Mountain Home Music Company Artists Receive Award Nominations

Annual SPBGMA Awards to Honor Bluegrass Best and Beloved

Nashville, TN --- Mountain Home Music Company congratulates label artists who received award nominations this week for the 41st annual Bluegrass Music Awards by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America, (SPBGMA).

SPBGMA awards will be selected by a vote by attendees during the SPBGMA convention, slated for February 5-8 at the Sheraton Music City in Nashville. Winners will be announced during an awards show starting at 6:30 p.m. on February 8th.

Balsam Range, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Grascals and Flatt Lonesome picked up a dozen nominations in the SPBGMA awards, with individual band members named for achievement in several of the categories.

Mountain Home Music Co. nominees for Bluegrass Album of the Year are Balsam Range for FIVE and The Grascals for WHEN I GET MY PAY. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver is nominated for both Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary) and Entertaining Group of the Year. The Grascals received a nomination for Instrumental Group of the Year.

Instrumentalists who received nominations are Tim Surrett of Balsam Range for Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year, Jamie Johnson of The Grascals for Guitar Performer of the Year and Danny Roberts of The Grascals for Mandolin Performer of the Year. Sisters, Charli Robertson and Kelsi Robertson-Harrigill of Flatt Lonesome are nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary and Traditional, respectively. Buddy Melton of Balsam Range received the nod for Male Vocalist of the Year.

In the Song of the Year category, “So Far” by Flatt Lonesome is nominated.

So far, so good for Mountain Home Music Company and its gifted artists. The label is based in Arden, NC and boasts many award nominated and winning artists in Bluegrass, Americana and Southern Gospel Music.


ABOUT SPBGMA
The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America is a not-for-profit corporation incorporated since 1974. The organization aims to preserve the traditional spirit and art form of Bluegrass music through a variety of activities including competitions, festivals and consultation.

PICTURED (Clockwise from top left): Balsam Range, Doyle Lawson, Flatt Lonesome, The Grascals

With Mountain Home and Organic Records, Crossroads Label Group Artists Lead with 22 Nominations across 12 Categories for 2014 International Bluegrass Music Awards

Nashville, TN – Nominees for the 2014 International Bluegrass Music Awards were announced at a press conference in Franklin, TN with artists from the Crossroads Label Group (Mountain Home and Organic Records) receiving 22 nominations across 12 Award Categories.   The Boxcars [pictured at top] received ten nominations, including Instrumental Group, Album of the Year (It’s Just A Road), two for Song of the Year (“It’s Just A Road” and “You Took All the Ramblin’ Out of Me”), Gospel Recorded Performance (“When Sorrows Encompass Me Around”) and Instrumental Recorded Performance (“Skillet Head Derailed”). Ron Stewart received two nominations, one as Banjo Player of the Year and one as Fiddle Player of the Year. For his work with the Boxcars, band member Adam Steffey earned a nomination for Mandolin Player of the Year; as a solo artist, Steffey received a nomination for Instrumental Recorded Performance (“Johnny Don’t Get Drunk”).   Balsam Range was nominated in the prestigious Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group and Instrumental Group categories. Band member Buddy Melton received a nomination for Male Vocalist, as well. Additionally, Melton appears as a guest artist with Terry Baucom and Marty Raybon on “Martha White, Lester & Earl,” nominated for Recorded Event of the Year. The band, [pictured], has the current IBMA Album of the Year with its previous release, PAPERTOWN. Balsam Range recently released FIVE, the band's appropriately titled fifth album. The Grascals received two nominations; Instrumental Recorded Performance (“Five Miles to Milan”), and Recorded Event (“American Pickers” with Dierks Bentley).   Flatt Lonesome is named in the Emerging Artist category. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver is nominated in the Vocal Group category. Sammy Shelor of Lonesome River Band, is nominated for Banjo as an Instrumental Performer.Darin & Brooke Aldridge received a nomination for Gospel Recorded Project for “Love Does” which appears on the album FLYING, nominated for Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project (Lynn Weathers, designer).   A complete list of nominations is available here.   Nominations are decided by a vote of the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. Results of the balloting will be revealed at the International Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, October 4 during World of Bluegrass Week, held September 30 - October 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IBMA Awards Show will also be broadcast live on SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction).

IBMA Fan Fest Celebrates Bill Monroe and Bluegrass Music!

Nashville, TN….Bluegrass music’s premier indoor festival is just around the corner, and this year’s event celebrating the 100th birthday of the late Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music, will definitely be one you don’t want to miss! Reserve your tickets now for IBMA’s Bluegrass Fan Fest, scheduled for Sept. 30 – October 2, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

The star-studded grand finale of World of Bluegrass Week (Sept. 26 – Oct. 2) will present the talents of more than 60 headline acts on the Main Stage, the Masters Workshop Stage and at the Grand Master Fiddler Championship—thanks to the sponsorship of L.R. Baggs, Martin Guitars, Martha White, Knee Deep in Bluegrass and WSM-AM 650.

