Brand New Strings
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Brand New Strings

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States | MAJOR

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States | MAJOR
Band Country Bluegrass

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"Sirius-XM Radio says..."

"Brand New Strings plays hardcore bluegrass for the hardcore fan. These are exciting, fresh, songs played and sung by superbly talented musicians and singers in a take-no-prisoners, no apologies, strictly bluegrass style. This is bluegrass the way it ought to be!"
Kyle Cantrell (SIRIUS XM Radio)
- Kyle Cantrell


"Demands National Attention.."

"This is a band that demands national attention before the release of their debut CD. They embody all the best traits of a modern day bluegrass band with their masterful musicianship and flawless harmonies built from a lifetime of loving and respecting the fathers while
reaching to the future with an anticipation that shows in the freshness of their music. You can't go wrong with "Brand New Strings.
Charlie Hansen (CFCY FM 95.1 Charlottetown PEI Canada)
- CFCY Radio - Canada


"Outstanding.."

“Brand New Strings sounds just like the name says. From hard driving Traditional, to smooth Contemporary, to Amen Corner standing on its feet a cappella songs, this East Tennessee Bluegrass group has its own sound. Producer, Steve Gulley (Grasstowne) has helped make an outstanding debut project from some very talented singers, songwriters and players. Brand New Strings NO STRINGS ATTACHED is sure to be one of the best of 2010. “
Dennis Jones (WNCW Radio, NC)
- WNCW Radio


"Good Vocal Harmony"

“Brand New Strings is a great new Bluegrass group that is sure to please bluegrass fans world wide. Though they are a new group, individually they have many years of bona fide experience from playing in various bands. I am an admirer of good vocal harmony and I enjoy the style of harmony that these guys present. Not only are they good musicians and singers, they are good people!”
Jamie S. Dailey (Dailey and Vincent)
- Jamie Dailey (Dailey and Vincent)


"Rich, dynamic mountain harmonies"

"Brand New Strings is a band steeped in bluegrass's rich traditional sound, but with a more contemporary approach from seasoned pickers. Rich, dynamic mountain harmonies highlight this band, which I am sure we will all be hearing alot more from! Their songwriting and arrangements make for an exciting bluegrass experience."
Lou Reid (Lou Reid and Carolina, The Seldom Scene)
- Lou Reid


"Showmanship!"

"AWESOME...HARD DRIVING...FESTIVARIANS LOVE 'EM... Bluegrass at it's BEST. Energetic and exiting showmanship. Great musicianship and vocals. I can't wait until I hear
Brand New Strings next show!!”
- Bertie Sullivan, Festival Promoter


"Flawless playing and truly fine singing"

When you stop to think about it, two of America's finest harmony singing forms are bluegrass and barbershop, with doo-wop coming in a close third chockablock with the jazzy oeuvre represented by such as the Andrews Sisters, Manhattan Transfer, etc. Well, here we have a group that blends solo singing, harmony, instrumental dexterity, and lively rhythms for another great Rural Rhythms release, a fivesome effort based in Randall Massengill's vocals and Stuart Wyrick's banjo.

Mike Ramsey adds in a hellaciously complex mandolin atop Tim Tipton's propulsive bass flanked by Matt Leadbetter and Massengill's guitars, making that intertwining sound so beloved of bluegrass. The group is based in gospelgrass, an integral part of the entire genre, and pretty serious about that. As with such things, devotion comes out strongly in the music, and it's difficult to listen to Brand New Strings' music without feeling the tug of their heartfelt spiritual emotion…even if you're an atheist.

But the musical elements are so exact, playful, bouncy, and riveting that no one can resist the songs themselves, whether the listener's religious or not. Not only does the band pick some great material but writes very well indeed on top of it all. I'm going to guess that Mona Ramsey is the wife of Mike Ramsey, but, regardless, she came up with the sparkling When my Feet Touch the Streets of Gold, one of the CD's best cuts. A surprise element is Gram Parsons' Wheels. Gram, untimely taken (of a drug OD) at age 26 and an important figure in country rock, has had a rough time among genre players but is slowly coming to be more widely adopted.

As a critic, I've historically been shy about lauding corporate concerns—save for enterprises like ECM, EG, etc.—but, as the major labels crumble of corruption and bad business models, it's becoming evident that indie enterprises like Rural Rhythms are taking up the slack, demonstrating amazing perspicacity in their rosters, keeping the true-est art of music solidly preserved. Brand New Strings, part of that enterprise, is an aggregate of extremely adept players with a powerful focus and strong sense of identity that produces flawless playing and truly fine singing…and the humorously convincing cover art, posing the release as a faux set of guitar strings, shows they also have an earthy way about them, something quite readily heard all through the disc.
- FAME Reviews


"BEST debut album from new group on a long time!"

