Larry Stephenson offered the following statement: “I'm very
happy for my old friend Darrell Sanders with the re-release of
"West Virginia Style". This record was cut in the early 80's
while we were working with the great Bill Harrell. This record
still sounds good today ... enjoy everyone!” Mike
Auldridge recently commented on the release as well, saying “I'm
glad to hear that "West Virginia Style" is being reissued. I was
impressed at how fresh it all still sounds.”
The double CD release concert will be held at Poor House Farm Park, located at
213 Almshouse Road in Martinsburg, on Friday, June 15. Gates open at 6
p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. General admission will be donations of
any amount to Big Brothers Big Sisters. The concert will be held rain or
shine. Seating will be at the Rotary Pavilion or open lawn. Concert
attendees are encouraged to bring chairs for the open lawn. Refreshments
will be sold and a playground is available on site for children. For
additional information about the June 15 CD release show, contact Big Brothers
Big Sisters of the Eastern Panhandle at 304-263-5522 or through the agency's
website.
Since 1974,
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Panhandle has been
helping to make a difference in the lives of children and
youth in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. The agency
serves children from ages 6-14 years, who are primarily from
single parent families. Big Brothers Big Sisters currently
serve 160 children, with approximately 40 waiting to be
matched with an adult mentor.
Stoney Creek's
upcoming tour dates and details about the new release can be found
at the band's website
StoneyCreekBluegrass.net
or the band's
Facebook page.
Radio service, booking, and press inquiries for Stoney Creek
can be made by contacting Calv'ry Booking and Management through
CalvryBooking.com or
by calling 304-268-1785.
“Are
You Ready?” - Stoney Creek Releases New Single and Music
Video
Hedgesville, W.Va. (May 1, 2012) - Calv'ry Booking and
Management announces the release of “Are You Ready?”, the
new single from
Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band. The band has also
released a music video for the single, which can be found
here.
The single “Are You Ready?” is available through
AirPlay Direct and will be serviced to radio stations
over the next several weeks.
“Are You Ready?” is the title track of Stoney Creek’s
new bluegrass gospel CD, scheduled for release on June 19.
The track “Are You Ready?” was written by the late Dee
Stottlemyer, sister of Stoney Creek’s Libby Files.
The new album also features Stottlemyer’s song “Will It Be
You?”.
The music video for “Are You Ready?” is largely a tribute
to Stottlemyer, who passed away in 2004. Libby Files
handles most of the lead vocals on “Are You Ready?”, but the
track also contains several lines of Stottlemyer’s lead
vocals taken from a recording she made before her passing.
The duet between Files and Stottlemyer is the first vocal
guest appearance on a Stoney Creek project, and the
music video shows Files visiting her sister’s grave.
"This particular gospel project is something that I have
been wanting to do for a long time. Being able to record a
song that my sister wrote is an honor, but at the same time
a difficult task to do since her passing in 2004,” Files
says. “Throughout my thirteen years of playing bluegrass and
her four or five years, we never performed or sang together
before her passing. That’s one thing that I regret, but it
finally came down to doing it like this – adding her voice
on an original song that she wrote.”
The music video also includes imagery from around West
Vbuilt parts and repaired instruments for Don Reno, Little
Roy Lewis, J.D. Crowe, Sonny Osborne, and Stoney Creek’s
Darrell Sanders in the 1970s and 1980s. Boarman gave
Sanders his Deering Golden Era banjo in the 1980s and helped
secure Sanders’ original endorsement with the Deering Banjo
Company. The music video also shows the railroad tracks
near Martinsburg, W.Va. where Sanders practiced banjo as a
young teenager.
The music video for “Are You Ready?” includes a
mountaintop guitar break from Ed Barney, who once ap; The
project’s mandolin player Brett Smeltzer is shown at
French’s Kountry Kwick Stop, the well-known home to an
ongoing bluegrass jam for more than 40 years. The full
band was filmed on stage at Back Creek Valley’s Central
Chapel. The music video and album artwork depicts a
cross displaying the words “Are You Ready” filmed in Files’
hometown of Jones Spring.
Stoney Creek's
upcoming tour dates and details about the new release can be
found at the band's website
StoneyCreekBluegrass.net or the
band's
Facebook page.
Radio service, booking, and press inquiries for
Stoney Creek
can be made by contacting Calv'ry Booking and Management
through
CalvryBooking.com or by calling
304-268-1785.
Darrell Sanders
to Reissue “West Virginia Style”
Radio Download at
AirPlay Direct
MARTINSBURG,
W.Va. (April 10, 2012) - Darrell Sanders has announced the CD
reissue of his instrumental solo album, “West Virginia Style”.
Sanders is planning to make the CD available in early June. The
album was originally released in 1983 on Webco Records. “West
Virginia Style” features Sanders with his then-current band, Bill
Harrell and the Virginians (with Bill Harrell on guitar, Larry
Stephenson on mandolin, Carl Nelson on fiddle, and Ed Ferris on
bass) and special guest Mike Auldridge on dobro.
Although highly
regarded among bluegrass musicians and still frequently requested by
fans, “West Virginia Style” had been out-of-print since the 1980s.
Webco Records was purchased by Pinecastle Records in 1993, and
Sanders was able to license CD rights to “West Virginia Style” in
late 2011.
