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Bluegrass Master Doyle Lawson’s Class is In Session

Doyle Lawson

Mountain Home Music Company Sets Release Date for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver’s
Latest Album, January 20,2015

NASHVILLE, TN – Mountain Home Music Company has announced a January 20, 2015 release date for In Session from Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.

Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Doyle Lawson is well known for high standards in every aspect of his musical career. For exquisite precision in vocals, harmony and musicianship, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver’s live shows and recorded projects are unmatched.

Some of the most accomplished and respected names in Bluegrass honed their craft under the tutelage of Lawson’s mastery. Now, the ‘School of Bluegrass’ is back In Session, with a masterful collection that promises to educate, once again, just how Bluegrass is done.

In Session begins with “Roll Big River,” a driving banjo tune that sets the course for the outstanding Bluegrass for which Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have become renowned. Up next is a lesson in history with the old-fashioned courting number, “Wilma Walker” and the sentimental Southern ballad, “Calling All Her Children Home.”  In Session also explores a grassy update of the 1950’s hit song, “You, You, You” as well as a rendition of Bill Monroe’s classic instrumental “Evening Prayer Blues.” The album wraps with pleasingly contemporary version of Moe Bandy’s “Americana,” completing the course of “reading, ‘riting, and rhythm.”

Not only is each song spectacular, but In Session is a perfect example of Lawson’s knack for the progression of tunes on an album. It is not just a collection, but a satisfying experience from its energetic opener to mellow ballads and the final, nostalgic closing number. The flow from song to song takes the listener through a path of music-inspired emotion.

Lawson’s current lineup is stronger than ever with lead vocals handled by Dustin Pyrtle, Eli Johnston and Lawson himself. The harmony work on In Session makes it clear why the group has won multiple IBMA Vocal Group of the Year Awards. A noted mandolin master, Lawson always surrounds himself with top-flight players. In Session also boasts the phenomenal Dobro playing and vocals of Josh Swift, the impeccable Joe Dean on banjo and vocals and newcomer Stephen Burwell on fiddle.

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have nearly forty albums to their credit, are seven-time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year winners, with enough Grammy, Dove, ICM, IBMA, and SPBGMA nominations and awards to fill a chalkboard. Lawson was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2012.

Doyle Lawson Leads Bristol Christmas Parade as Grand Marshal

BRISTOL, TN (December 7, 2012) — Doyle Lawson was surrounded by twinklinglights, candy canes, shiny brass banisters and tinsel Christmas trees on the float leading the 31st Annual Bristol Christmas parade down State Streetin historic downtown Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia on Thursday evening.

Doyle led the parade as official Grand Marshal, with a host of glistening floats, marching bands, and swirling lights on shiny red firetrucks cascading behind him. The caravan of holiday magic led by Lawson also ushered in Santa Claus on a float carrying his glimmering sleigh and famous host of reindeer.

The Grand Marshal honor marks a series of firsts for Lawson this year, as Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver received their first Inspirational Country Music Association Vocal Group of the Year Award in October, on the heels of Lawson being inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in September.

Doyle and Santa are both pretty well thought of, as  Joy Bellamy–Smith shared of her adorable four-year old daughter this week, “Rylee is more excited about seeing Doyle than she is about Santa!”

While awards are appreciated, it’s the individuals his music touches who matter the most to Lawson.  He carefully tucked a drawing little Rylee made for him in his pocket at the Paramount Center show last Saturday, and he treasures comments he receives such as that of a mother whose child wanted to know if she could sing with Doyle Lawson for Jesus when she got to heaven.   Lawson’s music touches hearts, and the hearts it touches give backa hundred-fold with sentiments such as those from some of the same children who lined the streets of Bristol for the parade, excited for a glimpse of two of their favorite fellas, Doyle Lawson and Santa Claus.

Of his evening serving as Grand Marshal, Doyle said:

“Folks, we had the best time at the Christmas Parade in Bristol last night.  My daughter Kristi and grandson Spencer rode with me, and we had so much fun on the lead float coming down State Street.  It was great seeing old friends lining the streets to wave hello, and I sure appreciated the honor of serving as the parade’s Grand Marshal.  It was a first for me, and something I’ll never forget. I’m grateful to have shared that moment with my grandson especially. Priceless memories. And that’s what I wish everyone this holiday season, many great memories with your families. Merry Christmas everyone!”

