Category: Bluegrass gospel

Eighteen Mile shares new song about Biblical story and personal faith

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Mountain Home Music Company artist Eighteen Mile has released their second single after finding success with their first release. The young five-member group put out “Above The Clouds” in September, and that song has reached the top of the Bluegrass Today Gospel chart multiple times. Now they have followed up with “What Mercy Means.”

Carson Aaron, who plays multiple instruments for the band, wrote the new song and performs the lead vocals. He said the song came from thinking about a story in the book of Exodus, chapter 34, where Moses went up Mount Sinai to meet with God.

What Mercy Means â„— 2025 Mountain Home Music Company Released on: 2025-11-14

Aaron explained that the Bible describes the mountain as dark and frightening during that meeting. The text mentions earthquakes and thunder happening because God was present there. He wanted his song to express the contrast between a powerful and holy God meeting with a person who is not holy.

The song connects that ancient story to Aaron’s own life. He said that as a person who has sinned, he deserves punishment when standing before a holy God. However, he experiences mercy from God each morning instead.

The song features musical work from fiddler Savannah Aaron, who plays a thoughtful melody line. Sometimes she plays alone, and other times banjo player Jack Ritter joins her with quieter accompaniment. Ritter and Emily Guy provide harmonies that support the chorus Aaron wrote.
Andy Leftwich produced “What Mercy Means,” just as he did with the previous single. Leftwich is known for his work playing fiddle and mandolin. The song fits within the tradition of bluegrass gospel music that has been popular for many years.

People can now listen to “What Mercy Means” on streaming services. The song is available in Dolby Atmos spatial audio format on Apple Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL and throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada.

Wilson Banjo Co. releases new song about heaven and belonging

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Wilson Banjo Co. has put out a new single called “Heaven Is Your Hometown.” The song came out through Pinecastle Records and carries a message about faith and finding one’s true home in heaven.

Steve Wilson, who started the band, explained why the song matters to him. He said the opening line asks if people feel like strangers who do not fit in. Wilson said this lyric affected him deeply when he first heard it. He believes the song will connect with many other people as well.

The songwriters Mitch Townley and Andrew Scott Wills wrote about the feeling of wanting to reach a place of peace and belonging. For Christians, this speaks to the biblical teaching that earth is temporary and heaven is the eternal home believers will share with God. The lyrics offer comfort through faith-based images and the hope of reunion with loved ones in heaven.

Provided to YouTube by Syntax Creative Heaven Is Your Hometown · Wilson Banjo Co. Heaven Is Your Hometown ℗ 2025 Pinecastle Records Released on: 2025-11-14

Cal Mathews sings the lead vocals on the track. Steve Wilson and Melanie Wilson provide harmony vocals. The musicians on the recording include Steve Wilson on banjo, Jason Fraley on mandolin, Richard Bennett on guitar, Glen Crain on resonator guitar, Leona on fiddle, and Jaime Carter on bass.

The band is working on their next studio album, which will come out in 2026. Steve Wilson leads the creative direction for the group. This year, their previous release called “Lonely As It Gets” performed well on the charts. The collection reached the number one position for several weeks on the Contemporary Bluegrass Album Chart. It stayed in the top ten for 33 weeks in 2025. The release also produced multiple songs that reached number one on the Roots Music Report Contemporary Bluegrass Song Chart.

Wilson Banjo Co. plans to keep making music that reflects their established sound. People can find more information about the band and their releases at http://www.wilsonbanjo.com. The band also maintains a presence on social media platforms. Listen for this and other Gospel music from Wilson Banjo Co on Texas Gospel Canada!

The King James Boys Shine Light on “The Best Selling Book Of All Time”

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SPECIAL PINECASTLE RECORDS

Nashville, Tenn. – Bluegrass Gospel powerhouse The King James Boys are keeping the momentum alive with their brand new radio single, “The Best Selling Book Of All Time.” Available now on all digital and streaming platforms, the moving anthem is pulled from their latest chart-topping album Get A Transfer. Fans can stream or download the new single and full album HERE.

Written by Christopher Burton, “The Best Selling Book Of All Time” highlights the eternal message of the Bible. Its lyrics serve as a reminder that the Good Book was written by all people and continues to guide lives across every generation and walk of life. The recording features band members Randy Spencer (guitar, lead vocals), Cole Spencer (bass, harmony vocals), Curtis Lewis (banjo) and Will Hart (mandolin, harmony vocals). The new single follows on the heels of their chart-topping anthem “The News That Never Changes,” which is currently No. 1 on the Bluegrass Today Gospel Weekly Airplay Chart, where it has spent multiple weeks at the top since its late-spring release.

The momentum continues for Get A Transfer, which has become one of the biggest projects of The King James Boys’ career. The album has spent 23 consecutive weeks in the No. 1 position on the Roots Music Report Gospel Bluegrass Album Chart, where it debuted earlier this year, and earned a glowing 5-star review from the publication. The collection has also produced multiple hits including the lead single “Glory Ride” and fan-favorite “Ready and Waiting.”

