BackPorch Bluegrass: News

BPBG is very pleased to welcome Mr. Jim Matthews to the group. Jim will playing Bass and singing Baritone harmonies.

Jim comes to us from Winston-Salem, NC and is the proud father of 3 children. Jim currently also plays with the contra dance band, Reel Shady Band and has been involved with MerleFest and the Carolina in the Fall festivals since their beginnings. Jim also is a very talented musician who also plays guitar, banjo, fiddle and mandolin and we are certain you could see him playing anything with BPBG.

We are very excited to have a musican and person of Jim's caliber become part of BPBG. We are looking forward to another great year in 2011 and hope to see each of you along the way!

Please help us welcome Jim to BPBG

Emmalyn Jeneque Winters was born Jan 1, 2009 at 9:33pm. Weighing 7 lbs and measuring 20 inches in length she is the beautiful daughter of Josh (BPBG Founding Member) and Keishawn Winters of Millers Creek, NC.

Mother and daughter are reported to be doing well and that she inherited all her looks from her mother, thank goodness.

BPBG would like for you to join us in welcoming this new addition to the BPBG family!

BPBG is happy to announce that Jerry Bobbitt has joined the group on mandolin and will sing some lead and harmony vocals. Jerry fills the spot vacated by original BPBG member, Josh Winters, who with his wife Keishawn are preparing for the birth of their first child in the coming months. BPBG will miss Josh and Keishawn but know what a remarkable period of their life they are embarking on and wish them all the best!

Jerry joins the group after filling in on madolin over the last 2-3 months. Most recently he played with BPBG at Carolina in the Fall and his reception from the fans and other musicians was, as from the beginning, overwhelming so the decision to join forces was just a no brainer.

Jerry brings a 25 year history of playing music to BPBG. HIs first musical influence was his father Jerry Bobbitt Sr. who taught him to play guitar at age 12. With the influence of Tony Rice on guitar and later on, Doyle Lawson on mandolin, Jerry was able to teach himself to play the electrifying style that makes him famous.

Jerry began playing in his first band, Shades of Blue, that included his father and his sister Alicia and where he credits his mother and father for teaching him to sing. Jerry has also played with The Misty River Band, Harvest Wind and most recently led his own band, Silver Creek. Jerry's lovely wife Linda is also a wonderful Bass player and also was a member of Harvest Wind and Silver Creek with Jerry. Linda has already graciously filled in as well with BPBG on Bass and we are so fortunate to welcome new friends to the band. Jerry and Linda have 4 children and 1 grandchild and Jerry also brings his songwriting skills to the band.

Please join us as we welcome Jerry to BPBG and look forward to the continuing to play great music!!

NEW for 2008
North Carolina Banjo Championship

North Carolina is considered the banjo state and has produced world renowned banjo players - Snuffy Jenkins, Earl Scruggs, Jonny Whisnant, Merle Watson, Doc Walsh and Jim Mills. To honor the banjo tradition of the great state of North Carolina, Carolina in the Fall will introduce the North Carolina Banjo Championship at the 2008 festival. Keep checking www.carolinainthefall.com for updates.

Tickets are available in advance and at the gate. Children 12 & under - free with paying adult.

Friday October 17, 2008
Advance Tickets: $15
At the Gate: $20

Saturday October 18, 2008
Advance Tickets: $20
At the Gate: $25


Purchase Advance Tickets
At the present time we are not set up to handle credit cards. Mail us your check and your tickets will be sent to you in the mail.

Carolina in the Fall
579 Armory Road
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

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........

BackPorch Bluegrass is pleased to announce that LIVE from Carolina in the Fall can now be purchased online at CD Baby. Just visit this link http://cdbaby.com/cd/backporchbluegrass
and CD Baby will do the rest. We are very excited to be able to distribute our music virtually world wide.

Any difficulties please email david@backporchbluegrass.com

BackPorch Bluegrass is pleased to annouce the release of our latest CD project.

LIVE from Carolina in the Fall recorded Oct. 19, 2007 from this wonderful festival of the same name is now available for purchase. This project was our tribute to the legends of bluegrass and includes songs from Monroe, The Stanley's, Flatt and Scruggs and IIIrd Tyme Out! The special honor of this project was being joined on stage for an encore by the Kruger Brothers for a stirring rendition of Little Georgia Rose

Just in time for a great stocking stuffer or last minute gift item for freinds and family here at the holidays.

CD's are available from any band member for a great holiday price of only $10 dollars. or you may call David @ 336-984-5705 or contact him by e-mail to get your copy today.

Their will be another announcement forthcoming over the next few days for those who would like to purchase one online. We are working with a distributor so we can provide you a link to purchase directly online.

Keep checking the website for this special
announcement!!

BPBG regrets to announce that Randall Couch, Bass player and Baritone Harmony has left the group to pursue other interests.

BPBG will miss Randall's gentle demeanor and his phenomenal musicianship but more importantly his friendship and committment to playing great music.

We all wish Randall well in his future endeavors with the hope that our paths will cross again and we can once again play great music together.

BackPorch Bluegrass is pleased to announce the release of our latest CD project, BackPorch Gospel Classics featuring the original tune Dark Clouds Rising. The CD release will coincide with our Hometown Opry performance scheduled for Friday, March 16th at 7:00am at Minton's Pawn and Music in North Wilkesboro, NC. CD's will be available for purchase at this show along with our other CD's released earlier this year.

We are very excited to release this project of Gospel Classics which are many of our favorites that include Hank Williams' tunes House of Gold and I saw the Light, Stanley Brothers songs Rank Stranger, The Darkest Hour, White Dove and Hallelujah, I'm Ready and other great tunes. To get your copy contact any member of the band through the website and we will get one to you right away. Hope to see you Friday at Minton's Pawn and Music

BackPorch Bluegrass has been invited once again to perform at MusicFest N Sugar Grove, July 13 and 14 2007. This is a great family oriented music festival with wondeful music for everyone to enjoy. BackPorch Bluegrass is honored to appear on the same venue with such musical greats as The Kruger Brothers and the reigning IBMA Emerging Artists of the Year, The Steep Canyon Rangers. For info and tickets you may call 828/297-22oo or visit their website www.covecreek.net/docfest.htm

After a recent performance with Carolina in the Fall Festival organizers in attendance, BackPorch Bluegrass was graciously extended an invitation to return and be part of their wonderful festival, October 19th and 20th on the beautiful Shepherd farm located in North Wilkesboro, NC. In case you have to wonder, we humbly accepted and are very excited to be part of such a great event with musical hosts The Kruger Brothers and many other fine musicians. For more information or to order tickects you can call 336-667-5344 or visit their website at www.carolinainthefall.com. We hope you'll come see us!

BackPorch Bluegrass is at it again. A first time LIVE CD project has been released by the group. Recorded at the multi award winning Carolina in the Fall Festival in October 2006, there were no plans for a live CD but as luck would have it a recording by Dave Fairall inspired the band to release our first live project and boy are we glad we did. The goal was to capture the essence of the festival atmosphere (which is our favorite show to play) and we believe we accomplished that. E-mail us at bpbg@backporchbluegrass.com or call David at 336-984-5705 for info or to get your copy.

BackPorch Bluegrass is happy to announce the release of their new CD entitled "Carolina Mountain Boy". The CD has many traditional favorites as you have come to expect but what makes this CD special is that the title cut on this CD, "Carolina Mountain Boy" was written by BackPorch Bluegrass' own Billy Ray Summerlin. Billy Ray's hard driving banjo style and old time vocal sound makes this a must hear CD. See us at the shows or contact us here @ bpbg@backporchbluegrass.com to get your copy!