Cumberland River

Artist Information

Biography

Cumberland River’s roots have run deep in Harlan County Kentucky hills for generations, so it is no surprise fans can hear the heritage of traditional bluegrass in their music. Their current album, THE LIVE WE LIVE on Rural Rhythm Records certainly showcases the songwriting talents of this hot young group with all six band members contributing to this impressive first national release. Their numerous recent SOLD OUT SHOWS are certainly helping to grow their MOUNTAIN NATION fan club.

In July 29, 2010, Cumberland River was invited to perform for the writers and producers of the FX Network’s TV show, JUSTIFIED while they were in Harlan gathering information for their upcoming season. With only 24 hours notice, the band got together and wrote a song, “Justified” as a gift to the show. They received a standing ovation from the writers and producers, including Graham Yost, the multi-award winning writer and producer. Cumberland River added the song to their debut album, ROCK ISLAND EXPRESS released September 3, 2010 and a newly cut version appears as a bonus track on their new album.

TV viewer’s got a taste of Cumberland River’s music in the opening scene of the March 2, 2011 JUSTIFIED episode, “For Blood or Money,” when they heard the band performing an instrumental version of their original song “Justified” during the opening scene. On the April 6, 2011 episode, viewers got a full dose when fans could hear the band performing five more of their songs during the first 30 minutes. During that time frame, the show was averaging 3.9 million total viewers on the first run of Season Two with a multi-run weekly average of 7.2 million total viewers and gaining fans every week.

This six-piece band includes the outstanding talents of BRAD GULLEY (lead vocals and guitar), DUSTIN MIDDLETON (lead & harmony vocals, mandolin), JAMES DEAN (lead & harmony vocals, banjo), JOEY JONES (bass), JAMIE STEWART (Dobro); and Gary Robinson (guitar).

THE LIFE WE LIVE was produced by acclaimed singer songwriter STEVE GULLEY (Brad's Dad) and also includes special guests, Dale Ann Bradley, Justin Moses, and Andy Buckner. This impressive first national release is a fine collection of original music of heart felt songs and haunting ballads written by Cumberland River and taken from their life experiences and campfire stories from Harlan County, Kentucky.

CUMBERLAND RIVER has had numerous recent TV appearances including being the featured artist on KENTUCKY LIFE on Kentucky Public Broadcasting and also are part of the TV show CHRISTMAS THE MOUNTAIN WAY airing on BlueHighways TV beginning November 2012 and running through the end of December. This CD/DVD project releases on Rural Rhythm Records November 13, 2012. Stay tuned for more of their music to be featured on the TV show JUSTIFIED airing on the FX Network in 2013.

Instrumentation

Brad Gulley - Guitar, Lead Guitar and Lead Vocals
DUSTIN MIDDLETON - mandolin, Lead Vocals
James Dean - Banjo, Lead Vocals
Joseph Jones - Bass
JAMIE STEWART - Dobro
GARY ROBINSON - Guitar

Discography

2012 - NOW IN THE STUDIO recording new album set for release early 2013

2012 - November 13, 2012 - Christmas the Mountain Way CD and DVD - Rural Rhythm Records; Various Artists including: Cumberland River, Marty Raybon, Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gulley, Audie Blaylock, Common Strings, and more.

2011 - July 26, 2011 - The Life We Live - Rural Rhythm Records

2010 - Rock Island Express (indie)

Official Website

http://www.cumberland-river.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Harlan Man
  Listen  
• Justified
  Listen  
• Outside Looking In
  Listen  
• This Life I Live
  Listen  
• Antietam's Hill
  Listen  
• Mary Flynn
  Listen  
• Cold And Withered Heart
  Listen  

Lyrics

• This Life I Live
• Cold and Withered Heart
• Outside Looking In

Video

Cold And Withered Heart_ Cumberland River

Justified HD.wmv

Photo Gallery

Press

• FX TV Show Justified Producer Graham Yost says [+ Show ]
  

  From the moment a bunch of us writers and producers heard the Cumberland River Band perform in Harla...From the moment a bunch of us writers and producers heard the Cumberland River Band perform in Harlan, I thought we should somehow get them involved in the show. Their music has all the dexterity and intricacy you expect from bluegrass, but it also has an emotional drive, an urgency, that I just knew would fit well with what we're trying to do on Justified.

• Most bands only dream of exposure they got this year
  

  Good national debut by a band with a solid foundation and a lot of promise.

• Real mountain men with a story to tell [+ Show ]
  

  Real mountain men with a story to tell and a unique, special way of telling it. If you’re looking fo...Real mountain men with a story to tell and a unique, special way of telling it. If you’re looking for pure, honest music full of unabashed emotion, look no further. You’ve found it! Cumberland River is raw emotion personified. Welcome to Mountain Nation!”
  Steve Gulley, Grasstowne/Album Producer
  

• Bluegrass band best known for music on FX TV series [+ Show ]
  

  “What makes our writing different is the way we were raised and grew up in the mountains,” said Joey...“What makes our writing different is the way we were raised and grew up in the mountains,” said Joey Jones.

• Humbled [+ Show ]
  

  “We feel this is a dream come true for the band,” said Dean. “We could never imagined we would be on...“We feel this is a dream come true for the band,” said Dean. “We could never imagined we would be on a major label working with some of the best bands in bluegrass and working with such an awesome producer as Steve Gulley. We’re truly humbled that Rhythm Records is willing to take a chance on a bunch of country boys from the mountains of Harlan County.”
  
  
  

Setlist

Cold & Withered Heart, Harlan Man, This Life That I Live, Justified, Outside Looking In and all the fan favorites

Basic Requirements

Calendar