Newest single from Crandall Creek: Old Virginia Hills

  Here is the latest single from Crandall Creek, Old Virginia Hills.

 I wouldn’t trade this life for all the riches in the world

Not for all the diamonds, not for all the pearls

Everything we have, from the water to the trees

The Bible says to scratch the earth to give us what we need 

    The International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum Awards recognize both musicians and bluegrass industry professionals who, in the early stages of their careers, are making significant contributions to or are having a significant influence upon bluegrass music. These contributions can be to bluegrass music in general, or to a specific sector of the industry.  Nominees are chosen through a multi-stage process by committees made up of respected musicians and industry leaders in the bluegrass world. 

 Check out videos from the Lorrain Jordan's Coffee House show.  It was good music, a good crowd and a good time!  https://vimeo.com/lorrainesvideojukebox
 

A song for Father’s Day

A couple of songwriters and a bluegrass band got together to create a special song for special fathers on their special day.

Dad Down On His Knees is a collaboration of songwriters Mark “Brink” Brinkman and Mark BonDurant, and the Crandall Creek bluegrass band. The single from Crandall Creek’s upcoming album, Handprints on the Glass, is being released for Father’s Day. 

The song came about when Mark BonDurant met Brink Brinkman at IBMA a couple of years ago. Mark says he was “thrilled when I had the chance to play a couple of my songs for him and you can imagine my excitement when he suggested we could perhaps do a writing session.”

A couple of months later the two were sitting at Brink’s table, tossing around ideas for songs. They honed in on one idea.

“The concept was that for many important times of our lives, our Dad was on his knees – when he proposed to Mom, played with us as kids, and prayed each night for us,” Mark says. “We talked about how our fathers had meant so much to us and we wanted to be sure to capture that love in the song.

“When we wrote the line ‘no one ever stood so tall as Dad down on his knees’ we knew we were on to something.”

Brink and Mark shared Dad Down On His Knees with friend and fellow songwriter Jerry Andrews of Crandall Creek. 

“While we write all of our own music, this song had such a strong and clear message it’s one we wanted to cut.” Jerry says. “We are honored these two great songwriters put it in our hands.”

Brink and Mark say they are honored that Crandall Creek selected the song. 

“We hope we have been able to convey the blessings we have received from our Father and our fathers.”

Crandall Creek had a great show and a great audience June 12 at the Purple Fiddle. Here is a sample.

Check out our new blooper video and have some fun with Crandall Creek!

Only Mary knows the pain of losing a Son who preached across the land, welcomed sinners and healed the sick.

But in the end…He shed his blood to save us all. 

So don’t cry, Mary. Your Son died for the greater good. 

Crandall Creek’s Jerry Andrews says he wrote the song after listening to a sermon about what Mary might have been thinking as she watched from the foot of the cross as her Son was being crucified. 

“I wrote half of it in my head in church,” Jerry says, “and when I came home, I sat down and 15 minutes later it was finished.” 

That was several years ago.

“It’s always been a song my wife, Sharon, has loved.”

The right time to record the song arrived this year.

“We’ve been waiting for the singer who could relay what I felt as I wrote the song,” Jerry says. “Abby Latocha brings that emotion to the surface the way I always wanted to hear it sung.”

   Only the Lord knows when rains will bring relief to the farmer’s parched land.

   Only the Lord knows when each of us will get relief from our troubles.

   Just as the Lord gives us a rainbow after the storm, He hears all who seek His help through their troubles.

   That is the message of Oh Glory Be, a song from Crandall Creek’s acclaimed album, Headed South:

   “40 days and 40 nights, we never saw a cloud.

   Now the sky has opened up, the Lord is looking down.” 

Dustin Terpenning talks about Crandall Creek, his music and picks a tune. 

Abby Latocha talks about Crandall Creek, her music and shares a song. 

 Crandall Creek's  Kathy Wigman Lesnock shares her thoughts on song writing and her  musicial influnces. 

Crandall Creek founder Jerry Andrews talks about his musicial influences and shares a song. 

Jamie Peck – Producer, sound engineer

Valerie Smith – Executive producer

JP McMullen III – Mastering

Jerry Andrews – Rhythm guitar, vocals

Kathy Wigman Lesnock – Vocals

Abby Latocha – Vocals

Dustin Terpenning – Banjo, mandolin, 

guitar

Trish Imbrogno – Bass

Wyatt Kidd – Fiddle

Roger Hoard – Lead guitar

Aaron Till – Fiddle

Jamie Peck – Bass

Tales of lost love, love of family and love of God are on Crandall Creek’s newest album, Headed South. The 11-song CD showcases the West Virginia-based band’s talent for telling Appalachian stories through bluegrass songs.

“The album has been a while coming,” says Crandall Creek founder Jerry Andrews. “But I’m really excited about each and every song.”

The album is a labor of love for Kathy Wigman Lesnock, vocalist.

“We have all worked incredibly hard to see this project come to fruition,” Kathy says. “I am grateful to every person seen and unseen who had a hand in this project. And I am filled with love for our entire band family.”

Several songs from Headed South made the bluegrass charts earlier in 2020.

Drivin’ Me Insane was released in March and stayed on the charts for more than six months. This Heart of Mine debuted at No. 1 in May. The Bean Song was released in the fall. By November The Bean Song and Drivin’ Me Insane were in the top 10 of the Bluegrass Today chart. The singles also appeared on The Bluegrass Jamboree chart.

Crandall Creek also donates to deserving charities through the Bluegrass Music Endeavors Foundation, a non-profit 501c3 set up by Jerry.

Headed South is available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.