Bluegrass Music TV and Man-Do-Lin Productions are pleased to announce their association with producers of Bluegrass Country Soul, Inc. which will bring the legendary live recording on video to the Country Road TV Network and for the first time will make the music available for Bluegrass music fans and all music lovers of traditional music to enjoy on audio digital streaming via Syntax Creative.

The first two tracks to be released through this association will be powerful live performances of the classic instrumental “Train 45” by J.D. Crowe and The Kentucky Mountain Boys and Ralph Stanley’s classic “Man Of Constant Sorrow” performed along with The Clinch Mountain Boys, recorded at Camp Springs, NC, live at Carlton Haney’s 1971 Labor Day Bluegrass Festival.

 Ronnie Reno and Sammy Passamano 3 will be live streaming today on Bluegrass Music TV Facebook and YouTube channels at 12:00 noon talking about all things relating to these legendary live performances and future Bluegrass Country Soul releases.

 Country Road TV is a unique entertainment network where consumers can access the content via the web, YouTube, Facebook, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Smartphone, and Roku. Their audience base collectively reaches 1.7 million viewers on a regular basis. The network focuses on Country and Bluegrass content for the 55+ audience.

 The music on Bluegrass Country Soul has been heard in various forms over the past 50+ years in movie theaters, on TV, Cable broadcasts, social media platforms such as YouTube. DVD offers include Amazon, Ebay and BluegrassCountrySoul.com

 In addition to above mentioned video and audio digital streaming the producers of Bluegrass Country Soul have a newly restored Blu-ray & DVD in 4k and surround sound in the 50th Anniversary box set, available at BluegrassCountrySoul.com.

 Bluegrass Country Soul…is a treasure. Like reading a good book, different details stand out each time the film is viewed. It’s hard to imagine a three-day line-up with more talented and diverse performers. The centerpiece of the new collection is a beautifully produced, 168-page coffee table book entitled Bluegrass Country Soul – The Legendary Festival. Country people and fans from the cities got along fine, enjoying the music they all loved. Carlton Haney referred to them as “the long hairs” and “the short hairs.” In a time of political and racial division in the world today perhaps we should look to the power of music to build community, the way it happened in the equally contentious summer of 1971. – Nancy Cardwell Webster, Bluegrass Unlimited, December 2020

 “Man of Constant Sorrow” by Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys contains performances by Bluegrass icon Ralph Stanley (Vocals, Banjo), Keith Whitley (Guitar, Vocals), Ricky Skaggs (Mandolin, Vocals), Curly Ray Cline (Fiddle) and Jack Cooke (Bass)

 Twenty-nine years before O Brother, Where Art Thou? made this song famous world-wide, Ralph Stanley sang it during Carlton Haney’s 1971 Labor Day Bluegrass Festival in Camp Springs, NC. This performance was filmed for the feature documentary Bluegrass Country Soul, which was theatrically released in 1972. Carlton introduces this number by saying, “A bluegrass festival is where you can hear the soul of a man. In the quiet part of a night, you can look down on the stage, and hear the lonesome sound of Ralph Stanley.”

 The two teenaged musicians who toured with Ralph that summer, Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley, Bluegrass & Country Hall of Fame Superstars, would go on to become famous performers. Ralph Stanley was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 1992. Ricky Skaggs was inducted in 2018.

“Train 45” by J.D. Crowe and The Kentucky Mountain Boys contains performances by Bluegrass Banjo legend J.D. Crowe (Banjo) and his band at the time The Kentucky Mountain Boys Tony Rice (Guitar), Larry Rice Mandolin) and Bobby Slone (Bass).

This traditional instrumental song was made famous because of J.D.’s speed and dexterity. Recorded at Carlton Haney’s 1971 Labor Day Bluegrass Festival in Camp Springs, NC. This was the first festival in which Tony Rice joined the group.  J.D. Crowe renamed the group The New South the week after the festival. J.D. Crowe was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2003, with Tony Rice joining him in 2013.

 “I got to see Bluegrass Country Soul at a drive-in theater. It was amazing to see my big ole head up on a screen, the size of a barn. But it was so incredible to hear the music, and to see the way it was shot. It was captured just brilliantly, I think. It’s just a moment in time, frozen in ice like a leaf. I’m just so thankful that it got recorded when it did…” – Ricky Skaggs

 The video and audio tracks were produced by Albert Ihde and recorded at Camp Springs, NC live at Carlton Haney’s 1971 Labor Day Bluegrass Festival.

 Bluegrass D.J.’s should contact Sammy Passmano 3 to receive metadata and audio files on both tracks.

 Watch for many more tracks coming soon from the Bluegrass Country Soul legendary live recordings.

615 Hideaway Records is pleased to announce the label debut album release Wanderlust from Rock Hearts. Rock Hearts are excited and thrilled to have collaborated with such greats as 6-time IBMA Female vocalist of the Year, Dale Ann Bradley, folk icon, Jonathan Edwards, and Grammy-Award winning fiddler, Michael Cleveland.

