Cumberland River - The Life We Live
  • Harlan Man
  • Outside Looking In
  • This Life I Live
  • Cold and Withered Heart
  • Justified
  • Mary Flynn
  • Antietam’s Hill
  • Give Me One More Try
  • Train of Sorrow
  • Miners Prayer
  • The Road Back Home
  • Remember Me
  • Lonely Road
  • Harlan Man
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (02:30) [5.72 MB]
  • Outside Looking In
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (03:23) [7.74 MB]
  • This Life I Live
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (04:15) [9.71 MB]
  • Cold and Withered Heart
    Genre: Bluegrass
    WAV (03:38) [36.71 MB]
  • Justified
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (03:41) [8.44 MB]
  • Mary Flynn
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (04:19) [9.87 MB]
  • Antietam’s Hill
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (04:28) [10.23 MB]
  • Give Me One More Try
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (02:44) [6.28 MB]
  • Train of Sorrow
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (02:34) [5.88 MB]
  • Miners Prayer
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (03:33) [8.11 MB]
  • The Road Back Home
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (03:15) [7.44 MB]
  • Remember Me
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (04:29) [10.26 MB]
  • Lonely Road
    Genre: Bluegrass
    MP3 (02:24) [5.48 MB]
Press

Radio & Media Quotes
“Go ahead and write in the name of Cumberland River in the Newcomer categories at the 2012 IBMA and SPGMA Awards. They will be there. They even get a ringing endorsement from perennial award-winner Dale Ann Bradley, who turns in a magnificent harmony performance on the title cut, “The Life I Live.” A great introduction to a band that should be around for a while!” - MUSIC NEWS NASHVILLE

“All 13 songs on the album were written by the band’s members — James Dean, Joey Jones, Dustin Middleton, Andy Buckner and Jamie Stewart. They’re good, full-bodied songs from a band that projects a redneck-rock attitude with a solid traditional bluegrass foundation. The fact that two of the musicians are also miners lends an air of authenticity to the songs. Dale Ann Bradley adds some amazing harmony vocals to four tracks. And producer Steve Gulley sings harmony on seven tracks.”
OWENSBORO MESSENGER-INQUIRER

“Ably produced by Steve Gulley, The Life We Live is as strong a Bluegrass recording as you’re likely to hear in 2011. If you like bluegrass or roots music, you need to take some time and give The Live We Live a listen.” - ROUGHSTOCK

“There's not a weak track on the record and earlier this year they placed six of these tunes on the FX show Justified, which may help them break through to mainstream listeners as well as bluegrass fans.”
ALL MUSIC GUIDE

“Most bluegrass bands can only dream of the exposure Cumberland River got this year. Good national debut by a band with a solid foundation and a lot of promise.” - Keith Lawrence, Owensboro Messenger Inquirer

“One listen to The Life We Live by Harlan County quintet Cumberland River and you'll understand but while this young band have embraced the deep rooted traditions of rural American music, this ain't your daddy's bluegrass! Cumberland River can pick with the best of them and these boys can flat out sing but it's the writing on The Life We Live that brings the album to a modern, progressive level. These boys have a lot to say and you can read a full feature in the upcoming print edition of August 2011 The Alternate Root magazine. For now, beat the heat with a cool dip in the crystal waters of Cumberland River.”
THE ALTERNATE ROOT

“Real mountain men with a story to tell and a unique, special way of telling it. If you’re looking for pure, honest music full of unabashed emotion, look no further. You’ve found it! Cumberland River is raw emotion personified. Welcome to Mountain Nation!”
Steve Gulley, Grasstowne/Album Producer

“You may have seen Cumberland River on Justified, but the lush harmonies and instrumental hotness on The Life We Live (Rural Rhythm) were not contrived for the screen. These Harlan County, Ky., natives cut right to the heart, whether led by a typical bluegrass tenor or the exceptional baritone: coal mining, romantic crossroads, leaving home and wishing you hadn't, the traditional murder tales with roots stretching back to the British Isles. These songs celebrate life in acoustic harmony.
Mary Armstrong – Philadelphia City Paper

“Love, love this group.”
Gracie Muldoon - WorldwideBluegrass.com

“This is a great CD!”
Brenda Lawson - Lawson Entertainment

“This is a very good bluegrass set of songs that has an original sound in old genre.”
Jim Moulton – Jim’s Country Music Reviews

"Cumberland River’s debut release is a winner. The Life We Live showcases traditional bluegrass filled with solid drive and Kentucky mountain soul. These boys know how to deliver a song and they deliver it right. Vocals are tight and musicianship is first rate. In short, Cumberland River does Kentucky proud. Their project displays not only a commitment to the high lonesome sound, but also their desire to provide an enjoyable listening experience. Highlights include Harlan Man, Lonely Road, Train of Sorrow, This Life I Live, and Miner’s Prayer. Highly recommended."
Bob Mitchell, DJ – Radio Bluegrass International, WKWC-FM, and WFPK-FM (Former CD reviewer: Bluegrass Now, Louisville Music News, and Bluegrass

