The New Pinecastle Records

Columbus, NC - August 11, 2010 - In early February 2010, one of the leading bluegrass recording companies, Pinecastle Records, closed its doors due to an unfortunate series of events. Owner Col. Tom Riggs began to have serious health issues. The Riggs' family made the decision to close the label and focus on the Colonel's health. Artists were caught in limbo and their product was quickly going out of print. A prominent player in the bluegrass industry suddenly went silent.



When a physician, entrepreneur, lover of bluegrass music, and friend of the Riggs' family, Dr. Lonnie Lassiter, heard of Pinecastle closing, he immediately began taking the steps that would ultimately lead to him purchasing the label from the Riggs' family. As of August 1, 2010, Dr. Lassiter took ownership of the company. His first decision was to tap two of the company's former executives, both with around five years of experience with the previous company, to head up the new venture. Ethan Burkhardt was named the company's Vice President of Operations and Matt Hood its Vice President of Public Relations.


Son of Col. Tom Riggs, Cort Riggs sends his wishes:
"Many of you may have met Lonnie at festivals or the IBMA convention with my father and the staff of Pinecastle. He is a fan of our music and plans to continue to expand the catalog with new releases and exciting compilations of the vast Pinecastle catalog. In what I feel is a solid vote of confidence, several of the Pinecastle staff have signed on to help Lonnie grow the label. I am thrilled to see the label in capable hands and look forward to the great music to come!"


Contact information:
Mailing Address:

2881 NC 108 HWY E.

Columbus, NC 28722


Website:

www.pinecastlemusic.com (coming soon)


Email:

Ethan Burkhardt - ethan@pinecastlemusic.com

Matt Hood - matt@pinecastlemusic.com


About Pinecastle Records:

Pinecastle Records has been a key player in the transmission of bluegrass music to the masses for the last 20 years. Orlando, Florida businessman Tom Riggs started the label in 1989 as a favor to a friend who was looking for an outlet for their newly recorded CD. Pinecastle has long developed young artists including Kristin Scott Benson, Terry Eldredge, and Josh Williams and has also been the home to bluegrass legends such as the Osborne Brothers, Jim & Jesse, and Charlie Waller & the Country Gentlemen. In all, it has released nearly 250 projects.