tag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:/blogs/some-big-news-from-the-band?p=2Some Big News From The Band2024-01-13T10:15:20-05:00Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grassfalsetag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:Post/73334252024-01-13T10:15:20-05:002024-01-13T10:15:21-05:00Another Number 1!<p>We hit number 1 again on the CVM charts!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/294086/397657cf4691d399e96bb5fb64bd74a946c2b911/original/img-5230.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grasstag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:Post/72827362023-10-04T13:56:39-04:002023-10-16T10:54:34-04:00Great Words From Everett’s Music Barn<p><span>Willie Wells & The Blue Ridge Mountain Grass left nothing on the table when they wrapped up their evening at The Historic Everett's Music Barn. Here is one of the most fun, energetic, electrifying renditions of "Orange Blossom Special" played at the Barn in quite some time. Everyone gets into the act here, none more than Don Ashley, who melts the strings of his fiddle. David Prosser has something to say, performing magic with his other-worldly banjo picking. But Patrick Wade will not be outdone as he smokes it up on the mandolin. Willie Wells and Patrick Russell keep rhythm on their guitars, and Tommy Thomas keeps everyone in time on the bass.</span></p>Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grasstag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:Post/61719432020-01-24T21:34:28-05:002023-12-10T11:55:42-05:00Some Nice Words from DJ Ron Cornett <p>Ron Cornett DJ with "Bluegrass From The Country Store" on thebluegrassjamboree.com listened to our new single and sent us the following review</p>
<p>Willie Wells and Blue Ridge Mountain Grass proves the acorn don’t fall far from the tree with this latest single, Steel rail Blues, written by their guitar player and singer, Tyler Chasteen. Following in his late Father’s footsteps (Bill Wells), Willie Wells has captured the high and lonesome sound of the Blue Ridge Mountains and also showcases the musical talents of all members of Blue Ridge Mountain Grass and their songwriting abilities.</p>
<p>Thanks Ron!</p>Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grasstag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:Post/61029852020-01-15T10:10:22-05:002022-05-19T13:53:56-04:00New Single "Steel Rail Blues" Hits AirPlay Direct<p>DJ and radio programmer friends!! Our new single "Steel Rail Blues" is now available on AirPlay Direct from Son Sound Studios! We would love for you to download it and play for your listening audience! The song was written by our guitar player and singer Tyler Chasteen and we hope you enjoy it! Check out the sample here on the web site and download the whole thing for airplay onrhttp://airplaydirect.com/williewellsandbrmg</p>Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grasstag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:Post/60796632020-01-10T11:11:59-05:002022-05-25T09:19:09-04:00Meet Willie<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/294086/bc721bb1b5364fcf7e52a03d086425090aba3af1/original/willie6sa.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Today on “Fun Facts Friday” it’s our band leader’s turn...Yep..The Big Cheese..The Grand Pooba...The Chief High Muckety Muck….Willie Wells. Willie was born in Charleston SC and spent a lot of his adult life just outside of Nashville TN. Willie returned to Columbia when his dad started to have health issues and took over the job of running Bills Music Shop and Pickin Parlor. He moved back permanently in 2015. He had promised his dad that he would keep the shop and band going, which he as done with great success. He has become the “Headache Man” for the band (which is a term musicians sometimes use for band leader and manager) and has done a great job of moving the band forward. He even manages to put up with David and Don in the same band (maybe that’s why he has Tommy in the band, too...for legal advice!) Lets ask Willie some of the same questions we asked the rest of the guys and see what he’s got to say for himself. </p>
<p><strong>When did you first hear bluegrass? </strong></p>
<p>I guess the first I remember was when I was in high school but most probably when I was younger. My father was a committed traditional Bluegrass advocate. His musical background of Bluegrass music was all I heard. It was all we listened to at home. Once out of school my musical direction took a big turn to country music. My main instrument was drums, which i played in country and country rock groups for years after that. Back in the early 2000s, I was re-introduced to bluegrass music by none other than my dad. He asked me to listen to some CDs that he had gotten of the group The Lonesome River Band. When I listened to their CDs, it was like a light bulb went off. Since that time I have not looked back and have been hooked on Bluegrass Music! </p>
