Here’s the official press release:
It’s been a wide river to cross for Balsam Range.
Last year’s Bluegrass Song of the Year winners have tasted success, faced a potential demise, started a community from their fan base and created groundbreaking ways to get their music out. Now they top it all by delivering the best music of their career to date.
Introducing Papertown, Balsam Range’s fourth release on Mountain Home Music. The album is a direct reflection of the events of the band’s last year, from winning the IBMA’s Bluegrass Song of the Year award for the song “Trains I Missed,” to a near fatal injury for lead singer Buddy Melton. As a result of these events, the band responded to an outpouring of support and joined with fans to create the community movement known as Balsam Nation whose ideals are reflected in the new album.
Papertown is a perfect mix of stellar tunes from award winning writers such as Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley, and Shawn Camp, as well as grassed up versions of familiar songs from the Allman Brothers and others. Add the band’s gospel cuts and a soulful version of Buddy and Julie Miller’s “Wide River to Cross,” and this album will appeal to a wide range of musical tastes.
A new Huffington Post article says, “This Asheville-based quintet brings it live and on records, too, where pure vocal splendor and wicked chops abound. Trust me, they are one of the best bluegrass bands on the planet. Their Allman Brothers cover is a flat-pickin’, fiddle fabo’, banjo burnin’, dobro droppin’, mando magnificent track from their fourth effort anddestined-to-be radio staple classic.” – Dusty Wright, Culture Catch
Papertown is now available in our store, here.
For more information about Balsam Nation go to balsamnation.com
As usual, awesome performances…Pick #1 Hit PAPERTOWN…several great songs…”Any Old Road!”" great CD!!! thanks again for the work guys
Thank you, Steve. Thanks also to everybody for the good reviews so far!
Loved you guys @ Woodsongs w/ Sonny Moorman. That encore will never be out done!
Love the subjects/lyrics of your music – makes Bluegrass so palatable for a newbie like myself!
Hey guys,
I was so privileged to run sound for your awesome concert in Spruce Pine last night. Really enjoyed listening to the new CD, particularly Track 3 “Wide River to Cross”. Keep enjoying your pickin and thanks for sharing your talents with us. Ron Powell
I so completely enjoyed Trains I Missed so much that it was hardly ever out of my cd player. Did not think even a band as good as Balsam Range could come back with something as strong as they have with “Papertown”. The band sound has never been better, songs are topnotch, and every cut has you looking forward to the next. Sure am glad the wife enjoys B/R as much as I do, cause we’re going to be listening a lot!
I run FireDepartmentDirectory.com. We are getting lots of traffic from your site. But, the link on the tour section to Blsm Willets Ochre Hill Volunteer Fire Dept is incorrect / broken… It should be:
http://firedepartmentdirectory.com/Fire-Department/Fire-Stations/Fire-Station.aspx?state=North%20Carolina&county=Jackson&city=Balsam&station=Balsam%20-%20Willets%20-%20Ochre%20Hill%20Volunteer%20Fire%20Department
Recently added Papertown to my collection. As with your previous CD’s every track is fantastic. First heard your group on Bluegrass Junction. Keep up the great work and I’ll be listening.
It’s been a Balsam Range weekend! Heard you on WNCW with my old buddy Dennis Jones today, then Balsam Fire Department tonight, Bele Chere tomorrow! Thanks guys for remembering where you came from. We appreciate how much you give back! Love the new CD!
Really enjoyed having you guys at the Balsam Fire Department last night. Great music as usual and you could tell you all were at home and really enjoyed yourself playing. Thanks for supporting us!
Looking forward to MaterFest on Saturday Night. ‘can’t get enough of your music!!