Michelle Lee On Air 
Lonesome River Band has been a staple name in the bluegrass world for over 40 years. Led by the 30-plus band veteran and multi-award-winning banjo player Sammy Shelor, the quintet has once again released an album that will be loved by many. The new album titled, “The Winning Hand” is the first complete album with the newest configure of Lonesome River Band featuring
Sammy Shelor, Jesse Smathers, Adam Miller, Kameron Keller and Mike Hartgrove. The music that these guys create is amazing and definitely keeps their name among the best with the bluegrass genre.
“The Winning Hand” has a great mix of tempo, stories and arrangements that will appeal to many. If you like the stories of the typical bluegrass love stories, breakups and more, then this album is for you. The album also offers a wide range of songwriters.
Blues of the Night – Sammy and Jesse on vocals matched with the great sounds of the mandolin, banjo and guitar gives you a great song that may make you feel the blues during the night but the blend will have you in a soother mood by the end.
That’s Why Trains are Lonesome – here is another great bluegrass song that describes another way one feels after a breakup, craftly written by Daniel Salyer.
Effingham County – consider this one of those songs that will make you or someone to think. It is a story about a man that has found himself in a love situation. What would you do in the situation?
Near Mrs. – this song is awesome to hear while driving, has great speed to drive too! Writers Karl Hasten and Steve Hood wrote a fun and creative song about a person losing a lot of potential wives due to various reasons.
A Happy Song – who doesn’t love a sad song? This low-mellowed sounding song is actually a person begging for a happy song.
Charlottesville – the smooth sound of an acoustic guitar takes you through the journey of a couple in love that takes the sneaky/difficult path to become one in Charlottesville.
Oh Darlin’ – here is the Lonesome River Band song that shows the pickin’ talent and will have you picking along while learning about a girl one is smitten’ over.
Hard Work – great song that reminds us all that we all need to relax in life and not work to hard.
Queen of Hearts – fast tempo song about addiction but I will let you figure out if it is about a relationship or gambling or both?
Hang Around for the Heartbreak – this beautiful song describes that chance a lot of us have taken to have that love of our lifetime.
Brown Hill – woo hoo, get your instruments out and get ready to pick!
Nothin’ Comes to Mind – if there was ever a song for someone that is happy about a breakup and ready to move on, this is it! If nothing comes to mind, probably a good reason you’re separated.
She Don’t Know I’m Alive – Never thought about mixing ideas of a cemetery and wanting a person to notice you but writers Byron Hill and Tim Johnson have definitely showed it can be done in this brilliant piece.
Tom and Jerry – the only instrumental on the album – has the energy and excitement that the good old ‘Tom and Jerry’ cartoon had during a chase. This song demonstrates the strong pickin’ talents that Lonesome River Band artist are known for.
Record Label: Mountain Home Music Company
The Lonesome River Band has done another marvelous job of creating an album that should be on everyone’s shelves. Make sure to check out The Lonesome River Band website https://www.lonesomeriverband.com/ where you can order their latest album released, “The Winning Hand”, stay up to date on their tour dates and/or order some of their merch.
