Great news! I have been recently selected to participate in the IBMA's Leadership Bluegrass program in 2012. This is quite an honor and something I am really looking forward to. The class will take place March 6th - 8th at the International Bluegrass Music headquarters in Nashville TN.
Leadership Bluegrass is a music industry development program designed to build commitment, motivate talent, instill enthusiasm and build relationships that can help address the future challenges and opportunities for Bluegrass Music.
Background
The Leadership Bluegrass program is operated, managed and affiliated with the International Bluegrass Music Association. One of the main objectives is to offer educational opportunities to people in the music industry. Leadership Bluegrass was designed to encourage and recognize educational achievement on a more advanced level, as well as to help the organization's leadership pool. The program offers a structured agenda that can accomplish a well-rounded perspective for participants, offering information on many resources available to professionals.
About Leadership Bluegrass
The purpose of the Leadership Bluegrass program is to pull together a cross section of people with exhibited or potential leadership qualities into a network of learning and communication. The results will foster a broad-based understanding of the total needs of the bluegrass community, which will help participants better prepare to determine the goals of the particular organization, company or group in which they choose to serve. Leadership Bluegrass seeks to explore bluegrass music and its place in the larger world of entertainment through:
A systematic study of the business of bluegrass, its institutions and organizations, their needs, problems and resources
Exposure to a wide variety of current music leaders and notable persons
Encouraging independent thinking, fresh perspectives and approaches. It is not intended to "indoctrinate" or pass on the current leaders, views and ideas.
Acquaintance with relevant issues facing bluegrass, their history and future possibilities
Involvement of all related facets of the music industry which impact bluegrass
High quality interactive sessions for the participants.
The Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2012 includes...
Bob Altschuler; Musician/Music Instructor/Writer, Dyer Switch Band, Thirteen Feet of Bluegrass, New York State Retirement System; Albany, N.Y.
Jimmy Bowen; Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe; Lebanon, Tenn.
Casey Campbell; Belmont University student/Musician; Kingston Springs, Tenn.
H.R. Cook; Weaver of Words Music Group; Tazewell, Va.
Sonya Robles Cotton; The Louisville Bluegrass Music Association, Bluegrass Anonymous; Louisville, Ky.
We are very excited to announce the upcoming release of
a new Christmas single on Rural Rhythm Christian entitled
"Little Did They Know".
The tentative release date is the day after Thanksgiving
2011. Just in time for the Christmas season, this will be
a digital release only and available for purchase at a variety
of online stores (stay tuned for details).
Written by Rick Lang and produced by Stephen
Mougin, "Little Did They
Know" features the exquisite voice of Jana
Mougin plus a great cast of supporting musicians
and singers.
Musician Credits
Randy Kohrs - Resonator Guitar
Stephen Mougin - Acoustic Guitars
Todd Parks - Bass
Chris Brown- Drums
Singer Credits
Jana Mougin - lead vocal
Melonie Cannon - harmony vocals
Stephen Mougin - harmony vocals
About The Song from Rick Lang
Writing
Christmas and seasonal material has been a passion of mine
for a very long time. It goes back to the influences and
experiences I had as a child at Christmas in our New Hampshire
home. There have been many great songs written about the
birth of Jesus that we all long to hear at this time of
the year. That being said, there still need to be new songs
written and recorded that hopefully will appeal to future
generations as well. I want to be one of the writers that
helps keeps the Nativity Story alive in people's minds and
hearts.
"Little Did The Know"
focuses on the real life drama that took place just before
and after Jesus was born on that very first Christmas day.
Joseph and Mary had made the long and difficult journey
from Nazareth to Bethlehem. When they arrived the couple
searched desperately for a suitable place to deliver their
child, but were turned away time and again - forced to take
refuge in a cold dark stable. Little did anyone they encountered
know what was to take place would become "the greatest
story ever told".
Jana
Mougin
Jana
joined the popular Euro band Fragment in 1992, originally
as the lead singer, but has been the band's bass player
since 2000. She graduated from Comenius University, Bratislava
with a degree in journalism. Before she became a full time
musician she made documentaries in Slovak Television and
hosted her own music show on Radio Forte in Trnava, Slovakia.
Jana was voted Slovak Bluegrass Music Association (SkBMA)
Vocalist of the year (1999, 2000) and Bluegrass Association
of Czech Republic Vocalist of the year (1997, 1998, 2000).
In 2005 she moved to Nashville, TN with her husband Stephen
Mougin.