Doyle was back on the road this morning toward Nashville, where he and his band members Josh Swift and Mike Rogers are in studio mixing Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver’s newest album. Dobro player Josh Swift’s Cowbell Fever Studios is hosting the mixing and mastering of this project, while both Cowbell Fever and lead singer Mike Roger’s 2013 Studio were utilized in tracking.  The band‘s new album is due out in early 2013.

Doyle Lawson Expresses Gratitude for Hall of Fame Honor

Doyle Lawson received the honor of induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame during the 23rd Annual IBMA Awards at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium on Thursday, September 27, 2012.
Lawson received a thunderous standing ovation following his introduction by heralded WSM and Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs.
In a classic line from Doyle’s acceptance remarks, he said with a big grin and twinkle in his eye, “Just because I’m in the Hall of Fame doesn’t mean I’m done!”

Of his Hall of Fame Induction, Lawson shared:
“I woke up this morning reflecting on my week at IBMA and how humbled I feel by all that transpired this week. Then I thought of how many of the pioneers that planted the seeds for the birth of the IBMA never got to enjoy the fruits of their labor.  Had it not been for them, none of us would be enjoying the Bluegrass sounds of music.  So here I am almost 50 years after arriving in Nashville to play banjo for Jimmy Martin having no aspirations other than to be a bluegrass musician in a band.. I never dreamed it would come to this. I am blessed beyond belief to be inducted into IBMA’s Hall Of Fame. To be there with heroes is indescribable. My heartfelt thanks to everyone for their congratulations. And I thank God for it all. To Him be the Glory!”

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver are currently in studio laying down tracks for their upcoming album, scheduled to be released in early 2013.

Photo by Anthony Scarlati, www.scarlati.net.

Doyle Lawson Honored with Hall of Fame Induction and IBMA Nominations

NASHVILLE (August 21, 2012) — The IBMA has announced that Doyle Lawson will be inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame at the 23rd Annual IBMA Awards to be held at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Thursday, September 27, 2012.

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver are also nominated as IBMA Vocal Group of the Year and for Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for “I Saw Him Walk Out of the Sky.”

“It’s such a profound honor, I’m almost speechless,” said Lawson. “To work so hard and so long, and to be recognized in this way, makes me humbled and honored at the same time. It’s one of the highest accolades I’ve ever received.”

Prolific Nashville songwriter Larry Cordle, best known for his CMA Song of the Year “Murder on Music Row” recorded by Alan Jackson and George Strait, recently said of Lawson’s Hall of Fame Induction: “Doyle Lawson has entertained so many, myself included, for so long, and has been such an inspiration.. His dedication to excellence is such a testimony. What a wonderful body of work Doyle Lawson has created for all of us to enjoy, while always making sure that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is at the forefront of all he does and praising Him always. Doyle is such a great example for his legion of fans.”

Regarding Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver’s IBMA Nominations, bass vocalist and dobro player Josh Swift shared:   “We’re honored to not only work for Doyle, but also to be part of a great team. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver is like a democracy, with Doyle as President and Quicksilver as the House of Representatives… Doyle wants you to have creative freedom and maintain your identity as a musician while playing HIS music. You can always tell it’s Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, yet no two albums sound the same. It’s hard to explain, but the differences you hear are the differences in the identity of the players. The members of Quicksilver aren’t just hired hands, we’re part of the band — part of Doyle Lawson’s team. The freedom Doyle gives us to contribute to the music makes us feel like the records are our babies as much as his. And that’s why we truly feel like it’s an honor to be nominated for Vocal Group of the Year and “I Saw Him Walk Out of the Sky”… because Doyle makes us feel like the music is our baby too. We all feel very honored to be on Doyle Lawson’s team.”

Doyle Lawson’s team currently includes Mike Rogers on guitar and lead vocals; Corey Hensley on bass guitar and tenor vocals; Josh Swift on dobro and bass vocals; Joe Dean on banjo; and six-time Florida State Fiddle Champion Jason Barie on fiddle.

Photo by Anthony Scarlati. www.scarlati.com

Press Release/Page Design by Sherri George. Sherri.George@live.com

Content approved by Doyle Lawson.  www.doylelawson.com