<p><strong>Who has influenced your playing style? </strong></p>
<p>Well, since I was mostly a drummer before coming back to bluegrass, my exposure to bluegrass guitar was mostly my dad. He was a solid rhythm player and I am trying my best to learn to be that, too. When you have a great band around, you it’s easy to do. For me, I love the sound of the vocals and harmonies—the voices are as much an instrument in bluegrass as the rest. I mean listen to Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver do an a Capella number and tell me those are not fine tuned instruments! I love to hear Larry Stephenson sing, too—that high lonesome sound, if done right, can be great. </p>
<p><strong>What do you love about the music? </strong></p>
<p>My love for this music is driven by my influences and past experiences. Being exposed to country and country rock has given me a deeper appreciation for bluegrass. I love it’s pure, straight-forward sound and the drive this music has, and as a drummer, some of the rhythms in this music are pretty complex with time jumps and changes. Don’t let anyone ever say this music is easy! </p>
<p><strong>Who is someone you would love to pick with? </strong></p>
<p>You mean aside from the guys in the band? They are all great musicians, even if some of them do give me headaches with their jokes. If you mean someone I have not had the chance to pick with, that would have to be Vince Gill. His voice is fantastic! I’d love to sing harmony with him for a bit.</p>Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grasstag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:Post/60582922020-01-03T11:10:30-05:002022-05-19T13:54:29-04:00Meet David <p>Today on “Fun Facts Friday” it’s our banjo player’s turn to “face the music” so to speak. David Prosser was born and raised in Columbia SC and was one of the founding members of “The Carolina Rebels” Bluegrass Band with his dad and his best friend and band mate in BRMG, Don Ashley. David started playing banjo at 16. He took a little hiatus from playing for several years but is back playing as much as possible now and will take any chance he can get to spend time with the banjo. David also writes for the band—listen for his contributions on our upcoming new CD. Let’s ask David the same questions that have been asked of the rest of the band and see if we can get a straight answer out of him that isn’t too far out. </p>
<p>When did you first hear bluegrass? </p>
<p>Wow, queue the flashback music! It was on a rainy Saturday. My best friend Don..yea that Don… and I were stuck in the house because it was raining and we were listening to music. My family was always into music and we had tons of records. We stumbled on an album of my dads called “Songs and Sounds of Bonnie and Clyde” and I dropped the needle on the first song, one that I had never heard and would later learn was the original 1949 release of Foggy Mountain Breakdown. I had played guitar for a few years at that point and I was not enthralled with it since I was playing mostly rock stuff. But when that first chord of Foggy Mountain came on it was like I was hit with a sledge hammer—the sound was so unique and powerful I was hooked and Don and I proceeded to immerse ourselves in the music trying to learn all we could. </p>
<p>Who has influenced your playing style? </p>
<p>Well now, first and foremost, it has to be Earl. I mean he is the gold standard. His timing, his tone and just everything in his playing was always incredible and he was the first person I heard. I studied everything I could get on his playing and learned the basics from his book “Earl Scruggs and the 5 String Banjo.” Then my dad introduced me to Snuffy Jenkins who inspired Earl and Don Reno which surprised me. I had no idea that Dad knew him. After that I heard Don Reno then Bill Keith and Bobby Thompson. All had an impact on me. After that I started looking for banjo players to listen to and found so many great ones: Alan Munde, Tony Trischka , Pete Wernick, Eddie Adcock, Bill Emerson, Doug Dillard, Alan Shelton, Eddie Shelton, and now to hear people like Kristen Scott-Benson and of course Bela Fleck. I could go on but I was basically a sponge back then trying to pick up all that I heard and add it to my own sound and style. </p>
<p>What do you love about the music? </p>