“I’m glad to see
it come back, and I hope everyone else likes it too,” Sanders said
regarding the long awaited release. “It’s been a long time.”
Larry Stephenson
offered the following statement: “I'm very happy for my old friend
Darrell Sanders with the re-release of "West Virginia Style". This
record was cut in the early 80's while we were working with the
great Bill Harrell. They were fun times for a couple of young guys
and Bill was so nice to let us record our own music. This record
still sounds good today....enjoy everyone!”
Mike Auldridge
recently commented on the release as well, saying “I'm glad to hear
that "West Virginia Style" is being reissued. I was impressed at how
fresh it all still sounds.”
Sanders noted
that Stephenson and Auldridge are the only other performers on “West
Virginia Style” who are still living. In this context, “West
Virginia Style” serves as a snapshot of great line-up from an era
now past. Sanders has continued his career in recent years with
Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band, releasing a steady output of albums and
appearing at numerous festivals and music venues. In 2011, Sanders
began a new endorsement for the Deering Banjo Company.
All CD
distribution and promotion for “West Virginia Style” will be handled
by Sanders through Calv’ry Booking and Management (who also oversees
Stoney Creek). Sanders will be playing several CD release shows with
Stoney Creek to celebrate the release of “West Virginia Style” and
an upcoming gospel project from Stoney Creek. Details will be
announced prior to the June release of “West Virginia Style”.
Show dates and
CDs will be available at
www.StoneyCreekBluegrass.net.
February 14,
2012
DARRELL
SANDERS -
WEST VIRGINIA STYLE
Reissue Available Soon!
Darrell's long-awaited album is
finally being released on CD. Featuring Bill Harrell & the
Virginians (including Larry Stephenson, Carl Nelson, and Ed
Ferris) and special guest Mike Auldridge.
Radio Download at
AirPlay
Direct
Join the STONEY CREEK
BLUEGRASS BAND Wagon
this spring as we celebrate this
record!
September 6, 2011
Stoney Creek Release “I'm
Leaving Detroit” as New Single From Live Album
Hedgesville, WV (September 6, 2011) - Calv'ry Booking and Management is releasing
"I'm Leaving Detroit” as the second single from Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band's
"Live In Concert" album. This updated version of the Charlie Moore classic
is available through
AirPlay Direct and is being serviced to bluegrass radio.
Stoney Creek's
Darrell Sanders played banjo for the late Charlie Moore in 1977 at the age of
18. Guitarist Ed Barney encouraged the band to revisit the song, and Ed
provides lead vocals on the cut.
On Friday, September 9,
Stoney Creek will be appearing on the main stage at Pickin' in the
Panhandle, the West Virginia State BBQ and Bluegrass Festival in Hedgesville,
WV. Friday night's line-up also includes the Dixie Bee-Liners, Stacy
Grubb, Appalachia, Sleepy Creek, and country-rock headliners Confederate
Railroad. Stoney Creek will be back on the main stage on Saturday,
September 10, for two brief performances prior to full sets by Michael Cleveland
& Flamekeeper and the Lonesome River Band.
“Live In Concert” was
recorded at Thelma’s Family Restaurant in Hedgesville. The band describes
the album as
essentially a “thank you” to fans, as the band selected many of the songs based
on fan requests and crowd response. “Live In Concert” was released on July 26th
with a radio premiere on WAMU's Bluegrass Country with Country Music DJ
Hall of Famer Tom “Cat” Reeder. Stoney Creek also premiered the album on WDHC's
"Beyond Country with the Doctor" on August 27th.
Stoney Creek's "I'm Leaving Detroit"
single can be downloaded by broadcasters from
AirPlay Direct.
Stoney Creek's
upcoming tour dates and details about the new release can be found at the
band's website
StoneyCreekBluegrass.net or the band's
Facebook page.
Booking and press inquiries for Stoney Creek can be made by contacting
Calv'ry Booking and Management through
CalvryBooking.com or by calling 304-268-1785.
August 26, 2011
Stoney Creek
to Premiere Live Album on WDHC’s Beyond Country – August 27
Berkeley Springs, WV (August 26) - Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band will
appear on Saturday’s (8/27) “Beyond Country with the Doctor” on WDHC 92.9 FM.
Stoney Creek will join WDHC host “The Doctor” in the studio at 4:00 p.m.
(EDT) to premiere their new album, “Live In Concert” and to discuss the
long-awaited live project.
Stoney Creek is also be promoting several upcoming appearances, including
a main stage appearance at West Virginia’s Pickin’ in the Panhandle Festival on
September 9, the band’s performance at the renowned Lucketts Bluegrass Series in
Leesburg, Virginia, on October 22, and an appearance with the Grascals at the
Berryville Bluegrass Series in Berryville, Virginia, on November 12.
"Live In Concert" visits
banjo and dobro player Darrell Sanders’ back catalog from his days with Charlie
Moore and Bill Harrell & the Virginians. Stoney Creek turns in a
rendition of Moore’s “I’m Leaving Detroit”, as well as “Kickin’ Mule (Whoa Mule
Whoa)”, which Darrell originally recorded with the Virginians on his 1983 solo
album, “West Virginia Style”.
