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.”

What, you may ask, is a CD recorded in 2006 doing just hitting retail outlets?

Ask Ernie Thacker, and he’ll tell you to have a seat; you aren’t going to believe this.

The CD is Thacker’s newest, called The Hangman and released late last year. And Thacker, himself, might tell you there were times when he didn’t think The Hangman would ever be released — or if so, maybe as a tribute, a memorial, a musical epitaph….

Pinecastle Records is currently shipping four new CD’s to radio stations and DJs that have release dates set for January and February of 2009. Those CD’s include offerings from the 2008 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year, Kristin Scott Benson, Nothin’ Fancy, Ernie Thacker & Route 23 and David Parmley & Continental Divide.

For those radio stations and DJ’s who are anxious to get new material into rotation, Pinecastle Records offers a digital download service to broadcasters. The digital files are offered in wma and mp3 file formats.

The story was written by Larche Hardy, freelance bluegrass writer and News Director WMBB-TV, Panama City, Florida. Many thanks to Larche for allowing us to publish this story and thanks to Veniece Kennedy and George Hester for the photos.
Ernie Thacker returned to the stage at Riverbend Bluegrass Festival in Ocilla, GA, for his [...]

Ernie Thacker
Ernie Thacker, a self-described miracle, is back.
Thacker, an alumnus of Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys, has traveled a long journey of recovering from a devastating 2006 car accident to once again hit the road with his band, Route 23.
The news gets bigger and better: He’s also just signed a recording contract with Pinecastle [...]