Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association Review

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Celebrating their 10th year as a band, Nu-Blu has issued their newest release Ten. Founded in 2003 by husband and wife team Daniel and Carolyn Routh, Nu-Blu has developed a strong following while establishing their reputation as a progressive bluegrass band. While firmly versed in the traditions of bluegrass and gospel, they also bring other musical styles into their fresh, contemporary sound. This is a hard working band, their road schedule is relentless, playing many out of the way venues and bringing new audiences to bluegrass.

Daniel, guitar and Carolyn, bass are the driving force behind the band. They are joined here by longtime band members Levi Austin on banjo and Austin Koerner on mandolin with special guest appearances by Ron Stewart and Jim Van Cleve. While everyone in the band sings, the majority of the vocals on this recording are handled by Carolyn, a talented singer with a strong voice and good range.

The CD kicks off with “That Road,” their first single from the album. This Honi Deaton composition is a traditional bluegrass tune that speaks of a musician’s life on the road and why it keeps calling them back. The tune has a nice medium groove, tasteful instrumental breaks, strong backing harmonies and sets a good tone for the rest of the 10 tunes on the album.

“Without A Kiss” is up next with Carolyn on lead vocals. She delivers a strong performance on this sad tale of a wife that loses her husband to a coal mine accident. I really enjoyed her voice on this tune and found that it was at times ever so slightly reminiscent of Rosanne Cash.

“Caught in the Middle” brings us back to a medium tempo bluegrass tune the theme of which is being caught in the middle of giving up or giving in to life's day to day challenges. This is one of several songs that offer commentary on life in America today.

“Eddie’s Garage” is a “homegrown slice of Americana,” telling a story of smalltown America, Anytown USA if you will, where you have a local garage run by an honest guy that you trust to do a good job. It’s about pride in America, the heart and sole of the USA. Not a bad sentiment when you think about it and a style of life worth preserving in this age of chains and mega-stores.

Interestingly and somewhat along these same lines is “All Americans,” a tune that directly questions the divided state of our nation and people, and the fact that our elected officials can’t seem to agree on anything. “Aren’t we all on the same side? Aren’t we all Americans.” Good for them for putting it out there.

“Giant Squid” a contemporary tune composed by Austin Koerner is the only instrumental on the compilation and features nice solos by each instrumentalist.

Overall, discovering this recording was a nice surprise. Ten is my first exposure to Nu-Blu and I have to say there is a lot to like here. These are really good musicians and singers that deliver tasteful performances throughout the CD. Rural Rhythm Records.   -Review by Jaques DiCroce

Bluegrass Today Review

Bands often mark milestone anniversaries with new collections of their music – greatest hits albums, or in the case of the Lonesome River Band this past year, fresh recordings of their greatest hits. Nu-Blu, which is celebrating ten years as a band in 2013, has recently released a disc which commemorates this tenth anniversary. However, instead of digging through past releases to find songs for this new album, the fittingly named Ten consists of (you guessed it) ten tracks of all-new music.

The band states that while in the past they may have chosen their material based on what others expected to hear, with this album they have allowed their own emotions and experiences to guide the selection of songs. This has led to an album which moves back and forth between straightforward contemporary bluegrass and emotion-filled acoustic country. Overall, Ten has a country singer-songwriter feel, particularly due to bassist Carolyn Routh’s heartfelt lead vocals on a majority of the tracks.

The songs on the bluegrass side of things are, in general, the most enjoyable on the album, largely because they have a nice energy running through them. The opening track, That Road, is an upbeat musician’s lament which finds the singer trying to work through the familiar conflict between her love of making music on the road and her love for home and the one she left there. With a few exceptions, songs with this theme are usually written and sung from a male point of view, so it’s nice to hear a female lead and have a female writer (Honi Deaton) this time.

Another grassy track, Caught in the Middle, offers another standard bluegrass theme, this time that of someone who has left home and realizes it was the wrong decision. Trains I Didn’t Take is a variation on the idea behind Balsam Range’s hit Trains I Missed, with the singer stopped at a railroad crossing behind an old love and realizing that “there are no mistakes, only choices that I made.”

On the more country-leaning side of things are the tearjerker Without a Kiss (the story of a coal miner’s widow who rests in the knowledge she’ll see him again someday) and the patriotic All Americans (which finds several band members sharing lead vocals, and urges listeners to put their differences aside and remember that even if we disagree, we all live in the same country). Eddie’s Garage is a laidback slice-of-life tune about a small-town working man who represents “the soul of the USA.” These numbers are all enjoyable, but both the subject matter and sound are much more similar to late 90’s/early 2000’s country radio than the contemporary bluegrass found elsewhere on the album.