Mandolin player Brett Smeltzer handles lead vocal duties on the classic “Sitting
On Top of the World”. Brett also sings a duet with Libby Files on a powerful
version of the Osborne Brothers’ “Midnight Angel”. Libby sings several
often-requested favorites here, including numbers from the Osborne Brothers, the
Stanley Brothers, and Rhonda Vincent.
Guitarist Ed Barney handles most of the M.C. duties throughout the set (with
some memorable lines from the rest of the band). Ed kicks off several guitar
tunes and sings lead on many of the tracks, including a striking version of
Jimmy Martin’s classic “Freeborn Man”. Ed also pays homage to the Osborne
Brothers, as well as Flatt and Scruggs, and Red Allen.
“Live In Concert” was
officially released in July and was also premiered on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country
with Country Music DJ Hall of Famer Tom “Cat” Reeder.
“Beyond Country with the
Doctor” airs on WDHC on 92.9 FM in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. WDHC is a
Country, Bluegrass, and Americana formatted station that can be heard across
West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle and in parts of Virginia, Maryland, and
Pennsylvania. WDHC’s website is located at
www.WDHC.com.
Stoney Creek's
upcoming tour dates and details about the new releases can be found at the
band's website
StoneyCreekBluegrass.net or the band's
Facebook page.
July 26, 2011 -
LISTEN LIVE!
Stoney Creek to Premiere Live Album on WAMU's
Tom "Cat" Reeder Show - July 26
Washington, DC (July 26) - Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band will
appear on Tuesday’s (7/26) Tom “Cat” Reeder Show on WAMU’s Bluegrass
Country. Stoney Creek will be in the studio at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) to
premiere their new album, “Live In Concert”.
“Live In Concert” is officially available
today. Country Music DJ
Hall of Famer Tom “Cat” Reeder will premiere the live album and discuss the
project with band members from the studios of WAMU’s Bluegrass Country in
Washington, DC.
"Live In Concert" visits banjo and dobro player Darrell Sanders’ back catalog
from his days with Charlie Moore and Bill Harrell & the Virginians. Stoney
Creek turns in a rendition of Moore’s “I’m Leaving Detroit”, as well as
“Kickin’ Mule (Whoa Mule Whoa)”, which Darrell originally recorded with the
Virginians on his 1983 solo album, “West Virginia Style”.
Mandolin player Brett Smeltzer handles lead vocal duties on the classic “Sitting
On Top of the World”. Brett also sings a duet with Libby Files on a powerful
version of the Osborne Brothers’ “Midnight Angel”. Libby sings several
often-requested favorites here, including numbers from the Osborne Brothers, the
Stanley Brothers, and Rhonda Vincent.
Guitarist Ed Barney handles most of the M.C. duties throughout the set (with
some memorable lines from the rest of the band). Ed kicks off several guitar
tunes and sings lead on many of the tracks, including a striking version of
Jimmy Martin’s classic “Freeborn Man”. Ed also pays homage to the Osborne
Brothers, as well as Flatt and Scruggs, and Red Allen.
WAMU’s Bluegrass Country is on air at 105.5 FM in northern
Virginia, on HD Radio at 88.5-2, and online at
BluegrassCountry.org.
Stoney Creek's
upcoming tour dates and details about the new releases can be found at the
band's website
StoneyCreekBluegrass.net or the band's
Facebook page.
July 7, 2011
Stoney Creek “Take the
Blame” on New Single, Live Album
Hedgesville, WV (July 7, 2011) - Calv'ry Booking and Management will release
"Live In Concert”, the new album from Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band, on
Tuesday, July 26th. The debut single, a newly crafted version of the Stanley
Brothers’ “I’ll Take the Blame”, has been released through
AirPlay Direct and is being serviced to bluegrass radio.
Stoney Creek
will join host Tom “Cat” Reeder on WAMU's Bluegrass Country for an exclusive
premiere of the new album on July 26th. Fans can pick up the new album early at
a special hometown CD release show on July 15th at Thelma’s Family Restaurant in
Hedgesville.
"Live In Concert" visits banjo and dobro player Darrell Sanders’ back catalog
from his days with Charlie Moore and Bill Harrell & the Virginians. Stoney
Creek turns in a rendition of Moore’s “I’m Leaving Detroit”, as well as
“Kickin’ Mule (Whoa Mule Whoa)”, which Darrell originally recorded with the
Virginians on his 1983 solo album, “West Virginia Style”.
Mandolin player Brett Smeltzer handles lead vocal duties on the classic “Sitting
On Top of the World”. Brett also sings a duet with Libby Files on a powerful
version of the Osborne Brothers’ “Midnight Angel”. Libby sings several
often-requested favorites here, including numbers from the Osborne Brothers, the
Stanley Brothers, and Rhonda Vincent.
Guitarist Ed Barney handles most of the M.C. duties throughout the set (with
some memorable lines from the rest of the band). Ed kicks off several guitar
tunes and sings lead on many of the tracks, including a striking version of
Jimmy Martin’s classic “Freeborn Man”. Ed also pays homage to the Osborne
Brothers, as well as Flatt and Scruggs, and Red Allen.
“Live In Concert” was
recorded at Thelma’s Family Restaurant in Hedgesville, the band's hometown. This
location, under different ownership, had been home to the band during its early
days. The restaurant proved to be a key venue for trying out new material and
building a local fan base during the band's formative years. The location was
closed for an extended period of time, until Thelma's Family Restaurant moved
into the location in mid-2010. During this hiatus, Stoney Creek had been
discussing the possibility of recording a live album there if the location ever
reopened. Thelma's expressed interest in bringing Stoney Creek back to
the reopened venue on a regular basis, and the band accepted the opportunity.
