We got a note from Ron Spears, mandolinist and tenor singer with David Parmley & Continental Divide.

He tells us that the band is still working on their next CD, to be released on Pinecastle Records, for whom Parmley had recorded several previous projects. Ron says there will be 12 tracks, and that a release in the near future is planned.

Spears also mentioned that the band has been bringing back material from David’s lengthy tenure with The Bluegrass Cardinals into the show.

Parmley acknowledges that he had been hesitant in the past about including these songs, some of which have been regular fan requests.

“I tried not to perform too many of the old Cardinal songs while my father, Don Parmley, and the band was still performing. Dad retired a few years ago. Now with the addition of Ron and Mike Parker, we now have four strong lead and harmony singers in Continental Divide. We’ve started to perform many of the old Cardinal quartet Gospel songs that have been untouched for decades.”

Here’s a recent YouTube clip of one of those songs, Sweet Hour Of Prayer, which features Ron on lead vocals.

This past April, we told you about a special celebration in Monticello, KY honoring Don Parmley, founder of The Bluegrass Cardinals. He performed on banjo with the Cardinals for years along with his son, David Parmley. Other members of the band over the years include Don Rigsby, Randy Graham, Jimmy Haley and Herschel Sizemore.

On July 28, Wayne County, KY continued the honorifics by unveiling a commemorative highway sign which reads “Welcome to Wayne County (KY) • Home of Don Parmley • Founding member of the Bluegrass Cardinals.”

Don is retired now, but occasionally appears in Bluegrass Cardinals reunion shows with fellow founding members David Parmley and Randy Graham.

Congratulations Don - you’re immortal!

We got a note from Randy Graham, mandolinist and tenor singer with David Parmley and Continental Divide, about an event scheduled this weekend to celebrate the life and musical career of Don Parmley.

Here’s Randy’s note:

I want to take a moment to tell everyone about a special event coming to the Aspire Center in Monticello, KY, next Saturday, April 14th. “A Day with Don Parmley,” will honor Don and his many achievements and contributions in bluegrass music.

As many of you know, Don was the studio banjo player for the Beverly Hillbillies TV show for most of it’s run on CBS, and a co-founder of the Bluegrass Cardinals who toured worldwide from the mid-seventies until he retired in the mid-nineties. Under Don’s leadership, the Bluegrass Cardinals served as a learning ground and springboard for the careers for many bluegrass artists touring today. Included among these are: Don’s son, David Parmley, Dale Perry, Mike Hartgrove, Larry Stephenson, Norman Wright, and myself, to name but a few. Don’s professional resume also includes collaborative efforts with: legendary country vocalist, Vern Gosdin, Chris Hillman, of the Byrds, and multiple Grammy nominated guitarist, Billy Strange.

Festivities began at noon and run until 7:00 PM. On hand to entertain are: Sage Knoll and New Harvest, plus appearances by David Parmley & Continental Divide and a rare performance by the three original Bluegrass Cardinals: Don and David Parmley & myself. The Aspire Center is located at: 225 Highway 1275 N Monticello, KY… Phone: (606) 340-9362. You can Google a map from your door to the Aspire Center in Monticello, KY.

Looking for another reason to come?? NO ADMISSION CHARGE… THE EVENT IS ABSOLUTELY FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

We’ve looked forward to this event a long time. Hope to see you there!!

Rebel Records is pleased to announce the release tomorrow of Don Rigsby’s first CD project as a band leader. Don has quite a stellar resume in bluegrass, including stints with The Bluegrass Cardinals, JD Crowe & The New South, Lonesome River Band and Longview, each of which produced memorable recorded output, as well as live performances. Don recorded two duet projects with Dudley Connell and three under his own name, but never before with his own band.

The new Rebel release is Hillbilly Heartache, and features Don’s band, Midnight Call. Members include Shayne Bartley on guitar, Dale Vanderpool on banjo, Jesse Wells on fiddle & clawhammer banjo, Robert Maynard on bass and of course Don on mandolin, guitar, and lead vocals. All of the band members contribute vocally as well.

Hillbilly Heartache includes songs by Shawn Camp, Larry Shell, Tim Stafford, and Jim Lauderdale, and will be available in stores on July 18.

No audio samples are yet up on either Don’s or Rebel’s web sites, but the CD should be available soon on iTunes and other sites with audio snippets enabled.