ROUNDER RECORDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                     JUNE 13, 2007

 ROUNDER RECORDS SIGNS BELOVED BLUEGRASS ARTIST CHARLIE SIZEMORE

 FIRST NEW STUDIO ALBUM IN FIVE YEARS, GOOD NEWS, DUE AUGUST 14

        “Charlie Sizemore is back, singing and writing bluegrass music.  He’s better than ever...”
– Ron Thomason, Dry Branch Fire Squad

Burlington , MA – Rounder Records is pleased to announce it has signed Charlie Sizemore to its acclaimed roster of bluegrass artists.  Much beloved for both his musical talents and integrity, Charlie Sizemore is highly regarded as a vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist and bandleader.  On August 14, Rounder will release Good News – Sizemore’s first new studio album in five years, following an extended hiatus from the bluegrass world.  Produced by Sizemore and acclaimed country producer/songwriter Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, George Jones, Reba McEntire), Good News is compelling proof that Sizemore is his own best interpreter—and that Good News was worth the wait.

A powerful songwriter whose songs have been recorded by Ralph Stanley, Jimmy Martin, Doyle Lawson and Dry Branch Fire Squad to name a few, Sizemore contributes four new originals to Good News—among them the tongue-and-cheek “Alison’s Band” reflecting Sizemore’s dry sense of humor fans have to come to love.  Other highlights include songs by Dixie and Tom T. Hall, Harley Allen, and Hank Cochran.  Throughout the album, Sizemore’s singing is soulful and heartfelt, bringing a new level of emotion and insight to songs new and old. 

A native of eastern Kentucky, Sizemore was hired at age 17 to take over for the departing Keith Whitley in Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys, with whom he stayed for nine years before leaving to start his own band and to attend college.  He graduated with honors, and now maintains a successful law practice in addition to his musical endeavors.  Said Ralph Stanley recently, “Charlie Sizemore gave me nine and a half years of honest and dependable service as lead singer in the late ’70s and early ’80s.  He was one of my top lead singers that I have had through the years.  Charlie knows music and knows how to make it right.  I would highly recommend this CD.”

Over the past 20 years since leaving the employment of Ralph Stanley, Sizemore has garnered a devoted following among fans and performers alike.  He’s appeared on two Grammy® nominated albums (Ralph Stanley’s Saturday Night & Sunday Morning and The Stanley Tradition: Tribute to a Bluegrass Legacy) and received a Dove award nomination (for a track from 2002’s The Story Is...The Songs of Tom T. Hall).

The Charlie Sizemore Band is currently on tour and will perform at the 2007 I.B.M.A. World of Bluegrass Conference this fall.  The Charlie Sizemore Band is Charlie Sizemore (lead vocals, guitar), Danny Barnes (mandolin, vocals), Matt DeSpain (Dobro), John Pennell (bass) and Wayne Fields (banjo). 

Founded in 1970, Rounder Records is America ’s premier independent label. Rounder and its Zoë, Heartbeat, Philo and Bullseye Blues imprints have a catalog of over 3000 albums, representing a wide variety of folk, roots, rock, blues, and reggae music.

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For more information, please contact:
 Jennifer Sacca at 617.218.4503, or email jsacca@rounder.com
Lauren Calista at 617.218.4483, or email lcalista@rounder.com

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 Photo by: Señor McGuire