Biography

CONTACT: lynda@AirPlayDirect.com


Click here for APD’s Global Radio Showcase - Home Page



AirPlay Direct is pleased to introduce the APD “Global Radio Showcase” Series Volume 2 - Bluegrass. The various genre based volumes will be delivered digitally throughout the year. AirPlay Direct will be investing heavily in the “Marketing & Awareness” for these compilations, as well as having the strong support and participation of our sponsors, and the artists appearing on the showcase.

These showcases are for “Best of Breed” songs and musical portraits. There will be “superior ” songs, special deep cuts, or some of your favorite singles.

This program was created and launched at the consistent request of our members… oddly enough, both artists / labels, and radio programmer‘s kept asking for a best of “Best of Breed” showcase to present artists, and for radio programmers to discover new music they may not have been exposed to before.

Another very important benefit of APD’s “Global Radio Showcase” is that all of the artists represented on these showcases have a link on the APD Showcase Profile Release page that will link to each of the artist’s individual AirPlay Direct Artist Profile Release page. This allows you the “radio programmer”, to listen to more of the artists’ music and hopefully download a few more tracks from their whole album, or catalogue.

Carl Jackson, 3 Time Grammy Winner / AirPlay Direct Artist Ambassador says, “Robert, you should be very proud of what you have created with AirPlay Direct. You not only dreamed of it, but actually created a whole new way of delivering and promoting catalog music to the global music industry that we had never seen before. No one in history has ever accomplished this, and you should be very humbled by this major achievement. More importantly, I am, and the industry as a whole should be very grateful to you for all the opportunities you have created and now made possible for all of us in the ‘New Music Industry of 2017’. Thank you my friend.”

Executive Producers for the APD Global Radio Showcase Series: Robert & Lynda Weingartz

THE ARTISTS & THEIR SONGS

1. Blue Highway - "Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow': Rounder Label Group

Publishing: AP Carter, Peer Music, APRS

A bit about the song – "Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow" was likely the only song recorded by Blue Highway that didn’t end up on one of their albums. It did appear on a Rounder compilation called Bluegrass Special, but the album was not serviced to radio. Tim Stafford of Blue Highway writes: “I remember this was one we used to do in sound check, an older traditional number, and we ended up doing it live, featuring Shawn on fiddle instead of mandolin. It's a bluesy number and kind of sounds like the sort of thing I would have done with Alison Krauss a long time ago, with a "Blue Highway twist" of unison banjo/dobro on the instrumental out.


2. Steep Canyon Rangers - "Break": Click here to listen to full album - Radio

Songwriters: Woody Platt-Shannon Whitworth
Publishing: French Broad Music / Blue Mermaid Publishing (ASCAP)

Band:
Woody Platt: Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals
Graham Sharp: Banjo, Lead / Harmony Vocals
Mike Gugino: Mandolin, Harmony Vocals
Charles R. Humphrey III: Upright Bass, Vocals
Nicky Sanders: Fiddle, Vocals
Mike Ashworth: Box Kit, Cajon, Vocals

"Break" from GRAMMY® Award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers’ ninth studio album, RADIO, is the first song on a record by this band featuring a guest vocalist. Shannon Whitworth and Woody Platt sang the song as a duet, providing a new sound for the Steep Canyon Rangers, whose songs normally feature one lead vocalist with harmony back ground vocals. The band’s dynamic songwriting and instrumental virtuosity is often called out, with "Break" being no exception. “Break” has a heavy down beat pulsing rhythm throughout the song creating a special sound which distinguishes them from most of their contemporaries.


3. The SteelDrivers - “Brother John": The Muscle Shoals Recordings

Songwriters: Gary Nichols, Barry Billings
Publishing: MusicNutt Publishing (BMI)

Band:
Richard Bailey: Banjo
Gary Nichols: Guitar, Vocals,
Tammy Rogers: Fiddle, Vocals
Mike Fleming: Bass, Vocals
Brent Truitt: Mandolin

Obviously, murder ballads are still a mainstay in bluegrass songwriting. Asked why that remains true after all this time, Nichols doesn't hesitate. "I think it's just that love gone wrong induces such rage in people, and there's so much cheating going on in the world anyway," he says, letting loose a wry laugh. "Sometimes it's just good for the listener to be able to kill their spouse in a song. They don't want to do it for real, so sometimes having that song can help them feel better."