Based in the upstate of South Carolina, The King James Boys have been carrying the message of Bluegrass Gospel for over 30 years. Since their beginnings in 1994, the group has dedicated their mission to preserving and promoting the gospel through heartfelt harmonies, uplifting performances and a sound rooted in tradition. Over the years, they’ve earned a reputation as one of the genre’s most consistent voices, blending their faith with a genuine passion for connecting with audiences everywhere. Today, they continue to build on that legacy with sincerity, energy, and an unwavering commitment to the music’s timeless message.

With a jam-packed touring schedule throughout 2025, The King James Boys are taking their message nationwide. Looking ahead, they’re set to kick off 2026 aboard Danny Stewart’s Bluegrass Cruise, departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, January 15-19. To learn more about The King James Boys, find upcoming tour dates, or stream/purchase Get A Transfer, visit their official website at www.thekingjamesboys.com.

Eighteen Mile releases debut single,”Above The Clouds”

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SPECIAL: MOUNTAIN HOME MUSIC COMPANY

August 29, 2025 — Newly signed to Mountain Home Music Company, bluegrass gospel quintet Eighteen Mile took shape when young musicians performing in the ministry-supporting Steve Pettit Band felt called to seek their own professional path after wrapping up an album with producer Andy Leftwich, who recommended them to the label’s attention. For their debut Mountain Home single, the group presents “Above the Clouds,” a gently flowing meditation on the blessing of assurance.

“I wrote ‘Above the Clouds’ during a season when I was wrestling with uncertainty and learning to trust God more deeply,” says the song’s lead vocalist and Eighteen Mile bassist, Hallie Ritter. “The song became a reminder to myself that no matter what we face — doubt, anxiety, or pain — God is steady and present above it all. I wanted the music to feel hopeful, something that lifts listeners up and reminds them that the sun still shines above every storm.”

Bandmates Carson Aaron (guitar, mandolin) and Emily Guy complement Ritter’s confident voice on the chorus’s elegantly phrased simplicity:

This old world can’t hold me down, I’ve got another life I’ve found
And a greater God
This old man can’t change my mind, I know the sun will always shine
Above the clouds

Eighteen Mile’s other multi-instrumentalist, Jack Ritter, offers some delicate guitar picking that underlines the tranquillity of that other life, while fiddler Savannah Aaron delivers the arrangement’s signature figure that punctuates the song from beginning to end. The combination of vocal strength, sympathetic instrumental work and well-crafted writing exemplified by “Above the Clouds” make Eighteen Mile artists to watch — and to listen to.

Says the group, “We hope this song is an encouragement to listeners in all areas of life who may be dealing with clouds of doubt, pain, and anxieties. The sun will always shine above the clouds.”

“Above the Clouds” is streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music, Amazon Music and TIDAL. Listen to it HERE.

Joe Mullins to Step Back from Touring in 2026, But His Musical Journey Continues

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JEFF TURNER

After nearly two decades of life on the road with The Radio Ramblers, Joe Mullins has announced that his time as a full-time touring musician will come to a close in early 2026. But for the banjo player, bandleader, and broadcaster, stepping off the touring bus doesn’t mean stepping away from music.

As Mullins approaches his 60th birthday later this year, he’s taking time to reflect on a career defined by melody, family, faith, and radio. “I’m grateful for the music, the miles, and the memories,” Mullins says. That spirit is at the heart of The Radio Ramblers’ most recent Gospel release, Thankful and Blessed, which dropped in March. The album title, Mullins explains, perfectly sums up this season of life. Among its tracks is “Even Better When You Listen,” a song that highlights the group’s trademark harmony and heartfelt sound.

For Mullins, music and broadcasting have always been intertwined. “We’re called The Radio Ramblers ’cause I’ve combined the two,” he explains. “I’ve been on radio and on stage with the banjo for over 40 years. My dad did this. Dad was a fiddler, a broadcaster, and a concert promoter. He did all that on the way to the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.”

While Mullins is quick to clarify that he isn’t chasing accolades, he acknowledges that the combination of radio and live music has been key to the band’s success. In 2006, he assembled a group of local singers and pickers to meet the growing demand for bluegrass in southwestern Ohio. With his radio network already reaching listeners across the region, Mullins saw the opportunity to create a band that could perform anywhere. From this, The Radio Ramblers were born.

When he’s not on the road, Mullins continues to host daily programming on his Real Roots Radio network. “I do a hymn hour at one and a bluegrass hour at two, Eastern time,” he says. “The combination works well. I also figured out, as did my dad years ago, that if you are a hillbilly picker and you want your records played on air, it helps a lot if you have a radio show or own a couple of stations.”

Though the touring chapter of his career is nearing its close, Mullins shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to sharing the music he loves. As he looks to the future, Mullins sums up his journey with a simple message: thankful and blessed.