Back on a familiar stage, the band decided to finally record the long-awaited
live album during the winter months of 2010 and 2011.
The album in many ways
captures the full experience of a Stoney Creek concert. “Live In
Concert” was recorded through the band’s stage mics, a set-up less clean and
isolated than a studio environment. As a result, “Live In Concert” captures the
chaos and crowd presence in a way not possible in the studio. The album is
essentially a “thank you” to fans, as the band selected many of the songs based
on fan requests and crowd response. While some artists might avoid releasing
another version of “Rocky Top”, “Big Spike Hammer”, or “Soldier’s Joy”, such
tunes are included on this album because the audience wanted to hear them.
The CD release show will be held at Thelma’s Family Restaurant in Hedgesville,
WV, on Friday, July 15th from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM. Admission will be $5.00
and reserved seating is recommended. For reserved seating or additional
information for the July 15th CD release show, contact Thelma’s Family
Restaurant at 304-754-0158.
“Live In Concert” will
officially be available on Tuesday, July 26th. That afternoon, Country Music DJ
Hall of Famer Tom “Cat” Reeder will premiere the live album and discuss the
project with band members from the studios of WAMU’s Bluegrass Country in
Washington, DC. WAMU’s Bluegrass Country is on air at 105.5 FM in northern
Virginia, on HD Radio at 88.5-2, online at
BluegrassCountry.org and available to iPhone and iPod touch users through
the iTunes Store.
Stoney Creek's
upcoming tour dates and details about the new releases can be found at the
band's website
StoneyCreekBluegrass.net or the band's
Facebook page.
Booking and press inquiries for Stoney Creek can be made by contacting
Calv'ry Booking and Management through
CalvryBooking.com or by calling 304-268-1785.
June 20, 2011
Remembering 'West
Virginia Style' Album on West Virginia Day
Martinsburg, WV (June 20) - Today is West
Virginia Day. The state was founded on June 20, 1863 during the turbulence of
the Civil War.
In honor of this day, we would like to remember Darrell Sanders' album 'West
Virginia Style', released in 1983. At the time, Darrell was mid-way through his
ten years playing banjo with Bill Harrell and the Virginians. Darrell's solo
album features Bill Harrell on guitar, Ed Ferris on bass, Carl Nelson on fiddle,
Larry Stephenson on mandolin, and Mike Auldridge on dobro.
'West Virginia Style' was recorded and released by Webco Records, which was
bought by Pinecastle Records in 1993. We are hoping to work out a licensing
agreement with Pinecastle in the near future to bring this album back into
print, in addition to Pinecastle's plans to release it digitally. This album
was significant in raising awareness of bluegrass music in the Mountain State,
and like the late Sen. Robert S. Byrd's famous fiddle album that was reissued
last year, we think it's important that such recordings remain available as a
document of West Virginia's music (and bluegrass/mountain music overall.
Darrell, Larry, and Mike are the only musicians left who played on 'West
Virginia Style' and the album serves as a snapshot of a moment in time that
won't come around again.
###
June 6, 2011
Stoney Creek Announces Release Date and Radio
Premiere for New Live Album
Hedgesville, WV (June 6, 2011) - Calv'ry Booking and Management will release
"Live In Concert”, the new album from Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band, on
Tuesday, July 26th. Stoney Creek will join host Tom “Cat” Reeder on
WAMU's Bluegrass Country for an exclusive premiere of the new album on July
26th. Fans can pick up the new album early at a special hometown CD release show
on July 15th at Thelma’s Family Restaurant in Hedgesville.
"Live In Concert" visits banjo and dobro player Darrell Sanders’ back catalog
from his days with Charlie Moore and Bill Harrell & the Virginians. Stoney
Creek turns in a rendition of Moore’s “I’m Leaving Detroit”, as well as
“Kickin’ Mule (Whoa Mule Whoa)”, which Darrell originally recorded with the
Virginians on his 1983 solo album, “West Virginia Style”.
Mandolin player Brett Smeltzer handles lead vocal duties on the classic “Sitting
On Top of the World”. Brett also sings a duet with Libby Files on a powerful
version of the Osborne Brothers’ “Midnight Angel”. Libby sings several
often-requested favorites here, including numbers from the Osborne Brothers, the
Stanley Brothers, and Rhonda Vincent.
Guitarist Ed Barney handles most of the M.C. duties throughout the set (with
some memorable lines from the rest of the band). Ed kicks off several guitar
tunes and sings lead on many of the tracks, including a striking version of
Jimmy Martin’s classic “Freeborn Man”. Ed also pays homage to the Osborne
Brothers, as well as Flatt and Scruggs and Red Allen.
“Live In Concert” was recorded at Thelma’s Family Restaurant in Hedgesville, the
band's hometown. This location, under different ownership, had been home to the
band during its early days. The restaurant proved to be a key venue for trying
out new material and building a local fan base during the band's formative
years. The location was closed for an extended period of time, until Thelma's
Family Restaurant moved into the location in mid-2010. During this hiatus,
Stoney Creek had been discussing the possibility of recording a live album
there if the location ever reopened. Thelma's expressed interest in bringing
Stoney Creek back to the reopened venue on a regular basis, and the band
accepted the opportunity. Back on a familiar stage, the band decided to finally
record the long-awaited live album during the winter months of 2010 and 2011.