<p>There is so much to bluegrass that is to love. I mean there is the sound—its such a combination of things. Anyone who says that bluegrass is a simple music has never really dug into it. The chords may not always be complex but the interplay is, the ebb and flow, the dynamics, the mix of musical influences make it way more than it seems on the surface. But, it’s also the camaraderie. This music is really unique. You can go to any festival and pull out an instrument and sit down with someone you’ve never met and create a sound that is good to listen to. No sheet music, no pretense, just music. That is the real thing with me, the moment you sit and pick with someone you make a new friend and expand the music family a bit more. </p>
<p>Who is someone you would love to pick with? </p>
<p>I’ve had the opportunity to pick with a few of the greats and it’s been fantastic sharing the music and picking up things from them but—it goes without saying, but I will anyway...Earl. I mean I met the man and talked to him but never got to sit down and play with the Grand Master—that would have been great! Also Don Reno and Bobby Thompson. I was still a young picker when both of them passed and I would love to have had the opportunity to sit with them and learn.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/294086/219227b9239478b04fa46c6dc693e960ca224460/original/davie3b.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grasstag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:Post/60482252019-12-27T13:48:25-05:002022-05-19T13:54:45-04:00Meet Tyler<p>Today on “Fun Facts Friday” we talk to our newest and youngest member Tyler Chasteen. Tyler was born and raised in Gaston SC. You might say Tyler lucked up on being with the Blue Ridge Mountain Grass when he walked into Bill’s music shop and Pickin Parlor to look at guitars and the rest as they say is history. Tyler not only a student of the guitar but of the music in general trying to learn all that he can about the history of the music and some of it s great artists. Tyler also works on other instruments as well and can play some Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo and Dobro. Tyler also has a great voice and can belt out an Old Hank Williams song or a good old Jimmy Martin tune. Tyler is also adding to the lue Ridge Mountain Grass’ list of original songs with his own writing. Listen for his contribution to the new album soon when it comes out. Lets ask Tyler the same questions we have asked the rest of the guys and see what he has to say. </p>
<p>When did you first hear bluegrass? </p>
<p>I first heard bluegrass around January or February of 2010, I was scrolling through the music channels on TV looking for the traditional Chanel so I could listen to some Hank Williams. I can’t remember what song was on first but the next one changed it all for me, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” by Flatt & Scruggs, that banjo kick ran through me like a train and I remember vividly stopping dead in my tracks and listening intently. I remember staring at that small picture of Lester and Earl and just thinking to myself “how are they doing that?” </p>
<p>Who has influenced you playing style? </p>
<p>I started teaching myself guitar almost immediately after hearing Hank Williams Sr for the first time, I had to figure out what he was doing. I could already sing pretty well to be 11 but I had nothing to back myself up with, I sang Hank songs, Hank played guitar and sang so I needed to play and sing and the rest is history. A few people have influenced my playing since then, Vince Gill, Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley, Clarence White, Marty Stuart and about a thousand more but the one man who really inspired me to push myself and fall in love with the guitar all over again is Tony Rice. If you listen close I draw a lot of influence from Tony in my playing style, he’s the one who inspired to learn bluegrass guitar so I owe him one. </p>
<p>What do you love about the music? </p>
<p>Bluegrass is such a pure form of American music, the heartfelt honesty that reaches through those songs are unmatched. It can make you happy or sad and it can make you want to dance or lay down and cry. Bluegrass to me is one of the last forms of hard hitting, hard driving powerful music. There’s nothing else in the world like bluegrass music. </p>
<p>Who is someone you would love to pick with? </p>
