News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

TOWN MOUNTAIN


BIO:
Asheville, NC’s Bluegrass Band Town Mountain is excited release their fourth album, Leave the Bottle, September 4th, 2012. The band finds themselves becoming one of the preeminent torchbearers of their craft, facing a promising future. “Centered around strong, soulful vocals, and poised to stay put,” says Woody Platt of the Steep Canyon Rangers, “Town Mountain are true to bluegrass in all the right ways and this new project keeps them firmly connected to the traditions of the genre, while also allowing them to reach out into the broad horizon of string band music. Leave the Bottle comes highly recommended.” Always contributing to the evolution of the bluegrass form, they toss influences as varied as surf-rock, gospel, and honky-tonk country into their field of play. Banding together in 2005, Town Mountain is Phil Barker on mandolin and vocals, Robert Greer on lead vocals and guitar, Jesse Langlais on banjo and vocals, Bobby Britt on fiddle, and newest member Jon Stickley rounds them out with his steady bass and rock-solid guitar and vocals. They share the kind of easy-going friendly bond that relays itself through their music. One listen to their instantly memorable songs, and it’s plain to see why Grammy-winner Mike Bub would align with the group to produce Leave the Bottle as well as 2011’s Steady Operator, both through Pinecastle Records. Banjo player extraordinaire and longtime member of the Sam Bush Band, Scott Vestal, also joined the team by engineering the new album, which was recorded at Digital Underground Studio in Nashville, TN. Mike Bub eloquently noted that Town Mountain is “not reinventing the wheel, but taking the wheel in their hands and driving the music down both familiar roads and out to new territory.” Jim Lauderdale was driven to exclaim, “There’s a new mountain in town – Town Mountain – and they get down with heart, grit, soul, and dive! They’ll get you moving!” They’ve done just that, winning the prestigious Rockygrass competition in 2005 before moving on to wow audiences from North Carolina’s Merlefest to Oregon’s String Summit to 2013’s February’s inaugural Mountain Song at Sea and all points between. Town Mountain’s years of touring have created a mature well-traveled sound, a telepathic pickin’ style filled with mesmerizing interplay, and intoxicating rhythms that energize every tune. You hear it in Greer’s straightforward and genuine delivery of vocals that bear the burden of life, love, and loss in every lyric. “His voice has that hint of an edge to it that lends intensity and vitality to what he’s singing,” writes Bluegrass Unlimited. On Leave the Bottle, the band presents 11 original band-member written tunes and one cover. The repertoire showcase the band’s unique harmonic sounds with songs like “Don’t Go Home Tonight,” one of two tracks co-written with the Steep Canyon Rangers bassist Charles Humphrey III. Barker has also collaborated with Humphrey on songs included on SCR’s most recent release as well as the album with Steve Martin. Title track “Leave the Bottle” was written by Langlais about being away from home, family and friends but more importantly being away from the one you love for long periods of time while on the road. He says, “Often times you’ll find solace in the strangest places. This situation finds it in the bottom of the bottle. A very real situation for lots of musicians.” The free-spirited nature of the band’s members running on the proverbial “treadmill of life” is what inspired Greer to write “Up the Ladder.” Another song from the road, “Lawdog,” sung and written by Barker in the manner of Jimmy Martin, is relatable to to anyone that inevitably gets pulled over while trying to make good time traveling. “Heavy Stone” offers a counterpoint with verses talking about doing what you love, staying humble, and having faith; which Barkers calls “All pretty strong forces to live by.” “Greenbud on the Flower” was written during the slower winter months while Barker was hit with a bad case of cabin fever, when he came to the window one morning and saw the first buds on the flowers outside, causing him to think of the good times ahead and quickly inspiring the lyrics which Greer sings “Run Junior Run” a song penned by Barker about Junior Johnson, a man he calls “truly deserving of a bluegrass song… What an incredible life this guy has led. To go from legendary moonshine driver, to jail, to stock-car champion, to successful business man… not bad for a bootlegger’s son.” The one cover on the album, “Loaded,” is a Wood Brothers song which Town Mountain performs as a slow, alt. country crooner; while “Four Miles,” written by Britt, is the only instrumental track and includes Mike Bub on bass. What bluegrass album would be complete without its share of love and cheatin’ songs? Town Mountain holds this tradition, while adding funny twists to the story. Langlais also penned a double murder ballad “Away From Home.” Their undeniable charm and winning way with words recently won Town Mountain a spot on Putumayo’s recent Bluegrass release, showcasing the song “Diggin’ on the Mountainside” alongside tracks from Alison Krauss, David Grisman, Sam Bush, Railroad Earth, The Seldom Scene, and more. Town Mountain has collaborated and/ or performed along with Doc Watson, Jim Lauderdale, Steep Canyon Rangers, Acoustic Syndicate, Keller Williams, Larry Keel, David Grisman, and The Infamous Stringdusters. They’ve been branching out as a band and as teachers, making their first overseas jaunt to Finland in the spring of 2012 and holding court at workshops in Canada, St. Louis, amongst other cities. The prestigious International Bluegrass Music Association has twice selected Barker for their songwriting showcase (2010 and 2011), and the band was part of the official showcase in 2011.