The Pat Benatar cover Shadows of the Night has a mellow country feel, as well (with a bit of soft rock mixed in), and closes out the album on a high note. Routh seems quite comfortable and convincing singing here, and this stripped-down, acoustic version is a nice, modern update from the over-the-top 80’s production of Benatar’s cut of the song.

Nu-Blu, which consists of Routh (bass), her husband Daniel (guitar), Levi Austin (banjo), and Austin Koerner (mandolin) is a talented group, and while this album falls more in the country category than bluegrass, their fans will still likely enjoy the stories and music to be found on Ten.

For more information on Nu-Blu, visit their website at www.nu-blu.com. Their new album can be purchased from several online music retailers.

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iDitty Announces Nu-Blu As Their First Totally Digital Client

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 iDitty is proud to announce Nu-Blu as their first totally digital client with their new album TEN. “The idea behind iDitty is to offer the touring musician a physical product they can sell at shows, said Dan Huff, CEO of iDitty. “With CD sales continuing to decline, and the number of music downloads continuing to increase, the market requires a product that meets the needs of the musician and the music consumer. “

“There is no other product on the market that works the way iDitty does,” continued Dan. “My wife Kim deserves credit for the idea to make our product easy to use with a smartphone and tablet and suggested using an app that would support both iPhone and Android operating systems. iDitty allows the musician and record labels to control the content of their card. Its design offers their fans more for their money by way of adding video and pictures that are not generally available on a CD. iDitty is ideal for the musician signed to a label or the independent musician. iDitty offers more content and costs much less to produce than a CD.”

“It’s really exciting to be the first band to use this new technology. The iDitty card allows us to still offer our fans a memento of the show, and capture the sales on the merchandise, all while using a digital format. The coolest part is that they allow us to go back and add videos and extras to the card at no extra cost to our fans! It’s the perfect bridge to the digital word,” said Nu-Blu.

Not only is Nu-Blu celebrating their 10th anniversary with the new album TEN on Rural Rhythm Records, but they are now on THE TEN TOUR performing across the country. With their heavy tour schedule and exposure to music buyers, they are a perfect fit for iDitty.

“When Dan Huff and I first started to discuss approaching record labels, I immediately thought of Rural Rhythm Records. I’ve known Sam Passamano and his son Sammy 3 for several years. I know they are visionaries and forward thinkers. They understand the music business is changing and in order to stay on top you have to adapt. Dan has been working with Daniel Routh of Nu-Blu to get their project ready for their fans. I consider it an honor to have Nu-Blu as our first totally digital client,” said Keith Roberts, Executive VP Marketing iDitty. Music fans can get more information on Nu-Blu at nu-blu.com, and follow them on Twitter (@nu-blu, #thetentour, #followlola) and like them on Facebook. For label and indie artists interested in iDitty, please visit iditty.NET.

Nu-Blu Kicks Off 10th Anniversary Tour With A New Website And Chart Single.

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                        “Martha and Mary” Appearing On Singing News Magazine and Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine Charts

Nashville, TN (March 20, 2013) – Nu-Blu kicks off their 10th Anniversary year with the launch of a brand new website and a national tour that will take them across the country performing at major festivals, concert halls, and more. The band will soon announce details of an upcoming album, but they are continuing the celebration of their latest album, NAIL BY NAIL.

“Martha and Mary,” written by Becky Buller and Nancy Cardwell, is the first single release from NAIL BY NAIL. The song appears at #2 on this month’s Singing News Magazine Top Song Chart for the second month in a row, climbs higher on Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s Top 30 Bluegrass Song Chart and previously debuted at #8 on Bluegrass Today’s Weekly Top 20.

Nu-Blu is also proud to announce their lead vocalist and bassist, Carolyn Routh, graduated from the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Leadership Bluegrass 2013. Leadership Bluegrass is an intensive, three-day program focused on interactive learning and networking experiences that invite participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the bluegrass music industry, along with leadership development issues. Leadership Bluegrass 2013 was hosted at BMI, and Bone McAllester Norton PLLC in Nashville, Tennessee earlier this month. 

For more information on Nu-Blu including tour dates, music and band members, Daniel Routh, Carolyn, Routh, Levi Austin and Austin Koerner, please visit their new website at Nu-Blu.com.  

