COUNTRY, BLUEGRASS, AMERICANA AND ROOTS MUSIC
Established in 1997 in Historic Bell Buckle, TN
Valerie Smith/Bel Buckle Records & Midnite Mountain Records
Renaissance
“Renaissance”
Americana / Folk/ Bluegrass
Album: Renaissance
Produced: Valerie Smith, Tim Carter
Label: Bell Buckle Records
Engineering: Tim Carter
Photography, Art and Design: Gabrielle Minikiewicz
Chart-topping on Folk, Roots, Country Contemporary Bluegrass and Grassicana
Dunlap & Mabe
Additional Information
Both masters of their instruments, Jack Dunlap and Robert Mabe play a mix of original tunes, classic bluegrass numbers, jazz favorites, and covers anyone would recognize. With roots planted firmly in bluegrass, they stretch their sound in ways that all audiences will enjoy and leave the performance wanting more.
Jack Dunlap & Robert Mabe have been touring the country together since 2019; though collectively have performed and recorded with the likes of Larry Keel, Gina Furtado, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Scythian, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Bud’s Collective, The Fly Birds, Dry Mill Road, Old Town Flood, Shannon Bielski & Moonlight Drive, Tim, and Savannah Finch and The Eastman Stringband, Lonesome Highway, Circa Blue, and Jakobs Ferry Stragglers, to name a few.
They have also graced prestigious stages such as The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Carnegie Hall in New York City, Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska, The Hamilton in Washington, DC, and Forbes Center for the Performing Arts in Harrisonburg, VA.
Their first album release, "Stumblin' Out of the Gate" will be can be expected to be available in the late summer of 2022! They have already offere up a taste of their sound by releasing two featured singles and videos (Sit and Watch it Rain and Can't Hold Me Down).
Learn More
NEw Singles from Dunlap and Mabe
Pam Setser
Apple & Setser
New Chart - topping album!
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Singer and Songwriter, Bobby Giles
New Gospel Single!
GLORY TRAIN - 3:03
Bobby Giles - BJG Publishing / BMI
Steve Loggie ~ Banjo
Jim VanCleve ~ Fiddle, Mandolin, and Background Vocals
Lenny Nichols ~ Acoustic Bass
Carl Josefy ~ Mandolin, Background Vocals
Rob Ickes ~ Resophonic Guitar,
Bobby Giles ~ Guitar and Lead Vocals
Bluegrass singer and songwriter Bobby Giles offers a new gospel single, "Glory Train," from his upcoming album, "Music of Life." The song arises from his deep connection with God and his childhood fascination with the trains coming in and out of the depot in his hometown of Amarillo, Texas.
The lyrics of "Glory Train" are based on the scripture in 2 Corinthians 5:8, We are confident, I say, and willing rather be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
The bluegrass vocals and harmonies by Bobby, Jim VanCleve, and Carl Josefy are rich and smooth, creating a soulful bluegrass sound of an authentic train horn. The virtuosic combination of acoustic instrumentation showcases the award-winning talent of Jim Van Cleve on the fiddle and the sweet smooth resonator guitar track from Rob Ickes. The song's driving beat, laid down by bassist Lenny Nichols feels like riding on a fast train to the glory. Banjoist Steve Loggie along with the crisp mandolin backbeat of Carl Josefy adds energy to this bluegrass gospel song. Overall, Bobby Giles has created a true evangelical foot stomper and handclapper!
Digging deeper into Bobby's lyrics, we find ourselves standing with him beside the railroad tracks as a child. His Dad served as a conductor on the Santa Fe Line in Amarillo, Texas, for several years, and many other family members also worked for the railroad.
Bobby, his brother, and his cousin would ride their bikes down to the depot to watch the trains roll in and out of town. In the days before Amtrak took over the passenger rail business in the United States, Bobby would sit on the benches under the high-arched entranceway. He would eagerly await the arrival and departure of the San Francisco Chief, which ran for over 2,000 miles between Chicago and San Francisco.
Bobby recalls overhearing two oldtimers discussing the demise of the San Francisco Chief. One of them asked, "I wonder if the Glory Train is gonna look like that?"
"Picturing a train bound for glory, filled with God's chosen ones, is somethin' most anybody can identify with. The song "Glory Train" is a testament to our hopeful and certain progression from our temporary life on earth to our eternal residence, as well as an invitation to 'come on and ride'--All Aboard!" - Bobby Giles, Singer and Songwriter.
