David Parmley started playing bluegrass professionally when he was a 17 year old, when he joined his father, banjoist Don Parmley in the Bluegrass Cardinals. He has been leading Continental Divide since 1994 when his father retired. This new combination became an instant success claiming IBMA’s coveted Emerging Artist of the Year award in 1995 and through the years their albums have been constantly well received.

With Parmley on their latest release, Church House Hymns, playing mandolin and singing tenor, is Randy Graham, who has long experience with The Bluegrass Cardinals, being with them from the beginning in 1975 through to the end of 1978, so the duo are ideal together [and their harmony singing here proves it]. He resumed his association with Parmley in 2000 and has only recently left the band to pursue his own booking and management company.

The third prime participant on this CD is Dale Perry, another long-time member of the Bluegrass Cardinals, plays banjo and Scruggs-style finger picked lead guitar and adds vocals. He joined Continental Divide in 2003.

Rounding out proceedings vocally is Jimmy Cameron, while Kyle Perkins plays the bass and the irrepressible Ron Stewart guests on fiddle on several of the 12 tracks.

Most of the songs on this CD were chosen by their fans and they have given Parmley and company some excellent material to work with. Originally from the old hymnals, these songs have become standards in the bluegrass Gospel genre.

Starting off with In The Gloryland Way the mood is set for what follows; assured lead vocals, excellent harmonies and solid instrumental support.

There are three songs that feature excellent finger-picked guitar - Father Along, Won’t It Be Wonderful There and You Can Feel It In Your Soul, a good, strong vocal quartet. The first has some fine understated backing.

In contrast there is the mid-tempo I’ve Got A Home In That Rock, and the up-tempo songs Are You Washed In The Blood, with its banjo kick-off, and the great quartet singing on A Soul Winner For Jesus, also praiseworthy for the fiddle kick-off. (more…)

We just got a note from Ron Spears with news for fans of David Parmley and Continental Divide.

Mike Parker of Burea, KY has joined the band playing upright bass and singing lead and harmony vocals. He spent many years playing local festivals and venues in and around Kentucky, and performed regularly in Renfro Valley with family and friends. Mike is the brother of Vincent and Dailey’s mandolin player, Jeff Parker.

David is happy to have Mike on board…

“Having Mike in the band has been a real good step forward for us. Not only does Mike play the bass with great tone and timing but he can also handle singing several different harmony parts. The band will be concentrating on working up a good handful of Gospel Quartets to be featured in our future shows. We are all looking forward to that.”

Mike played his first shows on March 1 and also played the Argyle, TX and Mountain View, AK festivals with the band last weekend. He joins Ron Spears on mandolin/vocals, Billy Hurt on fiddle, Dale Perry on banjo and Parmley on guitar and vocals.

The guys will be in OH and WV this weekend and you can check their tour schedule online.

Fiddler Billy Hurt, from Boones Mill, VA, is the newest member of David Parmley & Continental Divide.

Billy was something of a fiddle phenom in southwestern Virginia as a youngster, winning at competitions and conventions in the area, culminating with the top prize the Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention in 1994. He went on to perform with bluegrass legend Jim Eanes for several years, and was a member of popular Virginia groups, The Bluegrass Brothers and Acoustic Endeavors.

Randy Graham, mandolinist and tenor vocalist with Continental Divide, says that they are delighted to have Billy on board.

“Billy is a very accomplished and versatile musician, and fits us just right. It doesn’t matter what he’s playing - soulful backup, an old time fiddle tune, or up in your face bluegrass breakdown fiddling - Billy plays what needs playing; no more, no less.”

Billy joins David Parmley on guitar and lead vocals, Randy on mandolin and lead/tenor vocals, Dale Perry on banjo and Jimmy Cameron on bass.

You can find their tour schedule on the band’s web site.

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!!

Church House Hymns, from David Parmley & Continental Divide, is due for a March 25 release on their private label, DP&CD Records. It is a collection of familiar Gospel songs, including ones that have been most requested by fans over the years.

Their intention was to select timeless hymns that many bluegrass fans may have grown up singing in church. Included are such classics as Farther Along, Are You Washed In The Blood (of the Lamb), I’m In The Gloryland Way, Will You Meet Me Over Yonder and Over In the Gloryland.

They have also chosen to feature a re-recording of There Is A Fountain, the groundbreaking a capella song which The Bluegrass Cardinals sang on their first record back in 1975. Ron Stewart guests on fiddle for several tracks on Church House Hymns, and regular banjo picker Dale Perry adds Scruggs-style finger picked guitar as well.

Mandolinist and tenor singer Randy Graham passed along some background on the striking cover shot.

“It’s a church we played in Norway a couple of years back. You can’t see it in the shot, but about 100 yards from the front door, the water in the fjord is 1,200 feet deep, so clear you can see as far as light will penetrate.”

Randy also shared a touching personal reminiscence of fellow former Bluegrass Cardinal, Steve Stephenson.

“As you may recall, Steve added his bass vocal on the original cut of There Is A Fountain. We have known him since the late 60’s. David and I called Steve’s wife, Judy, from the studio Sunday evening, to check up on Steve’s ongoing battle with cancer and arrange a visit with him before festival season got into full swing. Steve was unable to talk on the phone, having received a chemo treatment during the week and was dealing with flu-like symptoms. We passed our bests wishes to Steve via Judy.

Long story short, Steve passed away early the following morning, just hours after we finished up There Is A Fountain. He was a dear friend… we were/are deeply saddened at his passing.”

Church House Hymns will be available from the band at any of their live shows, and from their official web site as soon as it is released on March 25.