Contacts
Pinecastle Records:  Matt Hood, Email:  matt@pinecastlemusic.com, 828-376-0065
Media: Hope River Entertainment.com, Penni McDaniel, penni@hoperiverentertainment.com 678-377-3298

IBMA Leadership Bluegrass Graduates Includes Carolyn Routh

2013-leadershipbluegrass-carolynrouth The International Bluegrass Music Association is proud to announce the graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass 2013. Leadership Bluegrass is an intensive, three-day program focused on interactive learning and networking experiences that invite participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the bluegrass music industry, along with leadership development issues. This was the 14th year of Leadership Bluegrass, which now boasts over 300 alumni.

Leadership Bluegrass 2013 was hosted at BMI, and Bone McAllester Norton PLLC in Nashville, Tennessee March 7 through 9. Trisha Tubbs was the facilitator. Each year participants are selected through a selective application process and are a cross section of current and future leaders from various aspects of the industry, and come from various regions of the U.S. and the world. Freelance writer and journalist Shannon Turner, a Leadership Bluegrass 2013 graduate, said she will always value being a part of the class. “Leadership Bluegrass is an invaluable program of learning, growth, and even transformation. You leave with a renewed energy and determination to spread the gospel of bluegrass music,” Turner said. The Bluegrass Situation’s Amy Reitnouer, who was also a participant agreed, saying, “I was awed by the fellow classmates, network of alumni, and incredible presenters.”

Congratulations to our graduates:

Darin Aldridge; Darin and Brooke Aldridge; Cherryville, NC Melissa Armstrong; Detour; Sand Lake, MI Andrea Ball; Make Welcome Entertainment; Washington, DC Katherine Coe; IBMA; Nashville, TN Jeremy Darrow; The Erin McDermott Band/Freelance Musician; Nashville, TN John DeMarce; DC Bluegrass Union; Washington, DC Susie Glaze; Hilonesome Music, Susie Glaze & the Hilonesome Band; Burbank, CA KC Groves; Artist & Composer; Lyons, CO Kayla Hotte; Kayla Hotte & her Rodeo Pals; Ardrossan, Alberta, CA Caroline Isachsen; Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival; Delmar, NY Steven Johnson; MerleFest; Wilkesboro, NC Lori King; Bluegrass Music Association of Iowa; Drakesville, IA Jordan Laney; Appalachian State University; Vilas, NC Ron Murphy; Muddy River Band; Wilmington, OH Amy Reitnouer; The Bluegrass Situation; Los Angeles, CA Carolyn Routh; Nu-Blu, Red Squared Audio; Siler City; NC Sheila Selby; Boston Bluegrass Union; Brookline, MA Carly Smith; International Bluegrass Music Museum; Owensboro, KY Erin Stamper; WAMU’s Bluegrass Country; Washington, DC Shannon Turner; Freelance writer/journalist; Hermitage, TN Missy Werner; Missy Werner Band; Liberty Township, OH Jill Wiese; Bluegrass Association of North Dakota; Washburn, ND Kristi Wilcox; Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP; Nashville, TN Courtney Worthen; PineCone – The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music; Raleigh, NC

Thank you to our sponsors for Leadership Bluegrass 2013:

Gold: BMI; The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation; Bone McAllester Norton LLC; Wintergrass Music Festival (Acoustic Sound); Martha Dantzic/Quicksilver Productions Patron: John & Trisha Tubbs LBG Family: Terry & Sharon Alford, Phil Bankester, Nick Barr, Danny Clark, Katy Daley, Regina Derzon, Arnie Fleischer, Lisa Jacobi, Denise Jarvinen, Richard Spratt, Kimberly East Williams Friends of LBG: Claire Armbruster & Jeff Koontz, Mike Armistead, Fred Bartenstein, Janet Brightly, Dr. Richard Brown, Mary Burdette, Paul Byrum, Greg Cahill, Casey Campbell, Nancy Cardwell, Dag Iver Caspersen, Darwin Davidson, Lachlan Davidson, Lynda Dawson, Mary Tyler Doub, Bill Foster, Carolyn Hotte, Lisa Husted, Carl Jackson, Rienk Janssen, Russell Johnson, Bill Knowlton, Kitsy Kuykendall, Dagfinn Pedersen, Tina Potter, Mike Ramsey, Jim Roe, Dana Romanello, Neil & Terri Rosenberg, Stephen Ruffo, Mary Sackmann, Peter Salovey, Sharon White & Rick y Skaggs, Mary Faith Rhoads-Lewis, Sheila Selby, Earle Simmons, Frank Solivan, Jean Spivey, Susan Stewert, Kit Swaggert, Ben Surratt & Missy Raines, Brian Smith, Barry & Holly Tashian, G.C. Teskey, Dana Thorin, Traci Todd, Alan Tompkins, April Verch, Garian Vigil, Lucy Weberling, Bob Webster, Jon Weisberger, Dwight Worden, Stan Zdonik.

