Crossroads Label Group

07/11/2025

🎶 NEW MUSIC 🎶

With his latest single, Mark Bishop reminds us of the depth and finesse he brings to his writing with “There’s A Medicine For That,” an extended revelation of a simple yet profound analogy set in a soulful arrangement.

“The longer you live,” Bishop observes, “the more you begin to realize that everyone you know is going through something. Everyone is dealing with some sort of stress or worry, pain or grief. As much as we would like to say the right words, or pitch in and try to help, we soon realize that we don’t have the power to change the situation.

“I’ve recently had some health issues of my own,” he continues, “and was soon aware that even with insurance, the doctor bills keep coming in. But there is also a doctor who listens to us for free.”

Produced by award-winning producer Jeff Collins, who pulls triple duty with flourishes of both piano and organ, “There’s A Medicine For That” frames Bishop’s thorough exploration of this powerful insight:

I know everybody needs Him, there’s no immunity.
Sooner or later life will cut you to the bone.
If it’s pain or grief or worry, He sees the depths of your heart.
Whatever the ailment, when your last hope is gone…

There’s a medicine for that when times have been tough
There are people who’ve been praying and lifting you up
There’s a medicine for that, there’s peace for your soul.
There’s a remedy for a broken heart, He wants you to know.
That wherever you’re at
There’s a medicine, a medicine for that.

With a simmering background reminiscent of African-American gospel classics, “There’s A Medicine For That” is a timely reminder of the healing that Christ’s mercy brings to believers.

“He listens to us and He knows the exact medicine we need,” says Bishop. “And whatever we bring to him, He looks at us and says, ‘There’s a medicine for that.’ His name is Jesus, and He’s always on call."

"There's A Medicine For That" is streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music , Amazon Music and TIDAL . Listen to it here:

Listen to content by Mark Bishop.

07/11/2025

🎶 NEW MUSIC 🎶

After the joyous bluegrass gospel hit, “Good Time Get Together,” Jesse Smathers Music — guitarist and singer with the legendary Lonesome River Band and now a chart-topping solo artist, too — is back with an infectious slice of country wisdom in his new single, “If It Ain’t Broke (Don’t Fix It).”

“This tune was fun as could be to write and record,” notes Smathers. "’If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It’ is a common saying most folks have heard. I know I've heard it my whole life. However, the family in this tongue-in-cheek tune must not be up to speed on the old idiom!"

Indeed, the down-home flavor of the tune — summoned by low-tuned banjo from Corbin Hayslett and an extra helping of hoedown fiddling from Hunter Berry — is accentuated by its classic storytelling frame, as its four verses relate vignettes of a grandmother who introduces its narrator to the phrase; a brother with a truck; a spouse concerned with her looks; and a mama with a stove, each tagged with the infectiously — and irresistibly sing-along friendly — repetitive chorus:

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
Leave well enough alone

With its close harmonies (from mandolinist and long-time Smathers pal Nick Goad), down-to-earth theme and relaxed yet confident, good-humored ex*****on, “If It Ain’t Broke (Don’t Fix It)” offers a satisfying excursion into the heart of bluegrass.

Listen to it here:

Listen to content by Jesse Smathers.

07/08/2025

🎶 ALBUM ANNOUNCEMENT 🎶

“This album is so exciting to me for so many reasons,” enthuses Jaelee Roberts Music — and International Bluegrass Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year — about the long-awaited announcement of her new collection, Let Me Be Lonely, now available for pre-save/add ahead of its August 29 release.

And indeed, the reasons are easy to discern; building on the success of her debut, Something You Didn’t Count On, and a long string of singles, it’s a set that reveals a young artist confident in her expressive abilities, eager to embrace both tradition and innovation, and already taking her place among the music’s most beloved talents.

“Getting to work with the incredible Byron House was an unforgettable experience,” Roberts notes of the project’s producer and bassist, whose lengthy resume includes hundreds of studio recording credits as well as touring stints with Sam Bush, Nickel Creek, Robert Plant’s Band of Joy and Christian singer/songwriter Sandra McCracken. “He truly brought my vision to life, and I’m beyond thankful for his role in shaping this project.”

“We stepped outside the box in a few spots,” she adds, “and I think that’s what makes this album special. At its heart, it’s a bluegrass record — but it’s flavored with classic country and even a little old-time rock & roll.”

