Bell Buckle Records Artists
Valerie Smith
Valerie Smith is an award-winning Grassicana artist whose style blends bluegrass, country, and Americana. NPR radio host Dave Higgs, has noted, "She can be sassy, sultry, siren-like, sweet, smooth, soothing and smoldering---sometimes during the span of just one song!"
Valerie's show is characterized by non-stop energy and passion, with a tremendous love for her audience. The music's beat inspires her to dance and move; Valerie has soul.
She has recorded numerous projects, performed around the world, and can be heard on several radio and television shows. Valerie is a music instructor who offers educational programs in songwriting, voice, bluegrass history, and performance techniques. Please spend some time with her on this webpage to learn more about Valerie Smith's music.
Liberty Pike is Valerie's touring band. They are seasoned, talented musicians and have recorded several music projects of their own. The band offers an educational program and also enjoys reaching out to the fans. Members of Liberty Pike include Jack Dunlap, Stephen Hu, Shannon Bielski, Joe Zauner, and Vince May.
Valerie is a recording artist who writes songs and produces, and has owned Bell Buckle Records, Bell Buckle Media, and Bell Buckle Radio for over 18 years. She is an active member of the CMA, Grammy, and IBMA organizations.
Valerie is currently releasing a major folk opera that she is writing called, "Maggie Brooks", She has sense released several singles during the last few years as well as a single with Claire Lynch and Irene Kelley, "From a Distance" (The Single Factory).
Bell Buckle Records Collaborations
Daniel Crabtree
A co-release with Codel Records, we still like to call Daniel Crabtree our own!
Daniel Crabtree is an emerging bluegrass gospel singer and songwriter. His love of music was sparked at a young age when he first picked up his father's guitar. Since then he has kept his passion for music alive through his bluegrass gospel group, The Lights Chapel Boys. Songwriting came later in life, but when it did, it arrived in full force. Before he knew it, an entire self-written album had emerged, the culmination of which was The Gospel Road. Follow-up projects include a second gospel record, In the Shadow of His Wings, and a secular bluegrass album titled The Storyteller in Me. Daniel's music is available now on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby and on DanielCrabtreeMusic.com.
IBMA Male Vocalist and Hall of Fame member Larry Sparks has recently recorded a song written by Daniel Crabtree, "Take Me Back to West Virginia". Daniel is now in the studio recording his next CD release with award-winning songwriter, producer and recording artist, Donna Ulisse.
"I think you will enjoy this cd by Daniel Crabtree. His delivery of the true to life songs he has written here will speak to all". - LARRY SPARKS, IBMA MALE VOCALIST, IBMA HALL OF FAME
Echo Valley Bluegrass Band
Echo Valley's show is one you don't want to miss! Their lively, animated performance will leave you tapping your feet and smiling for a week. With their bright retro apparel and energetic stage presence, these five sisters and one brother impress with their tight sibling harmonies and multi-instrument talents. They have been entertaining people of all ages since 2009 with their variety of Bluegrass, Gospel, Retro and Grassicana styles.
Echo Valley plays 60+ dates a year. A few of their notable appearances have been: Dollywood Theme Park's Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival, Remmington Ryde, Mickey's Mountain, and Mansfield Jamfest. In the past, they have performed as guests with The Farm Hands and opened for Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, The Darrell Webb Band, and The Larry Stephenson Band!
This farm-raised, western Pennsylvania band has released 3 albums – Echo Valley (2016), Rise and Shine (2018), Christmas With Echo Valley (2018) and are working on a new project produced by Donna Ulisse, to be released in 2021.
Bell Buckle Artists
Circa Blue
CIRCA BLUE
From the rich musical culture of Martinsburg, West Virginia, Bell Buckle Recording artists, Circa Blue is a dynamic chart-topping bluegrass band that is no stranger to the stages of festivals and auditoriums throughout the United States.
Their music includes original tunes written by and arranged by Steve Harris, but also includes a list of award winning songwriters that flow with rich lyrics and tuneful melodies. Furthermore, Circa Blue makes every song fit like a familiar old shoe in the studio by performing each tune effortlessly, adding rich instrumental riffs and smooth vocal harmonies.
Their audiences love them and the band continues to hold a strong following of fans. Circa Blue is known for their creative-dynamic arrangements, clean instrumentation and tight vocal harmonies, they perform a mix of original and cover material that bridges the musical boundaries.
5 critically acclaimed albums to their credit, charting all with the exception of their first self-titled debut.
“A Darker Blue” -#38 out of the top 100 albums for 2016~Roots Music Charts. It was on the worldwide radio charts for 11 months straight with multiple songs AND album charting.
