Two Rediscovered Treasures‏

Rural Rhythm to Issue Two Rediscovered Treasures on March 23, 2010
Reno & Smiley with Special Guests Carter and Ralph Stanley “Bluegrass 1963”
Mac Wiseman with special guest, Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise “Bluegrass 1971”

Rural Rhythm Records is very proud to announce the upcoming March 23, 2010 album releases of two first generation bluegrass legends: “BLUEGRASS 1963” by Reno & Smiley with special guests Carter and Ralph Stanley, and “BLUEGRASS 1971” by Mac Wiseman with special guest, Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise. These are the first two album projects by a new and exciting joint venture between Rural Rhythm Records and Ronnie Reno. These historic albums will be available for purchase wherever bluegrass music is sold including; Walmart, Amazon, Borders, iTunes, Rhapsody, e-music, County Sales, Music Shed, plus the Rural Rhythm website.



“BLUEGRASS 1963,” produced by Ronnie Reno, is a welcomed treasure for those lucky enough to have seen and heard Reno & Smiley perform on their legendary “Top O’ the Morning” daily TV show in Roanoke, Virginia during the early 1960’s. This 18 song collection features their long time sideman, The Tennessee Cut-Ups, Mac Magaha on fiddle, John Palmer on bass, guitarist Steve Chapman, plus a young Ronnie Reno on mandolin. There are fine renditions of their classics like “I Know You’re Married,” “I’m the Talk of the Town,” “Love Please Come Home,” “I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could,” and “I’m Using My Bible for a Roadmap.”

Also featured on the album are guest spots from none other than The Stanley Brothers (Ralph and Carter) performing the classic “In the Pines,” “Nine Pound Hammer,” and Ralph joining Don Reno for a twin banjo workout on “Home Sweet Home.” A special album highlight is the four-part harmony performance of “Over in the Gloryland” with Ralph & Carter Stanley joined by Reno & Smiley and their full band. ‘As I look back some 47 years ago when we recorded this, I can’t help but think of my feelings on the music we were playing. I was 16, playing mandolin in a great band on TV and recording hit records. I guess I thought all bands sounded and played like Reno & Smiley. Little did I know I was playing in one of the greatest bluegrass bands of all time.” said album producer, Ronnie Reno.

“BLUEGRASS 1971,” features Mac Wiseman with special guests Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise. Mac Wiseman has been a very important part of the Country and Bluegrass music scene for many decades recording a tremendous amount of successful albums that have contained a long list of big hits in both genres. Towards the end of 1970, Mac Wiseman and Lester Flatt talked about teaming up for an album that would re-create the mood and spirit of the late 1940s. Lester had split acrimoniously from Earl Scruggs, so Lester and Mac began touring and recording together. During this period, their albums were musically and commercially successful including their album, “Lester ‘N Mac” reaching #42 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart.

This star-studded bluegrass album was recorded in 1971 at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in Kentucky during this historic collaborative period between the two. “BLUEGRASS 1971” gives us a historic treat as these bluegrass legends perform three classic songs together with Lester’s Nashville Grass Band, which included Paul Warren, Josh Graves, Roland White, Haskel McCormick and Johnny Johnson, special guest, Howdy Forrester, and nine classic songs performed with Mac and his band, The Shenandoah Valley Cut-Ups that included: Billy Edwards, Hershel Sizemore, John Palmer, Tater Tate, with special guest Chubby Wise. Another highlight includes a fiery three fiddle instrumental version of the classic tune, “Liberty,” with Tater Tate, Joe Greene and Chubby Wise.