Jon Weisberger is not at all lonesome. The Nashville-based bass player of more than 20 years standing - and noted writer about bluegrass matters - was married only a short time ago.

He is also known for his songwriting, and as an active member of the IBMA Board of Directors. You can now add to his busy schedule, a job playing bass with Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time.

Let Jon tell us how this arrangement came about …….

“Cord called me shortly after New Year’s Day to ask me if I’d like to join Lonesome Standard Time. My reply, of course, was “absolutely.” I’ve been a big fan of Larry’s music for many years, going back to when Ricky Skaggs first hit with Highway 40 Blues, and I’d written about him back when Murder On Music Row came out. I filled in with him on one date in Columbus, Ohio, just about a year ago, and had a great time - and last weekend’s dates in Fairview, Ohio and Milton, West Virginia confirmed that that’s the norm. Cord’s a great writer, a great singer, and a great front-man - he really knows how to get the audience on our side and keep them there.

The rest of the band is superb, too; Booie Beach (guitar) and Kim Gardner (Dobro ®) are both exceedingly under-rated instrumentalists, and it’s great to be reunited with Chris Davis (mandolin, vocals) - he had played and sung in my band, Union Springs, back in 1998, shortly before it disbanded. And, of course, it’s cool to have my frequent musical companion Ned Luberecki playing banjo for the rest of the month’s dates.”

Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time has a recently released CD, Took Down And Put Up on the Lonesome Day Record label (LDR 011), a collection that has just figured in the Top 15 Bluegrass Albums chart in The Bluegrass Unlimited Natural Bluegrass Survey listing for January.

You can check the band’s tour schedule online for a chance to catch them live.Weisberger concludes by telling us about his other activities and his hopes for this year. He certainly leads a busy life…..

“In the meantime, I’ll continue to perform with Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, the Harley Allen Band, Radiola, Roland White, et al, as I’m able to - so far the dates seem to be working out OK for that. And I’m looking forward to a good song writing year; I’ve got a co-write with Tim Stafford and Bobby Starnes coming out on the new Blue Highway album, and a couple of other songs of mine look like they’re going to get recorded this year, too.”

Lonesome Day Records has two new artists on the roster, both of whom will have new projects in the near future.

Back in June, Brance reported that Larry Cordle’s new project, Took Down and Put Up, would be released on Lonesome Day later this summer. We still haven’t seen a street date for this project, but we’ll be sure to update when we get the word.

Just this week, Lonesome Day announced that Ralph Stanley II will be the newest addition to their artist roster. “II” (two), as he is nick named, is the youngest son of the venerable Dr. Ralph Stanley, now just shy of 30 years old. He has released four previous CDs for Rebel Records and looks at the new agreement with Lonesome Day as an opportunity to define his own sound, which Lonesome Day describes as mixing the mountain Stanley sound with some more contemporary material.

One stylistic break from the earlier projects involves the backing musicians. On his prior CDs, Stanley was accompanied primarily by his father’s touring band, The Clinch Mountain Boys, but this time out he had a stellar group of bluegrass superpickers with him in the studio. Tim Crouch, Steve Gulley, Cody Kilby, Randy Kohrs, Marty Raybon, Adam Steffey and Ron Stewart are listed as guest performers.

No title has been announced and a spring 2008 release is expected.

UPDATE 9/14: Reader Rick Randol emailed to say that he recently purchased the new Cordle CD from The Music Shed. Not sure why there is no mention of the release on eitehr the Cordle or Lonesome Day web sites. If it is offered by one retailer, it should be widely available now.

UPDATE 9:45 a.m.: The Took Down and Put Up CD is officially released on September 18, and will be available for sale everywhere at that time.

As you’re setting up your calendar for this week, you might want to keep a couple hours free this Thrusday afternoon. July 12th from 4PM to 6PM EST, Uncle Billy Dunbar, a host at WorldWideBluegrass.com, will be interviewing Larry Cordle on his show Country Unplugged.

