GoodStuff PR Co. News Detail
October 293, 2009
Grasstowne Travels to The Other Side of Towne and Delivers Band Defining Album
"These boys have done a great job on this album... This music is some of the best you will find in the country." EARL SCRUGGS
NASHVILLE, TN - Grasstowne's lead singer, Steve Gulley, is hoping their cleverly titled brand new sophomore release, The Other Side of Towne, which hit streets today, does just what this band of veteran players intended for it to do when they were recording the project - define who Grasstowne is as a band and solidify their indentifiable sound. Early indications are that it is doing just that.
The Other Side of Towne showcases their musical voice as a band, and shares exactly who they are and what they sound like live. Gulley says, "We were very proud of our first album, but The Other Side of Towne really speaks to who we are. It defines who we've become as a group," he says.
Grasstowne's sophomore release hits streets today and features the group's identifiable instrumentation and vocals with Phil Leadbetter on dobro, Alan Bibey on mandolin and vocals, Jason Davis on banjo, Dale Perry on bass and vocals, and guitarist and lead singer Steve Gulley pulling every ounce of emotion available from each and every lyric.
The Bluegrass Journal sings the album's praises and says, "It's definitely worth the wait!" Guest artists, fiddle master Stuart Duncan and Terry Baucom bring their award winning talents to the table to help solidify the sound of this band who bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs calls, "some of the best you'll find in the country."
The album's single "Big, Big, Heartaches" is already sitting at #16 on the National Bluegrass Survey, after a radio debut 3 months before release. In addition to "Big, Big, Heartaches," the album features writing by band members Alan Bibey and the co-songwriter of 2008's IBMA Song Of The Year, Steve Gulley.
Steve Gulley penned three of the tunes on the album. The gospel influenced, "Lifting Up The Cross" with Ken Mellons and two other tunes with writing partner Tim Stafford. Wayne Winkle and Craig Market contributed four tracks including the title track and Michael Bentley lends his talents on the only a cappella Gospel track on the CD, "Salvation of the Lord". Bibey co-wrote "Pay Your Dues" with Ronnie Bowman and Shawn Lane as well as an instrumental called "Tobaccoville Road".
The Other Side Of Towne is the long awaited follow-up to their first release, the critically acclaimed 2007 debut release, The Road Headin' Home. The album had a healthy run at radio and its single, "Dixie Flyer", reached #1 on Bluegrass Music Profile's single's chart and the album was #1 for 3 consecutive months on the National Bluegrass Survey. The single also saw success in the #1 spot for two months on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart. The debut project netted a win for SPBGMA's Album of the Year, Mandolin Player of the Year, and Dobro Player of the year. The Other Side Of Towne features writing from band members Alan Bibey and 2008's IBMA co-songwriter of the year, Steve Gulley.
Phil Leadbetter, Steve Gulley, and Alan Bibey have known each other since each was a young man. They began their musical careers in different touring bands, but fate brought them together to form the unique venture known as Grasstowne. Grasstowne is meant to infer the roost of their beginnings and their future, in one shot. “Bluegrass music with a 21st century edge,” sums up the essence of the band according to Phil Leadbetter. With the addition of Jason Davis on Banjo, and Dale Perry on upright bass, the band was formed.
These players have racked up a pedigree that reads like a Who's Who in bluegrass including, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, J.D. Crowe and the New South, Mountain Heart, BlueRidge, IIIrd Tyme Out, and more. It's no wonder their music and playing is top tier and Other Side of Towne is destined to position them as a band that is in it for the long haul.
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