Sheri Clark Agency
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONROEVILLE has just added to their arsenal! They are proud to announce the addition of new member, Eli Johnston.

Eli, a multi-instrumentalist, amazing vocalist, and prolific songwriter, will be making his debut with MONROEVILLE on Saturday, December 17th, at the live taping of the PBS show “Song Of The Mountains” in Marion, VA.





“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to play professionally with some of my best buddies!," states Eli. "The future of Monroeville is very bright and I’m honored to be a part of it!”

Lead vocalist Matthew Munsey says, “We are adding a whole new dimension to the band with Eli. He has so much to bring to the table. We are excited to show our fans the direction we are going with our material, and be able to debut Eli on such a respected televison show.”

“Eli has some HIT quality songs that we can’t wait to work up!” says Monroeville's banjoist Zane Petty. Eli wrote and recorded the popular song, “Captain”, that topped the XM and Sirius charts. Eli's songwriting adds depth to the band's already chart-topping writer of The Lonesome River Band's "Jack Up the Jail", Daniel Salyer. Daniel, the band's lead tenor, adds, “Eli’s voice has a texture and timbre to it that will really add some depth to the lead singing and harmony of Monroeville.”





“This talented bunch offers a textbook example of how to launch a new venture...……..Important note… it only works if you have a product worthy of the hype. That they have in spades.” John Lawless, Editor, Bluegrass Today.




Biography: Eli Johnston began his professional music career with the popular touring bluegrass band, Nothin’ Fancy. Besides contributing the groundwork for the band with his upright bass playing, Eli honed his harmony singing and performance skills over his stint with them. Eli played for a period with Knoxville based, Pine Mountain Railroad, where he became acquainted with band mate and future Monroeville founding member, Matt Flake. It was during that period that Eli wrote and recorded the popular song, “Captain”, that topped the XM and Sirius charts. From 2006-2010, Eli was a regular performing artist at Pigeon Forge’s Tennessee Shindig theater show. Over these four years, Eli developed from a band bass player to featured lead singer in the show. These years allowed him to develop into a standout lead vocalist and performer.


For more information, and bookings:

Management: Sheri Clark Agency
Bookings: Booking Email

 We are really excited to be shooting a video for a song written by Chris Stapleton and Frank Rodgers off our upcoming EP. If you haven’t pre-ordered your autographed copy you can do that here • http://monroevilleband.com/pre-order-your-monroeville-cd-now/








We are honored to have David Poag from Nashville, TN directing our video. David is a talented young director with a sharp eye and a lot of experience under his belt. He was the director of photography for Brooks and Dunn’s “Honkey Tonk Stomp” video and is also involved with some of Ronnie’s upcoming solo work.

The Monroeville band members will be in Nashville May 19th and 20th for the shoot before heading to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. Wish us luck and be looking for the album release next week!

What makes Monroeville so Special?

by The Bluegrass Legacy on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 12:34pm


What makes Monroeville so special? • First and foremost, as phenomenal as they are at presenting their band on the web and on social media - and they are among the top 5 best bluegrass, acoustic, roots bands at doing so, including those with budgets in the hundreds of thousands - there is in fact no hype. It's all real, and they deliver the goods in the studio, on stage and on video.

Beyond that, they say what they mean, and mean what they say. That alone in this age of "fabricated-hyper-hype-plus-squared-and-doused-with-miracle-grow-and-a-prayer" is eloquent. Their direct connection-relationship with their friends-fans reminds me of the type of connection The Avett Brothers have today and The Grateful Dead had with their friends-fans in their day. That is a "back to the future" relationship the smartest artists understand; In the sense that the direct connection folks used to have with the other real folks, in the room participating in a concert-celebration and meaningful communion of spirit, also now takes place 24/7/365, beyond a set space and time via the web and social media, and it is as up close and personal, and between real people, as it is in concert.

And we haven't even spoken of the music yet.

In communications you have the message and the meta-message. The meta-message is what is unsaid but just as clearly expressed between the lines for those paying attention. Their message is clear, and their meta-message inspiring: Their primarily bluegrass based acoustic roots music is a blend of heavy-duty rock-n-roll drive, on acoustic, by young people with high-energy levels, and which can only emerge from artists who believe, and are doing their level best, every time out, to turn you into a believer about the future for this music which they honor and love.