“As a songwriter myself,” Roberts says, “it’s deeply important to me to honor the craft and the people behind the music. I’m so thankful to the writers who poured their hearts into the songs I’ve recorded for this album. Whether it’s a song I wrote or one I was honored to cut, each track holds something special — and I’m incredibly grateful for the voices and stories that helped shape them.”

“This record includes a mix of originals and covers — songs that speak to my heart,” she concludes. “I truly hope you enjoy listening as much as I loved creating it.”

Pre-save/add Let Me Be Lonely here:

Listen to content by Jaelee Roberts.

07/04/2025

🎶 NEW MUSIC 🎶

After the semi-acoustic funk of his Dire Straits cover, “The Bug,” Ashby Frank is heading back to hard core bluegrass turf with a blazing meditation on the burdens of daily life and work in “Everybody’s Got Their Nine Pound Hammer.”

Written by 3-time IBMA Songwriter of the Year Tim Stafford with the Gibson Brothers’ Eric Gibson and Greg Cornett, the song takes its central image from a durable bluegrass symbol that appears not only in the canonical “Nine Pound Hammer,” but in subsequent entries like Ralph Stanley’s “Swinging A Nine Pound Hammer.” Focusing on the song’s classically simple yet powerful chorus:

Everybody's got their nine pound hammer
Everybody's got their load to bear
You ain't no stranger to trouble
Everybody's got their share

Frank works his way through verses depicting the hard work and trouble of a miner, a high steel construction worker and a firefighter, as the band races along behind him, emerging to offer breathtaking banjo, mandolin and fiddle solos that punctuate the headlong rush. The result is a burst of emblematic bluegrass energy that makes its taut two minutes plus seem even shorter than it is.

Says Frank, “I was immediately drawn to ‘Everybody’s Got Their Nine Pound Hammer’ when my good friend, Tim Stafford, shared a work tape with me. I loved the way it focuses on the everyday struggles we all face, and it really has that traditional Bluegrass feel.”

“To bring this song to life,” he continues, “I brought in some incredibly talented musicians, including Matt Menefee on banjo, Seth Taylor on guitar, Jim VanCleve on fiddle, Tony Creasman on percussion, and Travis Anderson on bass. I was also honored to have Tim and my friend Kelsey Crews add those high and lonesome harmonies. They truly made the tune come alive and gave it a timeless quality. I'm really excited for everyone to hear it!”

“Everybody’s Got Their Nine Pound Hammer” is streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music , Amazon Music and TIDAL.

Listen to it here:

Listen to content by Ashby Frank.

07/04/2025

🎶NEW MUSIC 🎶

On their latest single Benson, Kristin and Wayne pick up the pace with a driving lament from a road-weary traveler wondering if he can “outrun the gypsy in my bones.” Featuring a compelling vocal performance from former Steep Canyon Rangers lead singer Woody Platt, “Lover of the Road” captures the song’s blend of restlessness and melancholy.

“There's something in me that loves being out on the road, but more than that, I love being at home with the people I love, my dog, and my bed,” notes the songwriter, Grant Williams, a college friend of Kristin's. “This song was what I imagined it would be like if those two loves traded places in priority in my heart.”

Says Wayne, “The first time I ever heard Grant's material was when he recorded a demo at our house, 20 or 25 years ago. He's an eclectic writer and it's been fun to watch him take an interest in bluegrass and see how appropriately he writes for us. We're always trying to wisely pair songs with vocalists, and Woody Platt did a great job delivering this one. Woody is well-known for good reason, and we were really happy when he agreed to sing it.”

“I've enjoyed the heck out of getting to play some shows with Woody,” says Kristin, “and he sang this song perfectly. His vocal embodies the haunting, nagging feeling any of us can experience when trying to maintain relationships while traveling.”

“I’ve long admired Kristin and Wayne Benson for their individual brilliance and their powerful partnership in shaping bluegrass music,” Platt enthuses. “Their influence on the genre and the industry is truly remarkable. It was an absolute honor to record ‘Lover of the Road’ with them!”

"Lover of the Road" is streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music , Amazon Music and TIDAL .

Listen to it here:

Listen to content by Benson feat. Kristin Scott Benson & Wayne Benson.

