Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Jerry Salley Is Top-Notch

Les Butler and Friends with Jerry Salley

By Les Butler

Jerry Salley is a top-notch singer. Jerry Salley is a top-notch songwriter. Jerry Salley is a top-
notch Bluegrass music producer. Okay, let’s just say Jerry Salley is top-notch.
I’d like to tell you that he does one of those things better than the other, but he doesn’t. He does
them all equally great. I’ve been able to hang out with him many times over the years, including
over a lasagna dinner prepared by my wife at our house. Whether in my home, on stage,
backstage or in a studio, you’re always around greatness when Jerry is near. Here’s a top-notch
music man, Jerry Salley.

Les Butler: What is your earliest musical memory?

Jerry Salley:My ea rliest musical memory is hearing my dad play his five-string banjo. I
remember when he brought home the Flatt & Scruggs “Live at Carnegie Hall” album. My dad
loved them so much, and he absolutely wore that record out, playing along with it. I even wrote a
song about it on my “Front Porch Philosophy” album. It was a No. 1 Bluegrass song called “The
Night Flatt & Scruggs Played Carnegie Hall. “
Butler: Was it the written lyric, instruments or singing which first got your musical
attention?

Salley: That would be instruments and singing. As a little boy, my banjo-playing dad would take
me with him to a lot of pickin’ parties on the weekends. While he and his buddies played, I
would sing and play along. So, while it was my dad's banjo that first got my attention, it wasn’t
long until I was singing at Saturday night jamborees and Sunday morning church services. Soon
after that, I started paying attention to the lyrics and songs of Tom T. Hall, and began to study
how he put stories together. That’s when my interest in songwriting began.

Butler: Which did you do first – write a lyric, play an instrument, or sing a song?

Salley: I got my first guitar when I was 6. I first learned to play the guitar, then started singing
and then writing songs. I won my first talent contest at 10 years old, singing and playing the
Johnny Cash hit, “I Still Miss Someone.” I wrote my first song at 16. It was a Bluegrass song
called, “Even Though Your Love Is Gone.”

Butler: If you could only have one music gift, which would it be – write, play or sing?

Salley: That’s easy, writing.

Butler: Who are your favorites in each category – songwriter, musician and singer?

Salley: My favorite songwriter is Tom T. Hall. Musician … that’s a really hard question. Earl
Scruggs and Glen Campbell would be tied at the top of my list. I have a lot of favorite singers.
In the Bluegrass genre, Mac Wiseman was always one of my favorites. Gene Watson, Mel Street

and Merle Haggard are my very favorite country singers. (While I was) growing up, Jim Hamill
and Eldridge Fox were two of my favorite gospel singers. Lauren Talley and Sonya Isaacs are
two of my very favorite gospel female singers.

Butler: You write country, Bluegrass and gospel music. What is the percentage of your
catalog in each of those three categories?

Salley: In my overall career, it’s been a very even split. One-third country, one-third Bluegrass
and one-third gospel. In the past five to 10 years, as country music has changed, I have probably
written 50 percent bluegrass, 30 percent gospel, and 20 percent country. According to SESAC
(my PRO), I may well be the most successful songwriter to have earned equal recognition from
all three genres of music.
Butler: Which genre do you enjoy writing the most? And, which have you had the greatest
success?
Salley: As far as what I enjoy writing the most, I would have to say gospel of any kind –
Southern gospel, Bluegrass gospel or Country gospel. If you are measuring success in
dollars/income, it appears from all calculations that country music has provided me with the
most income. Again, I have been told that I may be the only songwriter in Nashville to have had
equal success and all three genres.

Butler: What is your favorite song that you wrote?

Salley: That is a very difficult question to answer, because they are all like your children – and
you can’t like one child more than the other. But I will say that “His Strength Is Perfect,” (2
Corinthians 12:9) is definitely one of my favorite songs I have ever been a part of.

Butler: What is your favorite song to sing of those that you wrote?

Salley: I love to sing “The Broken Ones.”