They are solidly rooted in tradition without being buried by tradition. They are both relentlessly respectful and fleet-footed innovative, diligent craftsmen and consistently creative. And they seem to have found that fabulous "Lonesome River Band Groove" which is enough all by its high lonesome to carry that tradition to new heights. They pack a kick and I don't mean cans, or do I. Think Junior Johnson's finest shine, on a moonlit night in spring, on a North Carolina backroad, leaning against the fender of your 47 Ford with your new bride in your arms. Yep, "Life is Good".

Watch & Listen to Monroeville and you will see and hear the future of the past, and it's lookin mighty springtime bright. Having read loads of books and articles about Ole Bill, I'll go out on a solid limb here and say that if Bill Monroe was around, my guess is that he'd be sayin "That's part of somethin"

If Bill was the father of Bluegrass, and Sam Bush "The Mother"*, then I'm thinkin these are mighty "cool kids" of Bluegrass.

Henri Deschamps
The Bluegrass Legacy
www.facebook.com/the.bluegrass.legacy

*Sam Bush used to say that if Bill was the father of Blugrass then he must be the mother of Bluegrass because every time Bill saw him coming he would say "Here Comes That Mother" :-)

Monroeville!!!

The following articles have been posted via the Bluegrass Blog.  Sheri Clark is proud to be Management for this great new band!



Bluegrass in the schools with Monroeville

POSTED BY JOHN LAWLESS ON 12.09.10 @ 2:01 PM

The guys in Monroeville got a taste of the youth music market when they visited Barboursville Middle School in Barboursville, WV last week.

In a busy day at school, the band did a first period concert for the 8th graders, followed by a workshop with the string students. Each of the guys told the students how they came to play bluegrass and some of the difficulties they encountered along the way. They even brought a few of the more advanced students up to play with the band.

Similar workshops were held with the other grades, and then the guys headed for a juvenile correctional facility where they spoke with a number of the young people about the value of constructive activities like music, and held another concert.

Matt Munsey, Monroeville mandolinist, says that they were overwhelmed by the response they received.

“I’ve never seen this kind of response to bluegrass music from so many young people! Not all of these kids even knew what bluegrass was before today, but I believe we left there with some new fans and some extra appreciation for acoustic and bluegrass music.

Of course, it don’t hurt to have two good-looking 17 year old players in your group!”

After working with the kids all day, Monroeville finished their day in Barboursville with a concert in the evening for the general public. Matt said that it was a grueling day for the band, but that they enjoyed the experience, and are looking forward to doing more of these workshops next year.

Hats off to Monroeville for making this investment in young potential bluegrass pickers and/or fans. They are surely not the first to do so, but there can be no doubt that younger bands can make a different sort of connection with schoolagers than can wizened pros.

A first single from Monroeville’s debut album is expected in the near future. Jim VanCleve is producing with David Hall engineering. More on that as details emerge.





 POSTED BY JOHN LAWLESS ON 11.06.10 @ 9:09 AM
TAGS: MONROEVILLE
Monroeville is featured in Sunday morning’s edition of The Today Show, which airs on NBC affiliates across the US.

NBC sent correspondent Jenna Wolfe to shoot a piece on the Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg, TN back in September. This outfit is the first to offer lawful moonshine whiskey since Tennessee allowed counties to approve legal distilleries last year. The Monroeville boys perform at Ole Smoky on occasion, and were on hand for the NBC taping.

Mandolinist Matthew Munsey sent along video of Wolfe jamming with the band after the segment was finished.


Look for them on The Today Show November 7 between 8:00-9:00 a.m. (ET/PT).

UPDATE 11/7: Oops… the Monroeville segment has been bumped until later in the month. It is now scheduled to air on November 28.



Monroeville on the Today Show



POSTED BY JOHN LAWLESS ON 09.30.10 @ 4:26 PM
TAGS: MONROEVILLE
Monroeville took part in a taping for The Today Show earlier this week.

Correspondent Jenna Wolfe was in Gatlinburg, TN on Monday (9/27) shooting a piece on the Ole Smoky Distillery which boasts of being the first to offer lawful moonshine whiskey since Tennessee allowed counties to approve legal distilleries last year. The Monroeville boys perform at Ole Smoky on occasion, and were on hand for the NBC taping.

Mandolinist Matthew Munsey tells us that,,,

“After the taping, Jenna Wolfe grabbed a guitar and began jamming with the band on a couple of tunes. The impromptu jam may or may not have been a result of the moonshine tasting Jenna participated in just a while before.”



