Sierra Hull record release showcase at Edgehill Studios Cafe in Nashville, TN March 31, 2008. (L-R) Clay Hess, Sierra Hull and Ron Block. Photo by Travis Tackett.

Sierra Hull Showcase

Nashville, Tenn. — Bob Dieterlen and I attended a showcase with Sierra Hull in honor of her new record “Secrets” that is set for a May 6th release date. Ron Block who co-produced the project with Sierra contributed guitar, banjo and vocals along with Clay Hess on guitar and vocals and Aaron Ramsey on bass.

The new material we heard last night sounded fantastic. From last nights preview, Hull and Block have put together an album of some really strong songs. Running over the songs we got to listen to last night the title cut “Secrets” stood out as did “Smashville,” a Jim VanCleve penned instrumental, that puts Hull’s mandolin playing in overdrive.

Sierra Hull and Ron Block were both gracious enough to sit down and talk with us and we’ll have those interviews coming soon.

Clay Hess and Aaron Ramsey also play full time with Mountain Heart on guitar and mandolin respectively.

Craig Havighurst of String Theory Media shot video of the event last night so I expect that will be available online somewhere in the next month or so as well.

Donna Hughes in Georgia this weekend

Donna Hughes will be playing a pair of shows this coming weekend at “Swallow at the Hollow” in Roswell, GA. on April 4 & 5. Shows start at 10:00 PM both nights and tickets are $17.50. Donna will be performing along with Cory Batten and Mason Douglas. For more information visit www.theswallowatthehollow.com.

The Isaacs in Wilmington, OH this weekend

Classic Country Radio is proud to present an evening with world acclaimed gospel group, The Isaacs, this Saturday, April 5, at The Murphy Theatre in Wilmington. The concert begins at 7 p.m. All seats are reserved. For tickets and information, call The Murphy Theatre Box Office toll free at 1-877-274-3848.

The Isaacs have a unique style that fuses bluegrass harmonies and instrumentation with modern southern gospel lyrics. Current group members are Lily Isaacs - vocals, Ben Isaacs - vocals & upright Bass, Sonya Isaacs - vocals & mandolin, Rebecca Isaacs Bowman- vocals & guitar, Jesse Stockman - fiddle, Nathan Fauscett - drums, cajon, Troy Engle - banjo, guitar & fiddle.

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The Dan Tyminski Band

The Jerry Douglas Band

Ron Block

As Allison Krauss tours with Robert Plant this summer on the much anticipated “Raising Sand World Tour,” the boys from Union Station will be pursuing other ventures. Union Station will be working on individual projects and tours. This, however, is not a permanent situation, but instead is an exciting opportunity for all of us to see Union Station as individuals performing with their own bands.

Jerry Douglas will be on the festival and tour scene all summer. He will be playing most places with his super group The Jerry Douglas Band. The band consists of Doug Belote on drums, Todd Parks on bass, Luke Bulla on violin, Guthrie Trapp on mandolin and guitar, and, of course, Jerry on the slide. Jerry will also be playing some select shows with other individuals such as Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer, Bella Fleck, and Brian Sutton. For further information, check out Jerry at www.jerrydouglas.com.

Jerry Douglas Tour Dates:

• Apr 3 — Savannah Music Festival - Savannah, GA
• Apr 16 — Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
• Apr 17 — Stonemountain Arts Center - Brownfield, ME
• Apr 18 — IMAC - Huntington, NY
• Apr 19 — The Iron Horse - Northampton, MA
• Apr 20 — Fairfield Theatre - Fairfield, CT
• Apr 22 — Birchmere - Alexandria, VA
• Apr 23 — BB King’s Blues Bar - New York, NY
• Apr 24 — Sellersville Theater - Sellersville, PA
• Apr 25 — The National - Richmond, VA
• Apr 27 — MerleFest - Wilkesboro, NC
• May 2 — Rialto Theatre - Tucson, AZ
• May 3 — Orpheum Theater - Flagstaff, AZ
• May 4 — Stagecoach Festival - Indio, CA
• May 8 — Claire Loftus Carriage House Theatre - Saratoga, CA
• May 9 — Rogue Theatre - Grants Pass, OR
• May 10 — Aladdin Theater - Portland, OR
• May 11 — Triple Door - Seattle, WA
• May 30 — Warren Amphitheater - Warren, Ohio
• Jun 13 — Bonnaroo - Manchester, TN

Dan Tyminski will also be touring this summer with The Dan Tyminski Band. Union Station bass player Barry Bales, mandolin extraordinaire Adam Steffey, bluegrass journeyman Ron Stewart on banjo and fiddle, and resonator guitar and fiddler Justin Moses have come together to tour with Dan this summer. Tyminski and the band are also scheduled to release their first album this year on the Rounder label. Check out Dan and the band @ www.dantyminski.com.

Dan Tyminski Band Tour Dates:

• Apr 19 — National Heritage Museum - Lexington, MA
• Apr 20 — Swyer Theatre at the Egg - Albany, NY
• Apr 27 — Merlefest - Wilkesboro, NC
• May 3 — Stagecoach - Indio, CA
• May 16 — Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival - Gettysburg, PA
• May 17 — Bellbrook Jamboree - Bellbrook, OH
• May 24 — Moncon Wesleyan Auditorium - Moncton, NB, Canada
• June 7 — BamaJam - Enterprise, AL

Ron Block continues to write inspirational songs and is supporting last years solo album “Doorway”. Ron is currently booking shows for 2008. Log onto www.ronblock.com for more information.

Ron Block Tour Dates:

• Apr 19 — Feed and Seed - Fletcher, NC
• May 17 — Bellbrook Bluegrass Jamboree - Bellbrook, OH

This summer will be a great time to see and hear the individual talents of all the members of Union Station.

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Ron Block photo by Dan lofton

Best known as Union Station’s guitar and banjo man, Ron Block will perform at Rocketown in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, February 7th in support of his latest album “Doorway” (Rounder).

The “in the round” style show kicks off at 7:00 PM and will also feature Sierra Hull, Sara Groves, Christopher Williams and Charlie Peacock.

Block has just finished producing Sierra Hull’s debut CD which will be available later this year on Rounder Records.

Rocketown is located at 401 6th Ave S. and tickets are available through www.etix.com for $10.00. For more information you can visit www.rocketown.com or call 615-843-4001.

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