Latest Articles


Cassandra Lewis Releases 'Lost in a Dream' Photo Cassandra Lewis Releases 'Lost in a Dream'
by Michael Major - March 22, 2024

Rising Cosmic-Americana singer-songwriter Cassandra Lewis unveils her latest track, 'Lost in a Dream'. Discover the captivating blend of genres and soulful melodies in Lewis's new release. Co-written by Cassandra and Natalie Hemby, “Lost In A Dream” is like pulling back the curtain in The Wizard of ...

Sam Hunt Releases New Song 'Locked Up' Photo Sam Hunt Releases New Song 'Locked Up'
by Michael Major - March 22, 2024

Discover the latest release from Sam Hunt, 'LOCKED UP'. Dive into the new music video and song that's taking the entertainment world by storm. Directed by Tim Mattia and shot at the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Petros, Tenn., the official music video for “Locked Up” reimagines the infamous ...

Brothers Osborne Drops New 'Break Mine' EP Photo Brothers Osborne Drops New 'Break Mine' EP
by Michael Major - March 22, 2024

Discover the latest release from Brothers Osborne, the Break Mine EP. Explore the new sounds and songs from this popular country duo in their most recent musical endeavor. The new, four song EP includes two new tracks, “Break Mine” and “Get To Movin' Again,” as well as two songs included on their GR...

Old Crow Medicine Show Announces 2024 'Jubilee' Tour Photo Old Crow Medicine Show Announces 2024 'Jubilee' Tour
by Michael Major - March 04, 2024

Joined by Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, OCMS founding member Willie Watson and The Del McCoury Band on select dates, the band's nationwide trek includes a performance at Luck Reunion on March 14, as well as stops in Dallas, New York, Boston and much more throughout the year, wrapping up in December...

Brothers Osborne Announce 'Break Mine' EP Featuring Two New Songs Photo Brothers Osborne Announce 'Break Mine' EP Featuring Two New Songs
by Michael Major - February 29, 2024

Discover the upcoming BREAK MINE EP by Grammy Award-winning duo, Brothers Osborne. The EP features two new songs, 'Break Mine' and 'Get To Movin' Again'. Also, their 35-date Might As Well Be Us Tour kicks off in March with Stephen Wilson Jr., The Cadillac Three, Zach Top, Jackson Dean, Madeline Edwa...

Asher Gamedze Shares 'Another Side With Another Time Ensemble' Photo Asher Gamedze Shares 'Another Side With Another Time Ensemble'
by Michael Major - February 21, 2024

Asher Gamedze assembles a quintet with Maurice Louca (Elephantine, Northern Spy Recs) on synthesizers, Adham Zidan (The Invisible Hands, Baskot Lel Baltageyya) on bass, Chérif El-Masri (Eskenderella, Dimension Machine) on guitar, and Alan Bishop (Sun City Girls, Sublime Frequencies) on alto saxophon...

A Cappella Group Straight No Chaser Announces 90s Tour This Summer Photo A Cappella Group Straight No Chaser Announces 90s Tour This Summer
by Michael Major - February 20, 2024

Straight No Chaser has recruited 90s idols as special guests on several of the tour dates – Lisa Loeb, whose song “Stay (I Missed You)” from the soundtrack to Reality Bites celebrates its 30th anniversary this year will join on six dates, and boy band O-Town, will join on four dates with an addition...

X Ambassadors Unveil 'Your Town' From Much Anticipated 'Townie' LP Photo X Ambassadors Unveil 'Your Town' From Much Anticipated 'Townie' LP
by Michael Major - February 16, 2024

Written and produced by the band, “Your Town” introduces us to Sam and Casey's childhood music teacher, Todd Peterson, who played a vital role in the band's origin and passed away tragically in 2021. The track is a powerful representation of this new era for X Ambassadors, as they pay an emotional t...

UNUM Festival 2024 Announces Second Wave Of Superb Underground Talents  Photo UNUM Festival 2024 Announces Second Wave Of Superb Underground Talents 
by A.A. Cristi - February 13, 2024

UNUM Festival announces the second wave of superb underground talents for its 2024 event in Shëngjin, Albania. Don't miss out on this exciting lineup!...