The Leadership Bluegrass planning committee this year included: Alan Tompkins (Chair), Joan Kornblith, Amy Beth Hale, Jean Spivey, Emilee Warner, Ben Surratt, Nolan Lawrence, Trisha Tubbs (facilitator), and Nancy Cardwell (staff liaison). Kornblith, Surratt, Gerald Jones, and Chris Stuart served on the Selection Committee. Taylor Coughlin, IBMA, was the facilitator’s assistant.

For information on the next Leadership Bluegrass class, contact Nancy Cardwell at (615) 256-3222 or nancyc@ibma.org.

Great New Review on Parchbench

2012-albumcover-NailByNail-Nu-Blu-200Nu-Blu – Nail By Nail
*** (out of 4 stars)
Label: Pinecastle Records

Nail By Nail is Nu-Blu’s first all gospel album, and it is true to the best of bluegrass tradition. It’s an album that delivers as much heartfelt emotion as it evokes from the band. Thease are songs that take you somewhere, and then brings you back home so that you can listen just a little more clearly.

The album begins with “The Abyss,” one of the darker tracks on the album. Written by Donna Ulisse and Marc Rossi. It sings about going to The Father when overcome with despair. It’s an inspirational song that reminds us of the occasional brooding quality of serious bluegrass music.

One of the best tracks on the album is “Martha and Mary,” a powerful, banjo-driven tune written by Becky Buller and Nancy Cardwell, based on the Bible’s story of (you guessed it) Martha and Mary. It’s the kind of song that you can’t help listening to without nodding your head in agreement… in rhythm.

As bluegrass bands go, Nu-Blu is one of the more lively, playing even the slower tempo songs with passion and energy. The band consists of Daniel Routh (vocals and guitar), Carolyn Routh (vocals and bass), Levi Austin (harmony vocals, bass, guitar and banjo), Greg Luck (fiddle) and Austin Koerner (mandolin). Nail By Nail is a great introduction to Nu-Blu and will no doubt inspire you to check out their previous work as well.

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"Martha and Mary" by Nu-Blu Now Out To Radio

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2012-albumcover-NailByNail-Nu-Blu-200Pinecastle Records is pleased to announce today’s new single, “Martha and Mary” by Nu-Blu. The song was written by Becky Buller and Nancy Cardwell and appears on Nu-Blu’s first gospel album, NAIL BY NAIL set for release October 30, 2012. The single has been serviced to bluegrass radio stations and is also available at AirplayDirect.com.

“The story of Martha and Mary is one of the great Gospel stories of the Bible. Nu-Blu’s latest single, ‘Martha and Mary’ reminds us that there is a little bit of Martha and a little bit of Mary in each of us. Talk about getting a listener – any listener – to relate to the song’s message, Nu-Blu has a sure-fire winner in this song, destined to be a favorite among fans and radio programmers alike,” said Brian McNeal, Prescription Bluegrass.

Fans can listen to the new single “Martha and Mary” plus pre-order a copy of NAIL BY NAIL at pinecastlemusic.com/bluegrass-gospel/nail-by-nail  and get an instant download of the track, “Martha and Mary.”

The label released Nu-Blu’s THE BLU-DISC last year that included the impressive single “Other Woman’s Blues” that was also released as a music video. Pinecastle also released a holiday single, “Christmas in Dixie,” late last year as well. Just a few short weeks later, that holiday favorite reached the #1 spot on the Airplay Direct’s Top Bluegrass Album Chart.

This energetic bluegrass band, consisting of Daniel Routh, Carolyn, Routh, Levi Austin and Austin Koerner, has certainly proven to have crossover success in a variety of genres.  They have been featured in numerous Bluegrass publications including the April 2012 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine. Their single, “Spin On A Red Brick Floor” from their NIGHTS album debuted at #10 on the Euro Americana Chart and spent five weeks on the Americana Music Association’s Top 40 chart.  Nu-Blu were the winners of the Country Band of the Year Award by the Carolina Music Awards in 2010 and were nominated by the organization again last year as the Country/Bluegrass/Americana Group of the Year.

For more information on Nu-Blu and to receive upcoming announcements on NAIL BY NAIL, please www.Nu-Blu.com. For more information on Pinecastle Records, please visit www.PinecastleMusic.com.