“Once Upon a Time” (Orange Blossom Record Label) - The title cut “Once Upon a Time”, written by Steve Harris, charted multiple times on Bluegrass Today Radio Charts as high as #11.
“Bells of Home” (NMS )- In 2016 we were chosen as the National Artist to record National Media Services annual Christmas album. For ten years running, they chose a national artist to record a Christmas CD, and released it each year at IBMA.
The title cut “Bells of Home” charted multiple years as high as #8 on Bluegrass Today Radio Charts, and won “The Presidents Award” from Strictly Country Magazine.
The instrumental, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” charted in the top 20.
“Footprints in a Song” (Bell Buckle Record Label)- Current release (2019) and has charted multiple times, and is receiving substantial airplay.
Steve Harris released a solo Gospel Album in 2015, “Sundown” that continues to receive radio airplay.
Apple & Setser
Apple & Setser (Brad Apple & Pam Setser,) officially a duo since 2017, have played music together on and off for 30 years and have similar performing backgrounds in their respective family bands. Both musicians grew up playing music at the Ozark Folk Center and traveling the region performing separately. The duo regula
Bell Buckle Records Welcomes dewey and Leslie brown
Meet the Powerful Duo!
Before becoming a duo with wife Leslie, Dewey Brown spent more than a decade playing fiddle with bluegrass legend Dr. Ralph Stanley and made a number of high-profile appearances, including The Late Show With David Letterman, Carnegie Hall, and a performance for Queen Elizabeth.
His dynamic pairing with his equally talented singer-songwriter wife (vocals, bass) has amassed a following among bluegrass traditionalists and Americana fans alike. Their latest release with their band, the Carolina Gentlemen, Under the Mountain, earned them the Traditional American Bluegrass CD of the Year award from the Rural Roots Music Commission. We welcome them to Bell Buckle Records team!
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.
The Goodfellers now offer up a new single, "To Love Somebody," featuring the rich, earthy voice of Teddy Barncastle. Teddy describes what inspired him to record the song, "I got a call today from a friend of mine who is a Texas writer. We share a mutual friend who was also an entertainer; he lost his mom today, which upset me and brought to mind the line "You don't know what it's like, baby, you don't know what it's like, to love somebody, to love somebody, the way I love you." I think those are compelling lyrics; they really hit me today, tears and all. I thought, how powerful are the words to that song. Maybe I need to rethink what I'm doing. I want to affect people with our music, making them love more, hate less, laugh, think of others, and enjoy their lives.
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Pam Setser
Pam adds to her musical memories with the current lineup of groups she performs with; The Pam Setser Band, Apple & Setser, Leatherwoods, and Ozark Granny Chicks. She also performs as a solo artist. And today, Pam's newest album, Now, reflects her life in music. It is an Americana mix of folk, bluegrass, gospel, 1930s swing, and country.
It all began with her family. "I started singing when I was 5 years old," Pam recalls. "My dad was already playing some guitar; mom played some autoharp…so we started playing as a family band, The Simmons Family." She feels blessed to have been able to play music with her parents. "I am the youngest of four children, so music was a great outlet for me to see places I wouldn't have experienced otherwise," Pam says. "We had lots of fun and adventures together, and I treasure those memories." Pam also sang in church. "My grandpa was a Baptist preacher," Pam says, "so the church was and still is a part of my life."
Pam learned to play the autoharp when she was 8. "I would lay it on my lap to play so I could use my left hand for strumming" recalls the left-handed musician. She describes how "my mother tried to teach me on a right-handed mountain dulcimer, but I was having trouble..."; so "Lynn McSpadden, the maker, said, 'Let me make her a left-handed dulcimer.' And that was what I needed."
At 15, Pam took up spoons. "I saw someone play them and just thought how neat," she remembers. "I want to do that!" By the time she was 23, it was time to learn guitar and upright bass. "Most of my guitars have been specially ordered," Pam says. "Not every music store carries lefties. My latest guitar is a Red Gibson J200. We looked for it for three years and finally found it at a store in Texas called Southpaw." She plays upright bass, by the way, right-handed. Of all these instruments the mountain dulcimer is her favorite. "It has such a sweet sound, and I have such wonderful memories playing duets with my mom." While rearing her two children, Pam says, "my income from my music was our fun money…money was tight then."
You can find Pam on many, many recordings. "The Simmons Family Band” made four albums. She is on five mountain dulcimer albums with her mom. Her solo albums are At Last, Crooked Ridge, and her latest Now.
"Most of the songs on Crooked Ridge are more familiar songs," Pam says, "whereas on Now, most of these songs are first-time recordings." Pam enjoys a diversity of Americana music, and that is reflected in the 13 songs on Now. But at the end of the day, it is all about the song. "I didn't pick the songs thinking about genres. I picked the songs because I liked the words and melody. When we recorded them, each song took its own direction."
