When Leon Timbo was a teenager, he prayed for a singing voice. As a young poet and the child of a preacher, he was a born storyteller, but he dreamed of being able to sing. Leon’s remarkable artistic journey has been the answer to that prayer.
Timbo started writing and performing songs on DIY solo tours in his native Florida, eventually expanding his reach across the United States. He focused on connecting with each audience member and immediately started building a loyal following. It was on one of these tours that musician and actor Tyrese Gibson fell in love with his music and storytelling and invited Leon to open for him. Gibson’s mentorship helped Leon hone his sound and opened massive doors of opportunity.
Each step of Leon’s musical path has been guided by faith, spirituality, and the power of human connection. He has performed with the legendary Fisk Jubilee Singers and hung out at a bar with Quincy Jones. He has a unique take on Americana, R&B, gospel, and folk music. His new album, Lovers & Fools, Vol. II, is a vehicle for his hopeful worldview, and of course, for his spectacular voice.
Georgia-born Brent Cobb is a true blue southern Gospel country artist. His music career kicked off when he shared a demo tape with Dave Cobb, one of Nashville’s finest producers and Brent’s cousin. The two have collaborated on numerous albums since Brent’s debut and I had a lot of questions about that creative relationship during our interview.
Cobb’s 2016 album, Shine On Rainy Day, earned him a Grammy nomination and saw him tour with country stars Chris Stapleton and Zac Brown. He has also written songs for artists like Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert. Brent has fascinating insights about touring, collaboration, and his role as an interpreter of Southern culture in an interconnected world.
In July of 2020, Brent was driving with his one-year-old son when their truck was t-boned. He got up off the pavement and found his son unharmed in his car seat. This brush with death inspired him to create a Gospel album, drawing on the musical tradition in which he was raised. And Now, Let’s Turn to Page… reimagines time-honored hymns and features one original song co-written by Brent and his wife, Layne. Life, death, love, community, and Willie Nelson-style gentle vocal performances – this album has it all.
Artist:Dolly Parton Hometown: Sevierville, Tennessee Song: “In the Sweet By and By” (with Larry Cordle, Jerry Salley, Carl Jackson, & Bradley Walker) Album:Country Faith Bluegrass Release Date: September 17, 2021 Label: Billy Blue Records
In Their Words: “I am so honored to be a part of such a beautiful album with all of these wonderful artists. Bluegrass has always been one of my very favorite styles of music. I sing it often. I also love the gospel part of bluegrass music and ‘In the Sweet By and By’ was always one of my favorite songs. My parents loved that song so that was the one I wanted to be a part of this album. So I hope everybody, as my mother would say, gets your blessing out of it.” — Dolly Parton
Artist:Mark Bishop Hometown: Irvine, Kentucky Song: “Like a Songbird That Has Fallen” Album:Some Distant Mountain Release Date: September 24, 2021 Label: Sonlite Records
In Their Words: “I was speaking with a friend about the album we were recording, and she had me go looking for this song. I fell in love with not just the mountain melody, but I also fell in love with the unconventional lyrics that sound more like poetry than song lyrics. You really have to listen. Musically, the song encapsulates the entire album. It’s a mixture of instruments from across the sea as they first meet the instruments of the Appalachian mountains. Add to that the harmony vocals by my friend Ally Griggs and it is just an absolutely captivating song to hear.” — Mark Bishop
Waltzes are my favorite. Can’t explain why, but they touch me in a way that other songs don’t. In honor of my album, Ten Thousand Roses, and its title track, here are twelve of my favorite waltzes — some by dear friends and some by long-gone greats. — Dori Freeman
Erin Rae – “June Bug”
Erin is one of my favorite artists — I just love her voice and the style of her records. This song is so simple (my favorite kind of song), but so sweet and effective lyrically and in the arrangement. The last minute or so of the melody being played on piano is particularly lovely.
Kacy & Clayton – “Down at the Dance Hall”
Kacy and Clayton are dear personal friends and some of the most genuine and truly original people I’ve ever met. This is such a classic-sounding waltz it’s hard to believe it was written only a few years ago. Kacy is also one of my favorite singers *of all time.*
Ric Robertson – “Julie”
Ric is another good friend of mine and easily one of the best songwriters of the time. He writes with a vulnerability and honesty that most people are afraid to share. I also had the privilege of singing harmony on this lovely track with my friend Gina Leslie.
Teddy Thompson – “Over and Over”
I have to include a Teddy song on this playlist since he’s been such a big part of my own music. He produced my first three records and continues to be such a kindred spirit in music making. This song has such a heartbreaking honesty lyrically and a truly haunting arrangement.
Iris Dement – “Sweet Is the Melody”
Iris has one of the most instantly recognizable and unique voices in music. I had this album on cassette tape and used to listen to it driving around in my old Subaru when I was like 19. Such a tender song.
John Hartford/ Tony Rice/ Vassar Clements – “Heavenly Sunlight”
My husband introduced this song to me a few years ago and we’ve been performing it at shows ever since. I never get tired of singing this beautiful song and this is my all-time favorite version. A good gospel waltz is hard to beat.
Linda Ronstadt/ Dolly Parton/ Emmylou Harris – “Hobo’s Meditation”
This song is twofold in its importance to me. First, these are three of the most talented singers ever singing together on one album. All three of these women have had a huge influence on me individually and I think you’d be hard-pressed to find another country singer who wouldn’t say the same. This is also a song that my dad’s band performed and recorded when I was a child. I can vividly remember sitting in the audience listening to them play this song.