Wanderlust features ten songs including several originals from both national and New England-based songwriters, including Bob Minner & Thomm Jutz, John Diamond, Sam Tidwell, Bill Smith, Stan Keach, Seth Sawyer, as well as Rock Hearts’ own Alex MacLeod and Billy Thibodeau. Also included are cover songs from Malcom McKinney, Bruch Carrol, Kevin Thomas and Mickey Hiter and Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens.

Album highlights include Michael Cleveland’s blazing fiddle break and equally complimenting double fiddle freak with Austin Scslzo on Alex MacLeod’s original song and title track “Wanderlust”. Six-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Dale Ann Bradley, lends her beautifully gifted voice on the touching gospel song “Driving Nails”. Folk icon Jonathan Edwards contributes his unmistakable vocals to a cover of Malcom McKinney’s “Don’t Cry Blue”, a massive hit for Jonathan Edwards in 1971. “Cotton, Corn and Hay” is a farming song penned by guitar-player extraordinaire, Bob Minner, and IBMA Songwriter of the Year Thomm Jutz. The second single “The Last Log Drive” was well received because of its authenticity and historical relevance.

Tracks:

01                Green Mountain Girl

02                Don’t Cry Blue

03                Cotton, Corn, and Hay

04                Wanderlust

05                Driving Nails

06                Butter In the Mustache

07                Leaving

08                The Last Log Drive

09                Today I Started Loving You Again

10                Tired of These Little Games You’re Playing

Alex MacLeod of Rock Hearts explains the bands’ goal for Wanderlust. “We wanted to feature a lot of original material on this album. Classic Covers are always fun to do but with so many talented songwriters offering their songs to us, we felt it was important for listeners to hear Rock Hearts through a filter of original songs and authentic interpretations of covers, verses trying to copy or duplicate the sounds that already exist. Everywhere we play, folks say ‘You all sound so tight’. That’s exactly what we set out to do when we started. We wanted to render a tight and energized brand of authentic bluegrass and we feel confident that Wanderlust accomplished that goal.”

Wanderlust is the debut album from ROCK HEARTS on 615 Hideaway Records. Produced by Ned Luberecki Wanderlust was recorded at Dark Shadow Recording Studio and contains performances by Alex MacLeod (Vocals and Guitar), Joe Deetz (Banjo), Billy Thibodeau (Vocals and Mandolin), Rick Brodsky (Bass) and Austin Scelzo (Fiddle), with special guest performances by Jonathan Edwards and Dale Ann Bradley (Vocals).

 Wanderlust is available for download to D.J.’s and program directors on AirPlay Direct.

Wanderlust is available commercially for downloads and streaming wherever digital streaming is available including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, YouTube Music, deezer and more.

Formed in 2013, Rock Hearts brings together five veteran musicians from Southern New England who love to sing and pick bluegrass, old Country tunes, and seek out new tunes from other genres to “Bluegrass-ify”. Named an official 2021 IBMA Showcase Band, Rock Hearts is enjoying national radio and chart activity. They are a sought-after band for major festivals and recently signed with Sammy Passamano III, and 615 Hideaway Records in Nashville, TN. Rock Hearts received outstanding fanfare and strong radio success prior to their album release of Wanderlust.

Rock Hearts are performing throughout the United States on their Wanderlust Tour - 202

After 40 Years The Reno Family is releasing on October 6th an album collection of heritage recordings on Ronnie Reno’s Man-Do-Lin Productions label titled 40 YEARS LATE…and RIGHT ON TIME. The October issue of Bluegrass Unlimited includes a feature story on the upcoming album containing these never-before released recordings from this important multi-generational family in Bluegrass music.

The Reno name has been recognized, respected, and appreciated for all their contributions over many decades in Bluegrass and Country music. Father, Don Reno and sons Ronnie, Dale and Don Wayne have carved out a very special place, especially in the Bluegrass genre, that has garnered multiple hit records, awards, special achievements, and most of all the hearts and admiration of music lovers all over the world.

Over the years the Reno’s have all kept a busy schedule with their individual careers, sometime crossing paths performing together, but each following their own aspirations and career journeys. In 1983 the perfect storm occurred when The Reno Family, who were touring together in California, booked some time and magically recorded these heritage recordings produced by Ronnie Reno and Tom Stern.

Produced by Ronnie Reno and Tom Stern 40 YEARS LATE…and RIGHT ON TIME contains performances by Don Reno – Banjo, Ronnie Reno – Vocals, Guitar, Dale Reno – Mandolin, Don Wayne Reno – Bass, Banjo, Byron Berline – Fiddle, David Shapiro  – Guitar, David Nelson – Lead Vocals on “Alabam”

TRACKS:

01. SUNDOWN AND SORROW

02. I LOVE MY SAVIOR TOO

03. UNFAITHFUL ONE

04. UNWANTED LOVE

05. THERE’S ANOTHER BABY WAITING FOR ME DOWN THE LINE

06. WHISPERING

07. I DON’T BLAME YOU

08. DRIFTING WITH THE TIDE

09. ALABAM” (Featuring David Nelson)

10. TAIL OF SORROW

The historic album leads off with “Sundown And Sorrow” which is a deeply emotional love song that speaks to his devotion and lost love for the love of his life. It has left him with just memories and sadness of days gone by. Cowboy Copas originally recorded this song and released it on King Records in 1946. Hank Williams recorded this song as a demo in 1949 before his death and was released in 1953.