<p>If I could pick with anyone alive it would be either Tony Rice or Marty Stuart. Tony Rice because he’s a major influence on my playing style, getting to jam with my hero would be a once in a lifetime opportunity I also love Marty Stuart’s music so jamming with him on “Hillbilly Rock” would be a dream come true for me. Not living would have to be Flatt & Scruggs because I love their music so much and I would love to be able to hit a hot lick with Lester and Earl.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/294086/40eaf37948ab5a6962e4f60d7c983b5e3fa91ede/original/tyler3b.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grasstag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:Post/60350072019-12-20T10:42:30-05:002022-05-24T05:47:41-04:00Meet Tommy<p>Today for “Fun Facts Friday” we have a little talk with our esteemed Barrister Bass Player Tommy Thomas. Tommy was born and raised in Cheraw SC and has been playing bass since his youth, playing Big Band and Jazz Bass in High School and College. Before joining The Blue Ridge Mountain Grass Tommy was playing with the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra as well as a few local bluegrass bands and jamming a bit at Bills music shop. Tommy is a lawyer by trade and keeps us on the straight and narrow, Well...He tries. Tommy is rock solid on his timing and can even do a little soloing himself, Listen close the next time you hear us and you’ll see what we mean, even if you don’t see him, because apparently Tommy is a master of stealth bass playing and manages to hide in most of the pictures you’ll see of us. Let’s ask Tommy the same questions we have asked everyone else and see what he says. </p>
<p><strong>When did you first hear bluegrass? </strong></p>
<p>Probably the first Bluegrass that I heard was while I was attending Appalachian State University. That Band was Old and in the Way. What drew my attention to the band was the fact that it contained Jerry Garcia as one of the band members. I had been a big fan of the Grateful Dead and was intrigued with him playing banjo in Old and in the Way. I also had a friend in the same dorm who was from Alexandria Virginia, He was going to see the Seldom Scene Live at the Birchmire, Located in Alexandria. My First Bluegrass Album purchases were the Seldom Scene, Act 1 and Live at the Cellar Door. </p>
<p>My introduction to actually playing Bluegrass was at Bill's Pickin Parlor. I would go on occasion and take my upright bass. I attempted to play along at the Friday night jams. As I became more active in listening to Bluegrass, my playing of Bluegrass increased. This eventually lead to me playing in several Bluegrass Bands. </p>
<p><strong>Who has influenced your playing style?</strong> </p>
<p>Two of the most influential Bass players for me have been Edgar Meyer and Tom Grey. I love the Bowed classical lines that have been brought into Bluegrass by Edgar Meyer and the Big Band Jazz bass runs that are used by Tom Grey. I find myself attempting to bring both of these into my current Bluegrass playing. </p>
<p><strong>What you love about the music?</strong> </p>
<p>What I like abut Bluegrass and Bluegrass Musicians, is the friendliness of the musicians as well as the ease in which you can enter into a jam or play with a Bluegrass Band. I have played in a number of different genres and have found that the Bluegrass musicians tend to be the friendliest and most welcoming of all the musicians. It makes for a really enjoyable opportunity to play bass. </p>
<p><strong>Who is Someone you would love to pick with? </strong></p>
<p>My answer would have to be the Seldom Scene or going back in time the original Country Gentlemen, and maybe Edgar Meyer could join us.</p>
<p>If you would like to ask Tommy a question send him a note here or go to our Facebook page and send him a note there.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/294086/573eba172b6c9e82f8f696d0a880bfbb258a4183/original/tommy3a.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grasstag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:Post/60083182019-12-13T11:57:12-05:002022-01-17T05:28:19-05:00Meet Don<p>Today for "Fun Facts Friday" we have a talk with Don Ashley our Fiddle player. Don Also sings and does some song writing as well, listen for his contributions on our upcoming release. Don also does a lot of the Emcee work for the band and keeps us all laughing or in some cases groaning with some of his jokes. Don was born and raised in Columbia South Carolina and was a founding member of The Carolina Rebels Bluegrass Band a group that have performed together for over 40 years ..yep he's that old..Lets ask Don a few questions </p>
<p><strong>When did you first hear bluegrass?</strong> </p>
<p>Like many of us, my first exposure to Bluegrass was probably Flatt and Scruggs on the Beverly Hillbillies TV show. I also had the privilege of hearing Snuffy Jenkins, Pappy Sherrill and the Hired Hands as a kid. My mom went to school with Charlie Moore (of Rebel Soldier fame), and while I never met Charlie, I did get to meet some of the guys that help form that sound. We had mostly Flatt & Scruggs records around the house. </p>
