A Series Within the Series

As you know, our Studio Special series is the program where we feature a different artist each week performing live in our studio.

This week, in anticipation of the IBMA Awards coming up on October 2 (which we're broadcasting live on Bluegrass Junction), instead of presenting the same show all week as we usually do, we'll be featuring a different band in each Studio Special show which has 1) Appeared on the program during 2008 and 2) Been nominated for an award this year.

Our first show features Blue Highway, who are nominated for Vocal Group of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. It airs tomorrow morning at 8 AM ET.

The full week's schedule goes like this:

Friday, 8 AM ET: Blue Highway
Saturday, 11 AM ET: The Steeldrivers
Sunday, 6 PM ET: Paul Williams & The Victory Trio
Monday, 8 PM ET: The Grascals
Tuesday, Midnight ET: The Infamous Stringdusters
Thursday, 3 PM ET: Dailey & Vincent

These are all terrific shows, so be sure and tune in and celebrate IBMA week right along with us!

Paul Williams CD Info

I don't often do this here on the blog, but because I've received so many queries about it, here's the email and phone info Paul gave out on the Studio Special for ordering his new CD, What a Journey:

victory3paul@aol.com
(423) 581-8964

You can also order the CD from your local record store or any number of online retailers, including County Sales.

Once More With Paul Williams

Our Studio Special with Paul Williams and the Victory Trio, the 61st in the series, airs again tomorrow [Thursday] afternoon at 3:00 ET.

The reaction to this show has been strong. Of course, you tell me you enjoy the Studio Specials and I get positive comments about all of them, but the consensus on this one seems to be that it's really a favorite. In fact, I got a call from Paul himself earlier this week, and he tells me he has been inundated with congratulatory phone calls and CD orders ever since the show first hit the air Friday morning.

All this is for good reason, I think: As I wrote in my earlier post, Paul and his band turned in an exceptional performance and did it in a relaxed, natural way. So, if you haven't heard the show, don't miss tomorrow's broadcast.

For more information on broadcast and rebroadcast times for all Studio Special shows, follow this link: Studio Special Air Times.

Studio Special with Paul Williams & The Victory Trio

Sometimes when life is really busy, it's great to settle back and reflect on the more important things. There are many ways to do that, of course, but one of the best is to listen to relaxing and inspiring music such as that played by Paul Williams and the Victory Trio.

Here's your chance to do just that. Friday morning at 8:00 ET, our Studio Special with Paul debuts on Bluegrass Junction.

This is some seriously good bluegrass gospel! Paul and his fine group came by our studio a few days ago to record this show, and I was amazed at the ease and confidence with which they played and sang. The harmonies were wonderful and the playing was top-notch. The tunes they played came from Paul's new album, What a Journey.

I was fascinated by Paul's reminiscences of his years in the business. As you may not be aware, Paul has a 60+-year history in the music, having been a major player in groups like The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers and Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys. He's a first-generation pioneer with a lot to say about how this music came to be.

It's a really special show...be sure and catch it. If you can't hear the debut broadcast Friday, catch one of the rebroadcasts. The full schedule is listed here.