The Louvin Brothers – “Blue”
If you want a master class in harmony singing, the Louvin Brothers are it. I love to listen to them dance around each other when they sing, jumping all over the place with grace and finesse. This waltz is a classic heartbreaker with lots of tender swooning falsetto.
George Jones – “Don’t Stop the Music”
Another one of our greatest singers, George Jones. This is one of my husband’s favorite waltzes and makes the cut for me, too. That jump up to the sixth he sings right in the opening gets me every time.
Rufus Wainwright – “Sally Ann”
Most people familiar with my music know that Rufus Wainwright’s music is very dear to my heart. He has a couple beautiful waltzes to choose from, but I included this one from his first record. A weird thing to note perhaps, but I love that you can hear each breath Rufus takes before singing on his recordings.
Lee Ann Womack – “Prelude: Fly”
This album was on heavy rotation when I met my husband in 2016 so when I hear this song I’m reminded of how sweet a time that was. It’s got a special place in my heart. And Lee Ann is one of those singers who makes me cry every time.
Richard Thompson – “Waltzing’s for Dreamers”
My daughter used to like this song when she was littler so that makes it an especially sweet one for me. It has one of my favorite lines — “waltzing’s for dreamers and losers in love.” So funny, so sad, so true.
Artist:Elder Jack Ward Hometown: Itta Bena, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee Song: “The Way Is Already Made” Album:Already Made Release Date: August 20, 2021 Label: Bible & Tire Recording Co.
In Their Words: “I can just about sing anything anyone else sings. I never bragged on myself, but this was a gift from God and the Bible says, ‘A gift comes without repentance.’ In other words, you don’t have to be a Christian to be able to sing. If you’ve got that God-given gift you can do it — your choice if you want to sing rock ‘n’ roll, blues, gospel — but I choose the right side.” — Elder Jack Ward
Artists:Bobby & Teddi Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus Hometowns: Louisa, Drift, and Flatwoods, Kentucky Song: “Roll That Rock” Release Date: August 13, 2021 Label: Pinecastle Records
In Their Words: “‘Roll That Rock’ started as a collaboration between Billy Ray and I as writers. Then it became a collaboration of my wife Teddi Cyrus’ powerful vocals, Billy Ray’s undeniable sound, and me.” — Bobby Cyrus
“‘Roll That Rock’ is an inspiring and beautifully written song about the sacrifices Jesus made for us to have eternal life. This song is powerful and will move your soul. I pray that it blesses all listeners as much as it has me.” — Teddi Cyrus
“I always prayed for purpose through the music. Started a band for that reason. When I started singing ‘Roll That Rock’ my inner spirit said Bobby Cyrus will know exactly what to do with this. He did. He wrote the Gospel truth and then sang the daylights out of it with Teddi and a killer bluegrass band reminiscent of Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe.” — Billy Ray Cyrus
Artist:The Chuck Wagon Gang Hometown: The current members are pretty scattered, but the Chuck Wagon Gang originated in Fort Worth, Texas Song: “Two Gardens” Album:Radio Days Release Date: August 13, 2021 Label: Mountain Home Music Company
In Their Words: “We’ve had many fans request a recording from our old radio show. We’re so happy to finally be able to grant that request. We’ve put several old songs from the 1940s that we deem a deeper dive into the Chuck Wagon Gang archives. But there are also a few newer songs like ‘Two Gardens’ on this latest recording. We received the demo for ‘Two Gardens’ and I remember not being able to get the tune out of my head. Put that together with amazing lyrics and I believe we have a song fans will truly be blessed by!” — Shaye Smith, The Chuck Wagon Gang
Photo credit: Clay Lisenby for The L House Photography
Artist:The Isaacs Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee Song: “Turn! Turn! Turn!” Album:The American Face Release Date: August 13, 2021 Label: House of Isaacs
In Their Words: “When selecting cover songs for our project, The American Face, one of my first suggestions was the song ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ Growing up in New York City in the ’60s, I was a big folk music fan. I had a folk album out on Columbia Records in 1968, so I followed so much of that scene. The song was taken from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and seemed like such an appropriate song for nowadays. It was written by Pete Seeger in 1959 and released in 1965 by the Byrds. Once my family and I listened to the song, we just knew we had to record it. We wanted to do the song with The Isaacs feel to it. So, we tried to build the song with harmonies throughout the lyrics. It certainly brought back so many memories to me personally… living through the music era in the ’60s, which was such a turning point in history. An exciting time in many ways.” — Lily Isaacs
Artist:Lonesome River Band Hometown: Floyd, Virginia Song: “Every Minute Means a Mile” Album:Singing Up There: A Tribute to the Easter Brothers Release Date: July 23, 2021 Label: Mountain Home Music Company
In Their Words: “‘Every Minute Means a Mile’ is an Easter Brothers classic that talks about the common man’s journey to the cross and Jesus Christ. If we follow The Cross on this journey, the Greatest Reward is on the other side. We cannot look back at what we have done, but we must keep our eyes on the Cross and with patience, we will gain our Heavenly Reward. There is nothing complicated in the way The Easter Brothers wrote the lyrics. Simplicity at its finest!” — Sammy Shelor, Lonesome River Band
Photo credit: Anthony Ladd
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