Read More

First Single Release
Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the new single release, “Cold & Withered Heart” by CUMBERLAND RIVER from their upcoming new album, THE LIFE WE LIVE. This hot new project releases July 26, 2011 and was the #1 most downloaded bluegrass/folk album on Airplay Direct.com last week. THE LIFE WE LIVE certainly showcases the songwriting talents of this young group with all five band members contributing to this impressive first national release. CUMBERLAND RIVER includes the talents of: James Dean who wrote the new single and provides lead vocals and banjo on the song; Dustin Middleton (mandolin, lead & harmony vocals); Joey Jones (bass); Jamie Stewart (Dobro); and Andy Buckner (guitar, lead & harmony vocals). Attendees of the International Bluegrass Music’s World of Bluegrass will get a chance to see this Harlan, Kentucky band perform during their official IBMA Showcase this fall.

THE LIFE WE LIVE, recorded at The Curve Studio in Cumberland Gap, TN, was produced by Steve Gulley (Grasstowne) who also provided harmony vocals and rhythm guitar on several tracks. Other guests include: three-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year award winner, Dale Ann Bradley on stand out tracks like “This Life We Live” and “Mary Flynn” as she harmonizes beautifully with the deep, rich vocals by Dustin Middleton; plus Justin Moses (Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder) lends his incredible fiddle and Dobro talents.

CUMBERLAND RIVER hit the national spotlight earlier this year when their original songs were featured on two episodes of the FX Network’s critically acclaimed hit drama, JUSTIFIED starring TIMOTHY OLYPHANT. For more information on CUMBERLAND RIVER including upcoming tour dates, please visit their website at Cumberland-River.com. For more information Rural Rhythm Records, please visit RuralRhythm.com


Rural Rhythm Signs Cumberland River
Nashville, TN -- RURAL RHYTHM RECORDS is proud to announce they have signed CUMBERLAND RIVER and will soon release details of their upcoming album. The group includes the incredible instrumental, songwriting and vocal talents of JAMES DEAN, JOSEPH JONES, DUSTIN MIDDLETON, JAMIE STEWART and ANDY BUCKNER who have been in the studio with producer, STEVE GULLEY recording their new album. “They are real mountain men with a story to tell and a unique, special way of telling it. If you’re looking for pure, honest music full of unabashed emotion, look no further. You’ve found it! Cumberland River is raw emotion personified,” said GULLEY.

Fans heard the band perform their original song, “Justified,” in the opening scene of the March 2, 2011 episode of the FX Network’s TV drama, JUSTIFIED. STEVE GULLEY shared some special behind the scenes tidbits about the band's recent recording sessions including re-recording 'Justified" that includes some cool boot stomping. That is just one of the many ways this new version exudes the rootsy power that is CUMBERLAND RIVER. Due to overwhelming fan requests and excitement for this new version, Rural Rhythm has gone ahead and made the song available now for digital purchase as a special pre-album promotion. The song is also available to RADIO via AirplayDirect.com.

The song actually came about as a result of an invitation to perform for the writers and producers of JUSTIFIED, while in Harland gathering information for the show. With only 24 hours to spare before their performance, CUMBERLAND RIVER got together and composed “Justified” in a style that certainly fits the show. Since that time, five additional songs from their 2010 self released album have been included on the Wednesday, April 6, 2011 episode that airs at 10:00 PM on the FX Network. With fans hearing six original songs performed by CUMBERLAND RIVER on JUSTIFIED that reaches an average of 7.2 million total viewers per week, certainly has music fans excited about their upcoming new album.

The band's upcoming new project will include a collection of heart felt songs and haunting ballads written by the band and their family members taken from their life experiences and campfire stories from Harlan County. “We feel this is a dream come true for the band. We could never have imagined we would be on a major label working with some of the best bands in bluegrass, and working with such an awesome producer as STEVE GULLEY. We are truly humbled that Rural Rhythm is willing to take a chance on bunch of country boys from the mountains of Harlan, Kentucky” ---CUMBERLAND RIVER.


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  • Members:
    JAMES DEAN, JOSEPH JONES, DUSTIN MIDDLETON, JAMIE STEWART and BRAD GULLEY (Andy Buckner appears on album)
  • Sounds Like:
    A CD
  • Influences:
    Blue Highway, Lonesome River Band
  • AirPlay Direct Member Since:
    04/04/11
  • Profile Last Updated:
    08/14/23 23:23:59

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