Nashville, TN (07.01.08)  Rural Rhythm Records is very proud to announce a brand new single, “Them Blues“ by the LONESOME RIVER BAND that will be released to bluegrass radio on the next Rural Rhythm “Fresh Cuts & Key Tracks” Radio CD July 15, 2008. The song is from the band’s upcoming new album, “No Turning Back” scheduled for release September 9th. This will be the 12^th album by this award-winning band comprised of Sammy Shelor (banjo, vocals), Brandon Rickman (guitar, vocals), Mike Hartgrove (fiddle), Andy Ball (mandolin, vocals), and Mike Anglin (bass, vocals). Shelor commented today, “We are always looking to the future with Lonesome River Band and can’t wait for all our fans and friends to hear these great new songs on "No Turning Back."

“I feel like we have reinvented the LRB sound with this band and I’m really excited about working with these guys – on stage and in the studio. With a reinvented sound, it seems like the right time to go a different direction with distribution and marketing, and we couldn’t have made a better choice than Rural Rhythm Records. The Passamano family has shown the same seriousness and dedication about their end of the business as we do about ours. I look forward to what we can accomplish together. It’s amazing that the band has gone on for 25 years, but you can’t simply rest on your laurels in the music business,” he continued.

Terry Herd of the Bluegrass Radio Network said, “Sammy Shelor once told me he only wanted to make CDs his fans would be proud of. With the release of No Turning Back, I just say wholeheartedly Mission Accomplished.” The CD includes songs by highly respected, songwriter and LRB band member Brandon Rickman who co-wrote: Dime Store Rings with Charlie Stefl; Not There Yet with Jerry Salley; Depression with Amanda Williams; and Long Way From Home with Kevin Denny.

"Lonesome River Band has spent 25 years defining the meaning of modern bluegrass, all the while influencing an entire generation of pickers and fans. A look at past members reads like a who’s who of contemporary bluegrass, and Sammy Shelor has once again assembled a powerful group of stellar musicians for this new release. Here’s to another 25 years of LRB,” said John Lawless of the Bluegrass Blog.

Over the years, LRB band members have left to pursue solo or songwriting careers and many have left - only to return again. During those years however, one thing still remains – Lonesome River Band’s distinctive sound and popularity that never seems to change.

When Sammy Shelor and Ronnie Bowman joined Lonesome River Band in 1990, Shelor had just come off a six year stint with the popular Virginia Squires, but never envisioned himself leading LRB one day. The group’s breakout CD, “Carrying The Tradition”, released in 1991 included Shelor, Bowman, Dan Tyminski, and Lonesome River Band founder, Tim Austin. They recorded a second album, Old Country Town, before Tyminski accepted a gig with Alison Krauss & Union Station and Austin decided to leave the road to focus on his recording studio, Doobie Shea. At that time, Shelor and Bowman took over band management, and when Bowman left in 2001, Shelor found himself in charge, leading the band that had hired him years earlier. Over the years, LRB included the likes of Kenny Smith, Don Rigsby, Ron Stewart, and Rickie Simpkins just to name a few of the stellar musicians that have toured and recorded with the group.

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 the Album of the Year award and 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.

The Lonesome River Band is now on tour at festivals and concerts throughout the country including July festival appearances at the Music in the Mountains, OATS Bluegrass Festival, Wayside Bluegrass Festival, Musicians Against Childhood Cancer, Lowell Folk Festival and more. For a complete schedule and more information on the band, please visit www.lonesomeriverband.com 

Rural Rhythm Records has more information on The Lonesome River Band on their site at
http://ruralrhythm.com/LonesomeRiverBand.htm including new photos, song clips (coming soon) and more album information.  

####

RURAL RHYTHM RECORDS
Radio Contact:  Sammy Passamano III
800-776-8742 
www.RuralRhythm.com

Email Rural Rhythm

BOOKING:
Roe Entertainment
Jim Roe Email
PO Box 6003, Owensboro, KY  42302
877-688-5885
www.roeentertainment.net 


MEDIA REQUEST:
Hope River Entertainment
Penni McDaniel  Email
678.377.3298
www.HopeRiverEntertainment.com