August 24, 2009

Rural Rhythm Signs Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie
New Single Release Coming this Fall

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce they have signed Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie to the label. The new single, “I Don’t Care Anymore” will be included on the "2009 Rural Rhythm Records Sampler" released at the IBMA World of Bluegrass and also the next Rural Rhythm “Fresh Cuts & Key Tracks” radio CD.  Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie are currently in the studio recording their new album scheduled for release early 2010. Bill will be featured on the cover of the BANJO NEWSLETTER (September 2009 issue) that also includes an in-depth interview. 

“We feel very honored to have Bill Emerson join our Rural Rhythm Family of Artists.  He has been a driving musical force for so many major bluegrass groups over the years and is an innovator and master banjo player”.  We all look forward to a long a prosperous partnership with Bill Emerson and his group Sweet Dixie,” said Sam Passamano, Jr. – President Rural Rhythm Records

Bill Emerson has certainly established himself as a banjo virtuoso and a history maker including being a founding member of the famed bluegrass ensemble The Country Gentlemen.  He was a featured artist with Jimmy Martin during the height of that bluegrass legend's career and introduced the classic "Fox on the Run" to bluegrass music.  Bill was also a founder and shaper of Country Current the world renowned bluegrass ensemble of the United States Navy Band. “It’s refreshing to finally have another installment from one of the most important architects of bluegrass banjo,” said Terry Herd of Bluegrass Radio Network.
                 
During Bill’s impressive career, he has received a multitude of awards and honors including, but certainly not limited to: Inducted into the Southern Legends Entertainment and Performing Arts Hall of Fame (2009); 2009 IBMA Nominee for Banjo Performer of the Year; 2008 Honorary Life Member of the IBMM Museum and included in IBMM's Pioneers of Bluegrass Group; twice awarded "Banjo Player of the Year" by the Muleskinner News Bluegrass Magazine; Grammy nominee – Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular (2007); and inducted into The Washington Area Music Awards (Wammies) Hall of Fame (2006).

For more information on Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie, please visit their website at: http://www.bluegrassville.com/billemerson

For more information on Rural Rhythm Records, please visit www.RuralRhythm.com