The Knoxville Trivia Blog has posted an interview with Knoxville native, and current Carolina Road guitarist, Jerry Butler. They talk about Jerry’s early days with the Knoxville Newgrass Boys, life on the road, and the new CD with Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, with the appropriate title, Carolina Road.

The site is dedicated to all things Knoxville, but since Byron, the site author, is a big bluegrass fan, there is a good bit of grassy content as well.

Last month, Knoxville Trivia Blog ran another lengthy bluegrass interview, that time with Phil Leadbetter of Grasstowne.

We mentioned recently that guitarist Jerry Butler had left Pine Mountain Railroad, and just found out where he landed.

Jerry has joined up with Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road where he will be featured as a lead singer along with band leader Jordan. He joins the existing band, which includes Lorraine Jordan on mandolin/vocals, David Guthrie on guitar, Ben Greene on banjo, Josh Goforth on fiddle, and Todd Meade on bass.

Butler has been involved as a bluegrass performer since he was 12 years old, when he had a band with Phil Leadbetter of Wildfire called The Knoxville Newgrass Boys. Before his tenure with Pine Mountain Railroad, Jerry worked with the Joe Isaacs Band.

Jerry is very pleased with the new gig.

“I am excited to be working with Lorraine and the boys. They are a good group to travel with as I have already found out on a recent trip to Branson. I look forward seeing old friends and making new ones as well.”

The excitement runs back in his direction from Lorraine Jordan as well.

“Jerry will give Carolina Road the extra sound that it needs to reach the next level. What a great singer and entertainer he is! This is a great move for both he and I.”

You can find the band’s schedule on the Carolina Road web site.

We posted last month about a shakeup in the ownership and personnel of Pine Mountain Railroad.

At the time, we indicated that mandolinist Cody Shuler had assumed management of the band, and that banjo picker Kipper Stitt and guitarist/vocalist Jerry Butler would be leaving.

During IBMA week, Nothin’ Fancy announced that Eli Johnson would be departing to play banjo with Pine Mountain Railroad, but no comment had yet been issued by PMR.

They have now officially announced Johnson coming on board playing banjo and guitar, as well as the hiring of Mark Cable as guitarist and lead vocalist. Cable’s background is in southern Gospel music, with a strong familiarity with bluegrass.

Along with Shuler on mandolin, Bill McBee remains on bass, and Matt Flake on fiddle.

McBee, who handles publicity for the band, tells us that they are also adding a sixth man, and that an announcement of that hiring is imminent.

It appears that Pine Mountain Railroad has made a number of personnel changes, with one rebounding into Nothin’ Fancy.

Mandolinist Cody Shuler has taken over management of PMR, and is bringing in some new faces. We understand that guitarist Jerry Butler is gone, and banjo player Kipper Stitt will be leaving just after IBMA week.

Coming in to play banjo will be Eli Johnston, who until just last week was playing bass with Nothin’ Fancy. His leaving brought about a happy reunion for Nothin’ Fancy fans, as original bassist Tony Shorter has decided to return to traveling full time with the band.

I’m sure that we can pick up some more details later today when folks start schlepping down into the exhibit area.