Travers Chandler & Avery County - Pardon Me
  • The Stanley Brothers
  • Pardon Me.. (I've Got Someone To Kill)
  • One Kiss Away From Loneliness
  • Blue Monday Morning
  • Whiskey
  • Reuben Takes The D-Train
  • I Could Change My Mind
  • Stumblin' Stone
  • This Old Barstool
  • Little Trouble
  • Newton Grove
  • Long Black Limo
  • Things in Live
  • The Stanley Brothers
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (03:53) [8.89 MB]
  • Pardon Me.. (I've Got Someone To Kill)
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (03:05) [7.05 MB]
  • One Kiss Away From Loneliness
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (03:57) [9.06 MB]
  • Blue Monday Morning
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (02:28) [5.65 MB]
  • Whiskey
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (02:52) [6.56 MB]
  • Reuben Takes The D-Train
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (02:24) [5.51 MB]
  • I Could Change My Mind
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (01:56) [4.43 MB]
  • Stumblin' Stone
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (02:25) [5.52 MB]
  • This Old Barstool
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (03:12) [7.33 MB]
  • Little Trouble
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (02:15) [5.16 MB]
  • Newton Grove
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (02:26) [5.59 MB]
  • Long Black Limo
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (03:34) [8.15 MB]
  • Things in Live
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (03:55) [8.98 MB]
Biography
One could use any number of adjectives to describe the direction cohesive theme of this recording. I choose emotional. Despite what anyone tries to make you the listener think, without emotion, music is meaningless. Ponder for a moment why you even listen to music. I would venture that it is because it invokes or stirs some sort of emotion within you. In this my third album as an artist, I have left a recording that will stir emotion within me for the rest of my life. I am not much of a studio performer. I excel at live performance, but this recording even astonished me in how powerful a song can be in making a point or conveying sorrow. Frankly it frightens me to listen to it sometimes.
As some of you are aware I have been performing traditional bluegrass and country music for over twenty years (most of my life being I am 32 now). I never had any intentions on anything really. I sang because it was the only thing that would stop the hurting in my heart. That and Adam Poindexter once told me how chicks dig singers. I have yet to see this but maybe I’ll have another twenty years to prove him right.
Jokes aside, I have been a devoted disciple of traditional music and particularly the history of bluegrass and traditional honky- tonk style country. Everything I do is to keep alive the legacies of my heroes. I have made this my life and have sacrificed nearly everything in my life to do so, which is the least I can do considering my heroes sacrificed much more including their lives. As I’ve gotten older it seems I’ve gone from student to historian and that’s what I really love. I love sharing this music with new people. It’s what I live for.
As with my previous two recordings (Me and The Jukebox 2007, State of Depression 2010) Pardon Me… is tragic, dark, and depressing at times. I always get a chuckle on the road when I meet people who have purchased our recordings and were shocked to find me a wild sparkplug onstage. This is no accident. While I have always been generally sad, I live for being onstage and I try and leave every ounce of my heart and soul everywhere I am. You will find me laughing, joking, jumping around, who knows. When I sing the sad songs, such as the ones here, I’m leaving myself vulnerable, my heartbreak on display for the world to see. Music is a feeling to me. I don’t have setlists, I play tremolo on the mandolin, and I sing and play loud. One might think I were a non-conformist if they didn’t know I just played what I loved.
Much to my bands dismay over the years, I never put any thought into a recording. I pick the material when I get to the studio and there you go. Pardon Me still has that same spirit but it was a much longer process. When we started this album in September of 2011 the band was entirely different than now (as you will hear on The Stanley Brothers, the only cut featuring those band members) The album was finally completed in April 2012. What you hear as you listen will tell the tale of those months in between; possibly the most heartbreaking and difficult times of my life. With that adversity tugging at me, I went into the studio and turned it all loose into the microphone. I poured every ounce of my heart and soul into this album and for the first time, I actually am truly proud of a recorded effort of mine. The songs are all emotional. Even the two instrumentals Reuben takes the D Train (our arrangement of Reuben) and Richard Underwood’s Newton Grove sound angry.
