Rural Rhythm Records signed cowboy crooner – and recent bluegrass convert – Michael Martin Murphey to a multi-album contract during last week’s IBMA convention in Nashville.

Murphey was in town to perform with a number of Rural Rhythm artists at IBMA, and to showcase two new singles from his next RR CD, Buckaroo Blue Grass 2, due in February 2010. The first is a remake of Wildfire, his 1975 radio hit, sung as a duet with Carrie Hassler, and the other a new MMM song, Running Gun, which tells a classic western story done up bluegrass style.

Michael and Carrie are especially stoked about getting to perform the new version of Wildfire during halftime at the SMU-Navy game in Dallas on October 17. Look for it to be released for digital download around the 17th.

Bluegrass folks seemed to warmly embrace Murphey at IBMA, and he returned the favor posing for photos and signing autographs for fans. He did a cameo during Audie Blaylok & Redline’s main stage showcase set where he was met with enthusiastic applause.

Buckaroo Blue Grass 2 will  feature a who’s who cast of bluegrass pickers, including Sam Bush, Charlie Cushman, Troy Engle, Pat Flynn, Andy Hall, Rob Ickes, Andy Leftwich among them.

Here are sneak peek samples of the two new singles.

Wildfire – Listen Now    

Running Gun – Listen Now    

Carrie Hassler and her fine young band have been touring in France this past week, and are blogging about their Gallic adventures online. They have already posted a bunch of photos and several videos with more to come before they head home.

They report that the trip has gone well, performing before 15,000 (with 2 encores) at the Country Rendez-Vous Festival in Crappone-Sur-Arzon, but it hasn’t been all fun and games.

Visit the Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain blog to see all the highlights from their French trip.

Banjo player Zach Gilmer has signed on with Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain, taking the spot recently vacated by Josh Miller.

The 17 year old from Charlottesville, VA has won first place trophies at a number of regional competitions, as well as the Virginia state banjo championship. Zach has also performed as a member of Gold Heart, and with other groups in central VA.

You can find Carrie’s tour schedule on the band’s web site, and on her MySpace page, for a chance to catch Carrie live with her hot new banjo boy.

Rural Rhythm Records has announced that they will be releasing on March 10 the single Amazing Grace as performed by Carrie Hassler.

This song is the first commercial single release on the new Rural Rhythm Christian imprint label dedicated to creating fine Christian music from America’s heartland.

Carrie has been performing Amazing Grace a cappella at their live concerts for some time now, earning huge audience response, with fans continually requesting a recorded version of the song.

Amazing Grace will be available on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, Zune and other digital outlets and is also featured on the upcoming new Gospel Collection summer release, Mountain Soul directed to both the Christian and Mainstream markets.