Enter Monroeville

POSTED BY JOHN LAWLESS ON 08.04.10 @ 10:24 AM
TAGS: BLUEGRASS AT LARGE, DANIEL SALYER, MONROEVILLE
Another new young band!

Monroeville has emerged from the dust-up that saw the members of Second Wind leave Barry Scott en masse in July. They have been active only a week, but much is expected from this talented bunch of pickers.

Despite their youth, these fellas boast a combined bluegrass experience of nearly 80 years. Daniel Salyer is on bass, Matt Munsey on mandolin, Travis Houck on resonator guitar, Zane Petty on banjo, Seth Taylor on guitar and Matt Flake on fiddle. Several band members sing, and Salyer is a uniquely gifted songwriter to boot.

The guys put this video together to serve as an introduction. It follows the boys on their initial photo shoot, and then running over a few songs at their first rehearsal.


Monroeville will be managed by Sheri Clark Media with publicity handled by Blu Wav. More information can be found on the band’s web site or Facebook page.

Keep an eye on this group. Talent, drive, youth and a professional management team – add a bit of luck and this bunch is a force to be reckoned with in the bluegrass biz.

Howdy Everybody!

It has been an amazing week for Balsam Range!

We found out yesterday we were honored as one of the 5 nominees for the 2010 International Bluegrass Music Association's Awards' Emerging Artist Category!

Marc says it best, "We are excited and honored to be included with the other nominated groups for the category of Emerging Artist of the Year. We treasure our friendships with our fellow nominees, and we could not be more proud to be associated with and be members of the International Bluegrass Music Association. We look forward to seeing all of our Bluegrass friends in Nashville!"

Again, thanks so much to all of those who voted for us. What an honor.

If you get a chance to go the 2010 IBMA Awards, on Sept. 30, be sure to look us up. We promise to be dressed in our finest! We're not sure what that means for Darren, but we are hopeful.


For more about the 2010 IBMA Awards, click the image below:

Balsam Range will also be performing at the IBMA Fan Fest on Friday, October 1, 2010. Come see the show, and stop by our product table and hang out with us!


Check out the complete schedule and ticket information here: 2010 IBMA Fan Fest

Balsam Range at IBMA Fan Fest 2008

And, to top off the week, we have a new CD!

In the next few weeks, we will be announcing fun happenings surrounding our new CD, "Trains I Missed", on the Mountain Home label. We are thrilled for everyone to hear it, so we're having a party on October 2 to celebrate!

Balsam Range "Trains I Missed" CD Release Party
October 2, 2010
7 p.m.
Haywood Community College
185 Freedlander Dr.
Clyde, NC 28721

Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door
Visit www.BalsamRange.com for more details, and sign up for updates!
 

So, you guessed it, it's going to be a busy three days for us! We hope you can come to one or all of the events we are involved in that week!

Sure is high cotton we're swimmin' in for the 5 boys from Haywood County!

Thanks and God Bless!

Tim, Marc, Caleb, Darren and Buddy
Balsam Range

 

As Tim says, "Howdy Everybody!"


It's hard to believe, but this spring and summer festival event season is just flying by! And, although we may be "seasoned veterans" in this vast wonderful world of bluegrass music, Balsam Range has only been around for three years. And, we are having a ball!

Just to name a few of the places we've been, Balsam Range has had the honor to perform this year at: Merlefest on three stages, including the main Watson Stage, the Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver Festival, three days at Silver Dollar City, Bean Blossom, and the Red White and Bluegrass Festival. We even had an appearance at CMA Week playing live on WSM on the WSM Durango Acoustic Stage!



Check out some of the reviews from CMA Week and Merlefest 2010


We've also been busy recording our third project, on the Mountain Home Label, and just finished the last track on Friday! We will have more information on that coming up soon.

And, to add to the excitement, we've made it to the second round of voting for the International Bluegrass Music Awards. Thanks so much to all who put our name(s) in the following categories. Balsam Range is honored to be mentioned in categories with some of our own favorite artists.

We would appreciate your voting consideration in the following categories in which we are nominated:

Emerging Artist of the Year
Entertainer of the Year
Vocal Group of the Year
Instrumental Group of the Year
Song of the Year - "Last Train to Kitty Hawk"
Male Vocalist of the Year - Buddy Melton, Caleb Smith, and Tim Surrett
Instrumental Performers of the Year:
Banjo - Marc Pruett
Bass - Tim Surrett
Fiddle - Buddy Melton
Guitar - Caleb Smith
Mandolin - Darren Nicholson

Balsam Range still has a great tour schedule to finish out for this year. Head out and visit some of the great events that feature some of the best talent in our industry. We hope to see you somewhere down the road!

