Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

SGNScoops welcomes Les Butler

Les Butler playing and singing at Hominy Valley

Seattle, Washington  (Dec. 3, 2018) SGNScoops Magazine has built a solid core of readers since it’s inception as a digital magazine in 2009. During that time, artists from a broad spectrum of Christian music have been featured, including Balsam Range, Zach Williams and the Isaacs.

Butler with Isaccs at Larry’s Diner

Rob Patz, owner and publisher of SGNScoops Magazine, has brought on staff a strong voice in gospel music, to feature highlight the Bluegrass side of Christian music. Les Butler, of Butler Music Group, will begin writing for the magazine in 2019.

Midnight Jamboree: Les Butler and Jimmy Fortune

“Although I’m mostly known as a Southern gospel guy, my Bluegrass roots run deep; very deep,” says Butler. “I grew up on Flatt and Scruggs, Live from Carnegie Hall. Earl was the first to show me his three-finger banjo roll. I’ve played and toured with Dailey and Vincent.  I’ve been blessed to host a national award-winning syndicated Bluegrass Gospel show for over 20 years. Yes, I guess it’s safe to say that in addition to being a Southern Gospel guy, I am also a Bluegrass guy.”

Les Butler at TNN

“We are thrilled to have Les Butler come on board SGNScoops,” says Patz. “Les and I have known each other for some time, and I’ve wanted to add his exceptional talent to the magazine for awhile. We both feel the time is now right for him to share this part of his life with us.”

Les Butler Interviewing Marty Raybon

Butler continues, “I’m pleased to announce that I will be writing a monthly Bluegrass gospel column, ‘Les Butler and Friends,’ for my friend Rob Patz starting in the January issue of SGNScoops Magazine.  I think you’re going to enjoy getting to know some of my Bluegrass buddies!”

March 2015 SGNScoops Magazine

Les Butler and friends will be added to the SGNScoops Magazine’s regular features beginning next month. More information can be found at www.sgnscoops.com.

Tim Surrett needing continued prayer

Balsam Range

Tim Surrett’s wife Hope posted on Facebook earlier today regarding the condition of her husband, a member of the award winning group,  Balsam Range.

Tim Surrett of Balsam Range

Hope says, “First things first, Tim is home!!! He is doing much better and with medication he will continue to improve. He will have additional testing for the next couple months to monitor his health. Overall the outcome of the stay in the hospital has been a much needed eye opening fix. (Tim would disagree)
We want to take time to say how blessed we are with the outpouring of thoughts, prayers and positive vibes sent our way. It was amazing to know that during his stay we remained covered in prayer by you all. Unfortunately words can not begin to explain the gratitude we feel toward each and every one of you but this is what we will do until we get to see you all in person to thank you. Please continue to pray and send positive vibes for us as we continue on this journey.
Hope, Tim and Braden”

We ask that all of our readers will join with us in continued prayer for all the Surrett family.

For more Gospel music news, click here. 

Tim Surrett needing prayer

Tim Surrett of Balsam Range

Balsam Range posted this note on Facebook earlier today:

Friends!
We are asking for prayer and positive thoughts for Tim Surrett and his family. Tim was rushed to the ER yesterday after feeling light headed and faint. The diagnosis was internal bleeding due to a gastrointestinal issue. He has since undergone a blood transfusion and is feeling better. He is having an upper GI today to hopefully solve the problem.

Balsam Range

Tim is a leader in the bluegrass world in many ways, being the Chairman of the IBMA Board of Directors while also performing as bass player, dobro player, and vocalist in Balsam Range. He’s a founder of Mountain Home Music Company and produces albums for the label. Tim also has many friends in the Gospel music industry after many years traveling with The Kingsmen and The Isaacs.

Both Mountain Home and Balsam Range pray for his swift recovery.

Rob Patz, Lorraine Walker and all of the SGNScoops staff also join in prayer for Tim and his family.

For more information on Balsam Range click here.

To leave a note on Tim Surrett’s Facebook Page, click here.