The interview will include a discussion of Larry’s new relationship with Lonesome Day Records, and the release of his new CD Took Down and Put Up. They will also be discussing the first single planned for release from the new recording.

It should be an interesting interview with a great bluegrass songwriter!

XM Radio recently broke the news that Larry Cordle had signed with Lonesome Day Records. The label will release his new album, Took Down and Put Up, later this summer.

I was able to talk with Larry via email about the new CD and the deal with Lonesome Day Records. He tells me this is the first of two CDs covered by the deal.

Randall & I had talked early on (right after the cd was finished late last fall) about the possibility of working together…….I had other offers to consider at the time & was still toying around with the idea of putting the cd out by myself…….after listening to the other offers that were extended me & deciding against them I called Randall to see if he was still interested in what I had recorded & what I had in mind going forward …….we have been friends for about 6 or 7 years & we were (thankfully) able to put together a 2 record deal.

The first single to be release off the new CD will be a tune penned by Chris Stuart, The First Train Robbery. This is one of 5 songs on the CD not written or co-written by Cordle himself. The other 9 cuts have come directly from Cordle’s pen over the last 30 years.

These songs from my catalog include songs from my early writing days as in “The Hero of the Creek”, (about a lifelong friend of mine from Eastern Kentucky who sadly passed away on Nov 1, 2006 before he got to hear the record of my tribute to him) which was written in 1979 or 1980. Other songs from the not too distant past, such as, “Song For Keith”, “Rough Around The Edges”, “67 Chevy Malibu”, “B.Y.O.B.” were written in the mid to late 90’s, to just really, really new stuff like “Hole In The Ground”, “Old Cheater’s Blues”, “I’m A Lie”, etc……which were written over the last 12 to 18 months.

Larry Cordle is a legendary songwriter having penned a string of #1 country hits starting with “Highway 40 Blues” and with no end in sight. This CD will be a chance to hear more of his great songs sung by himself and backed by a stellar bluegrass band.

It looks like Cordle’s MySpace page includes two songs from the new CD, so click on over for a listen.

Cordle was excited about this CD saying it is the band’s first release in over 4 years and he’s eager for fans to hear it.

We are excited to bring this new cd to our fans who have never wavered in their support and who have incessantly e-mailed & constantly asked me when we were gonna get them some new music from the band…… I know I speak for the entire band when I say how proud we are of the CD. We feel like it’s our finest work to date and to all of those who have steadfastedly supported us, we would like to say thanks, God bless & hopefully we’ll see you at a live show somewhere this summer.

This Tuesday and Wednesday nights will see quite a gathering of bluegrass talent at Nashville’s legendary Station Inn, assembled to benefit the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee. Their goal is to help raise awareness of this serious neurological condition, as well as donations for the work of the ASMT.

April 10 will feature performances by The Grascals, Ronnie Bowman & Friends, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Steel Drivers, The Roland White Band, and Chris Jones & The Nightdrivers. The following night will see Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Jerry Salley & Breakin’ New Ground, The Mark Newton Band, Cordle, Salley and Carl Jackson, The Mashville Brigade and a special surprise appearance by one of bluegrass music’s top acts on stage at The Station Inn.

This benefit was organized by two Nashville veterans, both of whose lives have been touched by youngsters with autism. Journalist and musician Jon Weisberger (who also serves on the IBMA Board) has a son with the disorder, and singer/songwriter Jerry Salley has a neice who suffers from autism.

April is promoted as Autism Awareness Month, and Nashville has long hosted a similar benefit each April at The Bluebird Cafe. Weisberger and Salley approached The Station Inn about hosting a bluegrass event as a benefit, and it was the club that suggested that they take two nights.

Admission is based on a $20 suggested donation, and the shows will begin each night at 8:00 p.m. (CDT).

Readers outside of Nashville can contribute to the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee online.