Performing artists confirmed at press time include Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, The Grascals, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Dale Ann Bradley, J.D. Crowe & The New South, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, The Isaacs, Jesse McReynolds & The McReynolds Tradition, Lonesome River Band, Josh Williams Band, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Steep Canyon Rangers, Don Rigsby & Midnight Call, Jim Lauderdale, Joey + Rory, Ronnie Bowman, Sierra Hull & Highway 111, Marty Raybon & Full Circle, The Chapmans, Special Consensus, Balsam Range, Audie Blaylock & Redline, Grasstowne, The Boxcars, The Cleverlys, 18 South, The Expedition Show, Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa, Darrell Webb Band, Mike Scott, America’s Bluegrass Gospel Show, The Spinney Brothers, The Cherryholmes Brothers, NewTown, Mark Johnson & Emory Lester, Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin, Tiller’s Folly, Kids on Bluegrass… and many more!

In addition to the “cool factor” of breathing in some of the best live bluegrass music on the planet and meeting artists after their sets at their merch tables, Fan Fest attendees will enjoy visiting a bluegrass music-themed exhibit hall with more than 100 booths, taking part in a number of special promotions and giveaways, and of course there will be plenty of space for picking on all three levels of the Nashville Convention Center.

The music is amazing enough on its own, but along with that we’re also planning Celebrity Jams on Friday and Saturday mornings Sept. 30 and Oct. 1; a “Name that Blue Grass Boy” trivia competition for fans Saturday morning, Oct. 1 at 10:30 a.m.; and a slate of discussion groups and workshops on everything from sharing festival memories and photos, music licensing for events and pre-war banjos to a “Going on the Road without Letting Yourself Go” exercise session, strings and instrument set-up with break-out groups for individual instruments, recording acoustic instruments, the crosspicking guitar style of George Shuffler, how to start an instrument lending library, a session on what songwriters and writers can learn from the music of The Beatles, and a thought-provoking discussion led by The Infamous Stringduster’s Chris Pandolfi and Emilee Warner of Crash-Media on “big tent bluegrass”—the concept of welcoming bands and fans across the bluegrass-influenced spectrum from old-time music to jam grass.

On Friday, Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. former Blue Grass Boy Blake Williams, of The Expedition Show will host a special event called “Tell Us Your Bill Monroe Story.” Friends and colleagues of Monroe will be invited to get things rolling, and then we’ll open the mic to anyone in the room with a story or memory to share. We’ll be videotaping, with participant’s permission, for future use on Bluegrass Nation and the International Bluegrass Music Museum archives.
Proceeds from Fan Fest ticket sales benefit the Bluegrass Trust Fund, established to help bluegrass professionals during times of emergency need, as well as support IBMA’s educational and marketing efforts during the rest of the year. All artists appearing at Fan Fest donate their time and talents for the cause.

Advance tickets are on sale now, with discounts on three-day passes for members and non-members. Single day tickets and student tickets (with an ID) will be available at the gate, and children under 16 are admitted free with an adult.

Fans who want to get closest to the action are also encouraged to make hotel reservations early to get big discounts. One call to 877-256-4716 gets you access to the best rates and a variety of hotels near the festival, including the Renaissance Hotel attached to the convention center.

For more information on World of Bluegrass, including tickets to the International Bluegrass Music Awards, go to www.worldofbluegrass.org, join us on Facebook, or call 615-256-3222 (888-GET-IBMA). Tickets are on sale now at the website. For a video preview of World of Bluegrass, click here.

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) serves as the trade association for the bluegrass music industry, with members in all 50 states and 30 countries.

GAC And TCN Add THE GRASCALS', "I Am Strong," Featuring Dolly Parton

Emotionally-Charged Video Hits Airwaves!
Nashville, TN (January 21, 2011) -- This week, Great American Country (GAC) and The Country Network (TCN) add The Grascals' emotionally-charged video, "I Am Strong."

Directed by industry veteran David Corlew (who makes his music video directing debut here), and produced by David Bennett (former head of TN Film Commission), the moving video features a special guest appearance by Country Music Hall of Fame member Dolly Parton. "I Am Strong" was written by The Grascals' Jamie Johnson and his wife Susanne Mumpower-Johnson, along with close friend, Jenee Fleenor.

The song was inspired by the stories of children being treated for cancer and other deadly diseases at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, following a visit to the hospital made by Johnson, and Grascals Terry Smith and Terry Eldredge. The video was filmed there, and several young patients make appearances throughout the clip.

"The bottom line and the whole point of the video was to convey the song's message," Johnson says. "We didn't want to take anything away from the children or their stories, and I think we stayed true to that."

For Corlew, whose directing background has been mostly on the documentary side, the opportunity to direct The Grascals was "wonderful." But it was the interaction with the children of St. Jude's that he found the most moving. "I loved working with them," David adds. "Their smiles were 'the moment,' and they really seemed to enjoy themselves."