Balsam Range announces line-up for Winter Concert Series

Balsam Range

NASHVILLE, TN — Balsam Range, recently named Vocal Group of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), has announced a truly great lineup for its 6th Annual Winter Concert Series. The band brings a series of concerts to their Haywood County, NC home each year, all presented at the historic Colonial Theatre.

“Our winter concert series is something we look forward to every year. It’s kind of a gift to our community and a great chance to play with, and share the talents of some of the artists we respect. With everyone’s busy schedules, we don’t normally get to join these guys onstage,” says Balsam Range’s Darren Nicholson.

The opening concert in January will feature Balsam Range in an evening brimming with their many chart-topping hits, and a few surprises. Guests for each of the three subsequent concerts include fan favorites, award winners, and even a couple of Grammy Nominees. The 2016 series will include Bryan Sutton, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley (who are nominated for a Grammy in the Bluegrass Album category), and The Studio Dream Team, comprised of musicians Jeff Collins, David Johnson and Tony Creasman. Concerts are held at the Colonial Theatre in Canton on the first Saturday of each month, January through April 2016. Balsam Range, winner of the 2014 IBMA Entertainer of the Year, and 2015 Vocal Group of the Year, also performs at each show.

Special guest artists are selected by the members of Balsam Range. Tim Surrett, Buddy Melton, Caleb Smith, Darren Nicholson and Marc Pruett often use their many hours on the road to share with each other the music of artists they admire.

“It’s great fun to have some of our own musical heroes on these shows,” says Nicholson. “We’re inspired by other artists, so it’s as much fun for us to hear and play with these guys as it is for the audience to hear them.”

Balsam Range

Balsam Range tries also to bring artists to the series who don’t regularly play in the area. Past concerts, which have all been sell-outs, have boasted guests from among the top names in the business as well as fast-rising stars of acoustic music. Guests have included Tony Rice, Bobby Hicks, John Wiggins, Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley, Larry Cordle, Jim Hurst, Shawn Camp, The Sweet Lowdown, John Driskell Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band and more.

BALSAM RANGE WINTER CONCERT SERIES 2016

January 2 Balsam Range
February 6 Grammy nominees, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley
March 5 Bryan Sutton
April 2 The Studio Dream Team

Balsam Range

In addition to IBMA Vocal Group of the Year, Balsam Range was also honored with the Song of the Year award for “Moon Over Memphis” from the album FIVE. The award-winning year for Balsam Range included honors by the House and Senate of the state of North Carolina, as well as the band being inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor presented by the Governor of the State of North Carolina. The band’s schedule included new audiences, including Stagecoach, California’s huge annual country music festival, a testament to the ever-expanding appeal of Balsam Range.

Tickets for the Winter Concert Series are available at The Colonial Theatre box office (53 Park St. Canton, North Carolina 28716) or by calling 828-235-2760. All shows begin at 7:30 PMSaturdays, with doors opening at 6:30 PM. Tickets are nonrefundable and date specific.

For more information, visit www.balsamrange.com

Balsam Range: Bluegrass from the heart of Haywood County

By Marcie Gray

Balsam range

Have you ever visited a place that just feels majestic? Perhaps you are one of the fortunate few who are blessed enough to actually live in a place so beautiful you just don’t want to leave home. Nestled right where the Great Smoky Mountains meet the Blue Ridge Parkway is a little place called Haywood County. Surrounded by scenic views and rooted in Cherokee traditions, this area tells its own story. At the top of Water Rock Knob, the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway, one can stand and see 180 degrees of beautiful mountain peaks and river valleys as they view Balsam Range, the range of mountains that separates Haywood and Jackson counties in North Carolina.