Butler: When you’re not picking and singing, what are you doing?

Salley: Hiking in the Smoky Mountains, fishing any stream, river or body of water, and walking
the beaches of Florida. I also love to read, especially biographies and history.

Butler: Can you give us a brief testimony …

Salley: I asked the Lord to come into my heart when I was 10 years old. That’s when I was
saved. I was raised out in the country, and I used to walk to church, to a little place called the
Hilltop Mission Church. Reverend Danny Young was preaching that day, and I felt convicted
and went down to kneel at the altar where the saints of the church prayed with me. My life was
forever changed that day.

I’ve certainly not been perfect, but I have always confessed Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and
I’m so grateful for the many undeserved blessings I have received throughout my life. I feel like
God gave me the gift of songwriting and music. I have tried to use those gifts to glorify Him in
all that I write and sing. My hope is that his love is felt through the music I create as my small
way of helping spread his word.

Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout Features Top Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Stars Marty Raybon, Bradley Walker, High Road

Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout Features Top Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Stars Marty Raybon, Bradley Walker, High Road

An impressive list of artists contribute to this collection of Rick Lang originals

Release: 11.16.18  (Billy Blue Records)

Nashville, TENN — Legendary Country, Bluegrass and Gospel stars shine brightly on Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout, a collection of all new original songs written or co-written by award-winning songwriter Rick Lang [pictured]. The new CD from Billy Blue Records is set for release Friday, November 16. 

Marty Raybon

Produced by award-winning songwriter/artist Jerry Salley, Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout is the result of a two-year, highly collaborative project featuring some of the very finest musicians and vocalists in the business. The voices of bluegrass superstars Claire Lynch, The Cox Family, Larry Cordle, Dave Adkins, Jerry Salley and Kenny and Amanda Smith, and the familiar sounds of popular country music stars Marty Raybon and The Whites, plus the newer voices of Gospel music’s Bradley Walker and High Road, deliver each song as if written specifically for that particular performing artist.

Bradley Walker

This brilliant collection is made even stronger by the musical talents of Jason Roller (Alabama, Dave Mason, Wynonna) on lead/rhythm guitar and fiddle, Mike Bub (multiple IBMA Bass Player of the Year Award wins) on bass, Justin Moses (Blue Highway) on mandolin and dobro, Aaron McDaris (Rhonda Vincent & The Rage) on banjo. Still more of bluegrass music’s finest contribute to the album with the vocal talents of Larry Stephenson, Tammy King (The Steeldrivers), Brandon Rickman (Lonesome River Band), Josh Swift (Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver), and Maggie Salley.

HIGHROAD

The first single from the project, “Thinkin’ Outside The Box,” was released to radio in October and features Dave Adkins on lead vocals (with Tammy King and Jerry Salley). It was the first of four songs co-written by Lang and Salley for this very special, star-studded project.

Rick Lang is a graduate of the IBMA Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2012, currently chairs the IBMA Songwriter Committee and is active in the IBMA Songwriter Mentor Program. The New Hampshire native is well known in bluegrass music and beyond. His songs have been covered by many of the most renowned artists in bluegrass and southern Gospel music, with more than 80 recordings in his career to date. In 2010, Lang’s Look To The Light (another all-Gospel album) was nominated for a GMA (Gospel Music Association) Dove Award as well as an IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Award for Gospel Recorded Event of the Year.

Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout is available Friday, November 16 on Billy Blue Records. This incomparable collaboration of exquisite songwriting and top talent has resulted in a masterfully arranged, heart-warming and one-of-a-kind collection … all from the pen of prolific writer, Rick Lang.

