Bluegrass Unlimited magazine, which publishes the definitive radio airplay charts for Bluegrass music, has announced their May 2011 charts.

Trains I Missed by Balsam Range tops the BU Singles Airplay Chart for the month, while The Boxcars’ self-titled CD takes the #1 slot on the Album Airplay Chart.

Live video performances of each band plus a supergroup performance of both bands together are available for streaming and download here.

Balsam Range and The Boxcars are distributed by Crossroads Distribution, Select-O Hits and Syntax Distribution. The albums are available in CD and digital formats.

Media Contact:
Ty Gilpin
Crossroads
828-684-3066 x320
ty.gilpin@crossroadsmusic.com
http://crossroadsmusic.com

About Balsam Range:
Balsam Range is a five-member bluegrass group from Haywood County, North Carolina. Their members are fiddler and tenor singer Buddy Melton, veteran mandolin player Darren Nicholson, acclaimed guitarist Caleb Smith, bassist and Southern Gospel Hall of Fame member Tim Surrett, and banjo player and Grammy® Award-winner Marc Pruett. Balsam Range burst onto the bluegrass scene in 2007 and has steadily compiled an impressive list of radio hits and appearances at prestigious venues.

About The Boxcars:
The Boxcars launched in 2010, making waves with IBMA award-winning instrumentalists, accomplished vocalists, and a quickly filled schedule, including dates at many of the largest Bluegrass festivals. Their members — Adam Steffey, Ron Stewart, John R. Bowman, Keith Garrett, and Harold Nixon — created the band after stints in several prestigious groups, including Alison Krauss and Union Station, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, the Isaacs, and J.D. Crowe and the New South.

About Mountain Home:
Mountain Home, a division of Crossroads Entertainment & Marketing, Inc., is one of the top Bluegrass labels in the business, representing such artists as Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Boxcars, Balsam Range, and Darin and Brooke Aldridge. Established in 1993, Crossroads is a market leader in the Bluegrass, Southern Gospel, and Performance Track fields.

Mark down their names—Reggie and Ryan, the Harris Brothers. Their vast repertoire is brought to life by striking sibling harmony, Reggie’s lightning-fast fingers and sultry blues licks, faithfully wed to Ryan’s from-the-gut bass guitar lines. Mix all that together, and the Harris Brothers’ music conjures up the haunting rhythms and reminisces of legendary bluesmen ranging all the way from Blind Lemon to B.B King. But it ain’t all blues, brother! These two road-savvy pickers can just as effectively pull off a Conway Twitty or a Doc Watson-type tune. Originals are also packed in that trademark Harris Brothers’ kickdrum suitcase.

The Crossroads Video Vault features footage on demand from existing live DVDs and from exclusive, professionally recorded live concert footage for rental or download. This cutting-edge innovative technology makes it easier than ever to access your favorite music and bring the venue to you.

The performances are available now here:

http://crossroadsmusic.com/balsam-range/winter-bluegrass-series-at-the-colonial-theatre-2/

http://crossroadsmusic.com/harris-brothers/winter-bluegrass-series-at-the-colonial-theatre-2/

Along with a musical legacy spanning several decades, numerous awards, and a record-holding 17 # 1 songs, the close-knit Tennessee family seeks first and foremost to live what they sing. Faithfulness to God is a crowning family virtue, and the members earnestly endeavor to bring their best to the Master with each recording.

The McKameys believe this album contains their greatest song collection ever, and we believe you’ll agree! So come along, settle in your seat, and savor in the sweet assurance of “Joy In the Journey!”  

It’s a major milestone on a highway already lined with impressive accomplishment!

No matter what we’re going through, there is Joy in the Journey.

Joy in the Journey releases on March 15. Be listening for the project’s first single, “When Faith Steps In,” releasing to radio soon!

1. I Have a Great Savior (Rebecca J. Peck) – It has the timeless feel and the authority of a hymn, even though it’s a brand new song by Rebecca Peck. The McKameys’ confident delivery conveys the hope we have in Christ.
2. Glorify the Lord in the Fire (Sandy Blythe) – Beloved matriarch Peg McKamey Bean sings of our joy in the roughest parts of the journey with the passion that comes from having walked with God in the valley before.
3. All is Well (Sheryl Farris) – Connie Fortner leads this triumphant song about the Resurrection.
4. Joy in the Journey (Sheryl Farris) – The joy shines through in this convention-style toe-tapper!
5. When Faith Steps In (Leigh Parsons Sexton) – Peg and Sheryl share the joy we find in faith through our journey. This story song, written by Squire Parsons’ daughter Leigh Parsons Sexton, takes the listener through the believer’s journey—accepting Christ, everyday life, death, and then, the triumphant end of the journey—Heaven!
6. Remember When (Sheryl Farris) – Bass singer Ruben Bean sings a wonderful song of salvation.
7. He Gave (Barbara Huffman) – Peg reminds us of the many things God gave—headed by the greatest gift, His Son.
8. All That Matters (Dallas Holm) – Eli Fortner offers a McKameys spin on this Dallas Holm classic, with his parents Connie and Roger, Aunt Sheryl, and grandparents Ruben and Peg singing the harmony parts. (Yes, they let Roger sing!)
9. God Doesn’t Think Like Me (Sheryl Farris) – Sheryl wrote and leads this soaring musical challenge to set our affections on things above.
10. I Made it By Grace (Kyla Rowland) – The McKameys excel at singing the convention style; Connie and Sheryl trade leads here to bring the album to a powerful finish.

Radio promoter Jim Stover, along with the Crossroads staff, presented the group with a congratulatory plaque at the special catered luncheon. Also in attendance were Kim and Tony Hudgins from the Spin-N-Motion song promotion company who provided additional support for “The Broken Ones” to radio.