Biography

Longtime band member and driving banjo picker, Sammy Shelor has put together a wealth of talent - all the while keeping that distinctive LRB sound. With two strong lead vocalists, Andy Ball (mandolin) and Brandon Rickman (rhythm guitar), along with Mike Anglin on bass and Mike Hartgrove on fiddle, the group continues their reputation of one of most respected names in bluegrass music.

Early 2010, Rural Rhythm records released the first single, “Record Time Machine” from the band’s new album, “Still Learning.” The band is still receiving huge success from their 2008 album, “No Turning Back” their first album on Rural Rhythm (12th career album).

"NO TURNING BACK" made its debut at #11 on Billboard’s™ Top 50 Bluegrass Album Chart. It didn’t take long before the album and first single, “Them Blues,” began hitting airplay charts and receiving critical acclaim for this long awaited new album. The Album hit #1 on Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s Top 15 Album Chart where it remained for an impressive three months (May, June and July 2009,) with the single, “Them Blues” also reaching number #1 on both the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Singles chart (July and August 2009) and the Bluegrass Music Profiles Top 30 Singles (July 2009.) Just those two magazine’s alone – LRB received SEVEN #1s in 2009! The album also hit #1 spot on numerous other charts including Cashbox Magazine’s Top 25 Albums .

Lonesome River Band’s long career is obviously filled with a multitude of Awards and Recognitions including the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) honoring the group with multiple awards for Album of the Year and topping it off with an amazing four-time award wins for Shelor as Banjo Performer of the Year. The group has also received recognition by SPBGMA for multiple Bluegrass Band of Year wins, Vocal Group of the Year, Song of the Year and Shelor as Banjo Player of the Year.

In 2009, the band received well deserved recognition by the International Bluegrass Music Association with a nomination for 2009 Instrumental Performance of the Year (Struttin to Ferrum), nomination for Gospel Performance of the Year (Darkness Wept), and Sammy Shelor’s nomination for Banjo Performer of the Year. The group also opened the 2009 IBMA Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium with a tremendous and extremely well received performance. The previous year, LRB had been selected as an official 2008 IBMA Showcase Artists and the band regularly performs at the popular IBMA Fan Fest at the yearly convention.

If you have never seen this band perform live, we highly recommend it. Fans love this super group!