Diane McKoy Releases Latest CD 'Ready or Not Here I Come'

She's been called a singular talent, a musical pioneer, an ‘Americana Queen,' and the Queen of New York City bluegrass gospel. It just comes with the territory when you've been one of the most unique bluegrass and country artists in the industry for three decades. And, when that visionary releases a new CD just in time to celebrate her 30th year in bluegrass/country, it helps an already iconic vocalist stand out that much more.

‘Ready or Not Here I Come'  is the latest effort from Diane McKoy, and features ten new tracks of music that McKoy says get back to the roots of bluegrass and gospel. McKoy admits her adopted hometown of New York City may not be the first place people think of when they think of bluegrass gospel or country gospel, but McKoy says the passion and the emotion she brings to her music is something that transcends location, background, and race.

"This grassroots music is all founded in the soul, the emotions, my faith, and the culmination of influences," says McKoy. "Many great favorites made all kinds of musical contributions that I plucked from to gain my definition."

The credits on ‘Ready or Not Here I Come' read like a bluegrass pedigree. The CD was produced by Bob Harris, who was a guitarist for bluegrass legend Vassar Clements, features a song written by music legend Hank Williams (‘I'm Going Home'), and contains four tracks, including the title song, that were written by notable singer and songwriter Mildred Statzer.

"It's really an honor that composer Steven Antonelli chose to work with me on this CD," says McKoy. "I sing with him on track eight, James Malicote's composition of ‘God's Garden.'"

Then there are the vocals from McKoy herself, who says she never fails to turn heads and stir curiosity when she takes the stage. "It may be unusual for an African American to form a country music band, but it's even more unusual to form a bluegrass band," says McKoy with a touch of humor. "You throw all that into New York City and people just don't know what to expect of me. I guess I keep them reflecting and projecting." ‘Ready or Not Here I Come' can be found at Barnes
and Noble, Border's Stores, Wal-Mart, J&R Music World, and several
other major music retailers, or by visiting Diane's Web site.

For more information and to purchase ‘Ready or Not Here I Come,' please visit http://www.dianemckoyandasmallfew.com/albums

Diane McKoy is an accomplished and celebrated grassroots gospel singer who has blazed a trail for her genre of music in America's largest city. She is a nontraditional, acoustic gospel music vocalist, and has been called an ‘Americana Queen of Gospel music.' McKoy founded New York City's first and only bluegrass gospel band in 1992, and sang with the group for 13 years before the band disbanded. She now performs as Diane McKoy, and has released a new CD entitled ‘Ready or Not Here I Come' on Deep South Productions. She has also recorded with Scepter/Hob Records and Columbia/Epic.

About ‘Ready or Not Here I Come':

‘Ready or Not Here I Come' is the latest bluegrass/country gospel effort from Diane McKoy. Produced by Bob Harris, the 10-track CD released on Deep South Productions features stellar musical contributions from Arnie Reisman on banjo and clawhammer, Randy Bailey on upright bass, Earl Karlsen on mandolin, Ben Freed on dobro, Bob Harris on lead guitar and mandolin, Kenny Kosek on fiddle, Steven Antonelli on rhythm guitar, and McKoy herself on washboard.