The video is impacting globally and airing on CMT.com, CMC (Australia), AOL, Yahoo, UsMag.com, and hundreds of other websites. A portion of the proceeds from the song will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

"I Am Strong" is from THE GRASCALS & FRIENDS - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin disc, which debuted this week on the Billboard Bluegrass chart at #1. The project features the group singing duets with Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Dierks Bentley, Joe Nichols, Charlie Daniels, Tom T. Hall, The Oak Ridge Boys and Darryl Worley. The CD, released last week on BluGrascal Records, is exclusively available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and online at www.crackerbarrel.com.

Pictured Above: During Country Cares Radiothon last weekend in Memphis, The Grascals- Danny Roberts, Jeremy Abshire, Kristin Scott Benson, Jamie Johnson, Terry Eldredge and Terry Smith- posed with patient Ella at St. Jude's. (Credit: Jeremy Westby)

THE GRASCALS & FRIENDS COMING TO CRACKER BARREL

Exclusive CD will feature guest artists joining in for some bluegrass fun
LEBANON, Tenn. (December 6, 2010) Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is pleased to let you know that the next CD in its exclusive music program will feature some of the biggest names in country music joining up with one of the most beloved bands on today's bluegrass scene, The Grascals. The album, The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin, has 13 country music songs on it that you have probably heard before, but most likely not like this. The Grascals bring their own bluegrass style to the tunes and bring the different tracks to life with eight of their friends, including Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels and Dolly Parton. The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin will be available on January 10th, 2011, exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations.
The bonus track, "I Am Strong," was written by Grascals band member Jamie Johnson and his wife Susanne Mumpower-Johnson along with Jenee Fleenor after The Grascals visited the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® and were inspired by the stories and power of the children being treated there. "I Am Strong" is powerful in its message and artistic vision and brings together vocals from all of the artists who also appear separately with the Grascals on other tracks on this CD. In honor of the children and this song, Cracker Barrel is donating a percentage of the proceeds from this CD to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
"The Grascals are steeped in bluegrass tradition and at the same time are in touch with their contemporary audiences, bringing authenticity as well as freshness to the music," said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. "We are pleased to be able to offer our guests this unique CD as the latest album in our exclusive music program."
The Grascals are frequent guests at Cracker Barrel as it provides a welcome stop along the way when they are out touring, which is most of the year. Ask any of the six band members what they like to eat when they stop in and there is no hesitation in the responses: chicken n' dumplins, the Sunrise Sampler, turnip greens or pinto beans....the answers go on and on.
The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin will be the latest in Cracker Barrel's exclusive music program, which features numerous projects. In November of 2010, Cracker Barrel released Smokey Robinson's Now & Then which features six of his current songs and live versions of six of his classics that were recorded last year. It debuted at #19 on Billboard magazine's R&B chart. September saw the release of the self-titled Rodney Atkins, which includes four #1 hits, and also released Mandy Barnett's Winter Wonderland, which offers up all the authentic sounds of the holiday traditions so many of us cherish. In July, the company released Craig Morgan's That's Why-Collector's Edition,and in May the release of Wynonna's Love Heals debuted at #7 on the Billboard Magazine Top Country Albums chart. February's release of Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums chart, where it spent nine weeks in the top position and 18 weeks overall in one of the three top positions since its release on February 1st. Releases in 2009 included November's Songs of Love and Heartache by Alan Jackson, September's release of an exclusive new version of The Foundation by the Zac Brown Band, August's George Jones' release of A Collection Of My Best Recollection, May's release of Montgomery Gentry's For Our Heroes, which debuted at #5 on Billboard Magazine's Top Country Albums chart, and March's release of Dolly Parton's Collector's Edition of Backwoods Barbie, which debuted at #9 on that chart. Over the last few years, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive CDs with Bill Gaither, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Aaron Tippin, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Josh Turner, Amy Grant, Sara Evans, and Charlie Daniels.

Tracks on The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin:

1. Tiger By The Tail (with Brad Paisley)
2. Folsom Prison Blues (with Dierks Bentley)
3. Pain of Lovin' You (with Dolly Parton)
4. I Am Strong (with Dolly Parton)
5. Louisiana Saturday Night
6. The Year That Clayton Delaney Died (with Tom T. Hall)
7. White Lightning (with Darryl Worley)
8. The Devil Went Down To Georgia (with Charlie Daniels)
9. Leavin' Louisiana In Broad Daylight (with The Oak Ridge Boys)
10. Mr. Bojangles (with Joe Nichols)
11. Hank Williams Jr. Medley-Born To Boogie / All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin' Over Tonight
12. Cracker Barrel Swing (Instrumental)
13. I Am Strong (Bonus Track) Featuring guest appearances by Dolly Parton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Darryl Worley, Charlie Daniels, Terri Clark, Randy Owen, Steven Seagal, Tom T. Hall, Joe Nichols and Ansley McLaurin
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About Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that's surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America's country heritage...all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n' dumplins as well as its signature biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 597 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel unit is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com.