BackPorch Bluegrass: Home

By JERRY LANKFORD
Record Editor

BackPorch Bluegrass has become the most prolific band in the area in regards to churning out quality CD’s. And, they’ve done it again.

BackPorch Bluegrass: LIVE from Carolina in the Fall offers music lovers, particularly bluegrass fans a 20-track treat.
Although a few of the tracks are stage talk during October’s Carolina in the Fall festival – annually hosted by The Kruger Brothers at the Shepherd Farm in North Wilkesboro – there’s plenty of music.
Many of the tracks are new to the band’s set list, including Ashokan Farewell. Rodney Reavis’ fiddle work on that tune is almost too pretty to listen to.

The Kruger Brothers also appear as special guests on Little Georgia Rose. It’s interesting to hear the interaction between the banjos of Jens Kruger and Billy Ray Summerlin. Its give and take and meshes with melodic ease. Uwe Kruger’s guitar work is, as always, something to behold. But, despite the heavy-hitting special guests, this band is just plain good.

Lead man David Culler’s voice remains clear, high and lonesome as he takes you on journeys both sad and joyful, while his guitar holds it all together. Josh Winter’s mandolin is lightning fast and full of flavor as is his rich vocals. Summerlin’s banjo is always on the move, roaming the hills, howling at the moon, fussing at the revenuers and rattling curvy mountain roads. Bassist Randall Couch work on the CD is rock solid. This was Couch’s last performance with the band, however. Wilkes musician Tony Joines, who is known for playing everything from banjo to Dobro, has filled the bass player’s slot for the group.

Tracks on BackPorch Bluegrass: LIVE from Carolina in the Fall include: Pike County Breakdown, Salty Dog Blues, Cold Summer Day in Georgia, John Hardy, Little Maggie, Darkest Hour, Hallelujah I’m Ready, Ashokan Farewell, Whiskey Before Breakfast, Old Joe Clark, Carolina Mountain Boy, Running our of Track, Mountain Dew, Steel Guitar Rag, Rough and Rocky, How Mountain Girls Can Love and Sweet Georgia Rose.

The CD offers a clean, crisp audio that is reminiscent of the chilly fall night on which it was recorded. The CD is produced by BackPorch Bluegrass. It was recorded by Dave Fairall and mixed by Philip Zanon. Bill Ellis of Freedom Recording in Millers Creek mastered the album. Ellis and his wife, Therese also did the graphic designs and duplication of the CD.

BackPorch Bluegrass: LIVE from Carolina in the Fall is another great CD from one of the area’s finest bluegrass ensembles and is a great pick for any Americana music fan.

For more information go to www.backporchbluegrass.com
(The Record, North Wilkesboro, NC. Jan 23, 2008)

Billy Ray Summerlin, Banjo virtuoso, married his long time companion, Wanda Kay Church at 1:00pm today in a beautiful private ceremony at Harvest Time Church in North Wilkesboro, NC.

BPBG had the honor of providing the music for the ceremony. Please join us in wishing Billy Ray and Wanda a long and happy life together!

You can send them your regards to billyray@backporchbluegrass.com

BackPorch Bluegrass is pleased to announce the addition of it's newest members, Tony Joines and Rodney Hayes. Not only are they great musicians but are also just fine people and we are all very excited that they are part of the BPBG family.

Tony joins the group on upright Bass replacing the recently departed Randall Couch. Not just an outstanding Bass player but also an accomplished guitar, banjo and dobro player as well. Tony's accomplishments include playing for many years with some of the biggest names in the business as well as offering instruction and sharing his wealth of musical knowledge. The student he is most proud of is his son, Jacob, a 16 yr old dobro prodigy who will be heard from for many years to come. BPBG also looks forward to continue to pick with Jacob at every opportunity.

Rodney joins the group on guitar and will also play some mandolin. He joins us after many years of picking as well and his hot lead guitar picking has become a perfect fit for the group. He is no stranger to most of us as he, Billy Ray and Rodney Reavis played together in a different band prior to the formation of BPBG. Rodney is a premier guitar picker and a wonderful compliment to the group.

BPBG is very excited about the upcoming year as we have been rehearsing and believe that the addition of these two fine men will help us on our journey to become one of the best bands in the region and to become that "instrumental powerhouse" we continually strive for!

Check out our calendar and come see us every time you can, you don't want to miss it!

As always we are committed to staying steeped in the tradition so we and you the fans can ...

Feel the Music........