|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 338
Journeyman
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 338 |
Love it tommy
what a great write ,cracking vocals sound with the unison harmony.
keep doing this great stuff plz tommy
cheers john
Os Windows Biab 2018. studio one pro 3 ozone 8 focusrite 214 se electronics Gemini mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,073
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,073 |
Janice and I both knew before and this has further affirmed that you have a feel for bluegrass. The real deal. Not just someone doing a bluegrass song because it's a popular vibe. The arrangement both vocally and instrumentally well reflect bluegrass structures, e.g., harmonies, fills, intros/outros and solos.
We watched the Dolly Parton fundraiser for Gatlinburg a couple of nights ago. She raised nine million dollars and had gathered an interesting collection of performers. Kudos to her. Nothing came close to this song. We don't say that lightly. (Janice just said they might have raised 10 million had this song been part of it!). A few of the performers just drug out their old warhorses. Few of them seemed to hit the balance of both entertainment and a sense of commitment to what the show was ultimately all about.
It's rare, even as popular as bluegrass is nowadays, to hear a BG song that has a topical subject and "works" like yours. Send it to Del!
J&B
Last edited by Janice & Bud; 12/19/16 03:06 AM.
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: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
+1 to what everyone's said already. Such a beautiful place - it's so sad. You did a fabulous job on this Tom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
Tom,
I really like this! A lot of the bluegrass tracks don't reflect current trends in the genre... but you've assembled a song here that absolutely NAILS the Merlefest sound!
My only problem with this is learning that you frequently get this close to NC without letting me know so I can drive over to Tennessee and buy you a beer. Pat, One of these years I am going to make it to Merlefest. Thanks for your kind remarks and I will be drinking that beer this summer. We're coming to NC for two weeks. I'll let you know when we nail down the dates. I'm looking forward to another great conversation. This time I'll lay off my wild tales and listen to some more of yours. Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
Well done.
This is a perfect tribute. The genre was also perfect.
Story behind the news: Back in Jacksoneville NC, One of the bands I was in at the time had a drummer play with us for a few weeks or so. His name was Mark J. Through the years, we all kinda drifted apart and went down different paths in life. Facebook and one of the musicians from that town/era brought us all back together. As it turned out Mark had moved from eastern NC to the Tenn mountain town of Gatlinburg. He was still playing drums and messing with music. When the fires swept through the town and the hills around Gatlinburg, unfortunately, his house was among the hundreds of casualties, and he and his wife and family literally lost everything they owned.
Good song.
Hey Herb, Glad you liked it and I hope your friend can get some of the help that is being made available. Enjoy the Holidays. Tom Bob, Thanks for your comments and especially having my back with the relief fund link. A glaring omission on my part. Happy Holidays to you and yours. Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577 |
Tom,
An excellent write and a fitting tribute to what sounds like an awful tragedy.
Love the vocals and some fine sounding harmonies.
Great job,
Jez
Last edited by receder; 12/20/16 06:33 AM.
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,719
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,719 |
Hi Tom. Real and true is how this feels. Good music. Also has a vitality and optimism that's great to hear. Cheers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,477
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,477 |
Really well done Tommy! I truly loved it.
Excellent instrumentation, songwriting and mix.
Superb in every way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,866
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,866 |
Tom,
This is another outstanding song - love the vocal and the overall delivery.
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
Tom,
Heartbreaking.
You have documented this loss in just the manner that it ought to be. The perfect genre. A truly excellent write - it sounds like a classic from first listen. The production, arrangement and mix could not be done better - as good as it gets.
Your vocals and harmonies on this are excellent - and one of the best vocal mixes ever on these forums - a true "part of the whole".
This is SO good. You should enter this in the Merlefest song contest - then one of the top recording bluegrass/newgrass/Americana groups needs to record it...
I just keep thinking "Wow!"
fj
This is a great review! Thank you so much. I am really thrilled you liked it. Tom Excellent write and performance! The mix is great as are the vocals.
The feeling and emotion of the song seem to be perfect to me.
Kenny Our thoughts exactly. Very good work Tommy. Thanks for the nice comments. Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
Hi Tom.
Bluegrass was not at all what I was expecting after reading the lyrics, but I have to say that the whole production works SO well.
It's a classic country sound and somehow the tragedy bound up in the words isn't in any way diminished by the up-tempo backing.
Beautifully conceived and executed.
Thoughts are with all those who are personally involved.