Balsam Range

Named for the place they call home, Balsam Range is not your run of the mill, back porch pickin’ kind of Bluegrass group. These five men have extensive musical credentials and impressive professional backgrounds, but one common bond they share sets them apart from any other group: hometown roots. Tim Surrett says, “We all live within a 15 mile radius of each other, and we are not the most talented musicians in Haywood County. There are some impeccable musicians in this area, but when we all came together, we knew we had something special.” Having roots in the same home town gives them a wonderful foundation, and these boys can make you want to put on your dancing boots!
Buddy Melton, Caleb Smith, Darren Nicholson, Marc Pruett and Tim Surrett joined together to form Balsam Range in 2007, and from the beginning their blend was amazing. Tim and Marc played on solo albums for both Buddy and Darren. Tim recalled, “Caleb and I knew each other from previous gospel work, and the guys all decided to get together to jam one night. Immediately, it was like, holy moly, this is pretty good! A couple of months later, Marc got a call and we played at the Grove Park Inn for John Boy and Billy. It was an enormous concert. The crowd went ape and it has just ballooned from there. We never intended to start a band. We just wanted to get together and have a good time making music.” Read more »

March 2015 SGNScoops Magazine

March 2015 SGNScoops Magazine

We are thrilled to present the March edition of SGNScoops magazine! Our cover showcases one of the best of today’s Bluegrass artists, Balsam Range. The feature by Marcie Gray tells us all about these talented men and their music, as well as the story behind their latest hit single, “Stacking Up The Rocks.”

Balsam Range and Buddy Melton “Stacking Up The Rocks”

Balsam Range Caleb Smith, Darren Nicholson, Buddy Melton, Tim Surrett Marc Pruett

Buddy Melton, an award-winning voice that was nearly silenced

Members of Balsam Range honor the Lord’s  saving power with “Stacking Up The Rocks”

Nashville, TN — Five talented friends from the blue-collar county of Haywood in North Carolina, got together one night for a jam session … and it felt good. Soon, the band Balsam Range was born, and now, five albums later, this high energy acoustic band has won awards and garnered fans worldwide. They have been invited to play some of the most iconic stages in the USA including The Grand Ole Opry, MerleFest, Music City Roots, Mountain Stages from The Lincoln Theater, The Zac Brown Band Southern Ground Festivals and coming up in the Spring of 2015, Stagecoach, California’s huge Country Music Festival.

During his recovery, Buddy felt that his strength and muscle tone were diminishing. He pushed himself and started riding his mountain bike, setting a goal for himself that his wife and doctors thought impossible and even foolish. He was determined to compete in the Assault on Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak East of the Mississippi River. The race is 6,684 feet above sea level with 10,357 feet of vertical climbing. He trained rigorously and in 2013, Buddy participated in the race, and despite continuing to struggle with issues from the farm accident, he finished 87^th in the Men’s 40-44 age bracket, and 489^th overall out of 719 riders.

Balsam Range went on to release its 5^th album in 2014 and this year, at the IBMA Awards, Balsam Range was named ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR, VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR. And the determined singer and fiddler? Well, Buddy Melton won the MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Award.

Buddy wrote a very song that is performed a cappella on

Buddy Melton

the album FIVE. “Stacking Up The Rocks” was inspired by a Biblical passage from Joshua, which Buddy’s mother shared with him in the hospital as he recovered from his injuries. It was written to honor what the Lord has done in Buddy’s life, and as a reminder for everyone of God’s saving power. A line in the song says, “…So that all the people of the earth might remember that the hand of the Lord is mighty.”

Others have noted the talent of Balsam Range and invited the band into more opportunities. The band provided the music for DAYLIGHT, a swampy, original Americana release by John Driskell (“Hop”) Hopkins, founding member of the Zac Brown Band. Balsam Range also provides music and appears in the upcoming motion picture thriller, Careful What You Wish For, directed by Elizabeth Allen and starring Isabel Lucas, Dermot Mulroney, Nick Jonas and Paul Sorvino.

The men of Balsam Range actively give back at every opportunity, raising more than half a million dollars for various regional and national charities. For their annual Winter Concert Series, held at the historic Capitol Theater in Canton, NC, the fellas have each chosen a charity that will benefit from each of the 5 concerts in the series.

Balsam Range released its 5^th album in 2014. The appropriately titled, FIVE, debuted at #4 on Billboard Bluegrass, where it remained for 6 consecutive weeks. The album is available on the Mountain Home Music Company label, and it contains one song that has a unique meaning to these five friends.