06/27/2025

🎶 NEW MUSIC 🎶

After an emotional Grand Ole Opry appearance that included a retirement sendoff of long-time Grascals bassist Terry Smith, the group’s leader, mandolinist Danny Roberts Music might have been in a nostalgic mood when he chose the next in his series of singles. Named for his youthful home in western Kentucky, “Leitchfield” is a lively instrumental that, much like the winding country roads around the town, takes a few unexpected turns along the way.

“When I wrote this tune,” Roberts recalls, “I didn’t have a title in mind and needed to come up with something to call it. While listening to the song and pondering on a name, I got thinking about the fact that my lifelong friend, Jimmy Mattingly, played fiddle on it. That led me down the path of recalling us growing up on adjacent farms, going to school and playing music together, which gave me the idea that it would be cool to have a song named after our hometown of Leitchfield, KY. It was so much fun getting to record this with some of the greatest musicians I’ve ever picked with — Jimmy, Tony Wray, and Andrea Roberts — and I appreciate them helping me bring this tune to life.”

Sure enough, after its jittery opening, “Leitchfield” drops into an insistent groove behind Roberts’ elegant statement of its melodic outlines before Wray and Mattingly serve up blazing solos — the former on both guitar and, especially, with a bold banjo break that will remind listeners of the years he spent playing with New Grass legend John Cowan — followed by a deft round of interplay between Mattingly and Roberts that brings the tune to a satisfying conclusion.

“Leitchfield and Grayson County are the fiddling capital of Kentucky,” notes Roberts, “And they’ve produced many fiddlers and other musicians over the years; I’m very proud to call it home. I was honored to receive the Key to the City from Mayor Harold Miller at last year’s Twin Lakes National Fiddler Championship, and I’m dedicating ‘Leitchfield’ to all the wonderful folks there!"

Listen to it here:

Listen to content by Danny Roberts.

06/27/2025

🎶 NEW MUSIC 🎶

Today, Nashville's GRAMMY-nominated all-female bluegrass band Sister Sadie release their highly anticipated fourth studio album, All Will Be Well.

Sister Sadie broke new ground with a somber yet uplifting exorcism of the generational trauma of domestic abuse on their recent single, "Let The Circle Be Broken," a song the group's co-founder Deanie Richardson says is "about that generational trauma and abuse that keeps getting passed down. The continuing of that trauma and abuse stops with me. It doesn’t go any further."

The band has been releasing singles since the debut of the title track the week of the 2024 International Bluegrass Music Association awards — where they added to their collection with trophies for Richardson (Fiddle Player of the Year) and singer/guitarist Jaelee Roberts (Female Vocalist of the Year) — and receiving high acclaim from bluegrass radio, media and fans alike.

“The sounds on this record are heavily influenced by the recent resurgence of the 90’s country sound we all love so much,” says guitarist/vocalist Dani Flowers, who co-wrote more than half of the album’s songs, "along with the bluegrass instrumentation that has brought us where we are today. From the studio to the stage, the songs from this record have brought us back to life and connected us to each other in brand new ways."

“This record takes you on a musical/emotional journey,” says Richardson. "This has been one of my dream records to make. I love country music and bluegrass music. It's the perfect combo of both. I am so proud of this record. I'm so proud of these ladies. This has also been the scariest record to put out. I have been in a lot of fear about the acceptance of this record from the Bluegrass world and the country world, and at the end of the day, it's a damn good record and I love listening to it. I hope you do as well."

“All Will Be Well is by far the most fun and most fulfilling recording experience I’ve had in my 15+ years in the music business,” says Flowers. “Each song was carefully selected. Some we poured pieces of our souls into, others we’ve loved for years and years — and we each deeply relate to every song.”

Listen to it here: https://clg.lnk.to/ss-AWBW

06/27/2025

🎶 NEW MUSIC 🎶

After the hard-edged drive of “Any Highway,” singer/songwriter/mandolinist Darren Nicholson Music returns with an equally classic sound on his latest original, “I’ve Got No Tears Left to Cry.”

“I heard Marty Stuart say once that you should always trust a simple song,” notes Nicholson, who shares the songwriting credit with frequent collaborator, Charles Humphrey III (Songs From The Road Band). “That stuck with me. So, ‘I’ve Got No Tears Left To Cry’ is just that. It’s a blunt goodbye letter from a jaded lover who is completely over being burned one too many times — a ‘moving on’ song.”

