Reigning IBMA Songwriter of the Year Rick Faris today unveils his fourth solo album, Life’s Parade, on Dark Shadow Recording. A two-time GRAMMY nominee and eight-time IBMA Award winner, Faris calls the twelve-song collection “a snapshot in time of my life journey and my wants for the world,” adding:
“I hope these songs bring you light on dim and dark days. Not all of us can have the honor of being parade marshal or beauty queen, but life’s a celebration and it ain’t over till all the clowns in their tiny cars have passed by in Life’s Parade. Here’s to not giving up on hope.”
Produced, engineered, and mixed by longtime collaborator Stephen Mougin, the album pairs Faris’s luminous tenor, agile guitar work, and singular songwriting with an all-star cast that includes Dan Tyminski, Ron Block, Laura Orshaw, Mark Schatz, and many more. “One would think that going into the fourth album together, I wouldn’t continue to be amazed at the talent of Rick Faris… but I am,” says Mougin. “His songwriting, singing, and picking are positively fantastic and the players around him continue to elevate the sonic landscape of his songs. I’m excited for folks to hear, in this project, the next chapter of the Rick Faris sound.”
Life’s Parade receives its official launch last week with an album-release concert at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky, featuring Laura Orshaw (fiddle, vocals), Michael Prewitt (mandolin, vocals), Beth Lawrence (bass, vocals), Chris Joslin (banjo, vocals), and Faris on guitar and lead vocals (photo by Rocky Northern).
TRACK LISTING
“Bend, Don’t Break” — Rick Lang / Rick Faris
“Can’t Sing the Blues No More” — Rick Lang / Rick Faris
“Lonesome Is Your Name” — Rick Faris
“Storm Clouds” — Rick Lang / Rick Faris
“On the Right Track” — Rick Lang / Rick Faris
“Bridge of Dreams” — Evan Dickerson / Rick Faris
“The Sound of Lonely” — Rick Lang / Rick Faris
“You Don’t Know What You’re Missing” — Rick Lang / Rick Faris
“The Story of My Life” — Robert Faris, Edward Faris & Rick Faris
“Words in This Song” — Rick Lang / Rick Faris
“Can’t Remember to Forget” — Rick Lang / Rick Faris
“The Rabbit Hole” — Mark Brinkman / Rick Faris
(All publishing as provided.)
MUSICIANS
Guitar / Lead Vocal – Rick Faris
Mandolin – Dan Tyminski, Harry Clark, Henry Burgess
Banjo – Ron Block, Russ Carson, Gibson Davis
Fiddle – Laura Orshaw, Maddie Denton
Bass – Mark Schatz, Dennis Crouch, JimBob Faris
Harmony & Special Vocals – Justin Moses, Shawn Lane, Eddie Faris, Stephen Mougin, Jason Carter, Maddie Dalton, Gibson Davis
Stephen Mougin produced, engineered, and mixed the project; David Glasser mastered. Photography is by Scott Simontacchi with cover art from GF Designs.
ABOUT RICK FARIS
Rick Faris logged eleven years with Special Consensus—earning two GRAMMY nominations—before launching a solo career that has already yielded three acclaimed albums on Dark Shadow Recording. Now fronting his own internationally touring bluegrass band, he partners onstage with brother JimBob Faris (bass), Henry Burgess (mandolin), and Gibson Davis (banjo). Beyond performing and songwriting, Faris is a master luthier: as artist-in-residence at Kentucky Guitar Works in Owensboro, he builds Faris Guitar Co. instruments and mentors emerging craftspeople. More at www.rickfaris.com.
ABOUT DARK SHADOW RECORDING
Helmed by award-winning producer Stephen Mougin, Dark Shadow Recording is a Nashville-based studio and label specializing in bluegrass, Americana, country, and folk. Its roster includes Becky Buller, Rick Faris, Laura Orshaw, Henhouse Prowlers, and Jana & Stephen Mougin. Learn more at www.darkshadowrecording.com.