The band is enjoying a career high, however, that nearly didn’t happen.  

Singer/fiddler, Buddy Melton sustained serious head injuries in an accident on his farm in 2012. For the first few days, it was uncertain whether he would survive. Family, band mates, friends, and the extended family music lovers all hit their knees and prayed for Buddy’s recovery.

Later, Buddy was told by docs that, due to the severity of his head injuries and especially the damage to his sinuses, Buddy was not likely sing again, or ever sound the same. The band was already in the studio working on PAPERTOWN and as he recovered, Melton “just had to know.” He called up guitar player/singer Caleb Smith and asked Caleb to take him to the studio, although doctors and Melton’s wife, Carla, were against the idea. Although he was incredibly weak, Melton stepped up the microphone and delivered the poignant “Wide River To Cross” and his voice was still there … a voice that had helped to define the Balsam Range sound and now would take a 4^th album to an ALBUM OF THE YEAR win at IBMA 2013.

Balsam Range Announces Winter Concert Series

Plans are complete for the 5^th annual series with IBMA Entertainer of the Year and guests at historic Colonial Theater

Balsam Range Takes Top Honors at IBMA Awards

Balsam Range

Mountain Home Music Company artists honored for excellence in several categories

Balsam Range, [pictured above], recently released its fifth album, FIVE. The band’s previous release,PAPERTOWN, was named 2013 IBMA Album of the Year.

Nashville, TN –  It was a big night for Balsam Range at the 2014 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards, which were announced during a red carpet event at the annual World of Bluegrass convention in Raleigh, NC.

Buddy Melton of Balsam Range accepts the MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR AWARD

Singer/Fiddler Buddy Melton was named Male Vocalist of the Year and shared his heartfelt gratitude from the stage. Balsam Range was honored as Vocal Group of the Year, and in the final award of the night, this band of friends from North Carolina’s Haywood County was honored with the coveted IBMAEntertainer of the Year Award.

Guitar virtuoso and singer, Caleb Smith, however, nearly missed the big moment.

Balsam Range had just performed “Moon Over Memphis” and Caleb was backstage talking guitars with fellow-artist, Del McCoury. Guitars are, after all, a favorite topic for Smith, a luthier who makes Caleb Smith Guitars. When the Entertainer of the Year award was announced, McCoury had to interrupt Smith, saying “Son, I think they just said your name.” No fret, Caleb made it to the stage in time to accept the award alongside Tim Surrett, Buddy Melton, Marc Pruett and Darren Nicholson.

Balsam Range (Mountain Home Music Company) performed “Moon Over Memphis” from the album FIVE.

Label-mates at Mountain Home Music Company also received IBMA awards. Adam Steffey of The Boxcars was named Mandolin Player of the Year, and Flatt Lonesome won the Emerging Artist of the Year award. At an earlier luncheon program, Tim Surrett of Balsam Range was honored with the Mentor Award (one of a series of special honors called Momentum Awards) for his inspiration and work with young and developing artists.

IBMA Awards are decided by a vote of the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. The IBMA Awards Show was broadcast live on SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction), and streamed for viewing by Music City Roots.

IMAGES: Balsam Range at IBMA Awards, Raleigh, NC (Oct. 2, 2014)

Photos courtesy of Alane Anno Photography

Balsam Range was named VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR and ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR.

In Depth With Tim Surrett of Balsam Range

Tim Surrett

Balsam Range is one of today’s leading edge Bluegrass bands, accruing numerous number one songs since their inception in 2007. The band has been nominated for several International Bluegrass Music Association awards, winning the 2011 IBMA Song of the Year Award for “Trains I Missed.” These five instrumentalists and vocalists are each accomplished and awarded personally, uniting together to create an infectious blend of Bluegrass, Country, Gospel and Folk that has captured the ears and hearts of many fans across America.