“Live In Concert” will officially be available on Tuesday, July 26th. That
afternoon, Country Music DJ Hall of Famer Tom “Cat” Reeder will premiere the
live album and discuss the project with band members from the studios of WAMU’s
Bluegrass Country in Washington, DC. WAMU’s Bluegrass Country is on air at 105.5
FM in northern Virginia, on HD Radio at 88.5-2, online at
BluegrassCountry.org
and available to iPhone and iPod touch users through the iTunes Store.
The CD release show will be held at Thelma’s Family Restaurant in Hedgesville,
WV, on Friday, July 15th from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM. Admission will be $5.00
and reserved seating is recommended. For reserved seating or additional
information for the July 15th CD release show, contact Thelma’s Family
Restaurant at 304-754-0158.
Stoney Creek's upcoming tour dates and details about the new releases can
be found at the band's website
StoneyCreekBluegrass.net or the band's
Facebook page.
Booking and press inquiries for Stoney Creek can be made by contacting
Calv'ry Booking and Management through
CalvryBooking.com or
by calling 304-268-1785.
April 8, 2011
Stoney Creek's Brett Smeltzer endorses Davis
Mandolins
BLUEMONT,
VA - Davis Mandolins has added Stoney Creek's Brett Smeltzer to its roster of
artists.
Buddy Davis has built instruments for many top musicians, including Larry
Stephenson and Smiley Hobbs, Norman Wright, and Blue Grass Boy Charlie Smith.
"I've known of Buddy Davis and his mandolins for over 17 years and was pleased
to have had obtained a custom built F5 mandolin in 2007. It is nice to own an
instrument that was built actually for me to my specs," Brett says.
Smeltzer can be heard at live shows with Stoney Creek and on the band's "Hot Off
the Press" project. The album's latest single is "Going To Georgia," an
extremely energetic update of the traditional tune made famous by the Stanley
Brothers. Brett's mandolin kicks off the tune. Bluegrass Unlimited called the
album "mainstream bluegrass at its best" in the magazine's February 2011 issue.
Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band is preparing two new projects for 2011: the band's
first live album and a gospel project. In addition to a busy show schedule this
summer, Stoney Creek is also selecting material for the official studio
follow-up to 2010's "Hot Off the Press" album.
Stoney Creek's upcoming tour dates and details about the new releases can be
found at the band's
website. Fans
can connect with the band on
Facebook.
Booking and press inquiries for Stoney Creek can be made by contacting Calv'ry
Booking and Management through
www.CalvryBooking.com
or by calling 304-268-1785.
Buddy Davis designs and handcrafts mandolins for highly acclaimed musicians.
From the Grand Old Opry to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the exceptional sound of a
Davis Mandolin is unmistakable. This remarkable sound and the beauty of the
craftsmanship are the reasons that the following top musicians have had
instruments specially designed by Buddy Davis. Using the finest materials, Davis
Mandolins are handcrafted in a time-honored tradition since 1958. Buddy Davis
also specializes in custom-made banjos, five string conversions, restorations,
custom inlay, refinishing, and repairs on all string instruments. Contact Buddy
Davis at 304-728-6256 or visit
www.DavisMandolins.com.
February 2011 (Bluegrass
Unlimited - New Releases by Les McIntyre)
STONEY CREEK BLUEGRASS BAND
HOT OFF THE PRESS
The Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band is a West
Virginia foursome consisting of noted banjo picker Darrell Sanders, Brett
Smeltzer (mandolin and vocals), Ed Barney (guitar and vocals) and Libby Files
(bass and vocals). Hot Off The Press is the group’s latest recording venture and
has apparently drawn praises from a myriad of sources. The dozen selections are
an interesting assembly of bluegrass standards including “Steel Rails,”
“Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong,” “Erase The Miles,” “Long Gone” and the classic
Pete Wernick instrumental “Armadillo Breakdown.” Hot Off The Press is mainstream
bluegrass at its best and another significant milestone in the musical journey
of the Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band.
January 27, 2011 (The Journal) -
Artist Darrell Sanders joins Deering Banjo Company
MARTINSBURG - The Deering Banjo Company has added
banjo veteran Darrell Sanders to its roster of artists.
"Talented endorsing artists like Darrell Sanders
who play Deering banjos are very much appreciated. Giving the audience a chance
to hear our banjos in the hands of a skilled musician not only helps promote our
banjos but helps inspire them to play banjo. There can't be too many banjo
players in the world! And we want them all to play Deering. We thank Darrell
Sanders and the Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band for helping make this happen", said
Carolina Bridges of the Deering Banjo Company.
Sanders has been playing his Deering Golden Era
model banjo since 1986. The instrument originally belonged to renowned West
Virginia classical banjo player and luthier Andy Boarman.
Sanders began playing professionally in 1977 with
Charlie Moore and the Dixie Partners. Sanders spent 10 years with Bill Harrell
and the Virginians, touring and recording from the late 1970s until the late
1980s. Sanders, of Martinsburg, released an instrumental solo album ("West
Virginia Style") on Webco Records in 1983. "West Virginia Style" features
Sanders along with the Virginians (Bill Harrell, Carl Nelson, Ed Ferris, Larry
Stephenson) and special guest Mike Auldridge. In the 1990s, Sanders was a
founding member of the Scott Brannon Band.
