NEW RELEASES
(Received May 25-June 24)

BARRY BALES
A SOLID FOUNDATION TO ACOUSTIC BASS
AcuTab Video, DBB1 (DVD)

DIERKS BENTLEY
UP ON THE RIDGE
Capitol Records 509996 85410 2 6 (compact disc)

BJ BLUE WITH BRITTANY ALLYN
THE PLATINUM DUETS UNPLUGGED
Cosmopolitan Country CCR1023091 (compact disc)

BLUEGRASS BROTHERS
SO LONG
No Label, BGB006 (compact disc)

CROWE LAWSON WILLIAMS
OLD FRIENDS GET TOGETHER
Mountain Home Records MH12922 (compact disc)

CUSTOM MADE BLUEGRASS
BIG BARN ROAD
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

FAIRVIEW AVENUE
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

TYLER GRANT
FLATPICKING UP THE NECK
Grant Central Records GCR001 (compact disc)

RICHARD D. HENRY
A LONG WAY FROM HOME
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

HILLBENDERS
DOWN TO MY LAST DOLLAR
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

JETT’S CREEK
GUILTY
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

BLAINE JOHNSON
THE OLD CROW ROAD
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

KATHY KALLICK BAND
BETWEEN THE HOLLOW AND THE HIGHRISE
Live Oak Records Live Oak 540 (compact disc)

ADAM LARKEY BAND
Lonesome Records CD089 (compact disc)

LONESOME TRAVELER
LOOKING FOR A WAY
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

TIM MARTIN
BLUEGRASS FIDDLE
Patuxent Music CD208 (compact disc)

MONOGRAM
HIT THE ROAD
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

NEW OUTLOOK
PREPARE TO BELIEVE
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

TIM O’BRIEN
CHICKEN & EGG
Howdy Skies Records HSCD1005 (compact disc)

OLD TIME BLUEGRASS SINGERS
PLASTIC HEART
Open Road Records OR017 (compact disc)

REMINGTON RYDE
GRANDPA WAS MY GUIDE
Green Valley Recording G167V0210 (compact disc)

SOUTHPAW BLUEGRASS BAND
PLACE BACK HOME
No Label, SPBB002 (compact disc)

STILL INSIDE: THE TONY RICE STORY
BY TIM STAFFORD & CAROLINE WRIGHT
Word Of Mouth Press 9780578051130 (book)

TRUMAN RIDGE
LONG WAY HOME
No Label, No Number (compact disc)

ANDREW & NOAH VanNORSTRAND
ALL THE GOOD SUMMERS
Great Bear Records GBR CD005 (compact disc)

WILL WHITE
RISE ABOVE
Whippoorwill Music WM1001 (compact disc)

ADDITIONAL RELEASES
By Les McIntyre

KATHY BOYD & PHOENIX RISING
WALK HUMBLY
No Label, No Number.

The latest release from Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising is an all gospel collection featuring 12 original numbers composed by various members of the band. Each of the musicians takes a turn on lead vocals, imparting a sense of variety to the proceedings. Featured are such titles as “Cast The First Stone,” “Faith, Hope, Bluegrass Music,” “Thanksgiving,” and “My Little Brother.” Walk Humbly is an inspirational offering of original bluegrass gospel music sure to be welcomed by aficionados of the band. (Kathy Boyd, P.O. Box 3747, Tualatin, OR 97062, www.phoenixrisingband.com.)

THE BATTEN FAMILY
2010
No Label, No Number.

The Batten Family has been playing music in one form or another since the early 1960s. This latest release consists of 17 adeptly performed selections including “Homestead On The Farm,” “Ready For The Times To Get Better,” “Footprints In The Snow,” and “I Wonder Where You Are Tonight.” Of special note, are performances of the relatively obscure Dolly Parton number, “Longer Than Always” and the Easter Brothers’ “Thank You Lord (For Your Blessings On Me).” The Batten Family has created a nice and balanced selection of bluegrass music that should perk the ears of their friends and followers. (Kevin Batten, 5415 8th St, Lubbock, TX 79416, www.thebattenfamily.com.)

