It’s no surprise that Steve Gulley grew up to be one of bluegrass music’s rising stars. Gulley is the son of longtime radio personality and bluegrass great Don Gulley, who performed with the Pinnacle Mountain Boys from the 50s through the 70s. Steve was a member of Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver during the 90s; soon after, he joined Mountain Heart, who had several successful albums. Now, in a tribute to his father’s old band, The Pinnacle Mountain Boys, Steve has hand-picked some great bluegrass musicians to join him in forming the aptly named New Pinnacle: bass player Bryan Turner, mandolinist Gary Robinson Jr. and banjo player Matthew Cruby. Sitting in on the album is fiddle player Tim Crouch, and on “Every Time You Leave Me,” Amanda Smith on vocals.
Although Steve has four other albums available on his website, this is his debut CD with New Pinnacle. A press release by Rural Rhythm Records notes that Steve Gulley and New Pinnacle “is one of the most highly anticipated bluegrass albums for 2015, and the first single from the album, ‘Leaving Crazytown,’ has reached #1 on the Bluegrass Today airplay charts five times, which is a very rare occurrence and an incredible achievement for a new group.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.
“Leaving Crazy Town”
Obviously, Steve Gulley is no stranger to the bluegrass world. He’s been a staff musician, music director, studio manager and producer, as well as a musician. He has received 4 IBMA awards and is a multiple award winner from the SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music for America). Released in March of this year, Steve Gulley and New Pinnacle has strong roots in bluegrass and mountain gospel music. Add this album to your musical library and you won’t be disappointed. Put your headphones on, take a walk in the woods and you’ll wind up on the Appalachian Trail in no time.
Rural Rhythm Records