“Brother John" is a modern take on a traditional mountain murder ballad, written by Gary Nichols. This is the first version that the SteelDrivers recorded for their 2013 release “Hammer Down”.
At the time, it didn’t seem to fit the sequence for that project so the band re-recorded a version for “The Muscle Shoals Recordings” with Jason Isbell co-producing the track that appears on that album.

Mgt on HammerDown Sessions. Not released. Same song but different version on The Muscle Shoals Recordings. - Tammy Rogers, The SteelDrivers


4. The Lonely Heartstring Band - “Steal The Night”: Click here to listen to the full album - Deep Waters

Songwriter: G. Clements
Publishing: HungryCat Music a BMI affiliate

Band:
Charles Clements: Bass, Vocals
George Clements: Guitar, Lead Vocals
Gave Hirshfeld: Banjo
Patrick M'Gonigle: Fiddle, Vocals
Matt Witler: Mandolin

John Lawless in Bluegrass Today called The Lonely Heartstring Band “the future of Bluegrass music.” Despite their varied influences, from classical to folk to traditional bluegrass, and because of them, too, the Lonely Heartstring Band never sounds like a clash of competing musical elements, but rather has a rich and fully-formed sound that respects and incorporates the full range of what each individual musician brings to the group. The Lonely Heartstring Band, with their shared musical vocabulary, are forging a style that is simultaneously both stimulating and listenable, new and fresh.

“Steal The Night” is not a typical bluegrass song by any stretch of the imagination. The song was composed and arranged to be a sprawling ballad that captures a melancholy mood in the aftermath of a relationship. The lyrics and music portray a journey through musical landscapes, each song section reflecting a different moment in time, reaching a climax at the Bridge. The song showcases the soulful banjo playing of Gabe Hirshfeld in an extended outdo that moves from despair to hope. George Clements, The Lonely Heartstring Band


5. Scott Holstein - "Black Water": Click here to listen to the full album - Cold Coal Town

Songwriter: Scott Holstein
Publisher: Scott Holstein Music, BMI

Musicians: Scott Holstein, Randy Kohrs, Clay Hess, Aaron Ramsey, Tim Crouch, Jay Weaver, Scott Vestal & Don Rigsby

"Growing up in West Virginia coal country many tragic stories have been absorbed in my psyche. Unfortunately, "Black Water" is a real-life account of actual history. I spent many of my early days visiting my musical mentor Virgil Osborn on Buffalo Creek located in Logan, West Virginia. His father told me of the devastation and destruction which happened on Feb. 26, 1972. The disaster happened a couple years before my time on earth but the vivid pictures and thoughts of those lives unnecessarily lost still remain ever on my mind. I was strolling along the Little Coal River in Boone County, West Virginia when the words to the song came to me. It was like someone was telling me their story from the dark waters. The song is still one of my most requested today." - Scott Holstein


6. J.D. Crowe & The New South - “Cryin' Holy”: Click here to listen to the song - 0044

Musicians:
J.D. Crowe: Banjo, Baritone, Vocal
Tony Rice: Guitar, Lead Vocal
Ricky Skaggs: Mandolin, Fiddle, Viola, Tenor Vocals
Bobby Slone: Bass
Jerry Douglas: Dobro

0044, the only bluegrass album known by its record number, was one of the most important bluegrass albums of the last 50 years influencing a whole generation of young bluegrassers. The band consisting of J.D. Crowe on banjo, Tony Rice on guitar, Ricky Skaggs on fiddle and mandolin and Bobby Slone on bass with Jerry Douglas on Dobro. They made only this one studio album.

“Cryin' Holy” was the only lead vocal by Ricky Skaggs on 0044. On the LP and CD, the quartet consisted of Rice, Skaggs, Crowe and the band’s manager at the time Hugh Sturgill. Emmylou Harris was in the studio at the time and recorded a high baritone part, but her part wasn’t used when there seemed to be a pitch issue. Years later, when listening back to the tapes, JD and engineer Steve Chandler took Sturgill’s vocal off and replaced it with Emmylou’s and it sounded great. This is the new mix with Emmylou singing the high part. This version was never released to radio. Ken Irwin, Rounder Records


7. Jeff White - "Blue Trail of Sorrow": Click here to listen to the full album - Right Beside You

Songwriter: Jeff White
Publishing: Shiroisan Music, BMI BMG Rights Mgmt.

