Xenia, Ohio – February 2009 – Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers proudly announce the release of their newest CD project, Rambler’s Call.
After three years of performing and recording, the band is thankful to have developed a classic Bluegrass blend and assemble a diverse set of old and new songs that fit together very well. The group offers so much vocal variety with this CD. Highlights include “The Old Rocking Chair” written by Mullins’ former band mate, Gerald Evans Jr. Also featured, a grassy treatment of Marty Stuart’s “Farmer’s Blues” with Mullins' high lead vocals and guest Matt DeSpain on dobro.
The band dedicated the new CD project in memory of Joe’s dad, Paul “Moon” Mullins, who passed away in 2008. A few of the rare tunes in the disc were featured on his radio show hundreds of times. “Old Blue Tomorrow” is an obscure album cut from an old George Jones release. “Boston Jail” and “Another Day, Another Dollar” are tunes with an old-time flavor that Joe heard his dad play by Porter Wagoner many years ago.
Joe Mullins is a southwestern Ohio native who has been a recognizable banjo player, vocalist and a radio broadcaster for 25 years. Joe toured and recorded as a founding member of the band the Traditional Grass until 1995, when he purchased WBZI Radio in Xenia, Ohio. Mullins recorded and performed with the band Longview, earning Song of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year awards from the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) in the late 1990’s. He was honored by winning an Instrumental Recording of the Year award in 2001 from the IBMA for his banjo work on Rebel Record's Knee Deep in Bluegrass. Mullins was also one of many artists in 2006 sharing Album of the Year honors for Celebration of Life, on Skaggs Family Records.
Mullins owns an network of Ohio radio stations, adding WKFI in Wilmington and WEDI in Eaton recently. Most weekdays he is on the air from 2 until 5 p.m. featuring Bluegrass and Old-Time Gospel music on all three stations and webcasting at http://www.myclassiccountry.com/. He is a 2009 nominee for Broadcaster of the Year at the upcoming SPBGMA Awards Show in Nashville.
Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers formed in 2006 for the initial purpose of performing at promotions for Mullins’ radio stations. Since the band’s first CD release in 2007 entitled Tuned In, requests for performances by the Radio Ramblers have grown, expanding the 2009 schedule to include forty appearances at regional and national music venues and festivals through eight states.
The Ramblers feature Adam McIntosh on guitar and vocals. McIntosh provides the lead vocals for four songs in the new CD including the title track “Ramblers Call”, written by Aubrey Holt. McIntosh formerly worked with Rounder recording artists, Dry Branch Fire Squad.
Fiddler and vocalist, Evan McGregor, has been a member of a number of regional and national acts since his career started, including the Wildwood Valley Boys. McGregor operates Oscar Fish Studio in Brookville, Ohio, and served as engineer and co-producer on the new recording.
Mike Terry, mandolin player and vocalist, first met Joe Mullins when they performed together in the gospel group, the Beacons. Terry’s lead vocals are featured on four selections, including the CD’s only a cappela gospel song, “Don’t You Want Go Home”.
Bass player, Tim Kidd, is rock solid throughout the new project and also added a snare drum to the train tune “Smoke Along The Track” and the CD’s only instrumental “Charlotte Breakdown”.
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