THE CALIFORNIA RAMBLERS
LOOKING BACK
No Label, TCR 0012010.

The California Ramblers get their name from the town of California, Maryland. Looking Back is the band’s latest recording and consists of bluegrass favorites such as “Hello City Limits,” “When The Golden Leaves Begin To Fall,” “Live And Let Live,” Hazel Dickens’ “My Better Years,” and a few original pieces written by banjo picker Joey Tippett including “One More Chance” and the title track. Also included are the band’s arrangements of Red Allen’s “Don’t Lie To Me” and bandmember Trampas Goldsmith’s “Heart Aches Of Life.” Looking Back is a skillfull collection of dynamic bluegrass music that showcases the talents of the California Ramblers. (Joey Tippett, 45941 Clarks Rd., California, MD 20619, www.californiaramblers.com.)

GEORGE THOMAS
HEAVEN ON MY MIND
No Label, GT50 002.

George Thomas is a member of the bluegrass band Code Blue. This latest endeavor is an all gospel project featuring material from Tom T. and Dixie Hall, Jerry Sally, Ron Block, and others. The 12 selections include “Thank You God,” “The Lighthouse,” “Three Rusty Nails,” and the Bill Monroe instrumental “Methodist Preacher.” George performs all the lead vocals from a roster of guest pickers that includes Tim Newcomb (banjo), Paul Anderson (fiddle), and others. Heaven On My Mind is bluegrass gospel at the finest and will certainly earn new followers for George Thomas. (George Thomas, 3210 Jefferson Woods Ct., Powhatan, VA 23139, georgethomas790@comcast.net.)

THE TWILIGHT BROADCASTERS
EVENING SHADE
No Label, No Number.

The Twilight Broadcasters are the duo of Mark Jackson (guitar and vocals) and Adam Tanner (mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and vocals). The 15 selections are mostly recognizable pieces—“Southern Moon,” “Louisiana Man,” “Stormy Horizons,” and “Midnight Special.” Also featured are performances of the almost forgotten James O’Gwynn country tearjerker “Talk To Me Lonesome Heart,” the Everly Brothers’ “Long Time Gone,” and the Adam Tanner instrumental “Twilite Schottische.” Evening Shade is an engaging assortment of vocal duets reminiscent of the Blue Sky Boys, the Monroe Brothers, and many others. (Adam Tanner, 350 Sheppard Branch Rd., Weaverville, NC 28787, www.twilitebroadcasters.com.)

ON THE EDGE

BIBB CITY RAMBLERS
No Label, 2010.

The Bibb City Ramblers are a unique string band based in Columbus, Ga., and their music is a type of new age acoustic music with jazz, ragtime, and bluegrass influences. This latest release consists mostly of original material with catchy titles such as “Lonesome On The Road,” “Whistle High, Whistle Low,” “Weathervane,” “Six Indians,” and others. The proceedings conclude with a rousing rendition of “Soldier’s Joy.” While the Bibb City Ramblers are essentially a regional group, their distinctive brand of music would certainly appeal to anyone who enjoys exploring musical genres that venture from the mainstream. (Bibb City Ramblers, 4519 Marci Dr., Columbus, GA 31907, e-mail: bibbcityramblers@yahoo.com.)

COMPILATIONS AND REISSUES

ALLEN SHELTON
AT HIS BEST: BENDING THE STRINGS
Gusto GT721512.

Ten tunes from a “world-class player” as it says on the CD box. Includes “Log Cabin In The Lane,” “Round Town Gals” (which is really “Buffalo Gals”), “Under The Double Eagle,” and “Wildwood Flower.” No notes to songs. (Gusto/King Records, 1900 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210, www.countrymusicusa.com.)

VARIOUS ARTISTS
HEE HAW’S FAVORITE ARTISTS
Gusto GT721442.

Twelve numbers from Buck Owens, Grandpa Jones, Stringbean, Minnie Pearl, Archie Campbell, and Lynn Anderson. Includes “Are You From Dixie?”, “Sweethearts In Heaven,” and “Love Of The Common People.” (Gusto/King Records, 1900 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210, www.countrymusicusa.com.)