Tag: jaelee roberts

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Amythyst Kiah, Jordie Lane, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

The last Friday of July came up fast, didn’t it? To close out the month, we’ve got another excellent round up of bluegrass, country, and Americana premieres that you won’t want to miss.

In the bluegrass department, we’ve got a brand new track from bluegrass hitmaker Ashby Frank featuring his labelmate Jaelee Roberts, Dallas Moore gives an intimate solo performance of “Up On That Mountain,” and we close our DelFest Sessions series with IBMA Award nominees Sister Sadie.

Coming from Americana and country camps, don’t miss a hilarious video from Jordie Lane paying homage to an East Nashville favorite, Nashville Biscuit House, Cole Gallagher shares a track that dropped earlier this week entitled “Traveling Man’s Blues,” and Mike Montrey Band serve up a quintessentially country love song, “Holdin’ on to Nothin’.”

Plus, Amythyst Kiah has just announced her upcoming Butch Walker-produced album, Still + Bright, with a lead single that features S.G. Goodman entitled, “Play God and Destroy the World.”

It’s all right here on BGS and you know what we think – You Gotta Hear This!

Ashby Frank, “God Gave Me Horses”

Artist: Ashby Frank
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “God Gave Me Horses”
Release Date: July 26, 2024
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘God Gave Me Horses’ was co-written by one of my favorite Nashville songwriters, the great Connie Harrington, along with Leigh Nash, who is well-known for her solo recording career as well as being the lead singer for the band Sixpence None The Richer. A mutual friend of mine and Leigh’s played me her original cut of this song when she released it and I was blown away by the lyrics and instantly knew I wanted to record it with a rootsy bluegrass treatment. There are a lot of classic ‘prison songs’ that are considered bluegrass standards that talk about despair, hopelessness, and regret, but this composition has a more contemporary and positive message that I think will resonate with listeners of every generation. I’m so pleased with how this track turned out, and especially grateful for my great friend and Mountain Home Music labelmate Jaelee Roberts for lending her voice to this track. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.” – Ashby Frank

Track Credits:
Ashby Frank – Mandolin, vocals
Seth Taylor – Acoustic guitar
Travis Anderson – Bass
Matt Menefee – Banjo
Jaelee Roberts – Harmony vocals

Cole Gallagher, “Traveling Man’s Blues”

Artist: Cole Gallagher
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Traveling Man’s Blues”
Release Date: July 25, 2024
Label: Raggy & Balls

In Their Words: “In order to really understand what ‘Traveling Man’s Blues’ is about, you’ve got to understand that I spent almost two years on the road with my father a few years back. Earlier this year, I moved from LA to Nashville, so when I got back out on the road to shoot a video for this song, I had nothing but nostalgia shooting through every frame of this video. I wasn’t much older at the time than I was driving across with my dad. But it was enough time to have forgotten how beautiful the sun looks setting in Arizona or an amazing bright blue sky over the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. I felt like I was both discovering and re-discovering myself at the same time.” – Cole Gallagher

Track Credits:
Barry Billings – Guitar
Chad Gamble – Drums
Cole Gallagher – Guitar, vocals
Jimbo Hart – Bass
Jon Eldridge – Keys
Sadler Vaden – Guitar

Video Credits: Shot by Cole Gallagher.
Produced by Cole Gallagher.
Edited by Abe Barrington.

Amythyst Kiah, “Play God and Destroy the World” (Featuring S.G. Goodman)

Artist: Amythyst Kiah
Hometown: East Brainerd, Tennessee
Song: “Play God and Destroy the World” (Featuring S.G. Goodman)
Album: Still + Bright
Release Date: July 26, 2024 (single); October 25, 2024 (album)
Label: Rounder Records

In Their Words: “This song is about coming of age as a misfit in suburbia. At home, I was encouraged to be curious to and express myself, and pursue whatever interests I wanted to regardless of gender, race, sexuality, or beliefs. However, I was not always met with this same attitude out in the community I lived in and it was frustrating to feel like I couldn’t really be myself. Being a naive kid, I would sometimes fantasize about being all-powerful and changing things the way I saw fit, but it is not up to me, or anyone, to tell everyone else how to live their life. We are all from this green and blue dot in space and will return to it all the same. There’s enough suffering in life as it is, why make it worse by policing each other’s way of life?” – Amythyst Kiah

Track Credits: Written by Amythyst Kiah, Sadler Vaden.
Produced by Butch Walker.
Amythyst Kiah –  Vocals, background vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
S.G. Goodman – Vocals, background vocals
Butch Walker – Bass guitar
Ellen Angelico – Electric guitar, baritone guitar, mandolin
Matty Alger – Drums, percussion

Jordie Lane, “Biscuit House”

Artist: Jordie Lane
Hometown: Thornbury, Australia (Based in Nashville, Tennessee)
Song: “Biscuit House”
Album: Tropical Depression
Release Date: July 25, 2024 (single); August 16, 2024 (album)
Label: Blood Thinner Records, under exclusive license to ABC Music/The Orchard

In Their Words: “As with so many of my songs, I started out writing ‘Biscuit House’ with co-writer Clare ‘Lollies’ Reynolds about something external… somebody else. It’s a way to trick yourself into feeling less vulnerable. And it’s a way to observe the character in a more realistic and less biased way. But long story short, ‘Biscuit House’ is about imposter syndrome. Something so many people feel at some point in their lives, but especially creatives in the arts. And so the idea to dress up as this weatherman character, Tom Willing, to play in the video felt very fitting to explore being an imposter in a literal sense and get completely ridiculous and over the top.” – Jordie Lane

Track Credits:
Jon Radford –Drums, percussion
Jon Estes – Bass, pedal steel, keys
Jeremy Fetzer – Electric guitar
Clare ‘Lollies’ Reynolds – Backing vocals
Jordie Lane – Acoustic, tenor, piano, vocals

Video Credits: Directed by Mackenzie Brassfield & Jordie Lane.
Camera, editing & color by Mackenzie Brassfield.
Assistant Director of Photography, Mikey Haydon.

Mike Montrey Band, “Holdin’ on to Nothin'”

Artist: Mike Montrey Band
Hometown: Spotswood, New Jersey
Song: “Holdin’ on to Nothin'”
Album: Love, Time & Mortality
Release Date: August 2, 2024

In Their Words:“‘Holdin’ on to Nothin’ is about the process of love. It seems, more often than not, the story of love in songs is about the beautiful beginning, the tragic end, or the celebration of sustained love. However, it is often what we choose to hold on to or let go of in the most critical moments of a relationship that allows us to move forward or move on. Sometimes we just hold on to hope and sometimes we’re holdin’ on to nothin’.” – Mike Montrey

Dallas Moore, “Up On That Mountain”

Artist: Dallas Moore
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Song: “Up On That Mountain”
Album: Gems & Jams
Release Date: August 9, 2024
Label: Sol Records

In Their Words: “I’ve always loved bluegrass and really cut my teeth and learned guitar sitting in on countless bluegrass jam sessions back in Kentucky and southern Ohio when I was kid first starting out. My mama Madgelee played mountain dulcimer and she turned me on to a lot of bluegrass, Appalachian, and gospel music. Jimmy Martin, The Carter Family, John Hartford, The Osborne Brothers, and Flatt & Scruggs were some of my favorites to jam on and definitely influenced my style of playing and songwriting.

“‘Up On That Mountain’ is a song that I had written several years ago and that I have always called ‘a little bit of heathen preachin’.’ I even had a version of it that was recorded live in the Bullitt county jail but it’s been out of print for a while now. This song has been a staple of my live shows for many years and I’m always excited and proud that my 7 year-old daughter Victory Lee Moore joins us on stage for this one. I had a lot of fun with this solo acoustic arrangement and it felt like a perfect fit for the closing of this Gems & Jams album. Wherever I am this song always takes me back home.” – Dallas Moore

Track Credits:
Dallas Moore – Vocals, guitar
Brian DeBruler – Producer, engineer

DelFest Sessions: Sister Sadie

We are so excited to unveil the final installment of our DelFest Sessions, featuring Grammy-nominated bluegrass supergroup Sister Sadie. Over the course of the Memorial Day festival in Cumberland, Maryland, BGS contributors and videographers I Know We Should shot a half dozen superlative live performances on the gorgeous banks of the Potomac River. From festival hosts the Travelin’ McCourys, Big Richard, and Wood Belly to East Nash Grass, Mountain Grass Unit, and now the Sadies, each edition of our DelFest Sessions has been an audio swatch of the incredible national string band scene we all adore.

With a raucous “WOO!” shouted to the festival-goers floating by in their inner tubes and kayaks on the river, Sister Sadie stepped up to the mics to deliver two gentle, burning, emotive tracks pulled from their critically-acclaimed album, No Fear, which was released earlier this year. The first, “Blue As My Broken Heart,” was written by Dani Flowers – who sings lead on the number – with co-writers Victoria Banks and Rachel Proctor. Evocative imagery and detailed text painting here feel more than appropriate for the setting, in the verdant foothills of Appalachia on the cusp of spring and summer. You can almost feel the blue sky above and you can certainly grasp, immediately, why this group is up for eight IBMA Awards this year – including Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year…

Watch the full session here.

Photo Credit: Amythyst Kiah by Kevin & King; Jordie Lane as “Tom Willing” by Mackenzie Brassfield.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Gangstagrass, Jaelee Roberts, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

This week, it’s a tale of two Mothers in our premiere round-up! First, Gangstagrass bring us their latest single, “Mother,” ahead of their full album release next week, then Portland, Oregon-based string band Never Come Down bring us their own track, “Mother,” performed live at Ear Trumpet Labs. The serendipitously themed selections couldn’t be more distinct and unique, relative to the other, demonstrating the depth and breadth of these roots genres.

Plus, elsewhere in our collection of new music, hear fresh tracks from Jaelee Roberts, Kate Prascher, Karen Jonas, and Eddy Lee Ryder – a taste of bluegrass, a dash of singer-songwriter, a heaping helping of reckless abandon, and so much more.

It’s all right here on BGS and, honestly, You Gotta Hear This!

Gangstagrass, “Mother”

Artist: Gangstagrass
Hometown: All over the USA! Rench: Brooklyn with Oklahoma roots; Dolio the Sleuth: Pensacola, Florida; R-SON the Voice of Reason: Philly; Danjo: Washington, D.C.; Farrow: Omaha; Sleevs: Baltimore.
Song: “Mother”
Album: The Blackest Thing on the Menu
Release Date: June 7, 2024 (single); June 14, 2024 (album)
Label: Rench Audio

In Their Words: “It started as a poem I wrote one day on tour. We were in the north of France, and just as described, I was sitting under a tree looking around me thinking about the world, our place in it, and what major changes we’d have to make in order to ensure the survival of humanity. My younger brother was actively deployed at the time and since my family has generations of men who’ve served, including my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and numerous uncles and aunts and cousins, there is always real concern about why the country is involved in active aggression, especially when that same country is obsessed with committing violence against its own citizens, my community in particular. I shared it with the crew, and Rench cooked up a haunting oeuvre.” – Dolio the Sleuth

Karen Jonas, “Gold in the Sand”

Artist: Karen Jonas
Hometown: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Song: “Gold in the Sand”
Album: The Rise and Fall of American Kitsch
Release Date: June 7, 2024 (single); August 9, 2024 (album)
Label: Yellow Brick Records

In Their Words: “My dreamy Las Vegas wedding song; it’s an against-all-odds love story, a starry-eyed late-night wedding, the sweet optimism of love at first sight. I pictured a very zoomed-out and very zoomed-in Vegas as I wrote this, a drone image of a city rising from the desert and her hand tightly in his as they walk down the neon-lit midnight strip. We stumbled into Benji Porecki’s bittersweet piano intro during our live-in-the-studio recording session, with fiddle by Bobby Hawk and a tearing solo by guitarist Tim Bray capturing the intimacy and boldness of this love story. The monochromatic gold-washed video by videographer Ryan Poe feels like a retro dream sequence, pairing performance with delicate details.” – Karen Jonas

Track Credits: Written by Karen Jonas.
Karen Jonas – Vocals, acoustic guitar
Tim Bray – Electric guitar
Benji Porecki – Piano
Bobby Hawk – Fiddle
Seth Morrissey – Bass
Ben Tufts – Drums
Ahren Buchheister – Pedal steel

Video Credit: Ryan Poe at Oddbox Studios in Fredericksburg, Virginia

Never Come Down, “Mother”

Artist: Never Come Down
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Song: “Mother”
Album: Greener Pastures
Release Date: June 7, 2024

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘Mother’ after finding myself living back at home, at my Mom’s house, and with my sister there, too. I had just left an emotionally turbulent relationship and was kind of broke and starting over at 29, but also extremely hopeful and grateful that I had my life back and could decide what I wanted to do with it. Having my sister and my mother around was really important for me at that time, to get me back to a place of feeling unconditionally loved and safe. The song came out of my subconscious need for those women to tell me what to do and to be there for me as I figured out what to do.

“I feel like it’s a really simple song, actually. I think most of us can relate to needing a parent or a mother figure or somebody that’s not family that’s a mother figure to be guided by. In this day and age, we all need mentors and guides more than ever and the age old wisdom of women, of mothers, of nurturers, of ‘kissing it to make it better’ and softness and the divine feminine.

“I hope all that comes through in this song. Because when I was writing it I wasn’t thinking about all those things, I was just singing my own little mantras out of my head, things that were just making me feel safe and loved. I hope this song makes people feel safe and loved. I hope people relate to it in all the ways that we relate to our mothers. Sometimes it’s hard, sometimes it’s lovely. I think if we all lived like our mothers were still watching over us or were in their presence, we’d all be happier and kinder human beings.” — Crystal Lariza

Video Credit: Ear Trumpet Labs

Kate Prascher, “Mary Ellen”

Artist: Kate Prascher
Hometown: Hudson Valley, New York
Song: “Mary Ellen”
Album: Shake The Dust
Release Date: August 30, 2024

In Their Words: “This song names the sensations of a summer’s day when she decides to leave, a taxi ride and the cigarette smoke that both soothes her and sets her free. Banjo and drums and the steady rhythm of driving wheels.” – Kate Prascher

Jaelee Roberts, “Georgia Rain”

Artist: Jaelee Roberts
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Georgia Rain”
Release Date: June 7, 2024
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘Georgia Rain’ after experiencing my first breakup/heartbreak when I was 16 years old. Interestingly enough, I had the melody come to me first and then the lyrics, which isn’t the normal songwriting process for me. I really do love this melody and the little twist in the chord structure. If you know me or have followed my musical journey so far, you know that I absolutely love a good ole heartbreak song and having rain be part of the scenario makes a heartbreak song even more lonesome and sad! When I wrote ‘Georgia Rain’ it really came to me like a movie and the words are really visual and I hope that y’all will be able to hear it and see it along with me when you listen.” – Jaelee Roberts

Track Credits:
Jaelee Roberts – Vocals
Stephen Mougin – Harmony vocal
Byron House – Bass
Cody Kilby – Acoustic guitar
Andy Leftwitch – Mandolin
Stuart Duncan – Fiddle
Ron Block – Banjo
John Gardner – Drums

Eddie Lee Ryder, “Bad Decisions”

Artist: Eddy Lee Ryder
Hometown: Woodstock, New York (current); Irvington, New York (hometown)
Song: “Bad Decisions”
Album: Sweet Delusions
Release Date: June 6, 2024 (single); July 19, 2024 (album)

In Their Words: “The song is a collection of fragments from a story marked by a string of bad decisions, beginning with falling for someone who misled me about their relationship status. However, the song sat in the dust-bin for a long time until I knew it would ultimately be a story about crashing and burning. I began noticing his intense jealousy, which you will find in lines woven into the song like, ‘Don’t ask me how I know those guys you wouldn’t like to know.’ The song is about being reckless and wild, which is the state we were in when we fell for each other. But when I was ready to move past being reckless and wild, to just stay home and watch crime shows together, that’s when he left. So anyways, I’m back to making ‘Bad Decisions’ and it’s going great.” – Eddy Lee Ryder

Track Credits: Written by Eddy Lee Ryder.
Produced, Engineered, mixed by Dave Cerminara.
Mastered by Adam Ayan.

Daniel Chae – Bass, guitar
Dan Bailey – Drums
Eddy Lee Ryder – Vocals
Rich Hinan – Pedal steel
Todd Caldwell – Organs

Photo Credit: Gangstagrass by Melodie Yvonne; Jaelee Roberts by Eric Ahlgrim.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Ana Egge, Jaelee Roberts, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

In the words of Chris Stapleton, “What are you listening to?” This week, our premiere round up is full of music we’re very excited to bring to your speakers and earphones.

Below, check out new videos from Ana Egge, Ordinary Elephant, and our brand new Rootsy Summer Session featuring Jim Lauderdale performing at a cute music shop in Falkenberg, Sweden. Plus, we’ve got new tracks from Jaelee Roberts, Parker Smith, Wyndham Baird, and Will Kimbrough. To top it all off, Phillip Lammonds performs “Forever Ain’t That Far Away” with his pal, the legendary Pam Tillis.

There’s so much to enjoy in our latest premiere round up, and if we do say so ourselves – You Gotta Hear This!

Ana Egge, “Door Won’t Close”

Artist: Ana Egge
Hometown: Ambrose, North Dakota
Song: “Door Won’t Close”
Album: Sharing in the Spirit
Release Date: May 17, 2024
Label: StorySound Records

In Their Words:“‘Door Won’t Close’ is about confronting an abusive person. One of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. I stood up to him on behalf of my sister and nephew. I opened the door to what he’d done by telling the truth and not allowing myself to be shut down by fear. Then I left the door open by telling his wife and friends about it. The song is mostly in conversation with his wife — her denial of his abuse and her support of him.” – Ana Egge

Track Credits:

Ana Egge – Vocals, acoustic guitar, harmony vocals
Michael “Squeaky” Robinson – Pedal steel
Alex Hargreaves – Fiddle
Rob Heath – Drums
Lorenzo Wolff – Bass
Devon Yesberger – Organ, Wurlitzer

Video Credits: Directed, filmed and edited by Haoyan of America.
Special thanks Alden Harris-McCoy and Cole-Berry Miller.

Jaelee Roberts, “Stuck In The Middle With You”

Artist: Jaelee Roberts
Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Song: “Stuck In The Middle With You”
Release Date: April 5, 2024
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ is a song that I have loved for a really long time and I’ve been keeping it in mind to record, because I felt like it would be so much fun to cover. Of course I love the original version by Stealers Wheel (written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan), but when I was pretty young I found Keith Urban’s version from the ’90s with his band, The Ranch, and I was really hooked on it. I have literally listened to it hundreds of times and it never gets old. I love all genres of music and I recorded a ’70s rock song (“Landslide”) on my debut album and people really seemed to enjoy it, so I wanted to include a song from that era on my new album, too. I knew ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ was the one. I’m excited that it just happens to be the first single!

“I have to say that I am absolutely thrilled with how this song turned out with the help of my producer and bass player, Byron House, and all of the other STELLAR musicians: Ron Block on banjo/guitar, Cody Kilby on guitar, Andy Leftwich on mandolin, Russ Pahl on dobro, and John Gardner on percussion along with backing vocals by John Cowan.

“It was truly amazing to hear this come to life and I really think we made it our own by combining two awesome versions and throwing in a twist or two for a new take on ‘Stuck In The Middle With You.’ I hope it makes you smile and maybe even want to get up and dance!” – Jaelee Roberts

“Jaelee’s voice is THE GOLDEN THREAD shining so brightly in what feels to me like a well-woven tapestry of mighty fine playing, all supported by this classic groove. Her version of ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ was every bit as fun to play and produce as I hope it will be for you to hear! So grateful to be working with Jaelee Roberts!” – Byron House, producer

Parker Smith, “Air Stream”

Artist: Parker Smith
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Song: “Air Stream”
Album: Short Street
Release Date: June 7, 2024

In Their Words: “My brother and I drove up to Unicoi State Park with his two kids, a couple of cots, one tent, and not enough warm clothing. We debated not making the trek, because the weather was supposed to dip below freezing, but we didn’t want to disappoint his kids, who were looking forward to it. When we rolled up to the campsite, our neighbors, an elderly couple, were sitting outside in a couple of crazy creek chairs with their dog in front of an Airstream.

“I’ve always wanted an Airstream camper, and I am big into double meanings to a fault when it comes to song lyrics; ‘Air Stream’ also refers to the cold snap we were experiencing in North Georgia. We said maybe two words to the couple, but it was so interesting how we interacted with neighbors pretty much the same at home and on vacation. We overheard them bickering with each other and then making up at the end of the night. It was also interesting to see how they had everything figured out with some warm shelter and supplies, and we were out here roughing it with two young kids in a cold tent. We ended up having a great time outdoors, swinging on hammocks and making a fire, but the kids were complaining and shivering in the middle of the night, and we ended up leaving at 5 a.m. to head home.

“My favorite line in the song is ‘growing cold together, blaming it on the weather’ in the last verse. This line can be interpreted in several ways, and I liked substituting ‘cold’ for ‘old.’ This verse is when the song gets quiet, and the vocals are upfront before all the instruments tumble back in for the last chorus. Sonically, the song has a floating quality, especially with the sound of the pedal steel and the faraway fiddle solo. I wanted a simple chorus that people could sing along around a campfire, and my producer Colin had a great idea for me to overdub my vocals an octave apart to give it that vibe. ‘Air Stream’ has been a fun one to play live.” – Parker Smith

Track Credits:

Parker Smith – Guitars, vocals
Trygve Myers – Bass
Christopher Case – Keyboards
John Kingsley – Pedal steel, lap steel, fiddle, slide guitar
Colin Agnew – Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals

Mixing & production – Colin Agnew
Mastering – Bob Weston, Chicago Mastering Service

Wyndham Baird, “Meet Me By the Moonlight, Alone”

Artist: Wyndham Baird
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Song: “Meet Me By the Moonlight, Alone”
Album: After the Morning
Release Date: May 31, 2024
Label: Jalopy Records

In Their Words: “I learned ‘Meet Me By The Moonlight’ from The Carter Family when I was about 20 years old. When I first heard The Carter Family it felt like I was listening some long lost relatives. They sounded like they had been my great grandmother’s neighbors. Taking up Maybelle’s picking style set me free from the doldrums of riffing. Her playing taught me how to make the guitar sound good enough all by itself. That being said, Eli Smith’s autoharp lends our recording of ‘Moonlight’ some rocking chair rhythm and Samoa Wilson’s harmony vocal sounds somehow like a roll top bread box.” – Wyndham Baird

Will Kimbrough, “Every Day”

Artist: Will Kimbrough
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Every Day”
Album: For the Life of Me
Release Date: April 5, 2024 (single); May 3, 2024 (album)
Label: Daphne Records, Soundly Music

In Their Words: “David Henry and I wrote ‘Every Day’ trying to create something carefree and joyful. We pulled it off! I needed it then and we need it now. Favorite lyric: ‘Singing in the sunshine. Laughing in the pouring rain. Gonna have a good time. Everybody it’s a sunshine day.'” – Will Kimbrough

Track Credits: 

Bryan Owings – Drums
Chris Donohue – Bass
Will Kimbrough – Vocals, guitar, keyboards

Ordinary Elephant, “I See You”

Artist: Ordinary Elephant
Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana
Song: “I See You”
Album: Ordinary Elephant
Release Date: May 3, 2024
Label: Berkalin Records

In Their Words: “We can talk to anyone in a song. Time, space, beliefs, viewpoints — none of those can keep the ‘I’ from having a conversation with the ‘you.’ The ‘you’ can be Gandhi, a grocery store clerk, the President, or your dog. It can also be yourself, perhaps at some future point in time.

“I started this song a few months into my journey with sobriety. Because there were things I couldn’t escape from seeing about myself. And there were, and are, so many things I don’t yet know, or know how to figure out, but there’s a sense of what I want this unraveling to look like when it’s sewn back together.

“Being in the moment and accepting who and where we are is valuable, and I believe that getting better at this is a practice that can hold a lot of happiness. But it also seems that if we don’t look ahead and think of a future self, it can be difficult to grow in ways that feel meaningful. So this is a talk with that future self, letting her know that I see her.” – Crystal Damore

Video Credits: Directed & edited by Syd Horn & Olivia Perillo.
Cinematography & color by Olivia Perillo.
Honest Art Productions, Lafayette, Louisiana.

Phillip Lammonds, “Forever Ain’t That Far Away”

Artist: Phillip Lammonds
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Forever Ain’t That Far Away”
Album: Cowboy Things
Release Date: April 5, 2024
Label: Freestone Records

In Their Words: “It’s a song that I wrote with Matt Wynne – a great singer-songwriter from Missouri and just a great guy. We were co-writing one day and we didn’t really have anything. We were working around in the writers room and he said, ‘You know, the afternoon is not that far away,’ and I said, ‘Wait a minute…’ and we backed into this title, ‘Forever Ain’t That Far Away.’ It’s turned into one of the coolest songs. One of the greatest things about this song is that on the record, Pam Tillis sings the background vocals on it. There is no question you can hear her. She is amazing, and she’s still the same star she’s ever been.” – Phillip Lammonds

Track Credits: Written by Phillip Lammonds & Matt Wynne.
Produced by Lee Brice.
Co-Production by Gabriel Klein, Gideon Klein, Phillip Lammonds.
Engineered & Mixed by Cody Labelle, Gabriel Klein, Gideon Klein.

Video Credit: Brooke Stevens

Rootsy Summer Sessions: Jim Lauderdale

This week, we bring you a brand-new installment of our Rootsy Summer Sessions, which were shot last year in gorgeous Falkenberg, Sweden, during Rootsy Summer Fest ’23. The videography team behind I Know We Should set aside time during the summertime roots music festival with Nashville renaissance man, Americana magnate, and hit songwriter Jim Lauderdale while on his trip to Scandinavia.

For his first performance, he performs “The Road Is a River,” a song from his 2018 album, Time Flies, in an adorable local music store, Liljedahls Musik. Joined by his band, including recording artist and fiddler Lillie Mae, guitarists Craig Smith and Frank Carter Rische, Jay D. Weaver on bass, and Dave Racine on drums, they cheerfully lope through the darker tinges of the song, harmonizing in three parts on the track’s foreboding and certainly apocalyptic lyrics. “The Road Is a River” demonstrates the ease with which Lauderdale combines styles, textures, and sonics with his deep understanding of history and a literary reckoning with the machinations of the earth – natural and unnatural.

Read more and watch the entire session here.

Photo Credit: Ana Egge by Lorenzo Wolf; Jaelee Roberts by Eric Ahlgrim.

With a New Album, ‘No Fear,’ Sister Sadie Once Again Go “All In”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Last month, Sister Sadie took the stage at Nashville’s Station Inn to showcase and celebrate their latest album, No Fear. And although the title itself could be an ode to the group’s unrelenting urge to hop genre fences – from bluegrass to country to pop and back again – it’s also a nod to the resiliency of the band itself.

With No Fear, Sister Sadie showcase three-part, songbird harmonies backed by a keen musical aptitude that’s equally distributed throughout the quintet. The 13-song LP combines the “high, lonesome sound” of bluegrass with a blend of country and pop sensibilities a la The Chicks, Little Big Town, or Pistol Annies.

“There’s a space for bluegrass meets Americana meets country meets pop — that’s what I’m manifesting,” says fiddler and de facto band leader, Deanie Richardson.

To note, the Station Inn appearance was a full-circle sort of thing for the ensemble. First coming together at the storied venue by pure happenstance in December 2012, Richardson, banjoist Gena Britt, and former members guitarist Dale Ann Bradley, bassist Beth Lawrence, and mandolinist Tina Adair were simply a collection of pickers and singers from different circles in Music City.

That initial gig went extremely well, so much so that more shows were booked and things started to unfold into a full-fledged band – albeit one where the members still held day jobs and were raising families. But, the music felt right and so did the performances, so why not tempt fate and see where this ride may go?

Well, what a ride it has been thus far. Appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. Three IBMA awards for Vocal Group of the Year (2019, 2020, 2021) and one for Entertainer of the Year (2020), with Richardson taking home Fiddle Player of the Year in 2020. And a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album for the 2018 release, Sister Sadie II.

But, in recent years, three of those founding members — Bradley, Lawrence, and Adair — left to pursue other projects, which, in turn, posed one lingering question to Richardson and Britt — where to from here?

“When we started 12 years ago, when we hit that first note at the Station Inn, we felt this magical chemistry in the band,” Richardson says. “Somehow, every time we reinvent this [band], I still feel that magical chemistry when we play music.”