Balsam Range consists of Buddy Melton, Marc Pruett, Caleb Smith, Darren Nicholson and Tim Surrett. While each member has an impressive list of credentials in Bluegrass music, Tim Surrett is most recognizable by Southern Gospel fans, having sung with The Kingsmen Quartet for many years. Surrett takes a few moments to chat with SGM Radio about the band, his family and his faith.

Balsam Range

Balsam Range records a mix of secular and Gospel songs on their albums, a tradition that continues with their latest album, Papertown, a recording that was number two in PopMatters Best of Bluegrass 2012 and also in CMT Edge 10 Favorite Americana Albums of 2012. These accolades bring even more attention to a band with a very busy schedule. “There is a lot going on these days,” says Surrett. “We are heading into the busy season for Bluegrass. Our latest album Papertown is the current number one album in Bluegrass, with three of the singles going number one so far. One of those is “Row By Row,” which was a number one Gospel song for us. We are playing extensively, and spreading out a bit more than we intended. That is a good thing, though!”

“Balsam Range has been together for six years now,” says Surrett. “Hard to believe! We came together as a result of two of the guys doing solo records. I ended up playing bass on both projects, and we had so much fun that we decided to get together and just jam a little. Immediately we knew something was going on! The second time we got together, one of the guys said that he had gotten a call about doing a show, and did we want to do it? We did the program, and it just took off from there.” A favorite vocalist and instrumentalist in Southern Gospel, Surrett’s fans don’t seem to have any problem with his transition to secular Bluegrass. “I have never gotten any flack about playing in a secular group. We do a lot of Gospel programs and churches and I have continued doing solo church programs when able to do so.”

Surrett enjoys playing with the guys of Balsam Range and the camaraderie of the group is evident onstage. The group is as much known for the sweet, country tenor of Buddy Melton as it is for the engaging MC work and humor of Surrett. Surrett says, “I do my best to make that as interesting or funny as possible. I had some great teachers in Jim Hamill and Squire Parsons. Hamill was so honest with the audience; he was just hysterical at times. Squire taught me that just because you are both southern and rural, you don’t have to come off like Larry The Cable Guy.” Surrett laughs, “I secretly like him!”

As a member of Balsam Range, Surrett has an opportunity to touch the hearts of listeners who might never have heard the words of a Gospel song, such as he might have performed with The Kingsmen. “I feel with certainty that God has put me where I am to be a witness to people who would never go to a church or Gospel program,” says Surrett, a strong Christian who works at maintaining and growing in faith. “I try to read the Bible as much as possible, sometimes on my phone or Kindle, however possible. My pastor, Jackie Collins, is a great Bible teacher. I love to learn something every time I go to church!” Surrett says, “My goal is just to be a better [Christian], which means showing Christ, not talking Christ.”

It is important to also maintain a strong family unit even with the heavy demands of a tour schedule. Surrett says, “We pray. I am gone more than I care to be, so every day home has to count! I have a great wife and an awesome son who is about to turn five. Until now I never really cared about how much I was gone. Not the case any more!” Surrett also has strong support from Christian friends. “People send me verses via text messages every day, and I love how they are always spot-on with whatever is happening for me that day. I’m not even surprised any more!”

Tim Surrett and Balsam Range have successfully created a niche for themselves in the world of Bluegrass and Americana music, performing music that engages all ages and attracts the ear of fans of all genres. As they appear at venues across the nation, Surrett has one wish for the audience of Balsam Range. “I would hope that wherever people heard me play, that they knew that I meant every word.”

The Surretts

For more information on Balsam Range visit http://balsamrange.com/

For more information on Tim Surrett click on https://www.facebook.com/tim.surrett.9

SGMRadio enjoyed visiting with Tim Surrett, vocalist and instrumentalist with Balsam Range, as we continue our feature entitled “In Depth With”. We will try to allow you to get to know your favorite artists just a little better by asking questions you may have always wanted to ask. If you have a favorite artist please email us and tell us what you would like to know about them! Email here: sgmradio.lorrainewalker@gmail.com

Written by Lorraine Walker

First Published By SGM Radio website in June 2013.  For current features visit http://www.sgmradio.com/