Through personal turmoil, and an entire band shift (Merl Johnson remained on fiddle) I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to move forward with music. I believe in God and I believe he has a purpose. This was reaffirmed when two of the finest young musicians and dear friends of mine jumped aboard this crazy train. Tom Issacs from Boone NC comes in on the Five Sting Banjo. While still in his early twenties he displays an amazing prowess on his archtop banjo. His driving banjo was the missing piece. I can only describe his playing as a mix between Allen Shelton, Richard Underwood and tons of Tom. It puts the band sound even further in the old school which makes me smile. His longtime friend, musical partner John Bryan from Boone NC steps in on guitar and demonstrates on the old Osborne Brothers song, One Kiss Away the natural clear tenor that very few are gifted with. His rhythm guitar playing is driving like a freight train. These two young men are the two biggest reasons you are reading this right now. They are the true future of bluegrass music.
Jessica Smith from Lubbock, Texas is heard on a great deal of the album on upright bass. Jessica was in the band from 2010 until just before the release of Pardon Me. The band would never have gotten past a bar in NC without Jess. She stepped in behind the scenes from promotion, to booking, to finances, to being my biggest fan. She sings with me on The Stanley Brothers. I can’t thank her enough for everything.
When Jessica departed I called Eddie Lovelace from Maggie Valley, NC to help fill in. Eddie was a long time member of Charlie Moore’s Dixie Partners, recording several albums with him. This brings it all homes as everything I do is in Charlie’s memory. That’s how the band got its name and Eddie and I have shared a lot of tears talking about Charlie.
Merl Johnson from Woodbridge, VA remains on fiddle. He is one of my best friends but aside from that, the most naturally talented musician I have ever known. Listen to the emotion of his fiddle. The tone and sense of melody. He’s the most underappreciated fiddler in Bluegrass Music and we are fortunate to have him.
You will notice that only 3 songs on this record feature harmony singing. While our live shows feature all sorts of harmony structures, sometimes I feel the message needs to be delivered by one messenger, so the message isn’t mishandled. This recording is one of those times.
I hope that this recording has touched you or has stirred emotion of any kind within you. I have opened the door to let you inside the heart and soul of a mad man. Now don’t stay too long I don’t like company. Again kidding aside I need to make my t thank yous here. First let me thank the former members of Avery County. What an amazing lot you are and I love you all. Adam Poindexter, Blake Johnson, Eddie Gill, Tony Mabe, Jessica Smith, Jason Wheeler,Terry McGill, Alex Leach and Jake Burrows.
Tom Mindte you will never know what your faith in me has truly meant. I hope you are proud and like my music. I sure love yours. Johnny and Ann Knox, two great fans who have shown their support in so many ways that I can’t believe. Scott Woody and his gorgeous wife Lil ...2 folks who made my time in Asheville wonderful. D’addario strings and Planet Waves..(Thank you, thank you, thank you I use your stuff cause it’s the best and that’s it) Skip Peyre at Grey Eagle Mandolins. You are too good for your own good friend. Ricky Cooper (COOP!) I was a terrible roommate but you are the man. In fact I need to thank all the Asheville peeps. I love you all even the ones that thought I didn’t like them. My best friend Mickey Galyean. I couldn’t have survived without you. I love you brother. To all my friends in “da bowl” (Low Gap NC) and Galax Virginia.. Grayson County heaven on earth.Rob Hall, Jim Beaver, Andrea Bradstreet, Buddy Michaels, David Smith, Charlie Hall, Les Sears, Alex Leach…all the DJ’s thank you so much!!
To Mark Hodges at Mountain Fever Records. Usually this is where the hollow thank you is inserted. This ain't hollow. You are one of my few dearest friends. You truly did make the best record I have ever made. You are amazing even if you are as aggravating as Leprosy. You put up with more than any man should and all I can offer is my loyalty. If you see fit I will always be a Mountain Fever artist.
