Customer Reviews

Old Radio

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Playing Time - 41:45 -- Pine Mountain Railroad formed in later 1998, at the request of their local tourism agency, when they assembled for their first practice in the shadow of Pine Mountain near Pigeon Forge, TN. The band is Jimbo Whaley (guitar, lead vocals), Danny Barnes (mandolin, tenor vocals), Clint Damewood (fiddle, baritone vocals), Bill McBee (bass, bass vocals), and Kipper Stitt (banjo, resonator guitar, baritone vocals). Guest Roscoe Morgan provides mandolin, guitar and tenor vocals on various tracks.

"The Old Radio" features a large share of original songs written by Whaley, Morgan and Stitt. The opener "All the Hay's in the Barn" was inspired by a football coach's lesson to prepare physically and mentally, and then go as hard as you possibly can. The title cut makes reference to many songs and artists in the bluegrass community. "Break Your Heart With A Bluegrass Song" has a nice hook and builds off analogies between bluegrass instruments and memories of love gone wrong. Life on the road can be hard, and "Tennessee Eyes" is a ballad that reinforces the musician's longing for home. Stitt frails the banjo and adds some washboard to the mix for the story of "M.R.'s Rolling Store" through the Smoky Mountains in the late-1930s. Stitt also demonstrates his abilities on resonator guitar, while Barnes ably handles banjo on "The Legend of Jack Huff." Stitt, the songwriter, contributes a contemporary-sounding "You Don't Need Me Anymore" and ripping "Pine Mountain Railroad." Roscoe Morgan's "Aunt Birdie's Wingback Chevrolet" is a nostalgic journey back to younger, carefree days gone by. The band also covers material from Journey ("Don't Stop Believing"), the Bailes Brothers ("Traveling the Highway Home"), the traditional "Talk About Suffering," and the theme song for Odom's Tennessee Pride Real Country Sausage. Since 2001, the band has been the official bluegrass band for that product.

The band's rendition of that theme song is played on radio commercials airing during the Grand Ole Opry. The first new bluegrass act to sign with CMH Records in 15 years, Pine Mountain Railroad has also showcased at the 2002 IBMA World of Bluegrass Tradeshow, and Jimbo Whaley has performed at the IBMA Songwriter Showcase for two consecutive years. The group recorded scenes and music for the upcoming motion picture, "Bell Witch, the Movie." Pine Mountain Railroad has an appealing neo-traditional sound that will help them build a legion of fans. With the support of the CMH label, and appearances at big name festivals like Merlefest, Bean Blossom, and Grey Fox, these energetic up-and-comers are well on their way to "taking a part of the Great Smoky Mountains to folks who may never get to experience them." (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

I've heard PMRR twice they are a great bluegrass band great songs. Sure wish I knew what happened to them? Last I heard they were working on a new CD. If any one knows please E-mail me @ hrnewcomer@hotmail.com I do know that Jimbo Whaley left in early 2004 and Clint Damewood left mid 2004. Thanks for any feedback or any imfo.

This is possibly the best blugrass album I have ever heard. Their style is so unique: New school sound, Old school feel. If you heard this record for the first time, you would swear that it came straight out of the early days of bluegrass. Bill Monroe would be proud! Songs such as "All the Hay's in the Barn","The Old Radio",and "Aunt Birdies Wingback Chevrolet" are sure to be true bluegrass classics. If you have any inclination towards bluegrass, this album is a must have.

I do not usually find myself listening to bluegrass, but this is a really good CD. Pine Mountain Railroad gives you the chance to enjoy bluegrass even if it is not your favorite genre.

There are great original songs and even a Journey cover of "Don't Stop Believing," which the band pulls off masterfully.

The five-piece band blends with great harmony. I particularly love the banjo, fiddle and mandolin pieces.

So I may be biased . . . I know the lead singer, Jimbo Whaley, from our high school days in the 1980s. Sadly, though, I have not talked to him since 1999 when he was first getting this band in order. I got "Old Radio" on New Year's Day 2004 and it is all I have listened to for the past couple days.

Go treat yourself to this! It is worth it.