Earlier this month we told you about a concert series being produced by the Kentucky Department of Parks and America’s Bluegrass Inc. At the time we mentioned that the Cradle of Bluegrass Music Trail concert series would feature a number of native Kentuckians. One of those who will be performing at every show is bluegrass great Larry Cordle.

I had the opportunity to speak with Larry yesterday and asked for his thoughts about the concert series. Here is what he shared with me.

Speaking about the relationship between bluegrass music and Kentucky.

Bluegrass music is the sound of Kentucky to me…….from the high lonesome mountains to the rolling horse farms & the endless river towns I feel that it belongs to Kentucky…..and I am so proud to be from Kentucky.

On Monroe, bluegrass, and Kentucky…

He [Bill Monroe] is undoubtedly the ‘reason’ for Bluegrass music in it’s strictest sense & was a wonderful mentor to me. His music reflected all the things I mentioned above & incorporated much of the heavy Scotch Irish drony sounds with Blues & country……I think Kentuckians are always cognizant of Mr. Monroe’s stamp on music history……….He was proud to be a Kentuckian & everyone I know who plays this music, thinks he is the reason that Bluegrass music exists.

About his own involvement with the Cradle of Bluegrass Music Trail.

I am absolutely speechless that I was asked to be part of this series……..what great musicians that comprise this group……….that I could somehow be fortunate enough to be asked to be a part of this is the utmost honor for me………..I hope I can somehow live up to being asked to participate in these shows with so many ‘great’ Kentucky musicians that I admire so much.

Thanks so much to Larry for taking the time to share with us. If you have the chance I would encourage you to make an effort to attend one of these shows and hear some great bluegrass music while enjoying the wonderful Kentucky state parks at the same time.

The state of Kentucky Department of Parks is teaming up with America’s Bluegrass Inc. to promote both bluegrass music and the state parks. A series of four concerts are to be held at three of the state parks this spring/summer in what is being called the Cradle of Bluegrass Music Trail.

The series features Kentucky natives who are bluegrass musicians including: Don Rigsby, Larry Cordle, Bobby Osborne, Kenny Bishop, Melvin Goins, the Grascals and, of course, J.D. Crowe and the New South.

The series begins April 7th at the Rough River Dan State Park near Leitchfield, continues April 21st at the Frankfort Convention Center (this show is headlined by Earl Scruggs), then on to Jenny Wiley State Resort Park on April 28, and concludes May 19 at the General Butler State Resort Park.

The genesis of the idea can be traced back to Charles Lewis, president of America’s Bluegrass Inc. Lewis hosts a bluegrass show on WSAZ-TV in Huntington, WV and on KET2, Kentucky Public Television. He approached the park department with the idea of a single concert.

J.T. Miller, commissioner of Kentucky State Parks, tells us what the purpose is of holding this concert series.

From our standpoint, it is to build excitement for and occupancy of our state parks, as well as promoting Bluegrass music in Kentucky. Charles Lewis proposed a “big name” event at the 5,000-seat Frankfort Convention Center to build public awareness of the “Trail.”

Lewis was responsible was choosing the talent for the concert series, but following his Grammy nomination, Miller suggested they add kenny Bishop to the lineup.

All concerts start at 1pm local time and will feature a combination of secular and gospel bluegrass music. Lodging packages are offered at the three state park shows and include the concert, a night’s lodging, meals, and a chance to meet the artists.

The state park concert tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The convention center show tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets can be ordered by visiting the Kentucky State Park website.

J.T. Miller tells me that they may consider a similar event in the fall.

If successful, we’d like to do this in the fall at even more parks. Kentucky is truly the “Cradle” of Bluegrass, so it is natural that we would want to be a part of this.

Kim Gardner, resophonic guitarist with Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, and his wife Geri welcomed their daughter, Karsten Rae Gardner, into the world on January 14, 2007. All are reported to be doing well.

Congratulations to the proud new parents!