Visit Bobby Giles
Partners with bell buckle records
Dewey and Leslie Brown "Jealousy"
Daniel Crabtree, "Closer Than I've Ever Been "/Codel Records
Daniel Crabtree, "Closer Than I've Ever Been "/Codel Records
Dewey and Leslie Brown releases "Jealousy" - Bluegrass Traditional and Grassicana
Daniel Crabtree, "Closer Than I've Ever Been "/Codel Records
Daniel Crabtree, "Closer Than I've Ever Been "/Codel Records
Daniel Crabtree, "Closer Than I've Ever Been "/Codel Records
Charting at #2 on the Bluegrass Today Gospel Charts!
GoodFellers
Chart-Topping
Bell Buckle Records welcomes contemporary bluegrass band, "The GoodFellers".Expect the unexpected when it comes to the GoodFellers! Their award-winning traditional bluegrass chops don't tell the whole story. With a sound shaped by various musical backgrounds and highlighted by rock flavored vocals, the band moves seamlessly through different styles making each GoodFellers song unique and entertaining. They have fun when they play and it's infectious.
Rooted in bluegrass, inspired by rock vocals and with an ever-expanding set list that draws from most musical styles, each GoodFellers show promises to be unique and entertaining. Versatility bolstered by award-winning musicianship has made the GoodFellers in demand all along the East Coast and beyond.
The GoodFellers have traveled throughout the USA, Canada, and Europe, constantly redefining their own unique Newgrass sound. Along the way, the band has recorded and performed thousands of songs from all music styles.
"Dirty Laundry" features the popular Don Henley song with the rich, earthy voice of Teddy Barncastle backed by the dynamic GoodFella's harmonies and arrangement.
The video was shot in North Carolina by Valerie Smith of Bell Buckle Records. They had a lot of fun recording the video and given the political and media climate, Valerie felt that it was a perfect release for the month of November during elections.
It is HERE!
goodfellers
Chart-topping featured singles "To Love Somebody" and "I Know Where Love Lives"
Bell Buckle Records welcomes "Bobby giles and Texas Gales"
Bobby Giles and Texas Gales
A gale is defined as “a very strong wind” and/or “a burst of sound”. When one thinks of the windswept Texas plains and the iconic culture of the region, it invokes a sense of timelessness; that of strength and of passion, and a uniquely American, western nobility. If you listen closely, these storied Texas winds will faintly carry the sounds, the songs, and the ghosts of yesterday across the land. They carry the tales and legends of mighty bygone storytellers straight to the hearts, souls, and ears of the younger generations… who are now listening and ready to retell their own unique versions of these ancient poems. And yet, a “gale” is also known as something to be reckoned with, it is forceful, it demands your attention. And, in like fashion, so does the music of Bobby Giles & Texas Gales.
To tell you the truth, the members of the band, affectionately known as “Galers”, might even tell ya that Bobby can be mighty “strong-winded” at times himself; but, jokes aside, he’d be the very first to tell you that he absolutely could not produce the definitive ‘burst of sound’ that BG&TG is quickly becoming known for without the guys who unselfishly make up the rest of this burgeoning Texas Bluegrass phenomenon! Nor would he want to. Bobby Giles, Steve Loggie, and Lenny Nichols are the epitome of teamwork. Naturally invoking the spirit of Texas bluegrass through their musicianship, they are inspiring musicians, interpretive arrangers, loving husbands and fathers, loyal friends, and spiritual brothers. They love the Lord, each other, their families, and they LOVE Bluegrass Music.
BG&TG has traveled through life together and they bring this shared experience and a warm, natural easiness to their music… which they like to refer to as “The Music of Life”. This tangible warmth also carries right onto the stage with them, as it permeates every note played, every word of every lyric sung, and ultimately, brings you right up beside the “campfire” to enjoy the warmth of their spirit, fellowship, and their singular brand of top-shelf bluegrass music. While these gentlemen have been making music together in various configurations for years now, this is the debut recording by Bobby Giles & Texas Gales. However, it will become crystal clear almost instantly that these men have been long and keenly listening to the winds of the ghosts of Texas.
The texture and timelessness expertly woven into these songs is unmistakable, and it speaks to lifetimes of experience and quiet wisdom. Yes, these men…they’ve surely been listening. And now, we’re fortunate to be able to listen as well. As these capable gentlemen share their passion by way of their musical gifts, they pray that these stories will move you to experience life more abundantly in that place where dreams come true for you. As Bobby says, “In the lovin’ hands of our Father, as He conducts His perfectly grand orchestration of life, we all get to play an integral role in His beautiful songs”.