Category: Southern Gospel

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.

The Grascals Sign with Billy Blue Records, Ushering in an Exciting New Chapter

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JEFF TURNER

Beloved bluegrass powerhouse The Grascals have officially signed with Billy Blue Records, marking an exciting new era in their celebrated 21-year career. Known for their tight harmonies, the group remains a fan favorite in both the bluegrass gospel and Americana worlds.

The partnership kicks off with the upcoming release of a brand-new single, “Come Jesus Come”, arriving at the end of August. A full-length project is already in the works and is expected to follow later in 2025.

Speaking on the new relationship, Grascals member Jamie Johnson shared his enthusiasm:

“We are extremely excited about being with Billy Blue Records, just seeing what they’ve done over the last couple years with how excited they are and how they promote their artists and the passion that they have for bluegrass music and keeping it alive and getting the word out there and making sure the audience hears it. Knowing Jerry Salley for years, we love him. Written songs with him, he’s incredibly talented on top of that. Great ideas for the music and direction for the Grascals. We’ve been doing this for a hot minute — 21 years now. Several albums under our belt and had some success along the way and we’re grateful for that, but we’re not done. We want to do more. We’re still young enough and sound well enough. Have some more ideas and we want to get them out to the people, so we would love to do that with Billy Blue and we’re excited that that’s just beginning.”

With their proven track record of success and a renewed creative drive, The Grascals’ new chapter with Billy Blue Records promises fresh music, inspired performances, and a continuation of the tradition that has made them one of bluegrass music’s most treasured acts.