Thank you God. I am a sinner saved by the blood of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Though it’s not very fashionable these days I will say it. You get nearly nothing in return from me yet you still look out for me. Thank you Lord.
My heroes in music…This is for you. The Stanley Brothers, Walter Hensley, Dee Gunter, Jimmy Martin, Red Ellis and Jimmie Williams, my favorite fiddlers Scotty Stoneman and Benny Jarrell, Bobby Atkins, Bill Monroe, Red Allen, Frank Wakefield, Chris Warner, Mel Street, Wayne Kemp, Johnny Paycheck, Conway Twitty, Curtis Blackwell and Randall Collins, The Lilly Brothers, Ted Lundy and Bob Paisley, Dennis Barrett (one of the greatest lead singers ever) and Marvin Davis(one of the greatest songwriters) of the Kentucky Gentlemen, Milo Bowes, The Bowes Brothers, Simon Bowes and The Carolina Champions, Larry Richardson, so many to name. But the most important: Cullen Galyean. Aside from Charlie, you were the most influential musician of my life. You are missed but your name will live on with us and your son, Mickey. Buzz Busby, I hope you are proud of me. Your music will always live on with me. And as always to Charlie Moore. I will not rest till you get your due. Again, thank you to Charlie’s daughters Lisa and Pattie. I love you both. I can’t wait till we all get to see Charlie again.
Big thanks to Ron Thomasson for the kind words that brought a tear to my eye. I am one of your biggest fans friend. It’s truly an honor to know you
My daughters Autumn (Aussie) and Candace (Can-Can) I have to thank you two girls more than anyone. You two have sacrificed the most so Daddy could play music and you’re still proud of me. I love you both so much. ~~Travers Chandler~~
___________________________________________________
Travers Chandler was born in Richmond, VA and grew up most of his childhood in a trailer park, which obviously affected his musical outlook. He started his musical journey as a child, becoming a student of the traditional music that his father loved so much. His influences were men of little fortune but much musical soul: Charlie Moore, Red Allen, Buzz Busby, Frank Wakefield, Jimmy Martin, Carter Stanley, The Bowes Brothers and Walter Hensley & Dee Gunter.

Travers has become a respected touring sideman, working for such bands as The Karl Shiflett and Big Country Show, The James King Band, The Bluegrass Brothers, Gary Brewer and The Kentucky Ramblers,The Gillis Brothers, Lynwood Lunsford and The Misty Valley Boys, and has filled in with countless groups including The Steep Canyon Rangers, and has spent three years with Rounder recording artists Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass, culminating in a 2009 IBMA award for Song of The Year.

Travers sings all parts with the band and is best known for being one of the few young mandolinists in bluegrass who plays in the traditional style. Danny Paisley has deemed him the "king of tremolo" while James King called him "one of the best traditional musicians in bluegrass." Bluegrass Unlimited compared him to no less than the great Dudley Connell. Travers has also taken top honors in Mandolin at the Mt Airy Fiddler's Convention, Allegheny Fiddlers Convention in Sparta NC, and the biggest of all The Old Fiddler's Convention in Galax Virginia.

Travers has made it his life's work to preserve the legacies of his heroes while simultaneously creating new sounds and new music. His old school approach includes not having a setlist, and constantly adapting the show to the interest of the audience. His genial, often witty and sarcastic stage patter and MC work entertains the crowd while moving the show along at a fast pace.
9
  • Members:
    Travers Chandler, Tom Isaacs, John Bryan, Eddie Lovelace, Eddie Gill, Jessica Smith Terry McGill, Merl Johnson
  • Sounds Like:
    A CD
  • Influences:
    Monroe,Stanleys,The Original Founders of Bluegrass
  • AirPlay Direct Member Since:
    12/30/10
  • Profile Last Updated:
    10/19/23 18:21:41

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