TRACK LIST
Thinkin’ Outside The Box
Heaven’s Back Yard
I See God
Don’t Tune Him Out
The Back Of The Church
Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout
Henry Clayton Parker
There Will Be Singing
I’ve Read The Book
They Were Fishermen
Sunday Morning Gospel Jubilee
There Is A Light

www.billybluerecords.com
www.facebook.com/billybluerecords
www.ricklangmusic.com

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Jerry Salley Kicks Off 2016 With Number One

Jerry Salley

Receives Fan Favorite AGM Award Nomination

Nashville, Tenn (January 6, 2016) Award winning singer and songwriter Jerry Salley continues to show his ability to pen a great song. Whether he is writing a country, bluegrass or Gospel song, the words always hit the mark with the artists and the fans they sing to. Even though he is no stranger to seeing his songs at the top of the charts, he still appreciates the opportunity to continue to do what he loves and is humbled by the success that it brings not only for himself but for his co-writers and artists.

The latest number one is The SteelDrivers hit titled “Long Way Down”( co-written by Salley, Tammy Rogers and Liz Hengber), recorded on the group’s latest project “The Muscle Shoals Recordings”. It landed at number one on the Bluegrass Today chart for the first week of January. The same chart has another song Jerry co-wrote with Donna Ulisse, “It Could Have Been The Mandolin”, sitting at the number 20 spot.

“I am so excited and feel so blessed to start the new year off with two songs in the top 20 Bluegrass Today chart…including the number one song in the country, “Long Way Down”, for The SteelDrivers!” Jerry stated.

Jerry Salley

Jerry also received a nomination in the Absolutely Gospel Awardsfor Fan Favorite. This is the only strictly fan nominated category in the awards.

Last fall Jerry released his first all Bluegrass Gospel project titled”Gospel From My Grassroots” which has seen charting success of its own. It definitely has the bluegrass feel that Jerry intended and has had great reviews such as this one from Hallels,

http://www.hallels.com/articles/14067/20151121/jerry-salley-gospel-from-my-grassroots-album-review.htm .

If you would like to interview Jerry Salley contact AG Publicity atinfo@agpublicity.com .

To learn more about Jerry Salley you can go towww.jerrysalley.com or his Facebook Page athttps://www.facebook.com/jerry.salley.7 .

To book Jerry at your church, event, or concert contact him atjerrysalleymusic@gmail.com

or call 931- 450-4220.

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About Jerry Salley

Referred to by Billboard Magazine as “One of Music Row’s greatest veteran tunesmiths,” Jerry Salley has had over 400 songs recorded in his multi-award winning songwriting career and his songs have sold in excess of 14.5 million records worldwide. Writing and singing in Nashville since 1982, he has written multiple hits in Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Music and may well be the most successful songwriter to have earned equal recognition from all three genres of music. He is a seven-time Dove Award nominee, having won a prestigious Dove for the 1990 Inspirational Song of the Year “His Strength Is Perfect”, (which has now been included in Church Hymnals)recorded by and co-written with Steven Curtis Chapman.

In addition to his Dove recognition, Jerry has received numerous awards from different associations for his songwriting accomplishments (IBMA, NSAI, SESAC, Gospel Voice Magazine, Absolutely Gospel, etc.) including the prestigious award for the “2003 SESAC Country Music Songwriter of the Year”. Along with friends Carl Jackson and Larry Cordle, “The Trio” (Cordle, Jackson & Salley) recorded the song “You’re Running Wild” on the CD entitled “Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’ – Songs Of the Louvin Brothers”, that won the 2003 GRAMMY for Country Album Of The Year.

As an artist, Jerry has been singing since the age of 12 and has performed on numerous stages and shows, including the honor of performing as a soloist many times on the world famous Grand Ole Opry. His television appearances include Late Night with David Letterman, Regis and Kathy Lee, NBC’S Today Show and several different TNN (The Nashville Network) shows. Jerry is excited to release his third solo project , “Jerry Salley – Gospel From My Grassroots”, an all bluegrass gospel album. For more information about Jerry, please visit ww.jerrysalley.com or like his music page on Facebook to keep up with news and performances.

For more news visit SGN Scoops on Facebook. 

Award Winning Singer/Songwriter Jerry Salley Releases First Bluegrass Gospel Album

Nashville, Tennessee (November 3, 2015) Once in a while songwriters miss their calling and try to be singers as well as writers. Not so with Jerry Salley. With his new Bluegrass Gospel album Gospel From My Grassroots, Jerry proves to be not only the ultimate songwriter, but also a prolific singer. With all of the love and expression any singer could produce, Jerry treats these tunes with masterful performance.

