Watch Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver rock NASCAR’s second biggest track this Friday night, May 18, at 8:00 pm ET on Speed Channel!
http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets/nc_education_lottery_200/

DLQ’s National Anthem is currently scheduled for 8:04 pm ET … don’t miss a note from Doyle Lawson, Mike Rogers, Corey Hensley, and Josh Swift .. LIVE on SPEED CHANNEL! http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/filter/date/2012-5-18

Dieter, Birgit, Suzanne, Suzi and Sister (l to r)

We had a real treat yesterday at church.  Dieter and Birgit Stoll (Horse Mountain) from Germany visited with us and played our Offertory and Special music during Sunday morning worship.  They are here in the TN/NC area visiting for a couple of weeks before heading to Wilkesboro for Merlefest.  They played a couple of songs on Thursday at the Pickin’ Porch here in Bristol, and again at the Carter Fold on Saturday night.  It’s always great to meet new people who share our love of music and these folks are really special!  They started their trip in Memphis, and were in Nashville before heading to East Tennessee, the REAL Birthplace of Country Music.  Imagine traveling all the way from Germany because you love the music, when some of us won’t drive 20 miles!  This is their second trip to the States in 2 years.  Dieter is an accomplished guitar player, Birgit a fine bass player, and they both have really good voices.  At church yesterday, they played the Carter song, “The Gospel Ship  “, and “By the Mark” (Gillian Welch).  Our family at Cold Spring really enjoyed having them, it was a nice change from our little choir!  We really appreciate that they took time from their trip to visit with us.  After church, we went to a local Greek place and had lunch, then they were on their way to Greeneville, TN.   In the photo above, that’s Dieter on the left, then Birgit, Suzanne, Suzi and me, on the right.

Sing Me a Song About Jesus

Doyle shares why: “I believe in what I am singing about! I think we need to sing more songs about Jesus. Look at the gift He gave us—LIFE EVERLASTING!”

This message is delivered by a masterful band of musicians and vocalists. The super picking in “The Rich Man” and the title track reminds us why Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver is a musical force to be reckoned with. The vocal arrangements on “I Saw Him Walk out of the Sky” and the two a cappella songs remind us why they are the seven-time IBMA Vocal Group of the Year.

Album available now in our store and at CrossroadsMusic.com.

Following a great Easter weekend celebrating Christ’s resurrection with loved ones, I decided to choose one of my favorite Gospel albums for this Album of the Week: Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver’s Kept & Protected from 1997.

Ever since their second album in 1981 (the quintessentialRock My Soul), Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have been leaders in bluegrass Gospel music. Doyle’s father, Leonard, sang at the church where Doyle grew up, and Gospel music holds a very special place in his heart. You can see it on stage and in his recordings. His ability take hymnbook favorites and new songs of inspiration, and make them Quicksilver standards is remarkable.

The first Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver concert I can vividly remember was when I was six years old. Barry Scott had just signed on with the group, and Kept & Protected was either just out, or just about out. I was finally old enough to sit and listen to good music, and Doyle and company mesmerized me as a six-year old kid (they still do). We soon had a copy of the new record – which rarely left the player – and it has been one of my favorite Gospel albums since.

Quicksilver had a stellar lineup when this one was recorded: Doyle (of course) on mandolin, Dale Perry on bass, Barry Abernathy on banjo, Owen Saunders on fiddle, and Barry Scott on guitar. Vocally, this is definitely one of Quicksilver’s stronger lineups.

This vocal prowess is in full display on the a cappella version of Let My Life Be A Light. Barry Abernathy takes the lead on this one from the old song book, with Doyle singing baritone, Barry Scott singing tenor, and Dale Perry providing the rock solid bass. A great message song which we should all take to heart, this is one of the more memorable vocal performances in Quicksilver’s 30+ years, in my opinion.

Then newcomer Barry Scott really shines on his recording debut for Quicksilver. His singing demand attention throughout the entire album. Scott’s honest vocals are never better on I’ll Trade the Old Cross (for a Crown). An antique of a song written by Johnson Oatsman, Jr (who penned such classics as The Hallelujah Sideand Higher Ground), the lyrics are simply captivating, and Scott sings them beautifully. He delivers the song with such conviction, you might feel as if he wrote the song himself.