Sanders went on to join Stoney Creek Bluegrass
Band in 2003. Stoney Creek's new project, "Hot Off the Press," has gained
support from bluegrass radio as well as fans of the band's hard-driving, high-
energy live show.
In the liner notes for "Hot Off the Press,"
Berryville Bluegrass Series promoter Frank Jurney writes, "I expected it to be
very strong instrumentally. I've been familiar with super banjo picker Darrell
Sanders since his days with the excellent band, Bill Harrell and the Virginians.
He, along with guitar player Ed Barney, mandolin player Brett Smeltzer and bass
player Libby Files, certainly delivered to my expectations." Stoney Creek will
be appearing with the Grascals on Nov. 12 at the Berryville Bluegrass Series in
Berryville, Va.
"It's good to hear my old friend Darrell Sanders
pick again. I think we both learned from the best," says Larry Stephenson, who
began his professional career with the Virginians.
Lee Michael Demsey (WAMU's Bluegrass Country)
notes that "one of my favorite memories of the 1980s bluegrass scene was seeing
Darrell Sanders play his banjo with one of the best bands on the national
circuit, Bill Harrell and the Virginians. Darrell keeps that sound a rollin'."
Sanders and his Deering Golden Era banjo can be
heard at live shows with Stoney Creek and on the band's "Hot Off the Press"
project. The album's latest single is "Going To Georgia," an extremely energetic
update of the traditional tune made famous by the Stanley Brothers. Sanders'
banjo break tips the hat to Ralph Stanley's clawhammer style and the song's
pre-bluegrass roots. Equally known for his backup work, Sanders' hard-driving
style can be heard throughout the song. Stoney Creek's 2011 show schedule can be
found at
www.stoneycreekbluegrass.net.
Celebrating 35 years of quality banjo
manufacturing this year, the Deering Banjo Company is the largest banjo
manufacturer of American-made banjos in the world. The Deering catalog reads
like a virtual "who's who" of the world's most outstanding banjo virtuosos.
For more information visit
www.deeringbanjos.com
or call its
toll-free number, 800-845-7791.
January 13, 2011
Still Cool Waters - Stoney Creek, Libby Files headed to Brunswick
From
The Gazette
December 26, 2010
Stoney Creek Releases 'Going To Georgia'
Single
Washington, DC. (December 27) - Calv'ry Booking and Management is pleased to
announce the new single release "Going To Georgia" by Stoney Creek Bluegrass
Band. This track is an extremely energetic update of the traditional tune
made famous by the Stanley Brothers. Stoney Creek's version is found on
their latest project, "Hot Off the Press". Radio broadcasters can
download the single from
AirPlay
Direct.
"Going To Georgia" begins with blazing mandolin kick off by Brett Smeltzer.
Darrell Sanders' banjo break tips the hat to Ralph Stanley's clawhammer style
and the song's pre-bluegrass roots. Ed Barney turns in a fluid break that proves
why he is one of the unsung heroes of contemporary bluegrass guitar.
Berryville Bluegrass Series promoter Frank Jurney writes: "I expected it to be
very strong instrumentally. I've been familiar with super banjo player Darrell
Sanders since his days with the excellent band Bill Harrell and the Virginians.
After listening, I was equally impressed with the group's vocals. Libby
(Files) is among the rising number of female vocalists who are making a big
impact on bluegrass music. She's very easy to listen to and the group's harmony
is top notch."
Stoney Creek provides a sound that hits harder than most - high energy,
hard driving versions of traditional songs and obscure deep cuts that capture
the live energy often polished out by other artists on studio projects.
Stoney Creek not only captures the drive, but also turns up the heat with
tight harmonies and stunning instrumental skill. The next Stoney Creek
project will extend these qualities to several original tracks that have been
winning over fans on the road.
Stoney Creek features several bluegrass veterans who are no strangers to
the road. Ed Barney has toured internationally as lead guitarist for Up With
People. Brett Smeltzer spent several years touring and recording with one of
Maryland's premiere bluegrass acts, Jack Sanbower and the No Leeway Band.
Darrell Sanders spent ten years with the Virginians, as well as a stint with
Charlie Moore and the Dixie Partners. Stoney Creek was founded by
bassist Libby Files, whose lead vocals are featured on "Going To Georgia".
Among others, Stoney Creek has shared the stage with Loretta Lynn, Ronnie
Reno, and IBMA favorites Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper. In May 2010,
Stoney Creek was named "Artist of the Week" by Bluegrass Music Profiles
magazine. In August 2010, Stoney Creek did an hour long in-studio
performance on WAMU's Bluegrass Country in Washington, DC. Stoney Creek
was also featured at the renowned Lucketts Fair in Lucketts, Virginia.
Stoney Creek will be staying busy in the winter months, beginning their
2011 season with show dates in January. Check out
www.StoneyCreekBluegrass.net
for details.
Radio broadcasters not affiliated with AirPlay Direct can receive digital tracks
(or physical CDs of "Hot Off the Press") from Calv'ry Booking and
Management (www.CalvryBooking.com).