Jerry has had some major hits with his songwriting in Country, Bluegrass, Southern Gospel, as well as Contemporary Christian genres. Turning to his roots this new CD features his Country/Bluegrass talents.

Referred to by Billboard Magazine as “One of Music Row’s greatest veteran tunesmiths,” Jerry Salley has had an incredibly successful songwriting career in Country, Bluegrass, and Gospel music. Showing his bluegrass roots, and with his five-year-old granddaughter gracing the cover, Gospel From My Grassroots is Jerry’s first all Bluegrass Gospel album. It shines with 13 original, heartfelt tunes that range from the energetic, up-tempo song “How High Is That Mountain,” to the brand new finger-snapping a cappella song, “Just Drink The Water.”

Jerry breathes new life into these self-penned songs, most of which have been previously recorded by Bluegrass and Gospel greats. Guest vocalist Steven Curtis Chapman sings with Jerry on an acoustic, stripped-down translation of their co-written Gospel classic, “His Strength Is Perfect” and IBMA Female Vocalist Of The Year, Dale Ann Bradley, lends her warm angelic voice to “Send The Angels Down,” a song that she previously recorded. The project also includes Jerry’s original versions of “It’s Not What You Know” and “You Don’t Have To Go Home,” which have been recorded multiple times in the Bluegrass and Gospel worlds, and “I Want To Thank You,” a #1 song for Karen Peck and New River .

The fifth song on the album, “Cross On The Right” features Jerry with friends Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, and Bradley Walker and is the initial focus track for radio from the album, although Jerry invites you to play any and ALL of your favorite tunes!

If you would like to interview Jerry Salley contact AG Publicity at info@agpublicity.com .

To learn more about Jerry Salley you can go to www.jerrysalley.com or his Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/jerry.salley.7 .

To book Jerry at your church, event, or concert contact him at jerrysalleymusic@gmail.com or call 931- 450-4220.
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About Jerry Salley

Referred to by Billboard Magazine as “One of Music Row’s greatest veteran tunesmiths”, Jerry Salley, the 2003 “SESAC Country Music Songwriter of the Year”, has had over 400 songs recorded in his multi-award winning career.

Born in the small southern Ohio town of Chillicothe, he signed with Performing Rights Organization SESAC at eighteen years old. Writing and singing in Nashville since 1982, he has written multiple hits in Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Music and may well be the most successful songwriter to have earned equal recognition from all three genres of music – not to mention his recent activity of songs/awards recorded by some of the best/current artists in the “Americana” music genre.

His country hits include the Reba McEntire smash “I’m Gonna Take That Mountain”, “Breakin’ New Ground” (Wild Rose/Universal Records), “I Fell In The Water” (John Anderson/BNA Records), “How Do You Sleep At Night” (Wade Hayes/DCK/Columbia Records), and four other Billboard chart records. His has written Three #1 Gospel hits, several #2 Gospel hits and over a dozen other top ten/top twenty Gospel songs. In addition to songs recorded by the previously mentioned artists, he has had songs recorded by Patty Loveless, Joe Nichols, Darryl Worley, Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy, Mark Chesnutt, Cece Winans, The Whites, and many others. He is a nine-time Dove Award nominee, having won a prestigious Dove for the 1990 Inspirational Song of the Year “His Strength Is Perfect”, recorded by and co-written with Steven Curtis Chapman.

Internationally he has penned no less than seven #1 Country hits in Australia just since 2001. To date Jerry’s songs have sold in excess of fourteen million records worldwide.

As an artist, Jerry has performed on numerous stage shows, including the honor of performing as a soloist many times on the world famous GRAND OLE OPRY. His television appearances include LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, REGIS AND KATHY LEE, NBC’S TODAY SHOW and several different TNN (THE NASHVILLE NETWORK) shows.