In the past few years Jana recorded/performed with April
Verch, Melonie Cannon, Thayer Washer,
Pam Daley, Nedski & Mojo and Cages
Bend. Jana plays Fender Mustang Bass with pickups made
by Curtis Novak (curtisnovak.com).
The 2011 "Christmas in the
Valley" tour featuring Blackstone Valley
Bluegrass, Amy Gallatin & Roger Williams,
and Rick Lang & Friends will kick of its 8th season
this December. This one-of-a-kind concert series is fast
becoming an annual tradition that continues to grow in popularity
each and every year.
The Concerts will showcase music from the acclaimed CD
"The Season
Of My Heart" by Rick Lang & Friends
(featuring the sparkling vocals of Karen Lincoln Wilber)
as well as some brand new Christmas/Seasonal songs from
Rick.
Also featured are selections from Bob Dick's solo
bluegrass Christmas project "Tidings
Of Comfort And Joy" performed by the Blackstone
Valley Bluegrass (Bob Dick, Dave Dick, Ken Taylor and
Dan Nowlan).
Blackstone Valley Bluegrass has garnered a reputation
for high-energy shows laced with powerful three and four
part harmonies. and fast but tasteful picking, coupled with
captivating on-stage camaraderie.
Amy Gallatin will be lending her trademark Western
flavor to this annual Christmas show - blending upbeat,
fun and familiar songs with more contemplative quiet music
with her partner, renowned resophonic guitarist Roger
Williams, along with the Blackstone Valley Bluegrass
band.
Also featured will be special guest Krissy Dick
offering some compelling and heartfelt Christmas ballads.
These upbeat, lively and entertaining Christmas Concerts
will provide a welcome relief from the holiday rush, providing
simple moments to treasure and a chance to slow down and
savor the season. Take a moment to relax and enjoy a truly
unique holiday music celebration.
2011 TOUR DATES INCLUDE: click any of the concert names below
for more details
At an IBMA press conference on Wed August17th in Nashville
TN, the 2011 IBMA Award Nominees were announced. We are
please to share the good news that the song "Sailing
On" from Look
To The Light was nominated for Gospel
Recorded Performance Of The Year. All nominees in
that award category are listed below:
GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE
OF THE YEAR
"God's Front Porch," Lou Reid & Carolina
(artists), Dennis Duff (songwriter), Lou Reid (producer),
Rural Rhythm Christian (label)
"He Can Be Found," The Gibson Brothers (artists),
Ella Barrett & Faye Cunningham (songwriters), Eric
& Leigh Gibson and Mike Barber (producers), Compass
Records (label)
"In God's Hands," The Boxcars (artists),
John Benjamin Rochester (songwriter), The Boxcars (producers),
Mountain Home (label)
"Prayer Bells of Heaven;" J.D. Crowe, Doyle
Lawson & Paul Williams (artists); J.F. Lowe &
H.W. Ward (songwriters); Ben Isaacs (producer); Mountain
Home (label)
"Sailing On,"
Russell Moore & Dale Ann Bradley
(artists), Rick Lang (songwriter), Jesse Brock & John
Miller (producers), Rural Rhythm Christian (label)
"Thanks so much to all of you who continue to
support my music and songwriting. This is an incredible
honor for which I am truly grateful" - Rick Lang
*
The recipients of the 2011 IBMA Awards will be announced
live on Thursday, September 29, at the Ryman Auditorium
in Nashville, Tennessee. The IBMA Awards will be broadcast
live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction, Channel
61) and also will be syndicated to more than 300 U.S. markets
and 14 foreign networks thanks to the sponsorship of Martha
White, Deering Banjos, the International Bluegrass Music
Museum, "Bluegrass, Moonshine & The Birth of NASCAR
- The Movie," Compass Records and the Academy of Bluegrass.
I had just a great time at the 2011 Dove Awards in Atlanta
GA... it was simply awesome! This was a once in a lifetime
experience I will never forget as long as I live. There
I had the chance to meet and listen to the music of some
of the incredibly talented artists in the Christian Music
world. Most of the music was very contemporary - from Pop
to R & B to Hip Hop - and everything in between. I have
to admit it was incredibly good music, with several memorable
on stage performances. During the process I gained an education
as to how incredibly big the Christian Music Market is -
WOW!
As
for the Bluegrass Album Of The Year award at the Doves this
year, it went to Dailey & Vincent for their Cracker
Barrel Gospel release "Songs From The Heart".