Pam is now with Valerie Smith's Bell Buckle Records. Valerie is also acting as Pam's creative marketing director. Pam continues to make her musical memories with her records, performances with her bands while living in Mountain View, Arkansas, the place where she grew up and still calls home.
Like many musicians, Pam has been performing on Facebook because of the pandemic. "I feel God has given me my talent, and I always hope my music blesses those who listen," Pam says. "I feed off an audience that gets into your performance. No matter what is going on in my life, when I get on stage, it's like all is OK."
Mara Levine / Folk and Grassicana
Called one of the best singers of her generation by Christine Lavin, and “the new standard-bearer for folk music” by the Midwest Record, singer and jewelry designer Mara Levine is known as an exceptional song-finder, selecting and then creating beautiful interpretations of fine traditional and contemporary songs. “You Reap What You Sow” was released in 2019 as part of her critically-acclaimed chart-topping album Facets Of Folk, which hit #1 on the Folk Alliance International Folk DJ chart for January 2019, with the #1 artist and song spots, and was the #3 album for 2019, with Mara claiming the #2 artist spot overall for 2019.
Her second CD, Jewels and Harmony, was the #1 album on Folk DJ-Chart for January 2013, with the #1 artist and song slots, and finished #3 for the year. She's also had six #1 songs on that chart over the years, including “You Reap What You Sow,” which also spent 22 weeks on the Bluegrass Today Grassicana Chart. Levine tours nationally, in addition, she has performed in Toronto, Germany, Ireland, France and The Netherlands. Previously, Levine was selected for a Folk DJ showcase (2009), an official showcase (2014), and an official showcase (2019) at the North East Regional Folk Alliance conference.
“Mara, I think you are one of the best singers of your generation. Every songwriter worth their salt should be sending you their tunes. You have such a beautiful, timeless quality to your voice and you make beautiful recordings. I just LOVE what you do.”
— Christine Lavin, singer-songwriter
Beautifully articulated, Mara's latest recording, "Facets of Folk" is a perfect complement of her gorgeous vocals with a strong sense of who she is and how she wants to express herself. She meticulously picks each song and orders them so that you will be taken on a moving journey. The album reflects a strong theme of social conscience throughout.” - Jeanne Holton, WMNF-FM Tampa, FL
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Branded Bluegrass
- Branded Bluegrass is a band from central Indiana with a catalog of music deeply rooted in traditional bluegrass and gospel, with a flair for some contemporary bluegrass, classic country and even a little bit of rock 'n roll now and then. Audiences are sure to enjoy their diversity, tight harmonies, energetic stage show, and charismatic personalities. Band members have resumes including time spent playing with distinguished bands and artists such as Jimmy Martin, Marty Raybon, Doyle Lawson, James Monroe, IIIrd Tyme Out, Mac Weisman, just to name a few. Branded Bluegrass is inspired by traditionalists including Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, and Larry Sparks, as well as newer bluegrass acts like Blue Highway, NewFound Road, The Lonesome River Band. Next Release: Mama's Kitchen TablePhotography by Valerie Smith
Visit http://www.brandedbluegrass.com
Bobby Giles
Additional Information
Bobby's father Marion Murray Giles was a conductor on the Santa Fe Railroad. He loved the railroad, his family, football, quail huntin', fishin' and music. He taught Bobby the importance of being passionate about everything he does. Bobby and his brother Dan were proud sons of 'ManyMilesGiles' in his sharp conductor's uniform. One day he brought Bobby a shiny new Kay Sunburst dreadnought. Bobby taught himself to play by watching the Honest Jess and Ernest Tubb shows on Saturdays, every Gospel quartet show he could find on Sunday morning before church, and by emulating the sounds that filled his bedroom from his transistor radio."
His grandpa's name was Virgil, but everyone called him "Pa." Long after Bobby got his first guitar, his father came by the house and took him to the fairgrounds where a bluegrass band was playing. Bobby always remembered their 3-part harmonies and the chords their guitar player played. He went home that night and started learning the value of practice!
Like most young musicians, Bobby had grandiose aspirations of being the next " big deal," but he was also a reasonably decent football player. That took the center stage until his playing days were over at the University of Texas. Luckily for us, he never quit playing those chords he learned from that bluegrass guitar player at the fairgrounds.
Coming forward to the present times, Bobby pursues his love for bluegrass music through songwriting, performing, and recording. He recently has had the honor and privilege of being produced by award-winning fiddle player and member of Appalachian Roadshow Jimmy VanCleve. Bobby Giles and Texas have recently teamed up with Bell Buckle Records to release his latest project, "In Tennessee." The album will be released during the summer of 2022.