Blessings,

Buddy, Darren, Tim, Marc and Caleb
Balsam Range


Check out our full schedule on our Website, and some pictures we've taken while on the road on our Facebook Page.

Darren Nicholson of Balsam Range is performing tonight at 7 p.m. in Ashveille, NC with John Corabi of Motley Crue to benefit the Eliada Home. 

This is a real concert, and amazing opportunity to show how great acoustic musicians are able to play in ANY GENRE, and have the ability to come together with other artists to benefit a great cause.  

In the spirit of fun, Jennifer Nicholson has put together a press release that explains how some might view this "pairing".  This just goes to show how much fun we can have while still pursuing the spirit of excellence in our musical craft.

Way to go Darren!



Jennifer Nicholson, official press reporter for Mr. Nicholson, has issued the following press release:


"Unofficial"  Darren Nicholson Press Release

Balsam Range will be appearing on the WSM Durango Acoustic Corner stage on Sunday, June 13 at 12 p.m. during the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN. The show will be broadcast live on WSM 650 AM.

The group has already had a great summer, with a successful trip to Merlefest, Doyle Lawson Festival and Silver Dollar City. After CMA Week activities, this month includes appearances at the Cherokee Bluegrass Festival, Bean Blossom and String Bean Memorial Festival.

Balsam Range is currently in studio recording their 3rd CD on the Mountain Home label set to release in the early fall.
 

Check out Balsam Range Broken Records Magazine, NY - Interview about Merlefest.  

Click on the link to be redirected to the site, http://issuu.com/BrokenRecordsMagazine/docs/colbie_caillat    or -

Go to the top of the page, and click on Press Kits and Look Under Balsam Range EPK, and click on the link, and you can read the magazine.

Great article and interview from Caleb Smith about Balsam Range on page 29!

Balsam Range has been honored to be asked to perform on the WSM stage at the CMA Music Festival Fan Fair in Nashville, TN on Sunday, June 13 at 12 p.m. !  The guys are looking forward to representing great acoustic music on the original station of country music, WSM!



The Lesters are completing tracks on their latest recording, set to be released in the next few months.  Again, Tim Parton, of Legacy Five, produced and played keyboards on the CD.  The recording includes some original music, as well as some older recordings revisited. After spending a few hours in the studio with them, I am very excited for everyone to hear it!  

SC Media is proud to announce the addition of David Grindstaff to the roster!  A soon to be graduate of the acclaimed ETSU Bluegrass Program, David's new CD "Here and Now" was released in March, and already has garnered great reviews!  David freshman project is accompanied by musical greats such as Adam Steffey, Tim Stafford, Hunter Berry and Jim VanCleve.  Check him out!

  Buddy Melton and Tim Surrett in the studio

Balsam Range is in the studio right now recording their 3rd CD on the Mountain Home label.  It is scheduled for a fall release!

  The Lesters
Evan Pitchers, Brian Lester, Jonathan Lester, Ginger Pitchers


The Lesters' single release "What Faith Does" has charted at no. 50 on the Southern Gospel  Charts!  Check it out, and request their single at your local gospel stations!



We are proud to announce Melissa Lawrence to the Staff!!!!
Melissa has several years of experience in the music industry.  She travelled with her family, the Lawrence Family Band, and spent 3 years working for Tom T. and Miss Dixie Hall.  

And, Melissa is proud to be representing Volume Five and Jerry Butler and the Blue-J's.  Check them out on our site!
 

Balsam Range and Seth Taylor will both be at Merlefest this week.

Balsam Range will be appearing Thursday, April 29 at 3 p.m. on the Watson Stage, and Friday at 10:45 a.m. on the Creekside Stage, and 2:45 on the Americana Stage.

Seth Taylor will be judging both the Guitar and Banjo contests on Friday.

Click on the Merlefest header and see the schedule.  Come on out and see both of them.  And me!

Balsam Range, Darin and Brooke Aldridge and Expedition Show are all appearing at the 30th Annual Doyle Lawson Bluegrass Festival in Denton, NC.

Balsam Range appears on May 8th

Darin and Brooke Aldridge appears on May 6th

and The Expedition Show appears on May 8th.


Click HERE for more information!