Congrats to Darin, Jamie, and to all the other artists who
were nominated. I feel honored to be one of the nominees
for "Look
To The Light".
This event will surely stand out as one of the highlights
of my musical journey. I've posted a couple of pics from
the trip to the Doves, including one of myself and Jesse
Brock (co-producer of LTTL) who attended the award show.
Rural Rhythm Christian Announces GMA Dove Award Nomination
for "Look to the Light"
Arcadia, CA----RURAL RHYTHM CHRISTIAN is very proud to
announce the label's two 2011
GMA DOVE AWARD NOMINATIONS for BLUEGRASS
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:LOOK TO
THE LIGHT: Songs of Faith from the Pen of Rick Lang
- Various Artists, produced by Rick
Lang, John Miller and Jesse Brock; and SOUNDS
LIKE HEAVEN TO ME by Lou
Reid and Carolina, produced by Lou
Reid. "I am humbled and feel very blessed that our
new label, Rural Rhythm Christian is represented by 2 of
the 6 nominations in the Bluegrass Album of the Year category.
Congratulations to Lou Reid and Carolina, Rick Lang and
all the wonderful artists on the LOOK
TO THE LIGHT album for this special honor and acknowledgment
for their music ministry. We are also very grateful to all
those important GMA members who voted for our artists for
these nominations," said Sam Passamano,
Jr., President of Rural Rhythm.
LOOK TO THE LIGHT: Songs of Faith
from the Pen of Rick Lang includes over two dozen
songs by Christian songwriter, Rick Lang. The album features
performances by a variety of top, well-known award-winning
bluegrass artists including: Russell
Moore, Dale Ann Bradley, Jeff Parker, Junior Sisk,
and Barry Scott; with musicians,
Michael Cleveland, Ron Stewart,
John Miller, Jesse Brock and more. "On behalf of
all who played a part in the making of LOOK
TO THE LIGHT, I am deeply honored. I am extremely
thankful to Sam, Pam and all the wonderful folks at Rural
Rhythm and Rural Rhythm Christian for believing in me and
for their their strong support of my newest creative work.
This is truly a blessing," said Rick
Lang.
Rural Rhythm Records has received numerous GMA
Dove nominations of the past several years in the
BLUEGRASS ALBUM OF THE YEAR category including: GOD'S
MASTERPIECE by The Marksmen
Quartet in 2008 and PICKIN,
PRAISIN' & SINGIN' by Cody
Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad in 2009. Late in
2009, the label launched their new Christian arm of the
label, RURAL RHYTHM CHRISTIAN with two projects, I
JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD by Larry Sparks and BLUE
RIDGE MOUNTAIN MEMORIES by The Marksmen Quartet -
both of which received 2010 GMA DOVE NOMINATIONS.
The
42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards Show will take place
on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta,
Georgia at 8:00 p.m. EST. The awards will be broadcast on
GMC, America's on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 7:00
p.m. EST.
We have been receiving some very favorable album reviews
in recent weeks. Two of the most notable were published
in the January 2010 issue of Bluegrass
Unlimited Magazine and the February 2010 issue of Today's
Country magazine.
You can read excerpts of these, and find links to the full
review HERE.
To all who have supported "Look To The Light" a heartfelt
Thank You!
"Look
To The Light" featured CD on PowerGrassRadio.com
For the last 6 weeks "Look To The Light" has been the SPOTLIGHT
CD on the home page of PowerGrassRadio.com. One of the cuts
from the new Gospel Album (I'VE BEEN REDEEMED featuring
Junior Sisk) is currently on their Gospel Song Charts.
"Look To The Light' featured
on WAMU's
"Stained Glass Bluegrass"
I'm pleased to announce that WAMU's Bob Webster will be
hosting a two part feature on "Look To The Light"on his
Sunday morning "Stained Glass Bluegrass" program. Each show
will include 6 to 7 cuts from the new Gospel release as
well as excerpts from a recent interview about the songs/album.
The first segement will air Sunday August 29th.
The second segment will air Sunday Sept 12th
Each segment will be rebroadcast the following Tuesday).
More details about the feature/interview are posted below.
Thanks all for your continued encouragement & support
of my music.
Stained Glass Bluegrass
hosted by Bob Webster Sunday LIVE 6-10 a.m.
Rebroadcast Tues. 9 p.m.