Niall Horan Drops 'Live From Spotify Studios' Album Photo Niall Horan Drops 'Live From Spotify Studios' Album
by Michael Major - February 13, 2024

Niall Horan's live album from Spotify Studios is now available exclusively on Spotify. Backed by his band, Horan performed “The Show,” “Heaven,” “Meltdown” and three other songs from the new album plus earlier hits like “This Town,” “Flicker” and “Slow Hands” and a cover of Zach Bryan's “Something I...

Dalton Dover Releases 'Take Me Home: Covers' For 'Go Rest High On That Mountain' Photo Dalton Dover Releases 'Take Me Home: Covers' For 'Go Rest High On That Mountain'
by Michael Major - February 09, 2024

Dalton Dover releases Take Me Home: Covers via UMG Nashville/Mercury Records, a musical journey that pays homage to his roots while honoring some of the songs that laid the groundwork for the artist and songwriter he is. Also out now is the official music video for “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” s...

Jay Putty Releases Uplifting Folk/Pop Anthem 'On My Way' Photo Jay Putty Releases Uplifting Folk/Pop Anthem 'On My Way'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - January 26, 2024

Jay Putty returns with 'On My Way,' an uplifting folk-pop anthem that explores life's twists and turns and the resilience found in adversity. ...

X Ambassadors Confirm Extensive North American Headline Tour Photo X Ambassadors Confirm Extensive North American Headline Tour
by Michael Major - January 22, 2024

X Ambassadors—brothers Sam Nelson Harris and Casey Harris along with Adam Levin—will embark on an extensive headline tour this spring including newly confirmed shows at Seattle's The Showbox, Denver's Ogden Theatre, Minneapolis' Varsity Theater, Chicago's House of Blues, Philadelphia's Brooklyn Bowl...

Brit Taylor Releases 'Saint Anthony' From 'Kentucky Bluegrassed' Album Photo Brit Taylor Releases 'Saint Anthony' From 'Kentucky Bluegrassed' Album
by Michael Major - January 10, 2024

Brit Taylor's new single 'Saint Anthony' is out now and her album 'Kentucky Bluegrassed' will be available. On the heels of a breakout 2023 with the release of her Sturgill Simpson-produced album Kentucky Blue and her Grand Ole Opry debut, Taylor's new project will be available on the one year anniv...

LA's Emma Ayzenberg Releases New Single 'lucile' Photo LA's Emma Ayzenberg Releases New Single 'lucile'
by Michael Major - January 04, 2024

The four-song EP was crafted in Los Angeles with a stunning lineup of musicians including both Luke Temple (Hand Habits, Allegra Krieger, Art Feynman) and Carly Bond (Meernaa) as producers, and features Greg Uhlmann (Perfume Genius, Fell Runner) on guitar, Sam Kauffman-Skloff (Angel Olsen, Miya Foli...

Sophie Meiers Unveils New EP 'crawl__space'; Final Installment Of Their 'Portals' Tri Photo Sophie Meiers Unveils New EP 'crawl__space'; Final Installment Of Their 'Portals' Trilogy
by Michael Major - November 27, 2023

sophie meiers (they/them) has steadily released collections of interconnected music they call portals; a trilogy of EP's with each one encapsulating its own distinct sound, world and visual aesthetic. Now, they reach the final stretch of their ambitious project with the third and final portal, crawl...

Wild Fox Playing Andy Thorn Shares Christmas Album 'High Country Holiday' Photo Wild Fox Playing Andy Thorn Shares Christmas Album 'High Country Holiday'
by Michael Major - November 22, 2023

The incredible fiddle playing was contributed by Allie Kral, Andy Reiner, and Bobby Britt (of Town Mountain). Dr. Joy Adams (of Big Richard) adds stunning cello to two songs, and Erik Deutsch (of the Black Crowes) adds his gorgeous piano to four tracks. And Andy's longtime bandmate, Dr. Greg Garriso...

Suwannee Spring Reunion Lineup Sets Sam Bush, Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter Rowan Band, Photo Suwannee Spring Reunion Lineup Sets Sam Bush, Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter Rowan Band, Donna The Buffalo
by Michael Major - November 21, 2023

The 2024 Suwannee Spring Reunion features music on multiple stages and includes Sam Bush, Railroad Earth, Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter Rowan Walls of Time Band, Donna the Buffalo, Keller Williams' PettyGrass ft. The HillBenders, Bettye LaVette, The Steel Wheels, Town Mountain, Seth Walker, Jon Stickl...












Videos


Recommended For You