“Musically,” he adds, “it’s a traditional sounding piece that is reminiscent of classic bluegrass and honky-tonk music. It’s written to sing with big harmonies and Kevin Sluder and Avery Welter nailed those” — and indeed, the powerful vocal trio is the focal point of the track, as they belt out its catchy chorus:

I’ve got no tears left to cry
There’s no room for you by my side
I don’t want a thing to remember you by
I’ve got no tears left to cry

With support from master session players Mark Fain (bass), guitarist David Johnson and a pair of labelmates in Sister Sadie’s Deanie Richardson (fiddle) and award-winning banjo player Kristin Scott Benson, Nicholson unreels the song’s elemental lament over a faithless lover, including a memorable “You’re high and leaving me dry” line that reveals the writers’ modern wit even within the song’s venerable up-tempo waltz framework.

“I am very proud of this cut,” he concludes, “and think bluegrass fans will enjoy it!”

"I've Got No Tears Left To Cry" is streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music , Amazon Music and TIDAL . Listen to it here:

Listen to content by Darren Nicholson.

06/20/2025

🎶 NEW MUSIC 🎶

The latest single from last year’s full-length Good Seed is just hitting the Southern Gospel charts, but Sonlite Records’ Sound Street have been busy bringing new music to their growing legion of fans since the beginning of the year — and this time, the family based trio of dad Jarrod Vanderslice, daughter Jaylie, and their colleague Ryan Bilby, has served up a venerable classic with a creative new sound.

“Get ready for a fresh take on an old favorite,” enthuses Jarrod Vanderslice. “Sound Street is thrilled to release our new streaming single, ‘I Want to Know More About My Lord’ — but with a twist you’ve never heard before!”

“Ryan has always loved this classic Redback hymn,” he continues, “and he had a vision for it that took it straight to the streets of New Orleans. When he shared that idea with the group and our producer, Roger Talley, the wheels started turning. What if we took this beloved gospel song and gave it a full-on NOLA jazz treatment? That’s exactly what we did!”

Sure enough, from its irresistible opening, “I Want To Know More About My Lord” shines with its cheerful orchestration, lending an extra lift to an arrangement that offers each member of the trio a chance to claim the spotlight amid intricate harmonization that reflects the song’s origins in the legendary Stamps Quartet catalog.

“With a strummin’ banjo, lively trumpet, soulful clarinet, and a brass section that’ll make you feel like you’re strolling through the French Quarter,” Vanderslice concludes, “this energetic arrangement brings a brand-new vibe to a timeless message. It’s fun, it’s uplifting, and most importantly — it reminds us all to keep seeking and knowing more about Jesus. Give it a listen, sing along, and let the joy of the Lord move you!”

Listen to it here:

Listen to content by Sound Street.

06/20/2025

🎶 NEW MUSIC 🎶

The bluegrass world has been abuzz since the venerable International Bluegrass Music Association announced last year that it was moving its annual World of Bluegrass festivities to Chattanooga, TN. Now, a special collaboration between two GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass groups — the all-female Sister Sadie and modern traditionalists, The Po' Ramblin' Boys — have joined forces for a musical celebration of the new location “Just a Holler Over” from the old. And by way of thanks for the inspiration, the artists’ earnings from the track will be donated to the IBMA’s Bluegrass Trust Fund, established to help musicians and industry professionals with emergency financial needs.

“I wrote this song with Robin Macy after she had the idea, when the International Bluegrass Music Association moved from Raleigh to Chattanooga,” says Sister Sadie’s co-leader, IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year and IBMA Board member Deanie Richardson. “She asked me to help her finish it and I was honored to do so. I felt Sister Sadie needed some help on this one and the perfect people for that were The Po' Ramblin' Boys. I knew Jaelee and C.J. would make this tune a great duet.”

Indeed, that collaborative spirit is evident throughout the track, as Sister Sadie’s reigning Female Vocalist of the Year, Jaelee Roberts, and Po’ Ramblin’ Boys leader and IBMA Board member C.J. Lewandowski trade lines throughout each verse before joining with Sister Sadie’s Dani Flowers in a trio that offers the song’s rousing chorus. Similarly, solos are divided between the bands, recreating the ever-shifting focus of the kind of bluegrass jam session that characterizes the World of Bluegrass.