Another hymnbook favorite which featured here is The Glory-Land Way(sometimes known as I’m In The Gloryland Way). The band is really firing on all cylinders here. In addition to solid vocals, Doyle’s mandolin sets the tone as Owen Saunders’ fiddle and Barry Abernathy’s banjo contribute to an all-around great track. The guys makes it look easy on this one.

Kept & Protected also features a handful of songs written by Paul Humphrey, or better known to bluegrass fans as Paul Williams. Paul wrote three songs on the album: The Vision, Kept and Protected By God’s Love, and We’ll Go Home Together On The Cloud.

The Vision is a powerful song. It tells of a man visiting heaven in his dreams. The descriptions paint a beautiful picture of Paradise. Doyle’s vocal delivery receives powerful support from special guest Jerry Douglas on dobro.

We’ll Go Home Together On The Cloud was one of my favorite songs as a child. I’d walk around singing it – and I’ll Fly Away - all of the time. When I first met Paul Williams, my parents told me that he was the man who wrote that song, and I was in awe! It’s a great reminder of the day when God calls His children home.

“Each day brings us closer brings us closer to those heavenly portals,
by the grace of God that’s where we’re bound.
If you go before I do, rest assured I’m coming too.
We’ll go home together on the cloud.”

A feel-good song that reminds us that living in this world is only a temporary condition, this song will help you keep eternity in view.

It’s really hard to not talk about every track on this album, because they all strike me as standouts. A great mix of forgotten chestnuts and new favorites executed with precision in both the singing and picking, this is a classic bluegrass gospel project from Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.

Kept & Protected was released on Sugar Hill Records (SH-3867) and can be purchased from County Sales and the Classic Country Connection. It can also be downloaded digitally from iTunes and Amazon MP3.

Make sure you check out this great gospel project from the School of Bluegrass: Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.

I have been admiring Joe Dean’s skills as a young gun in this business. Over the past few years, I have grown to truly admire the combination of his creative banjo style and his traditional vocal prowess. I have had my eye on Joe Dean for quite some time and I am so pleased he has committed to joining Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. He will bring a new and exciting energy to our efforts. To me, this feels like a new beginning!

Joe said he was “very excited about this opportunity,” having “admired Doyle’s style of music since I was a kid.” He added:

I can’t wait to be a part of one of the greatest bands in bluegrass history, and share the stage with a legend like Doyle Lawson.

NASHVILLE (February 27, 2012)  — Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver received a standing ovation from the members of the Tennessee State Senate  after performing two hymns on the floor of the Senate this evening at the State Capitol in Nashville.

DLQ sang “He Made It All Right” and “I’m Going to Heaven” a cappella during the 5:00 pm Senate Session.  Doyle Lawson, Michael Rogers, Corey Hensley, and Josh Swift sang, with fiddle player Jason Barie also present on the Senate floor.

Doyle Lawson and his band Quicksilver were honored for their contributions to the State of Tennessee in Senate Joint Resolution 467, which was introduced by Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City).  The resolution can be viewed on-line at:  http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SJR0467.pdf

Senator Jim Summerville (R-Dickson) gave remarks which included lines from the song “My Country Tis of Thee,” which was followed by an opening prayer, then all arose for the Pledge of Allegiance.  Senator Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) then introduced Doyle Lawson, part of the resolution was read, and DLQ were then asked to sing.

Lawson’s choices for the occasion were a cappella hymns, rich in his group’s signature harmony and deeply rooted in his strong Christian faith. The first song was  “He Made It All Right” from Lawson’s 2008 album “Help Is On the Way,”  followed by “I’m Going to Heaven” featured on DLQ’s 1996 album “There’s A Light Guiding Me.”

Doyle’s wife Suzanne was on hand for the occasion, as were managers Josh Trivett and Peter Keiser.

Photo of Doyle Lawson receiving framed copy of Senate Resolution 467 from Senator Southerland courtesy of Josh Trivett. L to R: Doyle Lawson, Jason Barie, Mike Rogers, Josh Swift, and Senator Steve Southerland, with Lieutenant Govenor Ron Ramsey of Sullivan County looking on from the podium above.

_______________________

“As the Senate sponsors for SJR 0467, Lieutenant Governor Ramsey and I were very proud to welcome the legendary Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver to the Senate.  We are proud to honor Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver for his mission of music, truly a gift for all these years to our great state and nation, as well.  As a testament to their talent, Lieutenant Governor Ramsey asked for Doyle to perform one more song, which upon ending received a standing ovation from the entire Senate.  We are all truly proud of Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, and we look forward to a visit from them in the near future.”