###
December 1, 2010
Stoney Creek Signs with Calv'ry Booking and
Management
Washington, DC (December 1) - Libby Files of
Stoney Creek has announced her band's signing with Calv'ry Booking and
Management. The newly launched company features many of the in-house team
members who were involved in the production, release, and promotion of Stoney
Creek's latest CD, "Hot Off the Press". Calv'ry also coordinates the band's
booking through several talent agencies.
"By starting this booking agency, it freed me up
some by letting others that were already involved handle a lot of the bookings,"
Files said. "It lets the band concentrate on learning new songs (and perhaps
writing some of their own) and doing the best shows possible."
Stoney Creek's touring base is around the
greater Washington, DC area (including Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and
West Virginia). The band is hoping to expand their base into additional areas
where radio has supported "Hot Off the Press".
Stoney Creek features several bluegrass
veterans who are no strangers to the road. Ed Barney has toured internationally
as lead guitarist for Up With People. Brett Smeltzer (mandolin) spent several
years touring and recording with one of Maryland's premiere bluegrass acts, Jack
Sanbower and the No Leeway Band. Darrell Sanders (banjo, dobro) spent ten years
touring and recording professionally with Bill Harrell and the Virginians. He
also played with Charlie Moore and the Dixie Partners. Among others, Stoney
Creek has shared the stage with Loretta Lynn, Ronnie Reno, and IBMA
favorites Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper.
The management side of Calv'ry will continue to
handle Stoney Creek's publicity and promotion. The band's latest CD, "Hot
Off the Press", has gained airplay on local stations and syndicated programs in
over 140 cities in the United States. Cuts from the album have also been
featured on programming in Australia, Europe, and the South Pacific islands.
"Libby is among the rising number of female vocalists who are making a big
impact on bluegrass music," according to Frank Jurney of Virginia's Berryville
Bluegrass Series. Stoney Creek are scheduled to appear with the Grascals
at Berryville in November 2011.
Stoney Creek are currently preparing to go
back into the studio to record the follow-up to "Hot Off the Press". The band
will be recording several upcoming shows for a possible live album.
Calv'ry Booking and Management can be found
online at
www.CalvryBooking.com.
###
August 19, 2010 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Stoney Creek on WAMU's Tom "Cat" Reeder Show - August 24
Washington, DC (August 19) - Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band will
appear on Tuesday’s (8/24) Tom “Cat” Reeder Show on WAMU’s Bluegrass
Country. Stoney Creek will be in the studio at 2:00 (EDT) to
discuss their new album, “Hot Off the Press”, and their August 28
appearance at the Lucketts Fair.
“Hot Off the Press” was released in April and features liner notes from
Larry Stephenson, WAMU’s Lee Michael Demsey, and Berryville Bluegrass
Series promoter Frank Jurney. "Hot Off the Press" is available from the
Music Shed (www.musicshed.com)
and the band's website (www.stoneycreekbluegrass.net).
Stoney Creek features renowned banjo player Darrell Sanders
(formerly of Bill Harrell and the Virginians, and Charlie Moore and the
Dixie Partners). Stoney Creek also features mandolin player Brett
Smeltzer, who spent several years touring and recording with “Maryland’s
Five String King” Jack Sanbower. The band’s guitarist is Ed Barney, who
also plays lead guitar with Patent Pending. Stoney Creek is
completed by bassist and founding member Libby Files. Stoney Creek
was recently named “Artist of the Week” by Bluegrass Music Profiles.
Stoney Creek will play two sets on August 28 at the 38th Annual
Lucketts Fair. The fair runs from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm on Saturday
and Sunday. Other groups performing on Saturday include the Patuxent
Partners, the Scott Brannon Band, and Five of a Kind. Sunday’s lineup
includes Patent Pending, Ernie Bradley and the Grassy Ridge Band, the
Company Store, and Iron Ridge.
Stoney Creek is based out of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.
"Hot Off the Press" was recorded at Old World Media in Hedgesville, WV.
The Tom “Cat” Reeder Show will air on Tuesday (8/24) from 12:00 pm –
3:00 pm (EDT) on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country.
WAMU's Bluegrass Country is a member-supported public radio station
dedicated to honoring the past and supporting the future of bluegrass.
BluegrassCountry.org has more than 60,000 unique visitors per month.
The station is on air at 105.5 FM in northern Virginia, on HD Radio at
88.5-2, online at
BluegrassCountry.org and available to iPhone and iPod touch users
through the iTunes Store.
May 12, 2010 -
Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band is
Bluegrass Music Profiles’ Artist of the Week
Hedgesville, WV (May 12, 2010) - Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band has
been chosen as the Bluegrass Music Profiles “Artist of the Week” for the
week of May 12. The “Artist of the Week” page is located at the
magazine’s website,
BluegrassMusicProfiles.com. Stoney Creek’s Libby Files
answers questions about the band’s touring plans and their new album
“Hot Off the Press”. The page also contains a streaming MP3 of the
track “Steel Rails” from “Hot Off the Press”.
Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band features Libby Files on bass and
vocals, Brett Smeltzer on mandolin and vocals, Ed Barney on guitar and
vocals, and Darrell Sanders on banjo, dobro, and vocals.