Other song highlights include “I Love My Savior Too” a classic southern gospel song and was originally recorded by the Chuck Wagon Gang in 1949. It was written by JR Baxter and James B Coats for the Stamps-Baxter Music Company.

“The special thing about this recording was that I was singing lead on the down beat and Don was doing the after-beat harmony on the chorus with his tenor vocals. Don calls this style of singing the Hic-cup style behind the lead vocal. You can hear this harmony on the Reno and Smiley version of “Echoes From The Burning Bush” – Ronnie Reno – Artist / Album Co-Producer

 Written by Don Reno, Red Smiley and Harry Leftwich “Unwanted Love” is a bluegrass standard and has been recorded by many artists. The Reno Family is excited to share their recording of this song with new life and high energy including Don and Don Wayne’s twin banjo intro and breaks done only as a father and son can do them. This song was released originally in 1961 by legendary Bluegrass group Reno and Smiley. “Unwanted Love” tells the story of wanting to know someone who’s known the pain of a failed love affair from the past. Very cleverly written by giving you hope of new true love while still not committing yet. Wanting to but waiting to give it one more chance to love again.

 “Whispering” is a big band era classic song that Don Reno learned while playing with Arthur “Guitar Boogie “Smith in Charlotte NC in the early 50’s. His laid-back feel while using his double roll on the second verse and single-string style is perfect for the banjo. Don was famous for taking very difficult orchestral music and making them fit the roll and style he created. David Shapiro played a very melodic break that also fit the feel and tempo of the song. Wonderful way to relax and enjoy the instrumental version of old songs done in a new way.

“Whispering is the last banjo instrumental tune recorded by Don Reno and was never released until now. This recording is historic for our family, bluegrass, and roots music”. – Ronnie Reno – Artist / Album Co-Producer

Another Baby Waiting For Me Down The Line” …It’s your typical love gone wrong but somehow, I’ll get along without you. The only difference is that he recognized they had lost the magic of being together, but he still needed love and affection to bounce back from his heartbreak. He’s just telling his partner; he believes he will be OK after he finds new love with Another Baby Waiting For Him Down The Line.

This song was written by Don Reno and Red Smiley and released on King Records in 1952. The Reno Brothers also released it with Ronnie McCoury singing lead vocals on their Drawing From The Well album in 1996.  This is the only recording that contains both Don Reno and The Reno Brothers performing this song together.

“Alabam” written by Cowboy Copas features the unmistakably lead vocals of David Nelson founder of the superstar country rock group the New Riders of The Purple Sage and currently with the David Nelson Band.

Album Co- Producer Ronnie Reno shares the album backstory about 40 YEARS LATE…and RIGHT ON TIME:

Dad and I started to put all the parts together for us to tour as the Reno Family band in 1982 because I had left Merle Haggard in 1981 and wanted to do some touring with Dad and the brothers. Dale and Don Wayne were playing so great at that time and we really sounded good as a family band. Dad and I always had a great blend together vocally and it just made sense to pursue this at that time. We were going to do 2 tours a year to the west coast just as the family and that would be early winter and early spring. The weather had turned cold on the east coast and the festivals were over for the year. The first tour was in early 1983 and while we were doing dates in California, we knew record producer Tom Stern was a big fan of Dads banjo picking. He was recording some cuts for a project he was doing called The Usual Suspects on Kaleidoscope Records. We got in touch with Tom and recorded one song for his project, “Lonesome Hearted Blues”. It went so well that we approached Tom about doing more recordings when we came back in the fall. That started two full projects with us recording for two years. One was Family and Friends released in 1988 and the other was the Reno Family.

What makes this album so special is that Tom Stern and I were going to do a tribute to Dad in 1990 with the recordings we had done in late 1983 and early 1984. The Final Chapter on Step One records had been released earlier as a tribute to him in 1986 after Dad’s untimely death. We talked a lot about the new tribute in 1990 and even discussed all the possibilities with the concept. Sorry to say we both got busy, and it never materialized. Thank goodness I had a copy of the master recordings, and we are so glad to let everyone hear them now.

This recording experience with my dad and brothers was very special and historic for our family and Bluegrass and roots music. I had recorded a lot with Dad starting with Don Reno and Red Smiley, then later with Dad and Bill Harrell. We had also recorded a project with Ray Pennington for Step One Records, later to be called The Final Chapter. Dale and Don Wayne were on that project with Dad and me before we recorded The Reno Family. I remember that Dad was so inspired with recording together as the family that he really showed us why he was known as such a great musician. We all could see the next chapter with our music but I’m sorry to say that “The Reno Family” was the last one he recorded. Dad got sick when we got home in 1984 and never came out of the hospital. Very emotional to talk about it.