"Brand New Strings is a brand new ballgame!! Excellent vocals, picking, and material is way above the average for an already established group! Probably the BEST debut album from a group in a long, long time!" Buddy Michaels - Hometown Festival Radio, Snow Camp, NC
- Hometown Festival Radio


"Hard Driving Bluegrass"

Over the years, bluegrass fans have benefited when established musicians decide to join forces to form new bands. Once again, the bluegrass world has another new group to be excited about. Brand New Strings is the result of several talented musicians from East Tennessee who shared a desire to take their music to another level. The group consists of Stuart Wyrick (banjo), Mike Ramsey (Mandolin), and Randall Massengill (guitar) all founding members of popular bluegrass gospel group New Road along with Blue Moon Rising alumni Tim Tipton (bass) and Matt Leadbetter (dobro). Massengill, who also played in Blue Moon Rising at one time, and Ramsey will each contribute original material to the group. Combine great songs with strong vocals and some hard driving bluegrass and you've got Brand New Strings." MIKE KELLY-WDVX RADIO, Knoxville, TN
- WDVX Radio - Knoxville


"2009 SPBGMA Winner"

Nashville, TN (2.16.09) BRAND NEW STRINGS has just been named the WINNER of the 2009 International Band Championship by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA). The competition was held over the weekend during the 35th Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards and 26th Annual National Convention and Band Championship at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville.

This newly formed band are also recent winners of the Smoky Mountain Fiddler’s Convention and the Cumberland River Bluegrass Festival band competitions as well.

The group has been busy recording their highly anticipated upcoming new album set for release this year. Their Album Producer and Grasstowne band member, Steve Gulley said, "I've known most of the members of BRAND NEW STRINGS for long time and am proud to call them my friends. They are a great new band with a fresh new sound that commands your attention. Real bluegrass from the real deal. These guys know the music and it shows!”

BRAND NEW STRINGS includes: Randall Massengill (guitar and lead & harmony vocals), Tim Tipton (bass), Mike Ramsey (mandolin and lead & harmony vocals), Stuart Wyrick (banjo and harmony vocals) and Matt Leadbetter (Resophonic Guitar and harmony vocals). “We were thrilled to receive such a warm welcome from fans and honored to be chosen the winner of the SPBGMA Band Competition. We look forward to announcing a lot of news in upcoming weeks, so stay tuned for more on BRAND NEW STRINGS!" said Tipton.
- Hope River Entertainment


Discography

Feb 2010 - NO STRINGS ATTACHED album released on Rural Rhythm Records

Two single releases, "Merry Go Round" and the latest single release, "Law of the Land" from the album "NO STRINGS ATTACHED"

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Bio

Hard drivin' bluegrass songs, both original and traditional, along with fresh new bluegrass gospel tunes, fine instrumentation, and two strong lead vocalists make up this exciting new band comprised of Randall Massengill, Mike Ramsey, Stuart Wyrick, Preston Schmidt.

Late 2008, these East Tennessee musicians came together to form BRAND NEW STRINGS and since that time, they have added fiddler extraordinaire, Preston Schmidt. Mike, Stuart, and Randall had performed together in the past with the bluegrass gospel group, New Road and Randall also formers with Blue Moon Rising.

BRAND NEW STRINGS is also performing dates in 2011 and 2012 with acclaimed vocalist Carrie Hassler.

After just forming Brand New Strings, the band decided to enter a few band competitions and to their surprise immediately won the 2008 Band Championship by the Smoky Mountain Fiddler’s Convention, won the 2008 Band Championship by the Cumberland River Bluegrass Festival and won the 2009 SPBGMA Band Competition. During the 2009 International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass, Brand New Strings signed a recording contract with L.A. based, Rural Rhythm Records and their first album, NO STRINGS ATTACHED, was released in February 2010.

NO STRINGS ATTACHED was recorded in Cumberland Gap, TN with studio owner and Producer, Steve Gulley. Two singles have been released from the album including the first, Merry Go Round, and the latest single release, Law of the Land. Numerous other tracks also receive tremendous support from radio stations around the world.

Brand New Strings was chosen as an official IBMA Showcase artist and performed during the 2010 IBMA World of Bluegrass. The band was also nominated as the 2010 Bluegrass Band of the Year by the French Country Music Awards.