Musicians:
Jeff White: Guitar, Vocal
Dan Tyminski: Mandolin
Vince Gill: Tenor Vocal
Charlie Cushman: Banjo
Michael Cleveland: Fiddle
Laura Weber Cash: Twin Fiddle

The song Blue Trail of Sorrow was one of the first songs that I had recorded by another artist. Alison Krauss and Union Station recorded this song on their CD So Long So Wrong and it featured the lead singing of Dan Tyminski. I worked with Alison in the late 80’s and recorded two albums with her while in her group. I was living in Japan at the time the song was written and started trying to write more original songs at the urging of my friend Pete Wernick of the group Hot Rize. Pete it told me bluegrass music needs new songs and it prompted me to work harder at songwriting. I wrote a lot of my first record ’The White Album’ while in Japan in 1991. My new version of Blue Trail of sorrow features the fine twin fiddling of Mike Cleveland and Laura Cash and the powerful tenor singing of my friend Vince Gill. -Jeff White


8. Carl Jackson - “Pretty Polly”: Click here to listen to the full album - The 1927 Bristol Sessions

Artist: Carl Jackson
Trad. Arrangements by: Carl Jackson
Published: Colonel Rebel Music (ASCAP)
Admin by: BMG

Carl Jackson: Lead Vocal, Banjo
Tony Crewman: Drums
Kevin Grantt: Bass
Bryan Sutton: Acoustic Guitar
Aubrey Haynie: Fiddle
Adam Stuffy: Mandolin
Rob Ickes: Dobro

“Is there anything better in bluegrass than a good, hard driving, murder ballad? “Pretty Polly” was recorded on the original 1927 Bristol Sessions and I’m honored to sing lead and play banjo on this version included as part of the “Orthophonic Joy” project, along with a stellar cast of Aubrey Haynie on fiddle, Bryan Sutton on guitar, Adam Stuffy on mandolin, Rob Ickes on dobro, Kevin Grantt on bass, and Tony Crewman on snare drum. - Carl Jackson


9. Washboard Hank - "That'll Learn Ya Dern Ya": Click here to listen to the full album - Washboard Hank

Musicians:
Washboard Hank: Vocals & Washboard
Sweet Muriel: Vocals & Mandolin
Dave Russell: Standup Bass
Ira Quincey: Banjo
Lance Loree: Guitar

Hank heard "That'll Learn Ya Dern Ya" on an old Rose Maddox 78 he had acquired. Rose Maddox and the Maddox Brothers are the single greatest influence on Washboard Hank, their wild playing wild costumes and total full tilt hilarity made them a huge live success in the 1940s and 1950s all through California. Hank and Sweet Muriel try their best to bring some of this wild craziness to this hillbilly ditty. The intro is pure Maddox Bros and Rose and making it a duet has truly transformed " That'll Learn Ya Dern Ya" into an argument set to music.-

To call Washboard Hank a legend kinds implies he's been there and done that but really that is not true. He is still doing it and currently is at the top of his game. His live shows are indeed legendary because they hit home on so many emotional levels (think Johnny Cash meets Stomping' Tom meets Spike Jonz} that it is impossible not to be moved by the man's ability to communicate and entertain his audience while delivering some powerful messages, often hilariously, and in some cases stinging indictments of what we as a species are doing to our planet. -Andrei Talbot, Walk Tall Brand design & Music Promotion


10. Mark Whitt - "Lonesome River": Click here to listen to the full album - Over You

Songwriter: Carter Stanley
Publishing: Peer International (BMI) 3:40

Mark Whitt: Lead Vocals
Joe Mullins: Tenor Vocals
Tim Crouch: Fiddle
Clay Hess:

11. Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard - "Call Me The Breeze": Click here to listen to the full album - Lonesome Skynyrd Time
Songwriter: J.J. Cale, Publishing: Johnny Bienstock Music Company (BMI)

THE BAND:
Larry Cordle - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Harmony Guitars, Back vocals
Booie Beach - Lead Guitars
Kim Gardner - Dobro
David Talbot - Banjo
Andy Leftwitch - Mandolin
David Pomeroy - Bass
Tom Roady - Percussion
Jenee Keener - Fiddle
Mark Howard - Vibra-slap
Carol Chase - Back vocals
Kim Morrison - Back vocals
Terry Eldridge - Back vocals
David Talbot - Back vocals

