. Jon Weisberger, [...]