After releasing a couple of new CDs last month, Rebel Records has several other projects in the works.

The label is preparing a new release by freshly signed artists Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice.

The Ferrum, Va.-based band consists of Sisk on guitar & lead vocals, Tim Massey on bass, Darrell Wilkerson on banjo, Chris Harris on mandolin and Billy Hawks on fiddle.

“I’ve always wanted to record for Rebel. Now I feel like I’ve found a home,” said Sisk, a veteran of touring bluegrass bands.

The straight-ahead, traditional bluegrass favored by the band is a perfect fit for the like-minded label, according to Mark Freeman of Rebel.

He described Sisk as “a strong singer with a solid band., and we’re looking forward to working with them.”

The upcoming album, produced by Ronnie Bowman and tentatively entitled “Blue Side Of The Blue Ridge,” is scheduled for a mid-summer release.

Look for two other Rebel releases next month; Dave Evans & River Bend will be featured on “The Best Of The Vetco Years,” which will be released May 6. Also on that date, Rebel will release a Larry Sparks collection: “The Best Of Larry Sparks: Bound To Ride.”

Last month, Rebel released a compilation of various artists entitled “Best Loved Bluegrass: 20 All-Time Favorites.”

It features Tony Rice, the Lilly Brothers and Don Stover, The Country Gentlemen, Clair Lynch, Del McCoury, Mac Wiseman, the Boys from Indiana, Lonesome River Band, Emerson and Waldron, Ten Lundy & The Southern Mountain Boys, Lost and Found, Seldom Scene, Ralph Stanley, J.D. Crowe, Don Reno and Red Smiley, the Stanley Brothers, Keith Whitley and Rickey Skaggs, Dave Evans, Larry Sparks and Larry Richardson and Happy Smith.

Also out from Rebel last month is “2:10 Train,” featuring Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondie Klein.

Here’s a take on the CD from Rebel’s sister site, County Sales:

“A few years back the short-lived group Chesapeake came out with three interesting albums, which — though uneven — all contained some gems. Klein and Gaudreau were the major forces in that group, which also included Mike Auldridge and T. Michael Coleman.

“What Jimmy and Moondi are doing here as a duet is very reminiscent of the Chesapeake recordings, except the material is all well-chosen and appropriate to their style. Klein, who was lead singer for the Seldom Scene for awhile, has a good voice and a very distinctive manner of presentation, and he is complemented beautifully by Gaudreau’s tasteful mandolin playing and equally strong vocals.

“Offset by a couple of lovely slower pieces like Harley Allen’s “High Sierra,” the songs are mostly sprightly pieces that move along nicely … The music here is different, distinctive, relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable.”

Here’s the track list:

1. Dreamer or Believer
2. The Last Thing on my Mind
3. High Sierra
4. Sweet Sunny South
5. Arkansas Traveler/Soldier’s Joy
6. And the Band Player ‘Waltzing Matilda’
7. Black Jack Davey
8. Colleen Malone
9. Evening
10. Dixie Hodedown
11. Any Old time
12. 2:10 Train
13. Shady Grove

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McCoury Music is proud to announce the signing of bluegrass legend, Larry Sparks. Sparks, winner of the IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year award in 2004 and 2005, is the first artist to join McCoury Music. Del McCoury has always been a big fan of Sparks, noting that “Larry has a style all his own, both with his singing and playing, and is one of my favorite singers of all time.” Del went on to say that, “I am very pleased to have such a renowned musician on the roster and I’m really looking forward to this new partnership.”

Larry Sparks started out playing with the Stanley Brothers in the 1960s where he quickly gained recognition and praise from the bluegrass community for his skills and talent. This approval gave him the ambition to form his own band in 1969, The Lonesome Ramblers; a very successful band that he is still with today. Sparks is known for his impressive solos and has been dubbed “The Most Soulful Voice in Bluegrass.” Spark’s profound musical abilities have inspired many and continue to keep him in the spotlight.

“Larry [Sparks] has a style all his own, both with his singing and playing, and is one of my favorite singers of all time.”Del McCoury

McCoury Music was formed in 2003 as a home for Del McCoury and as a way to have complete control of his music. The first two releases on the label both received Grammy nominations, with one winning a Grammy and the other winning the prestigious Album of the Year award from the IBMA. Sparks is set to record the album later this year with a planned release in Spring 2007. Don Rigsby will produce the album.

Tour dates and more information about Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers can be found at his official website: www.larrysparks.com

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