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

Thank you all for making Balsam Range’s hometown concert series such a success. The show with Darin & Brooke on the 15th was a sell-out. If you couldn’t make it—or if you were there and you’d like to relive the moment—now, you can! Balsam Range’s record label, Crossroads / Mountain Home Music, launched the Crossroads Video Vault with the footage from the 15th. You can stream or download the concerts here: http://crossroadsmusic.com/balsam-range/winter-bluegrass-series-at-the-colonial-theatre/

These live concert videos are recorded direct to hard drive with three cameras and live switching. To preserve the live feel of the performances, the concerts are captured in their entirety and delivered unedited.

So call some friends, pop some corn, and open the Crossroads Video Vault!