ROG. Rog, Glad you liked it and glad you mentioned the tempo. Sad songs are sometimes too sad when played slow. Also there is feeling of hope in the last verse so a medium tempo seemed appropriate. Happy Holidays, Tom Tom, What an awful story but this is a great tribute, from the heart. Great choice of instruments, great mix and your voice is perfect! You did good on this song, Tom, real good. The bar you have set is still WA-AY above me   Hope you have a good Christmas Alyn I have to agree with Alyn, except the part that any bar is above him, although yours is very high! Really good stuff Tom!! Take care. Greg Greg, Thanks for commenting. This thing about the bar kinda doesn't work at all because thankfully we are all so different. Have a Merry Christmas. Tom Tom, great job about a tough subject! What a sad thing to see happen to such a beautiful place ( been there many times myself), but even more tragic is the lost lives and affected families. You had a great choice of instruments that all worked well together! The lyric and vocal - excellent! Thanks, Torrey Torrey, Thanks for the kind remarks. I appreciate it. Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 289
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 289 |
This is a great song and I can only echo what others have said that is indeed a great and sad loss.
However, you have created a musical document by making this song about that event so others may remember when hearing it, and that's a nice touch.
Great music, vocals and production.
Cheers.
Mike.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
Awesome song Tommy. What a devastating situation. The weather patterns have been changing rapidly. We also had a terrible forest fire here in Northern Alberta last summer. The city of Fort McMurray pop 61000 had to be evacuated as it got caught in its path. It seems like one weather catastrophe after another... Awesome vocal, lyric and backtrack Scott, I remember reading about that fire. I'm afraid these weather problems are the new normal. Thanks, Tom Love it tommy
what a great write ,cracking vocals sound with the unison harmony.
keep doing this great stuff plz tommy
cheers john John, Thanks much for taking the time to comment. Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647 |
Hi Tom,
Bluegrass at its best! You're not just a singer/songwriter ... you're an entertainer. This was terrific! Wuith only your voice and instruments you put on a show. We loved this.
And the place where my son, daughter and I stayed in 2005 perished in the fire. Such a tragedy , especially the loss of life. You told the story as good as it could be told.
Merry Christmas and wishing you & yours a wonderful 2017.
Alan & Di
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
Janice and I both knew before and this has further affirmed that you have a feel for bluegrass. The real deal. Not just someone doing a bluegrass song because it's a popular vibe. The arrangement both vocally and instrumentally well reflect bluegrass structures, e.g., harmonies, fills, intros/outros and solos.
We watched the Dolly Parton fundraiser for Gatlinburg a couple of nights ago. She raised nine million dollars and had gathered an interesting collection of performers. Kudos to her. Nothing came close to this song. We don't say that lightly. (Janice just said they might have raised 10 million had this song been part of it!). A few of the performers just drug out their old warhorses. Few of them seemed to hit the balance of both entertainment and a sense of commitment to what the show was ultimately all about.
It's rare, even as popular as bluegrass is nowadays, to hear a BG song that has a topical subject and "works" like yours. Send it to Del!
J&B
I have been a fan of Bluegrass for most of my adult life. I love Del McCoury. Thanks for these wonderful comments. It means an awful lot to me coming from Pro Grassers as yourselves. This is one of the best reviews I've ever gotten! Tom +1 to what everyone's said already. Such a beautiful place - it's so sad. You did a fabulous job on this Tom. Thanks Josie. I figured you had probably been there a time or two. Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
Tom,
An excellent write and a fitting tribute to what sounds like an awful tragedy.
Love the vocals and some fine sounding harmonies.
Great job,
Jez Thanks, Glad you liked it. Tom Hi Tom. Real and true is how this feels. Good music. Also has a vitality and optimism that's great to hear. Cheers. Thanks Richard, I tried to leave a note of optimism in the last verse. I appreciate you pointing that out. Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
Really well done Tommy! I truly loved it.
Excellent instrumentation, songwriting and mix.
Superb in every way. Thanks David, I appreciate the comments. Tom Tom,
This is another outstanding song - love the vocal and the overall delivery.
Bob Thanks Bob for the comments and your continued support of my songs. Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
This is a great song and I can only echo what others have said that is indeed a great and sad loss.
However, you have created a musical document by making this song about that event so others may remember when hearing it, and that's a nice touch.
Great music, vocals and production.
Cheers.
Mike. Thanks Mike. A musical document sums it up. Tom Hi Tom,
Bluegrass at its best! You're not just a singer/songwriter ... you're an entertainer. This was terrific! Wuith only your voice and instruments you put on a show. We loved this.
And the place where my son, daughter and I stayed in 2005 perished in the fire. Such a tragedy , especially the loss of life. You told the story as good as it could be told.
Merry Christmas and wishing you & yours a wonderful 2017.
Alan & Di Al & Di, Glad you liked it. Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 851
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 851 |
Excellent mix, production, and song. Nice jib
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
Excellent mix, production, and song. Nice jib Thanks Elliot. I appreciate it. Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,086
Posts799,999
Members40,031
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean