Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-04-04
Photo: Rick Faris at Dark Shadow Recording studio. Photo by Madison Thorn.
Dark Shadow Recording releases Highlights from the Shadows to celebrate hidden gems from prior releases. The second installment is “The Rabbit Hole” from Rick Faris’ album Life’s Parade.
Co-writer Brink Brinkman says: “I love the vibe and the incredible energy of this cut!!! Every picker brought their ‘A’ game to the session, and it shows!!! I absolutely LOVE the descending progression that Rick came up with for the song... such an audio representation of someone going down that ‘rabbit hole.’”
Rick narrows down his favorite moment of recording this song: “I’d have to say my favorite memory is pretty much the entire time I was laying down the rhythm track and listening to everyone take amazing solos and just have so much fun and grit to their playing. Russ Carson’s rake into his last ride is the stuff of legend!”
Song Credits:
Songwriters: Rick Faris, Rickyland Publishing, BMI
Mark Brinkman, Mark Brinkman Songs, BMI
Producer: Stephen Mougin
Engineer: Stephen Mougin
Mixed By: Stephen Mougin
Mastered By: David Glasser
Photography: Scott Simontacchi
Graphic Designer: Florin Gherasim
Musicians:
Vocal: Rick Faris
Guitar: Rick Faris
Banjo: Russ Carson
Mandolin: Harry Clark
Bass: Dennis Crouch
Fiddle: Maddie Denton
Tenor Vocal: Rick Faris
Baritone Vocal: Stephen Mougin
Rick Faris upcoming shows:
April 4
The Station Inn, Nashville, TN
Doors at 7 PM / Showtime at 9 PM
May 8
BBQ and Barrels, Owensboro, KY
May 22–23
Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO
June 19–21
Wenatchee River Festival, Cashmere, WA
ABOUT RICK FARIS: Rick Faris is an eight-time IBMA Award winner, most recently in 2024 for “Songwriter of the Year” and in 2022 for “New Artist of the Year.” During his eleven-year tenure in Special Consensus, where he recorded six albums with the band, Rick became a two-time GRAMMY nominee. With three solo albums to his credit on the Dark Shadow Recording label, Faris is now off and running as the front man for his internationally touring bluegrass band.
The Rick Faris Band features young talents Maddie Dalton on upright bass, Henry Burgess on mandolin, and Gibson Davis on banjo. Known for his clear tenor voice that lends itself to all emotions of the music, Rick’s strong, unique lead vocal and guitar persona set him apart. A triple threat, known for his performing solo artist career and his songwriting, the surprise for most folks is learning that Rick Faris is also a master guitar maker. As artist-in-residence at the Kentucky Guitar Works in his new hometown of Owensboro, Kentucky, he builds his Faris Guitar Co. guitars and mentors future luthiers. Connect with him at www.rickfaris.com.
ABOUT DARK SHADOW RECORDING: Dark Shadow Recording is a full-service studio and record label led by award-winning Stephen Mougin, located on a hilltop that surveys Music City’s electric skyline. The label produces and turns out music from some of the industry’s most promising artists in the bluegrass, Americana, country, and folk genres, including Becky Buller, Rick Faris, Laura Orshaw, Henhouse Prowlers, The Sullivan Sisters, and Stephen and Jana Mougin.
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