Rick Lang in New Hampshire has recently written
fourteen gospel songs recorded by the likes of Russell
Moore (111th Tyme Out), Dale Ann Bradley (reigning
IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year for the last 3
years), Junior Sisk (who heads Ramblers Choice),
and Jeff Parker (from the Dailey & Vincent band)
as well as several others on the project titled
"Look To The Light."
Tune in for part one of an interview with Rick
to learn more about his background and the inspiration
for these wonderful and meaningful songs. Don't
forget your songbook so you can sing the old hymns
at the start of the third hour as usual.
"Look To The Light"
is officially out in stores and on its way to radio stations
across the country. Praise the Lord! It has been nearly
4 years from the initial planning of this recording to its
actual release. That is a very long time for sure, but we
believe it was well worth the wait. The end result is far
beyond any expectation I or CO-producers Jesse Brock and
John Miller had when we first started this project. It is
also very ironic that the album launch date is exactly 20
years since the release of my first studio recording "Out
Where The Wildflowers Grow." Where did the time go?
To find out how to buy "Look
To The Light" as well as get background information
and more details about the album, CLICK
HERE.
You can also purchase "Look
To The Light" online at several retail music
outlets including: Borders; Barnes & Noble; Amazon.com;
Best Buy and f.y.e. Digital downloads will be available
at iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster etc. Just direct your search
to: Look To The Light - Songs of Faith from the pen of
Rick Lang. Rural Rhythm Christian RHYC - 2004
Below is a listing and links to the record label and some
of the performers who appear on "Look
To The Light"...
We are starting to get some wonderful feedack from radio
DJs and others about the new Gospel album. Here is what
some of what people are saying!
Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine
"This could well be the recorded event of the year...
For anyone who follows the gospel aspects of bluegrass or
is just aware of the better songwriters, the material here
is top shelf... This is a fine recording of contemporary
Christian songs from one of the best songwriters working
today."
"Look To The Light" is more than a great gospel album,
it's a tour de force of bluegrass's finest, coupled with
heartfelt songs from the pen of preeminent bluegrass gospel
songwriter Rick Lang. A must have."
Les Butler, Syndicated Radio Show Host,
Front Porch Fellowship / Singing News Magazine
"Add simple Christian lyrics to some high powered singing
and playing and you've got an equation for success!"
"Rick Lang's inspired collection of beautifully performed
songs on Look to the Light: Songs of Faith is a gift
to all of us who love gospel music."
Jim Fisher
WGCS, Goshen, IN
"Look to the Light is one fine bluegrass gospel
recording. Great lyrics combined with outstanding vocalists
and musicians makes this CD one of the top releases of 2010.
Terry Poirier
Host of Kickin' Canadian Grass
"Look Into The Light - Inspirational, uplifting
and a must in anyone's gospel collection"!
"Look
To The Light" to be released May 4th on Rural Rhythm
Records"
I am pleased to announce the recent signing of a recording
contract with Rural Rhythm Records
for the new Gospel album. RR
plans to release "Look To The
Light" on their new ChristianMusic division
Rural Rhythm Christian
on May 4th of this year.
Based in California, Rural Rhythm'smusic genres include Bluegrass, Roots, Americana,
Country and now Christian music. Their 1st two releases
on Rural Rhythm Christian
by Larry Sparks & The Marksmen are
both up for Dove Awards. "Look
To The Light" is slated to be the third release.
Rural Rhythm artists Russell
Moore & 111rd Tyme Out, and the Lonesome
River Band were nominated for multiple IBMA awards
in 2009.
Rural Rhythm Records is
owned by the Passamano family
who are very well respected in themusic
industry. We share a lot of the same core values and I am
very excited about our new formed partnership.
More information about Rural Rhythm
Records is available on their website: www.ruralrhythm.com.
*
The recipients of the 2011 IBMA Awards will be announced
live on Thursday, September 29, at the Ryman Auditorium
in Nashville, Tennessee. The IBMA Awards will be broadcast
live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction, Channel
61) and also will be syndicated to more than 300 U.S. markets
and 14 foreign networks thanks to the sponsorship of 
As
for the Bluegrass Album Of The Year award at the Doves this
year, it went to Dailey & Vincent for their Cracker
Barrel Gospel release "Songs From The Heart".
Congrats to Darin, Jamie, and to all the other artists who
were nominated. I feel honored to be one of the nominees
for "
©
2005-2012 Haley Anna Music | Rick Lang ~ all rights reserved