Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#203911 05/21/13 12:29 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,132
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,132
The Heartache Line

"Grab three chords and hang on" This was the way we used to introduce a song like this back in our bluegrass band days.

After posting mostly blues songs over the past few months we decided to revisit our bluegrass roots by writing this tune. The intent was to create a basic, fast, simple, hard driving bluegrass song with lyrics that felt traditional. We worked it up with Janice playing rhythm and me upright bass in order to get a tempo that would be about the speed of the fastest stuff we used to play. We were at the mercy of our talented and lightening fast banjo picker.

For the uninitiated and those who detest bluegrass you might need the benefit of a Bluegrass Exposure support group afterwards. Check your local listing for time and dates of the meetings.

A big thanks to Floyd for the harmony vocal. And thank you for taking the time to listen.

Vocal: Lead and High Harmony Janice - Rodes NT1 interfaced via Blue icicle to iMac.
Vocal: Low Harmony Floyd Jane
RealTracks:
Bass 427, Banjo R 426, Banjo S 433, Fiddle R 428, Fiddle S 434, Mandolin R 432
Mandolin S 436, Guitar R 431, Guitar S 435

All RealTracks were ported to GarageBand via BIAB's interface. All effects and mixing were done
in the DAW. Each solo track is cut and spliced from multiple RealTrack generations.

Previous submission to this forum: State Lines

Last edited by Janice & Bud; 05/21/13 01:01 PM.

Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more.
If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks!
Our Videos
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,497
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,497


Hi, Janice & Bud & Floyd ! smile

I enjoyed your combined effort
very much, everything sounded
so smooth and effortless, a big joy
to listen to. eek I am also
very impressed by that "lightningfast"
banjoplayer of yours (lol) !!:)


Cheers
Dani

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,858
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,858
Three chords and hang on..... been there....

Nice BG song.

I have a few grass songs in my line up.... mot on my website.... I should fix that one of these days.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 613
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 613
grin Felt like I got in my truck & drove 2 1/2 hours.... And there I was at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival! wink

Great Job!

Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,581
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,581
Hi Janice and Bud,

Wow! That was a 2:23 flat out sprint!!! You left me breathless at the end. Loved it smile

The only thought in my mind at the moment is "Gosh that was mighty good". You two are an ocean of talent. I also compliment floyd on his excellent harmonies.

Really top notch work!

All the best,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Very nice guys. A real toe-tappin' knee-slapper. Reminds me. Gotta go check the still.



Regards,


Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722
Great job by all . . . little doubt this is the genre where you guys really shine, especially Janice as I could envision her on the stage at the Grand Ole Opry right along side the likes of The Whites and Bill Monroe as I listen to her voice.

Wonderful effort.

Later,

User Showcase
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
It's all been said.

That's some mighty fast picking. I was just watching the Darlins (aka the Dillards) on the Andy Griffith show. Only thing missing here is the jug. smile

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 649
occ Offline
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 649
I always enjoy your songs. I think you should go nation wide and be a Nashville star. Your are as good as anyone I hear on TV or anywhere. You are a real pro and your voice is spectacular. You could be a bluegrass star. Thanks for sharing. occ

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Hi Janice and Bud,

let me quote Danny: this is the genre where you guys really shine, especially Janice.
Compliments for Floyds harmonies.
A brisk toe-tapping tune.

Guenter

User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Janice and Bud,

I try to comment before reading what everybody else said, so If I say stuff that's already been said... well.. the agreeing testimony of multiple witnesses adds credibility.

DANG! I want to be you when I grow up!

I especially like the fact that you so easily create new songs in old genres instead of just rehashing whats already been done. Your years spent playing to an audience really shows through in your recordings... you bring an enthusiasm to the material that is often lacking in songs that are played to a DAW.

Your presence on the forum raises the bar for the rest of us. I really like everything that you've posted. If I were an alien who could absorb your talent, I'm afraid you'd both be sucked as dry as a cicada's shell. But I can't, so you're safe.
wink

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,132
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,132
Thanks everybody for the kind comments. We know bluegrass isn't for everyone (what is?) and we appreciate y'all both taking the time to listen and comment.

Janice & Bud

Pat, thanks very much for the remarks....but, hey, don't remind me of those #$%#@ cicadas. We suffered through 6 weeks of them three years ago (ours are on a different cycle than yours). Sounded like aliens had landed in the forest we live in, "husks" everywhere and to this day our hiking/mountain biking trails look like swiss cheese from where they emerged.


Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more.
If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks!
Our Videos
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Good, fun tune and solid construction of the backing track. Mighty fine vocals, too. Super well done.


Now at bandcamp: Crows Say Vee-Eh @ bandcamp or soundcloud: Kevin @ soundcloud
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,921
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,921
Janice and Bud -

It is such a pleasure to be a part of something SO fine - a very small part - my harmonies took all of about 15 minutes.... And most of that time was spent being "lost in the song" - listening to how amazingly well the tracks were laid in - and that HEAVENLY voice!

The banjo sounds like the guy is right there is front of you. And that HEAVENLY voice! It's like you can see that guitar picker step up to take his turn at the microphone. And that HEAVENLY voice! You somehow manage to make the band sound "so real" that you can see them all smiling at how tight they are.... And, oh, that HEAVENLY voice!!!

Everything you do is top-shelf. I am a fan.

floyd

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,196
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,196
As always, solid work.


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.

Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,191
Posts801,768
Members40,063
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
GlennMans, François Sohm, Armando D'Errico, PhilinPhil, RBDavis1957
40,063 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 126
zedd 109
DC Ron 102
rsdean 100
Noel96 86
Today's Birthdays
jazzkeith, Mavrick20002, Pain-Driven, rolfie, Roycol
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5