<p><strong>Who has influenced you playing style? </strong></p>
<p>My favorites have been what would be considered the old time fiddlers. Buck Ryan, Pappy Sherrill, Roy Acuff, Howdy Forester. Benny Martin and Paul Warren are what I consider the greatest influence. I took fiddle lessons from Bill Haney, one of the Tennessee Cut-Ups, who was a great guy and taught me a lot, not just about playing. I wish I had paid more attention. (chuckles) </p>
<p>I got to meet and play with Chubby Wise after we got started with our first band The Carolina Rebels, he was way cool and very inspiring. </p>
<p><strong>What do you love about the music? </strong></p>
<p>I love the NOTIONS and EMOTIONS that Bluegrass music conjures up. Escapism really. The story songs, the drive of the instrumentals, the harmonies, the interplay of the characters. You don’t listen to a song, you feel it. </p>
<p>I love the stories told about the artists and the challenges they faced. We forget the fact that the people we call legends were working people trying to make a living playing music. Travel was grueling. Life was hard. </p>
<p><strong>Who is someone you would love to pick with? </strong></p>
<p>. </p>
<p>Well, I get to do that every time the BRMG gets together. Seriously. These guys are some of the finest men I know. I have also been blessed to have played the same stage with so many great acts. Curly Seckler & the Nashville Grass, James King, Bill Monroe, and so many more. I don’t want to leave anyone out. I would love to go back and play one more time with Chubby Wise if I could.</p>
<p>If you'd like to ask Don a question drop him a note here or send us a message<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/294086/8ec7afda7f76eea8ea309379335c8fe5ac91b7b4/original/don3a.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /> on Facebook..</p>Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grasstag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:Post/59954892019-12-06T13:57:23-05:002022-08-01T07:04:47-04:00Meet Patrick<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/294086/3cfc950adb936ecb445c6480eb9188e33a8f8e9f/original/patrick3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Today starts our “Fun Facts Fridays”, for the next few weeks we will talk to a member of the band and ask them a few questions to give everyone a chance to get to know all of us better. </p>
<p>This week we are talking to Patrick Russell who has been with us for a few years now. Patrick plays mandolin, guitar and fiddle with us and on a few tunes even picks up the mandola to give the song a bit more flavor. Patrick is also a songwriter and has written a great many songs that we currently perform as a band. He was born and raised in Speedwell, Tennessee, which is north of Knoxville near Cumberland Gap which seems like a pretty natural place for a bluegrass musician to grow up. Lets ask a few questions of Patrick and see what he has to say. </p>
<p>When did you first hear bluegrass? </p>
<p>I have loved bluegrass since I was a young boy before I even started school and I took that love of bluegrass with me around the world during my Army career. </p>
<p>Who has influenced your playing style? </p>
<p>A flat picker from North Carolina named Arthel, better known as Doc Watson, influenced my playing the most. Doc always expressed a genuine love of bluegrass music, plus a love of the folks in the audience, which had a huge impact on me. </p>
<p>What do you love about the music? </p>
<p>how open and diverse the music can be and how much room there still is for everyone. Take Doc Watson and Doyle Lawson for instance, The two artists have a vastly different approach to bluegrass, and both are and where very successful, that’s a part of bluegrass that I really love. </p>
<p>Who is someone you would love to pick with? </p>
<p>I would love to pick a tune with Doyle Lawson. Maybe one day, here or there. </p>
<h4><strong>If you have any questions you’d like to ask Patrick or any of the band members drop us a note here or on our Facebook Page and we will be glad to answer back.</strong></h4>Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grasstag:williewellsandbrmg.band,2005:Post/59876262019-12-01T23:27:35-05:002021-05-14T06:47:14-04:00Some Big News From The Band!<p>Our new CD project is less than a month from release ! Stay tuned here as well as Facebook and Instagram for the first single from the New Album "Steel Rail Blues" one a great new set of songs from our new CD.</p>
<p>While you're waiting for the first song take some time to check out the all new look, feel and info in the website and stay tuned for more on the New CD as it gets pready for pressing!</p>Willie Wells & Blue Ridge Mountain Grass