BackPorch Bluegrass: Press

BackPorch Bluegrass’ gospel CD offers high-energy inspiration

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

A couple of weeks ago, BackPorch Bluegrass band mates David Culler and Billy Ray Summerlin stood smiling as they listened to the music being played over Bill Ellis’ high tech equipment at Freedom Recording in Millers Creek.

“Don’t that sound good,” Culler said, answered with a grin and a nod by banjoist Summerlin.

Culler, who usually does most of the vocal work for Wilkes-based BackPorch Bluegrass, told how, in fact, mandolin player Josh Winters was singing lead on this particular cut, Dark Clouds Rising. It was for good reason – Winters’ grandfather, Ralph Winters, wrote the song years ago.

And the song did sound good. It was both powerful and inspirational, as is the rest of the bluegrass gospel CD, entitled BackPorch Gospel Classics.

Richard Knight on guitar and vocals, Rodney Reavis, on fiddle, and Randall Couch on bass round out the bands full, hard-driving sound. Each member of this band has something to offer and each are highlighted throughout the recording.

Last Friday, the group officially released the new album at their show at WKBC Radio’s Hometown Opry at Minton Pawn & Music in North Wilkesboro. The crowd at the show was with them all the way during the live radio broadcast.

The CD includes Hank Williams' tunes House of Gold and I saw the Light, the Stanley Brothers Rank Stranger, The Darkest Hour, White Dove and Hallelujah, I'm Ready and other well known gospel tunes.

BackPorch Bluegrass’ Carolina Mountain Boy and BackPorch Bluegrass Live (recorded at Carolina in the Fall) were released just a few weeks ago. The band decided to keep the studio momentum going.

“We’ve always wanted to do a gospel album,” Culler said.

Like Carolina Mountain Boy, the gospel CD was recorded by sound engineers Scotty Roten and Jeff Moore at Appalachian Valley Studio in Millers Creek. Like all their previous recordings, the band has left the mastering and duplication up to Ellis and his wife, Therese, making the three CD’s 100-percent Wilkes County made – they offer, however, quality suitable for any back, or front porch, in Nashville.

For more information on how to buy the band’s CDs, go to the website at www.backporchbluegrass.com or call Culler at (336)984-5705.

BackPorch Bluegrass’ Talents Showcased in Two New CDs

If you like your bluegrass hot and fast, BackPorch Bluegrass is a band that delivers. And, the group has recently released two CD’s — Carolina Mountain Boy and BackPorch Bluegrass Live. The title track from the studio offering — Carolina Mountain Boy — is written by band banjoist and occasional lead vocalist Billy Ray Summerlin. A tale about bootleggers and fast cars, this is one of the strongest cuts on the CD, with its hard, banjo-driven melody. Here Summerlin shows his prowess not only as a musician but as a songwriter who hopefully has more original tunes to come.


As for strengths, there are no loose boards on this back porch. Frontman David Culler (vocals/guitar), who founded the band, dishes out a heaping helping of the high, lonesome sound with one of the strongest bluegrass voices in the region. His talents are showcased on such tracks as On My Way Back to You, Erase the Miles (on which he also does some intricate guitar work) and Sitting on Top of the World.


And, Culler has help with the vocals. Mandolinist Josh Winters brings a fine tenor to the vocal mix, while bassist Randall Couch adds a strong baritone. Guitarist Richard Knight, like Summerlin, also takes the occasional lead spot on vocals — his Rolling in My Sweet Baby’s Arms is as honest and pure as it gets.


Instrumental-wise, BackPorch Bluegrass is a powerhouse. Winter’s million-mile-an-hour mandolin is played with feeling and innovation. His break work on The Old Home Place, gives a good example of his musicianship. Rodney Reavis’ soulful fiddle rings clear as he makes it talk and sing. It’s particularly stirring on Think of What You’ve Done. Winters, Reavis, Summerlin and Couch each get a chance to show their stuff on the instrumental Dear Old Dixie — which careens into a banjo-led hyper-speed crescendo.


The sound quality is great, as has come to be expected from sound engineers Scotty Roten and Jeff Moore of Appalachian Valley Studio in Millers Creek.


BackPorch Bluegrass Live dishes out even more tasty bluegrass. The album was recorded in October at the Fourth Annual Carolina in the Fall festival on the Shepherd Farm in North Wilkesboro. It includes an introduction by festival co-host Uwe Kruger of the Kruger Brothers (Culler’s former guitar teacher who encouraged him to form a band) and various interactions with the audience.


This CD captures the energy and spirit of the festival and offers several powerful cuts not featured on Carolina Mountain Boy. Summerlin’s arrangement of Whoa Mule is one example of how well the live recording translates. No Hiding Place, Julie Ann and She’s Walking Through My Memory are other standout tracks. Culler and crew deliver an arrangement of Rank Strangers that would bring chills to even the most aloof bluegrass aficionado.


BackPorch Bluegrass Live was recorded by Dave Fairall and mixed by Philip Zanon. Both CDs were mastered, graphically designed and duplicated by Bill and Therese Ellis of Freedom Recording in Millers Creek. Bill Ellis designed the eye-catching covers for both albums.


And, there’s still more to come. The band’s gospel CD is expected to be released in March.


BackPorch Bluegrass’ CDs are available by contacting David Culler at (336)984-5705, or from the band’s website www.backporchbluegrass.com.