This song is an old J. J. Cale number that was recorded by Skynyrd for their "Second Helping" album, and has always been a big concert number for them. Add to the fact it was part of my regular repertoire when I was still playing club gigs in the 80's and it was just a natural choice to record here. Although J.J.'s version was extremely laid back (and great I might add) and the "Skynyrd" guys had it extremely rocking' (and great too!! especially Gary's guitar solo), it really lent itself more to a bluegrass fell than perhaps any of the other songs that we recorded for this project. - Larry Cordle


12. J.D. Crowe & The New South -“Why Don’t You Tell Me So” : Click here to listen to the song - 0044

Musicians:
J.D. Crowe: Banjo, Baritone, Vocal
Tony Rice: Guitar, Lead Vocal
Ricky Skaggs: Mandolin, Fiddle, Viola, Tenor Vocals
Bobby Slone: Bass
Jerry Douglas: Dobro

0044, the only bluegrass album known by its record number, was one of the most important bluegrass albums of the last 50 years influencing a whole generation of young bluegrassers. The band consisting of J.D. Crowe on banjo, Tony Rice on guitar, Ricky Skaggs on fiddle and mandolin and Bobby Slone on bass with Jerry Douglas on Dobro. They made only this one studio album.

“Why Don’t You Tell Me So” was recorded during the 0044 sessions, but inexplicably was not released as part of the original album. Nobody seems to remember why. It was released on a limited edition LP pressing of 0044 and on a limited-edition Cracker Barrel album about fifteen years ago, but has not been released to radio.


13. Ralph Stanley - "Room at the Top of the Stairs" Click here to listen - Rebel Records

Songwriter: Randall Hylton
Publisher: Paul Craft Music, BMI

Ralph Stanley recorded this gem of number for his 1984 album Lonesome and Blue. Written by popular bluegrass songwriter Randall Hylton, the cut features Charlie Sizemore on guitar, Junior Blankenship on lead guitar, Curly Ray Cline on fiddle and Jack Cooke on bass. Mark Freeman, Rebel Records

14. Del McCoury - "Call Collect on Christmas": Click here to listen - Rebel Records
Songwriter: Dick Staber, Publisher: Midstream Music Publishers, BMI

Del McCoury has defined authenticity for hard-core bluegrass fans - as well as a growing number of fans who are vaguely familiar with the genre - for over 50 years now. Cut in 1974, "Call Collect on Christmas" was intended for the first of three LPs that Del recorded for Rebel. However, it never saw the light day until it was unearthed and later reissued on Rebel's commemorative "35th Anniversary" 4-CD box set in 1995. This "plum, pitiful" number was written by Dick Staber, who had been the mandolinist and co-lead singer in Del's group The Dixie Pals but who had left the band by the time of this recording. Mark Freeman, Rebel Records


15. David Naiditch - "Old Dangerfield": Click here to listen to the full album - Bluegrass In The Backwoods

Songwriter: Bill Monroe
Publisher: Bill Monroe Music

Band:
David Naiditch: Chromatic Harmonica
Rob Ickes: Dobro
Jake Workman: Guitar
Sierra Hull: Mandolin
Dennis Caplinger: Banjo
Christian Ward: Fiddle

This instrumental album makes a unique contribution to bluegrass. With the possible exception of Jimmy Riddle in the 1950s, the chromatic harmonica, an instrument typically used in jazz, has never before been featured on a bluegrass album. This album is also unusual for bringing together some of the finest virtuosos in the bluegrass world: Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Sierra Hull on mandolin, Rob Ickes on dobro, Ron Block on banjo, Jake Workman on guitar, and Dennis Caplinger on banjo. - David Naiditch


Live showcases can be “very” advantageous at times. We do them with our clients on a regular basis. This depends upon who is setting up the showcase, where it is, the cost, and most importantly who shows up.

The opportunity for all AirPlay Direct members to have the chance to earn their spot to present and “showcase” their music to all of AirPlay Direct’s Global Radio Programmers; 10,000+ radio station members around the world... priceless. There is NO FEE to submit for these compilations for AirPlay Direct radio /label members. Keep in mind, these compilations are not only for new releases, but also for very cool, deep catalogue cuts as well.

MORE TO FOLLOW… SOON!