John Miller, who has most recently been playing mandolin and singing tenor with Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice, tells us that he is leaving the group. No word yet about a replacement.

John says that his future plans are in flux, but it’s clear that someone will get a strong guitar and tenor man out of the deal.

For the short term, Miller is working with Jesse Brock (mandolinist with Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper) on a new Gospel project for singer/songwriter Rick Lang. John and Jesse are both producing and playing on the CD, Look To The Light, which will feature 14 Lang originals and co-writes.

Rick’s songs have been recorded by a number of prominent bluegrass artists, including Lonesome River band, IIIrd Tyme Out, Front Range and Paul Adkins.

Assisting will be Ron Stewart on banjo and fiddle, Wyatt Rice on guitar, and Mike Cleveland on fiddle. Additional vocals will be provided by Junior Sisk, Russell Moore, Jeff Parker and Dale Ann Bradley.

Should be a good’n.

Junior Sisk will be co-hosting with Judith Burnette on WBRF this Saturday evening (3/7) from 7:00-9:00 p.m. (EST).

He will be helping Judith select the music, and tells us that listeners can expect a solid dose of the traditional bluegrass that floats his boat.

“You can bet you’ll hear a lot of Stanley Brothers and the Johnson Mountain Boys. I don’t know whether they are prepared for the songs I’m gonna lay on em!”

Judith says you can also expect to hear music from his latest CD, Blue Side Of The Blue Ridge, with Junior Sisk and Rambler’s Choice.

The show broadcasts from Galax, VA at 98.1 FM, and via live streaming online.

Not long ago we reported that Chris Harris had left Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, and that Junior was in search of a new mandolin player.

Junior has just announced that John Miller will be joining the band in that capacity. John may be more well known as a guitarist rather than a mandolin player, but he is equally talented on either instrument. Perhaps even more than his instrumental prowess, John is known for his soaring tenor vocals. Hearing him and Junior together should be quite a treat.

John has toured and recorded with a number of highly regarded bluegrass artists, most recently with Frank Solivan II & Dirty Kitchen, with whom I saw him perform at IBMA in October.

Here’s a word from Junior concerning the change in the band.

We are exited to announce the newest edition to our band. John Miller from Christiansburg, VA will be taking the place of Chris Harris on mandolin and vocals. He is a great talent as well as a great guy. We are looking forward to 2009 and many years to come. I would like to thank all the guys who sought interest in the band and took time to come pick with us. I didn’t realize how many talented musicians and singers were this close to me. I would like to wish them all a prosperous career in the business. Anyone looking for such a musician don’t hesitate to give me a shout and I’ll pass along these guys.

Junior Sisk has announced that mandolin player Chris Harris will be leaving Rambler’s Choice in January and a replacement is being sought.

Junior is specifically looking for someone with a strong traditional bent, who can both play mandolin and sing tenor. A close proximity to Roanoke, VA would be preferred.

The band has about 40 dates already booked for 2009, and plans are underway to head back in the studio something in 2009 to begin work on a new recording project.