– Senator Rusty Crowe, 28 Feb 2012

_______________________

Warmest thanks to Daniel Mount at Crossroads Music for securing a copy of the official footage of the proceedings from the Senate Floor. Beautiful job Daniel and DLQ! The video begins with Lieutenant Governor Ramsey asking that Resolution 467 be read…

ATLANTA (February 22, 2012) — Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have been nominated for a prestigious Dove Award, as nominations for the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards were announced today in Atlanta.

Bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson and his band Quicksilver received a nomination for “Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year” for their version of “Precious Memories” as recorded on their 2011 album “Drive Time” on the Mountain Home Music Label.

The GMA Dove Awards will be held in the Fox Theater in Atlanta on April 19, 2012, with awards being presented in 41 categories.

A complete list of nominees may be found at:   http://www.doveawards.com/nominees.php

Congratulations to Doyle, Mike, Corey, Swifty, Jason and Jessie!

Hear DLQ singing their Dove Awards-nominated “Precious Memories” in the video below!

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver with UK Coach John Calipari prior to the Auburn-Kentucky game on January 11, 2012. Corey Hensley, Doyle Lawson, Coach Calipari, Josh Swift and Mike Rogers.

BRISTOL, TN (February 10, 2012) — A patriotic fever is about to hit all of us in the next few months, if Doyle Lawson has his way.

Bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson and his band Quicksilver are embarking in 2012 on the second leg of their benchmark Children’s Hospital and Arena Tour, an ultra creative venue combining helping hospitalized children with inspiring national patriotism.

The tour combines National Anthem performances at major sporting arenas with Children’s Hospital visits in the same cities or regions. The tour is the first of its kind in any genre, and expands in 2012 from the southeast region to national in scope.

An arena stop in Knoxville was the first order of tour business in 2012 as Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver took the hardwood of Thompson-Boling Arena to perform our National Anthem for the Tennessee-Florida Men’s Basketball game on Saturday, January 7.

DLQ wowed a packed house at Auburn Arena as they performed the National Anthem for the Men’s Basketball game between Auburn and then #2-ranked Kentucky on January 11.  DLQ were honored to be greeted by UK Coach John Calipari in the Kentucky locker room before the game, and enjoyed world-class treatment by Auburn’s sterling staff as guests in the spectacular new Auburn Arena.  UK has now claimed the #1-ranking in the Nation in AP and ESPN/USA Today Polls, and a photo of DLQ meeting Coach Calipari is included in this article.

Upcoming Children’s Hospital & Arena Tour highlights include:  SEC Men’s Basketball action on February 28 in Music City as the Vanderbilt Commodores take on the Florida Gators at Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium; DLQ singing their first baseball National Anthem; plus DLQ performing their first Speedway National Anthem at Charlotte Motor Speedway as they perform for NASCAR and NHRA races in North Carolina this year.  Visits with boys and girls in Children’s Hospitals during 2012 will include cities such as Birmingham, Charlotte, Nashville, and Knoxville.

Catch a world-class National Anthem performance by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver at the Auburn-Kentucky game in the video below.  Doyle, Mike, Corey and Josh were stunning in their dark suits at center court, while Auburn Coach Tony Barbee and players are attentive on court directly behind them. The UK team assembled hands-over-their-hearts beside Kentucky’s bench, with a fast close up of UK Coach Calipari listening to DLQ’s National Anthem seen after a wide shot of Auburn’s team near the end. The focus then returns to perhaps the strongest National Anthem performance to date by Doyle, Mike, Corey and Josh.

DLQ’s National Anthem performance was a special occasion for Auburn fans, as live vocal Anthems are not usually done for Auburn men’s basketball games.  The amazing Auburn crowd for Tuesday night’s Kentucky game responded in spades, erupting with a thundering chant of “U.S.A! U.S.A!” as DLQ walked off-court.

“We loved being back at Tennessee to kick off this year’s tour,” said Lawson, “and really appreciated performing in Auburn’s new arena for the biggest game of their home season. It’s always an honor to perform our National Anthem, and I’m excited to combine honoring our great country with helping hospitalized children — and doing both through my band’s music.”