“Sister Sadie, Po' Ramblin Boys and Mountain Home Music joined forces to make this song come to life,” Richardson offers. “And since it was sparked by the IBMA move to Chattanooga, we decided to donate all proceeds from this song to the International Bluegrass Music Trust Fund. Hope you enjoy this tune and help us raise some money for a great cause.”

Listen to it here:

Listen to Just a Holler Over - Single by Sister Sadie, The Po' Ramblin' Boys.

06/17/2025

🎶 ALBUM ANNOUNCEMENT 🎶

Few tasks are more difficult in the world of music than striking the right balance between embracing the legacy of a great artist and using it as the foundation for a new generation of music. Summoned into a musical ministry by their own devotion to the canon of Southern Gospel’s beloved McKameys, McKamey Legacy — Ruben and Peg McKamey Bean’s daughter, Connie Fortner, her husband Roger and son Eli — first drew praise for their ability to blend the old and new in 2022 with their self-titled debut for Horizon Records. Now the trio announces with Holding to Truth, another offering that both extends and renews the familiar McKameys sound.

The album is now available for pre-save/add ahead of its August 1 release.
With homespun yet well-crafted backing on guitars, bass and drums by Roger and Eli, supplemented with just a few additional touches from pianists Jeff Collins and Tyler Vestal, Josh Swift (dobro), acclaimed fiddler Andy Leftwich and legendary multi-instrumentalist David Johnson, Holding to Truth keeps its focus squarely on the signature blend of voices and the enduring Gospel messages they deliver. Indeed, from the opening “To God It’s Nothing New” and its assertive vocal, upbeat energy and powerful theme:

We are always in God’s protection, even in the darkest night
Just when everything goes wrong, He can make it right
Though the winds of the world blow strong and clouds obstruct our view
We are safe in His shelter, to God it’s nothing new

it’s clear that Holding to Truth is perfectly named.

“We are so excited for our new project to be released,” the trio enthuses. “We believe we have a great variety of songs that will help and encourage all who listen. The songs are brand new, with only a couple of older McKamey songs. The styles range from upbeat, to ballad—to even some bluegrass—but they all have a message of Hope for today.

“We were also blessed to bring the rest of the original group back (The McKameys) to record a song with us. In reminiscing on God’s goodness through the years, we were reminded we are not home yet and there is still work to do…go tell the Gospel story and carry on. We pray that McKamey Legacy continues doing this in this project and in our ministry and that you will be encouraged and blessed.”

Pre-save/add Holding to Truth here:

Listen to content by McKamey Legacy.

06/13/2025

🎶 NEW MUSIC 🎶

On the eve of Father's Day, Gena Britt offers “He Likes to Fish,” a deeply personal song.

“I lost my dad back in 2009,” says Britt, whose “day job” is playing banjo and singing with the GRAMMY-nominated Sister Sadie. “And my most cherished and vivid memories are of going fishing with him. I had this idea for a song, and told my friend Katelyn Ingardia about it; it resonated with her too, and she agreed to co-write it with me. She met me in Nashville one weekend when I was doing an all-star show at the Station Inn, and when we sat down to write this song, it just started flowing out of us. We wrote it in just a little over an hour or so.

“There are so many poignant moments in this song, beginning with the opening line talking about dad’s Bronco...My dad actually had an old Bronco that we would take to the coast and fish on the surf. A childhood memory like that is unforgettable. When we finished writing it, Katelyn and I looked at each other and tears were streaming down both our faces. It was in that moment that I knew I had to record this song.”

“Once we started recording it,” she adds, “it became even more special. Hearing something like this being brought to life in the studio by some of my favorite people was so heartwarming. Alan Bartram [bass, harmony vocal], Jason Carter [fiddle], John Meador [guitar, harmony vocal] and Jonathan Dillon [mandolin] knew this song meant a lot to me, and they helped me arrange it. It turned out beautifully, and I’m grateful to them all for taking such a heartfelt approach. The addition of Tony Creasman on drums and Jeff Partin’s incredible dobro work was icing on the cake.

“I miss my dad. He was my best friend and we could talk about anything. I hope this tune will reach out and tug on some heartstrings like it did mine. I love it when a song comes from such an authentic place and tells a story, and I believe this one does just that. Oh, and I hope you like to fish.”

"He Likes to Fish" is streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music , and TIDAL .

Listen to it here:

Listen to content by Gena Britt.