Larry Cordle will the guest on Tuesday evening’s songwriter chat at bluegrassguide.com, the web site for the Bluegrass Guide, a print periodical published by Mountain High Bluegrass Association.

The format is intended to be one where songwriters have an opportunity to pose questions and interact with prominent practitioners of the craft. While everyone is encouraged to participate in the discussion, lurkers are welcome as well.

Cordle, of course, has seen success as a songwriter in both the bluegrass and country music worlds, penning hits for Ricky Skaggs (Highway 40 Blues) and Alan Jackson (Murder On Music Row). He has had a long career recording and performing his own compositions with his band, Lonesome Standard Time.

The chat starts at 8:00 p.m. (EST) on January 23, and you can find a link to the chat room on the Bluegrass Guide web site.

We have word that Larry Cordle is only one song away from having the mixes finished on his new CD, Rough Around The Edges. The title cut is a duet with Travis Tritt. Randy Kohrs also sings a duet on the disc, a story-song that evokes thoughts of Frank and Jesse James, Last Train Robbery. Cordle’s band, Lonesome Standard Time, is featured throughout the CD. Band members include Kristen Scott-Benson on banjo, Booie Beech on guitar, Chris Davis on mandolin, Kim Gardner on dobro, Jenee Keener on fiddle, and Mike Anglin on bass. Anglin also sang the baritone parts and Chris did most of the tenor. Wayne Benson also guests on a couple tracks on mandolin.

The CD was recorded, with the exception of the title track, and mixed at Slack-key studios, owned by Randy Kohrs, in Nashville, TN. The project was engineered by Mike Latterell and Randy, and it was mixed by Larry Cordle & Randy Kohrs.

Randy tells us:

The last song, notably, is an incredible, heartfelt original with just Larry playing guitar and singing into the mic, all one take, no overdubs.

Larry is known far and wide as a prolific song writer and this project is no exception.

The project will have 13 new songs on it, 9 of which were written or co-written by yours truly, and Kimbo & Booie wrote the instrumental that’s on there.

Cordle is planning on a March 27, 2007 release while still talking to record labels about picking it up “but if not, I’m just gonna go on and put it out myself.”

The title cut has already been released to radio and currently resides at #17 on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Survey. We look forward to hearing the rest of the disc come March!

Last January, both Brance and I had the chance to attend the Pickin’ at the Paramount all star concert in Bristol, TN. The show was an offshoot of one that I helped organize in 2000 (reprised in 2001) to celebrate the release of Knee Deep In Bluegrass - The AcuTab Sessions. You can read my report on last year’s show here.

The show has been scheduled again this year, and will be held next weekend (1/20/07) at The Paramount Center on historic State Street in Bristol.

The format of the current show is similar to the one we started in 2000, and reminiscent of the old “package tour” shows popular in the 1950s and 60s. An all star cast of prominent bluegrass pickers and singers will rotate on and off the stage in a variety of configurations, generally performing material outside of what you might normally hear them doing.

This year’s lineup includes Bobby Hicks, Ronnie Bowman, Mike Bub, David Talbot, Larry Cordle, Rob McCoury, Don Rigsby, Kim Fox, Darrell Webb, Steve Gulley, Jason Carter, Barry Bales, Paul Williams, Kenny & Amanda Smith and David Grier.

There will be two shows on January 20, at 3:00 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets and show details can be found at the Pickin’ at the Paramount site, or the Paramount Center site.

Episode #20 of The GrassCast features an interview with songwriter Larry Cordle. Larry has written a great number of songs that have become country music hits, including Highway 40 Blues, Lonesome Standard Time, Rough Around The Edges, Against The Grain, Lonesome Dove, etc. In the interview, we talk about an exciting new CD project he’s working on, and of course a good deal of time is spent discussing the history, business and art of song-writing.

This GrassCast is 13 minutes in length and the file download size is 12MB.

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