Darrell Sanders spent ten years with Bill Harrell and the Virginians,
and also played with Charlie Moore and the Dixie Partners. Ed Barney
toured internationally as lead guitarist for Up With People. Brett
Smeltzer spent several years with the late Jack Sanbower and the No
Leeway Band, one of Maryland’s top touring bands in the 1990s.
The new album, “Hot Off the Press”, is the first album by the
current line-up of Stoney Creek. Tracks from the album have been
gaining adds on bluegrass and gospel radio in the United States, Europe,
and Australia. The band’s website (StoneyCreekBluegrass.net)
contains an online store for ordering “Hot Off the Press”, tour
dates, radio locations, and links to the band’s social network pages.
Bluegrass Music Profiles is a bi-monthly magazine that focuses on the
personalities behind the music. Regular features include the BMP Top 30
Hot Singles and Top 10 Albums charts, news and CD reviews.
###
April 27, 2010 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band's new album is "Hot Off the Press"!
Hedgesville, West Virginia (April 27, 2010) - Stoney Creek Bluegrass
Band is pleased to release their latest album, "Hot Off the Press".
Audio samples are posted on the Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band web
site, as well as the band's official social network pages. The album
contains liner notes written by several prominent figures in bluegrass.
Larry Stephenson notes that the album contains "lots of great songs here
performed with excitement and energy. SCBB has a bright future
ahead of them. It's also good to hear my old friend Darrell Sanders pick
again".
WAMU's Lee Michael Demsey asks "what is the heart and soul, what is the
backbone of our music? It's the bands that put out a fine sound, and
spread the good word about our music to the grass roots audiences.
Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band is one of the best of these kinds of
bands.
Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band has a lot to be proud of with this
CD".
Longtime Berryville Bluegrass Series promoter Frank Jurney writes that
"Libby is among the rising number of female vocalists who are making a
big impact on bluegrass music. She's very easy to listen to and the
group's harmony is top notch. I highly recommend this latest project
from Stoney Creek to any lover of traditional bluegrass".
Stoney Creek's Libby Files will be a guest on the April 27th
edition of Country Unplugged with Uncle Billy Dunbar. The program will
air on
World Wide Bluegrass from 6pm - 10pm (Eastern). The interview will
be pre-recorded, but Libby and other members of the band plan to be in
the World Wide Bluegrass chat room to talk with listeners during the
broadcast.
The first single to hit bluegrass and gospel airwaves is the band's
rendition of "So Happy I'll Be". Other tracks receiving airplay have
been "My Sweet Blue-Eyed Darlin'","Steel Rails", "Rank Stranger", and
"Long Gone". A complete list of radio stations and syndicated programs
is available on the band's web site (StoneyCreekBluegrass.net).
The band has chosen to self-release "Hot Off the Press", while
retaining the option to license the album in the future for wider
distribution. "Hot Off the Press" is currently scheduled to be sold at
the band's web site (StoneyCreekBluegrass.net),
select retail locations, and at live appearances.
Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band features banjo legend Darrell
Sanders. Darrell previously played banjo with Charlie Moore & the Dixie
Partners and spent ten years with Bill Harrell & the Virginians (along
with a young Larry Stephenson). Bill Harrell & the Virginians, also
featuring Carl Nelson on fiddle and Ed Ferris on bass, made numerous
albums for Rebel and Webco Records. The Virginians played on Sanders’
1983 instrumental solo album "West Virginia Style" on Webco Records.
Although Stoney Creek has recorded several CDs in the past ten
years, "Hot Off the Press" is the first release by the current
line-up and Darrell's first major bluegrass project in over 20 years. "Hot
Off the Press" is a long-awaited return to the wider bluegrass
circuit from the renowned picker.
Guitarist Ed Barney also plays with longtime bluegrass veterans Patent
Pending. Best known for the gospel track "Barabas", Patent Pending has
released several albums on Copper Creek Records in recent years. Ed also
toured internationally as a lead guitarist for Up With People.
Mandolin player Brett Smeltzer spent several years playing with
"Maryland's Five String King", the late Jack Sanbower & the No Leeway
Band - one of Maryland's top bluegrass bands of the 1990s. The No Leeway
Band released numerous albums on Sanbower's own label, Buck Hollow
Records. As a talented vocalist, mandolinist, and multi-instrumentalist,
Brett has also been a member of numerous gospel and bluegrass bands.
Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band is managed by "one of the hardest
working women in bluegrass": bassist, vocalist, and founding member
Libby Files.
The album cover for "Hot Off the Press" was designed by Josh
Triggs at 3MI Photography in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
"Hot Off the Press" was produced by Aaron Kilmer, who has also
traveled with the band as a live sound engineer since 2009. The project
was recorded at Old World Media in Hedgesville, West Virginia.
Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band has posted a partial list of upcoming
tour dates in support of the new album.
"Hot Off the Press" track listing:
1. My Sweet Blue-Eyed Darlin'
2. Steel Rails
3. Love of the Mountains
4. Rank Stranger
5. Armadillo Breakdown
6. Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong
7. So Happy I'll Be
8. Long Gone
9. Ridin' the Red Line
10. Erase the Miles
11. Going To Georgia
12. Road To Columbus
###
Hedgesville,
WV (March 27, 2013) - Stoney Creek's Libby Files has
announced that "Stoney Creek would like to welcome back
Brett Smeltzer on mandolin and vocals."
Hedgesville,
W.Va. (June 19, 2012) -