Crandall Creek

Dad Down On Hit Knees

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 funds $1,000 scholarship through IBMA

The IBMA Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of a new college scholarship for the fall 2021 semester. The Crandall Creek Scholarship is sponsored by the West Virginia band of that name. The annual $1,000 college scholarship will be awarded to a student who demonstrates an interest and involvement in any aspect of bluegrass music, including but not limited to performance.

Crandall Creek is a Moundsville, West Virginia, based band, formed in 2015, that plays a mix of bluegrass, folk, acoustic country and gospel. The members’ original music and vocal harmonies reflect their Appalachian roots. Jerry Andrews, Wyatt Kidd, Abby Latocha, Kathy Wigman Lesnock, and Dustin Terpenning each contribute material to the group, which appears mostly in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Their 2020 album, Headed South, was critically acclaimed and received extensive radio airplay.

Bandleader Jerry Andrews says the band has been involved in community causes since its inception. “We’ve been so blessed, we wanted to share what’s so generously been given to us. The members of Crandall Creek think youth need to be given every opportunity to experience all aspects of bluegrass. The future is in our young people.”

Applications for the Crandall Creek Scholarship, IBMA Bluegrass College Scholarship, the Sally Ann Forrester College Scholarship, and the Rick Lang Music Songwriter Scholarship for the fall 2021 semester must be submitted by June 1. Apply by emailing the application form and one letter of recommendation to info@bluegrassfoundation.org or by mailing to: IBMA Foundation, Attn: Scholarships, 1183 University Drive #105-215, Burlington, NC 27215. (Letters must be postmarked by June 1, 2021.)

Students may apply for more than one scholarship on the same application form. Applicants must either be citizens of the United States or international students planning to go to college in the United States. Applicants for the Rick Lang Music Songwriter Scholarship must be current members of IBMA (info: ibma.org). Applicants may apply for and/or receive scholarship support for more than one year, but must re-apply each year by June 1 for the following fall semester.

Click here to download and fill out the application form and to review criteria for all four scholarships.

Don't Cry Mary

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.”

Oh Glory Be

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.”

Copper Mountain Records

From the hills and hollers of West Virginia comes a new record label.

Copper Mountain Records was started by Jerry Andrews and Kathy Wigman Lesnock.

Jerry and Kathy have made their presence known in the world of bluegrass and traditional music as the principals behind Crandall Creek. The West Virginia-based band’s 2020 album, Headed South, received critical acclaim for its collection of original bluegrass, traditional and gospel songs.

“Crandall Creek has grown steadily since its inception in 2015,” Jerry and Kathy said in a joint statement. “We decided to start Copper Mountain Records to create a place where we can explore in our expanding opportunities and have the flexibility to explore new projects and opportunities.”

Jerry and Kathy have partnered with Jamie Peck Productions of Wheeling, W.Va., to record and produce Crandall Creek. Jamie’s recently remodeled studio offers a full menu of professional audio services.

Crandall Creek will release its next album later this year on Copper Mountain Records. The label also is in preliminary discussions for another major project to be announced in the near future.

For more information regarding Copper Mountain Records, email coppermountainrecords@gmail.com

Artwork was designed by Abby Latocha. Work on the label’s website along with other information is under construction. So, stay tuned.

Latest Release Now Available

Headed South

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.

Praise for Headed South

“West Virginia’s Crandall Creek … have produced a second album full of well-written songs that reflect the group’s gift for compelling storytelling.

“…it’s a very memorable album full of superb songwriting, expert musicianship and heartfelt vocal work. Ultimately that’s the main reason why Crandall Creek shines so brightly.”

- Alan Cackett, www.alancackett.com

“There’s plenty for listeners to appreciate on Headed South, especially if they’re fans of soaring, expressive vocal performances, original songwriting, and solid musicianship.”

John Curtis Goad, Bluegrass Today

Newest Single! The Bean Song

Will be available for streaming on October 16, 2020 (Friday)

Written by Kathy Wigman Lesnock, Jerry Andrews, Dustin Terpenning and Lilli Gadd

Lead vocal - Kathy Wigman Lesnock

Harmony vocal - Abby Latocha

Lead guitar - Roger Hoard

Rhythm guitar - Jerry Andrews

Mandolin - Dustin Terpenning

Bass - Jamie Peck

Fiddle - Aaron Till

Executive Producer: Valerie Smith

Produced, recorded and mixed by Jamie Peck

Mastered by J. P. McMullin III, Highland Mastering

Bell Buckle Records

Upcoming album: Headed South

Single street date: October 16, 2020

Original, Authentic Bluegrass Music from West Virginia

Dad Down On Hit Knees

Check out our new blooper video!

Crandall Creek funds $1,000 scholarship through IBMA

Don't Cry Mary

Oh Glory Be

Copper Mountain Records

Dustin Terpenning artist spotlight

Abby Latocha artist spotlight

Kathy Wigman Lesnock artist spotlight

Jerry Andrews artist spotlight

Latest Release Now Available

Headed South

Praise for Headed South

The Bean Song

Newest Single! The Bean Song

Will be available for streaming on October 16, 2020 (Friday)

Crandall Creek / This Heart of Mine

Original, Authentic Bluegrass Music from West Virginia

Dad Down On Hit Knees

Check out our new blooper video!

Crandall Creek funds $1,000 scholarship through IBMA

Don't Cry Mary

Oh Glory Be

Copper Mountain Records

Dustin Terpenning artist spotlight

Abby Latocha artist spotlight

Kathy Wigman Lesnock artist spotlight

Jerry Andrews artist spotlight

Latest Release Now Available

Headed South

Praise for Headed South

The Bean Song

Newest Single! The Bean Song

Will be available for streaming on October 16, 2020 (Friday)

Crandall Creek / This Heart of Mine

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