GoodStuff PR Co. News Detail
March 78, 2008
The Larry Stephenson Band Debuts THANKFUL with Eddie Stubbs on WSM Radio Tonight
**THANKFUL Receiving Rave Reviews**
"Hear this now; engrave the Grammy. Make a lot of room on the shelf for a bunch of IBMA awards...YES, it's that good! VICTORY REVIEW
"Stephenson has honed his voice into one of the best bluegrass tenors this side of Bobby Osborne." Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
"Larry's new Thankful CD is the best ever! Kudos on his selection of material. It's very inspiring and the presentation is fabulous...Just when I think I've heard the best from Larry he blows me away with even better music. I hope the bluegrass community will give this the airplay it deserves, because this is award-winning music!" Wayne Bledsoe, Publisher Bluegrass Now Magazine
"For gospel lovers, Stephenson fans, and anyone who appreciates well-performed roots music, Thankful is an inspiring disc." ALL MUSIC GUIDE
NASHVILLE, TN -Larry Stephenson's newest project, a sparkling collection of traditional bluegrass gospel songs titled Thankful on Pinecastle Records hits outlets today. You can listen to Larry as he debuts Thankful with legendary radio personality Eddie Stubbs on WSM Radio 650 AM tonight starting at 9 p.m Central. The album effortlessly weaves Larry's strong and identifiable bluegrass tenor vocals with a solid mix of songs that combine messages of devotion, thankfulness, contemplation and faith with the high lonesome sound that the band has become known for through the years. Thankful is the LSB's fourth gospel album and marks a distinct shift forward in the band's musical journey. The album is full of handpicked songs that focus on an overall theme of gratefulness. "These songs came from everywhere," Larry says. "I co-wrote "Everyday Is Mother's Day" with Tom T. and Dixie Hall and also co-wrote "Open Up The Window (Let The Angels In)" with Jerry Salley," he adds. "Open Up The Window (Let The Angels In)" is a particularly moving song that was inspired after a visit to the Our Lady Of The Lake Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Several new writers including Tonya Lowman and Berry Clevenger have songs on the collection and The Louvin Brothers penned title track "Thankful" features the close harmony singing reminiscent of the Louvin's close brotherly connection.
The album spotlights guest appearances by acclaimed female vocalist Sonya Isaacs, the first female voice ever to be included on a Larry Stephenson recording. The album also features seven time IBMA Bass Player of the Year Missy Raines, as well as Dustin Benson (lead & harmony vocals, guitar), Shad Cobb (fiddle & harmony fiddle), Warren Goad (bass vocals), Aaron McDaris (lead & harmony vocals, banjo) and Ben Surratt (harmony vocals).
Larry will also tape an interview with host Terry Herd on March 20th on Into the Blue, the largest bluegrass syndicated radio show in the country as well as being featured on a studio special with Kyle Cantrell on XM Satellite Radio's Bluegrass Junction, set to air on May 9th.
For more information on Thankful or The Larry Stephenson Band, contact GoodStuff PR Co. at 615.525.5303 or via email at info@goodstuffpr.com
MORE OF WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT THANKFUL
"This new all-gospel bluegrass collection brings out the best in a set of songs ranging from well-heeled classics to newly minted tunes..." Country Standard Time
"If anyone doesn't know the name Larry Stephenson - then they don't "know" Bluegrass at all. One of the finest tenors ever in the genre of Bluegrass - Larry's voice and talent only ages as fine wine does. His music is as new, fresh and exciting as ever, as is his approach to each new project." - Gracie Muldoon, WorldWideBluegrass.com
"Hear this now; engrave the Grammy. Make a lot of room on the shelf for a bunch of IBMA awards...YES, it's that good! This is a Gospel album, and as Stephenson's remarkably high, remarkably clear tenor can only be described as God-given, there is that meeting of origin and intent, such that the very sound of this album carries the experience beyond what the mere words to the songs say." VICTORY REVIEW
"Larry Stephenson is a crafty veteran of bluegrass and bluegrass/gospel music, with an impressive catalog of both styles of albums to his credit. This latest collection will rank among the best yet, thanks largely to an incredibly touching delivery of the album's title track song, Thankful, an item out of the Louvin Brothers songbook. Larry's simple, plaintive delivery of this very meaningful song, makes it one of the all-time best vocal performances in bluegrass music!" COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS
"Go see him when you can. He always does a good performance that you will enjoy. He has done lots of good things for this great music we call Bluegrass." Bluegrass Legend Bobby Osborne
"Thankful is a thought-provoking collection of sacred songs done mainly in the traditional mode. Stephenson sings effortlessly and smoothly throughout. The 'band' is solid and the arrangements are interesting and variable. Stephenson demonstrates his deep affinity with sacred material and this CD confirms his status alongside the best of bluegrass Gospel singers." The Bluegrass Blog
"Can't get any better! It's great gospel!" KDHX Radio
"Wow! Knocks your socks off!" KCBL Radio
"(Press on Pilgrim) Super song and super delivery! This song along should make the CD a major hit as "Press On..." has inspired lyrics and the band's arrangement of is equally inspired. Larry just gets better!" Wayne Bledsoe, KMST Radio
"Larry Stephenson has taken his music to another level with this awesome gospel CD!" Charlie Hall, WCYO/WorldWideBluegrass.com
"One of the best and most influential of high lead/tenor singers in recent years," Bluegrass Now Magazine
"Extremely well done!" KVMR Radio "Bravo!...Great gospel rendition!" Bill Knowlton, WCNY/WUNY/WJNY Radio
Visit Larry online at http://www.larrystephensonband.com/
Become a friend and hear song samples on LSB's MySpace page by visiting http://www.myspace.com/larrystephensonband
Click here to visit Larry on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/people/Larry_Stephenson/1133210900
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