Instead of throwing in the towel and saying it was good while it lasted, Richardson and Britt forged ahead, come hell or high water. They regrouped and reemerged into this next, unknown chapter. Soon, Jaelee Roberts and Dani Flowers came into the fold, both bringing songwriting prowess as well as providing guitar and vocal harmonies to ideally complement Britt. Then, in 2023, bassist Maddie Dalton hopped onboard.

“It’s an eclectic group of ladies and of musical tastes,” Richardson says. “Our home, our hearts and our souls are in bluegrass music. That’s what we love, that’s our passion, but there’s a lot of room for growth there.”

The new album, it’s not bluegrass. It’s not country. It’s just good music. In my opinion, it would be a shame to pigeonhole your music.

Deanie Richardson: Well, that would be our dream, Garret, for someone to not try to put some sort of label or pigeonhole it into somewhere. But, unfortunately, it happens. We went in there with great tunes and just let them arrange themselves, let them work themselves out in the studio. And this is what we got. So, I didn’t go in with bluegrass in mind. I didn’t go in with country in mind. I just went in with all my pals, people I love — great players and great songs.

Is that more by design or just how things have evolved?

DR: I think that’s how it’s evolved. That was not the original [Sister] Sadie. That’s this combination of girls right here. When you have personnel changes like we’ve have along the way, the energy changes — everything shifts.

Gena Britt: You have to reinvent yourself.

DR: You’ve got to figure out where you land when Jaelee Roberts comes in and changes everything. And then you’ve got to figure out where you land when Dani Flowers comes in. And Maddie Dalton. We’ve had three new members. That changes the energy. It changes the vibe. It changes the feel. It changes the vocals. It changes everything. This whole band has grown organically over the last 12 years. This is just where it is right now. We’re about to go in and record a new one and, shoot, it may sound like ZZ Top. I don’t know — you never know.

And I have a lot of solidarity with that, the attitude of just go in and see what happens, see what sticks and see what works.

Dani Flowers: Every single person in this band is a big fan of good writing and good songs. Just trying to serve the song and make sure it had what it needed rather than trying to put any one certain song in a box that it might not fit in.

How does that play into personal goals with the band’s expectations? There’s a lot of a crossover factor in the music. I hear just as much country as I do bluegrass in there.

GB: We’re just going for what we feel. We want to be excited about the song as we want everybody that’s listening to be excited. When we’re in the studio, these songs were brought to life in such a great way.

With the new members, what was kind of the intent coming into the group?

Jaelee Roberts: When I was asked to audition, I was kind of flabbergasted, because I looked up to Sister Sadie. These are all my heroes playing together in a band. And I had grown up around them. It was such a surreal feeling to get to audition. I get to not only learn more from them than I was already learning from them, but I get to part of that and grow with them, bring my spin on stuff.

DF: It was definitely a no-brainer for me when it came to joining the band. I’ve known Deanie since I was 16 or 17, Gena since I was 19 or 20. I’ve always admired them both. They’re incredible at what they do. It was really great for me. I was in the music industry for a while. I had a record deal. I wrote for a publishing company. And then, I had a kid and kind of stopped doing it all for a while. So, to join a band full of women that I already love was a great way to get back into playing music.

And with founding members of a band leaving, there’s this creative vacuum that can occur, where maybe there are more opportunities for other people to step up.

DR: Oh, that’s so great, because it’s true. With the personnel changes we’ve had, there’s been more opportunities for different styles, different vocalists, different everything. It’s crazy how that energy shift just redirects everything. You find a new tunnel or rabbit hole to go down or a new vision. It’s super fun to hear those potential songs and figure out whose voice is going to work. If you listen to a song, it actually tells you where it wants to go.

GB: This band is kind of a melting pot. We all bring such different things to the band. And then, when you put it all together and mix it all together, it’s this great recipe for things that are magical. It’s just heartwarming, too. We actually hangout together when we’re not playing on the road — not a lot of bands do that.

With the band shakeup and everything that’s happened to Sister Sadie in recent years — winning the IBMA for Entertainer of the Year, switching record labels to Mountain Home — what made you decide to keep it going? Was there a moment of maybe shutting it down and doing something else?

DR: One hundred percent. You’re on it. With the last personnel change, Gena and I were on the phone like, “We’re 10 years into this thing. Is it time to call it? Maybe it’s just time.” This band happened by just a group of friends getting together and playing the Station Inn. Then, “Hey, that went really well. Let’s playing the Station Inn again.” Then, Gena starts getting calls from promoters. Do a few shows. Then, Pinecastle says, “Hey, let’s do a record.” We do a record. We do another record. We get nominated for a Grammy.

But, we’ve never really gone in 100 percent. It’s just been organic. I’ve got a ton of things going on. I’ve got a seven-year-old. Gena’s got a job and two kids. It’s never like, “Let’s form a band and let’s go do this.” It was always sort of The Seldom Scene thing — we’ll play when it makes sense. And then, I was like, “What if we give this thing everything we’ve got? What if we put in one 110 percent? What if we got a team? What if we got a manager? What if we got a new record label? What if we got a booking agent? Let’s devote one year to this 110 percent and see what happens” — that’s where we are.

I’m 52 years old. I’ve been doing this and on the road since I was 15. This is the best record we’ve ever done. Going all in was the best choice that we could’ve made.

Photo Credit: Eric Ahlgrim

LISTEN: Sister Sadie, “Willow”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Sister Sadie
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Willow”
Release Date: August 25, 2023
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “When I first heard ‘Willow’ I could hear us doing it. I could hear Jaelee slaying this tune, vocally. I could hear this funky groove that came to life in the studio. It’s got a deep pocket and has been a crowd favorite on tour this summer. This Ashley McBryde-penned tune has become one of my favorite Sadie songs EVER!” – Deanie Richardson

“Sister Sadie is the best thing that ever happened to this song. I wrote it on an afternoon where damn near everything was going wrong. Deanie and the girls tore it UP and gave it the best life a song can have! Jaelee Robert’s voice could sing somebody back to life, I swear.” – Ashley McBryde

“When I first heard ‘Willow,’ I knew it would absolutely fit Jaelee’s voice — and boy, was I right! What an incredible song that was written by Ashley McBryde! The energy in the studio when we cut it was palpable. When we play a show now, I can’t wait ’til we get to ‘Willow’ in the set. It’s as much fun to perform live as it was to record it! It rocks!” – Gena Britt

Photo Credit: Eric Ahlgrim

BGS Wraps: Daryl Mosley, “An Old Fashioned Christmas”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Daryl Mosley
Hometown: Waverly, Tennessee
Song: “An Old Fashioned Christmas”
Label: Pinecastle Records

In Their Words: “I’ve always had a love affair with the past. I love history, antiques, old music, old movies, old instruments, etc. As I’ve gotten older, things from my own past come into play. Rick Lang and I wrote the song from around a conversation of our personal Christmas experiences. It’s those special memories and those mental snapshots of our childhood that are most precious to us this time of year. Being able to record the song with my longtime friend Danny Roberts producing, and his amazingly talented daughter Jaelee singing harmony, was extra special and it truly captured the feelings of family. It is my hope when people hear the song that it mentally takes them back to happy Christmas memories of their own.” — Daryl Mosley

BGS 5+5: Jaelee Roberts

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Jaelee Roberts
Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Latest Album: Something You Didn’t Count On (May 20, 2022)
Personal nicknames: Jae, Jae Jae, J.D., Jables, Junior, J-Bird

Which artist has influenced you the most … and how?

Well, first off, it is truly not possible for me to list just one artist … I simply cannot do it. I am going to give a “short” list of women that are really important to me: Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Lee Ann Womack, Amanda Smith, Dale Ann Bradley, Kelsi Robertson Harrigill, and Charli Robertson Shuler. All of these crazy talented ladies have helped to shape me into the artist that I am because their music spoke to me; the songs they record/recorded helped me start my own repertoire of songs to sing; and their vocal styles — while all very different — influenced me and are part of me becoming me.

I am seriously having anxiety because I don’t want to leave out mentioning someone. Gosh! This is so hard! I do have to mention my dad’s band, The Grascals, because I was 4 years old when they started together so everything they’ve done has influenced me and they gave me my first opportunities to be on stage. Also, I just can’t talk about influences without mentioning Keith Whitley. Okay … I’ll stop. I’m so sorry that I can’t follow directions for this question!

If you had to write a mission statement for your career, what would it be?

Jaelee Roberts: Singer/songwriter with a passion for acoustic music and words that mean something.

What’s your favorite memory from being on stage?

Again, it is super hard to narrow my answer down to just one favorite memory because it’s special every time I’m on stage and there’s always a moment that really touches my heart. However, for this, I’m definitely going with my favorite memory being the first time I played the Grand Ole Opry with Sister Sadie on December 5, 2020. To say that I was overwhelmed with emotion that night would be a huge understatement! This particular Opry show was in honor of the 75th Anniversary of Bluegrass Music, was televised live on Circle TV, and it was my live audition with Sister Sadie … AND my first time on the Opry as an artist. It makes me nervous all over again just thinking about it! We did a soundcheck prior to the show and l looked down and saw my feet in that amazing circle and I just about lost it. I did keep it together until I got to the dressing room and then I had a pretty good cry. I literally grew up backstage at the Opry and it had been my dream to be on that stage performing as long as I can remember. All I can say is dreams do come true and I am so grateful and thankful!

What was the first moment that you knew you wanted to be a musician?

This answer is actually really easy for me because I can honestly say that there wasn’t a first moment but just something that I’ve known in my heart. My parents are both musicians and their friends are musicians and all I’ve ever known is music. However, my parents did not push me into becoming a musician/singer — it was extremely important to them for that decision to be mine. I’ve been told that I started singing just about the time I started talking and that I was able to sing harmony when I was like 2 or 3 years old. I started taking fiddle lessons when I was 4 years old and I started singing in church about that same time so that’s all I’ve ever known … and all I’ve ever wanted.

What has been the best advice you’ve received in your career so far?

I have been blessed to receive so much encouragement and support and all of the advice has been so helpful that, once again, it’s difficult to narrow it down to just one thing! Here are a few things that have really stuck with me:

1. Stay in college … do not quit!! Doyle Lawson had a conversation with me about this and that really meant a lot. I’m just about to finish my junior year of college, and when I graduate I’m sending a thank you note to Mr. Doyle!

2. Always keep God in front of everything I do. Make sure that I pray about every decision I make and to do everything for God’s glory.

3. Stay out of other people’s business and just take care of my own.

4. Never talk about anyone because gossip will always come back to bite you.

5. There will always be somebody looking to find something negative so make sure not to give them anything to use.

6. Don’t oversing … restraint is as impressive (or more so) as lots of vocal runs.

7. Don’t eat or drink any dairy products before singing.

8. Write and perform songs that I connect with.

9. Always, always treat people the way I want to be treated.

10. Many quotes from Dolly Parton, though obviously not given directly to me, are extremely good advice and things I take to heart. One of those is “I’m not into politics. I’m an entertainer.” Goodness, I love Dolly!

Photo Credit: Sandlin Gaither

WATCH: Jaelee Roberts, “Think Again”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Jaelee Roberts
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Think Again”
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “I heard ‘Think Again’ for the first time a couple of years ago and I knew immediately that I had to record it! I love how the songwriters (Marla Cannon-Goodman and Shane Stockton) told such a vivid story… songs that you can ‘see’ and ‘feel’ are my favorite! I had so much fun during the filming (I really loved driving the convertible and the drone was awesome) and I am SO excited to be able to bring this song to life in my very first music video. There are a couple of lines in the lyrics where the video and the song really connected: ‘If you’re standin’ at the screen door, heart laid open out in your hand’ and ‘I’m gonna find a spot to pull off on the shoulder’ — watch for those scenes in the video. I’m just really thankful I got to record ‘Think Again’ and I sure hope everyone enjoys the video for it!” — Jaelee Roberts

Photo credit: Sandlin Gaither

The BGS Radio Hour – Episode 197

Posted on by Shelby Williamson

Welcome to the BGS Radio Hour! Since 2017, the show has been a weekly recap of all the great music, new and old, featured on BGS. This week we’ve got new releases from so many amazing artists on the roots scene today, from Luke Combs to Langhorne Slim to Sierra Hull! Remember to check back every Monday for a new episode of the BGS Radio Hour. 

APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY

Luke Combs and Billy Strings – “The Great Divide”

Luke Combs, of country radio stardom, teams up with bluegrass-favorite Billy Strings this week for a new single. “The Great Divide” was written by the duo for Combs’s bluegrass album, one that he hasn’t completed yet. However, both artists agreed that the time to release this song was now, attempting to shine a light of hope in this tough time.

Allison Russell – “By Your Side”

Singer/frontwoman of the Birds of Chicago, Montréal-based Allison Russell brings this Sade cover to the show this week. What she calls an “endlessly expansive and inclusive song of love,” this song brings comfort to Russell – as it does to us, as well.

Jaelee Roberts – “Something You Didn’t Count On”

Nashville-based Jaelee Roberts is one of the quickest rising stars in bluegrass music. Her first single on Mountain Home Music Company, an original song co-written with Theo MacMillan (of Theo and Brenna), brings big promises of more great music to come.

Twisted Pine – “Amadeus Party”

A 5+5 guest this week is none other than Jim Olsen, president of Massachusetts record label Signature Sounds. Celebrating 25 years of the label, and the so many great artists presented by it, Olsen brings us the Golden Age playlist – which includes this jam from Twisted Pine.

Dale Ann Bradley – “Yellow Creek”

Kentucky-based Dale Ann Bradley brought us a new album this weekend! While you may remember her from former BGS Artist of the Month Sister Sadie – an all-female bluegrass supergroup – Bradley is stepping away from the band in 2021 to celebrate this new solo album, just one of so many in her extensive catalog.

Karen Matheson – “Glory Demon”

“Glory Demon” comes from Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. “It means war,” Matheson tells BGS. But, this is an anti-war song from the Scottish artist, one about how we never learn and life just keeps endlessly repeating itself.

Black Pumas – “Colors”

The Black Pumas are our February Artist of the Month here at BGS! You may recognize them from the Biden inauguration, where they performed this song from their 2019 self-titled album. Stayed tuned all month long, where we’ll be featuring exclusive content on the Black Pumas!

Langhorne Slim – “Mighty Soul”

This week on The Show On The Road podcast brings us a conversation with Sean Scolnick – known mostly by his alter-ego, Langhorne Slim. Host Z. Lupetin caught up with Slim to talk about his new album, Strawberry Mansion, creative funk, mental health, and more.

FRETLAND – “Could Have Loved You”

From Snohomish, Washington, Hillary Grace Fretland (of FRETLAND) catches up with BGS this week on a 5+5 segment – that is 5 questions, 5 songs. We talked favorite memories from being on stage, influences, and songwriting techniques.

Valerie June feat. Carla Thomas – “Call Me A Fool”

From her upcoming The Moon and the Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers, Valerie June brings us this song that she dedicates to us all. Produced by June and Jack Splash – whose resume includes Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, and John Legend – this album makes it clear to June why she makes music.

Mike Barnett feat. Cory Walker – “Hybrid Hoss”

Nashville-based fiddler Mike Barnett brings us this Bill Monroe twist-up from his upcoming duets album, +1. The record was slated for a fall 2020 release, until Barnett suffered from an unexpected brain hemmorage. After multiple successful surgeries, he is doing well and recovering in extensive rehab where he is reconnecting his brain and fingers. So in listening to this piece of amazing music, let’s all send our best wishes to Mike Barnett and his family. You can support Mike Barnett’s recovery here.

Sierra Hull – “King of Anything (Live)”

From last year’s Whiskey Sour Happy Hour, this week we’re featuring Sierra Hull’s performance of this Sara Bareilles pop-hit. The Nashville-based singer and songwriter just released Weighted Mind (The Original Sessions), an EP made up of the demos for her 2016 release, Weighted Mind. 

Fort Frances – “Fits and Starts”

“Time traveled on a superhighway,” Chicago-based singer and songwriter tells BGS of the world before the pandemic, “but since March, we’ve all been in a traffic jam.” David McMillin of the group suggests that getting a break from all that movement is actually a good thing, however. This song is all about hitting that pause button.

Jon Stickley Trio – “Future Ghost”

The Jon Stickley Trio is one of the most exciting instrumental, “jamgrass” groups on the scene today. Made up of drums, flatpick guitar, and fiddle, they continue to push the boundaries of instrumental roots music, while being a festival favorite across the nation. This week, they bring us this new single on Organic Records.

Langhorne Slim – “Morning Prayer”

At the end of the Show On The Road podcast episode with Langhorne, he graced us with a performance of this song, accompanied by his cat, Mr. Beautiful. What better way to end this week’s show?

Photos: (L to R) Allison Russell by Francesca Cepero; Sierra Hull by Gina Binkley; Valerie June by Renata Raksha

LISTEN: Jaelee Roberts, “Something You Didn’t Count On”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Jaelee Roberts
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Something You Didn’t Count On”
Release Date: February 5, 2021
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘Something You Didn’t Count On’ is about anything that happens in life unexpectedly. The main theme is about love coming out of nowhere, but it really has so many underlying meanings, and that’s why I love the song so much. The melody and lyrics came to Theo MacMillan and I pretty quickly and, interestingly, the storyline comes from either the male or female perspective. I think my favorite line in the song is ‘you don’t always look for what you find’ which is the focus of what the song is all about!” — Jaelee Roberts

Photo credit: Before Charleston Photography