Linda Lay – Self-titled Album Hits Streets Worldwide
Mountain Fever Records is proud to announce the new self-titled album, Linda Lay releases worldwide today! “Linda has always been known as a ‘Singer’s Singer’ and possesses one of the purest, truest voices you’ll ever hear,” said Barry Bales. Produced by Linda Lay, Aaron Ramsey and Mark Hodges and recorded at Mountain Fever Studios.
On lead vocals and upright bass, Linda Lay heads an all-star ensemble of award-winning instrumentalists on the record. Joining her are her husband David Lay on acoustic guitar and harmony vocals; Sammy Shelor on banjo; Bryan McDowell on fiddle; Darren Beachley on dobro and harmony vocals; Nick Falk on percussion; and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Ramsey on mandolin, guitar, Weissenborn slide guitar, and harmony vocals.
“I am so excited for the release of my new project on Mountain Fever Records. The music and material are some of the best work that I have done in my recording career,” said Linda. “I am looking forward to being on the road this year and letting the audience hear the new music.”
Barry Bales also stated, “Linda is the total package with an effortless delivery that is equally at home singing bluegrass,
classic county, or a reimagined modern cover.” While Linda Lay covers Charley Pride, Townes Van Zandt, and Blondie on the album, she and producer Aaron Ramsey also handpicked fresh new material that brings the project full circle. The first track, “The Happiness of Having You,” is the first single release from the upcoming album. The full 10-track album includes the songs:
The Happiness of Having You – Ted Harris
The Jingle Hole – Mark “Brink” Brinkman, Mike Evans
Imagine That – Kieran Kane, Jamie O’Hara
The Mountain – Steve Earle
Lightning – Bobby Starnes
White Line – Emmylou Harris/Paul Kennerley
I’ll Be Here In The Morning – Townes Van Zandt
Blue, Blueridge Mountain Girl – John Patrick Burns, Bruce N Carpenter
Standing In My Way – Deborah Harry, Leigh Foxx
Lost In the Shuffle – Tim Stafford, Mark Bumgarner
Linda spent her early years with Janette Carter at the Carter Family Fold near Bristol, Virginia, and played with her family band before starting her own group, Appalachian Trail. She met her husband, David Lay, playing music, and they founded Springfield Exit along with David McLaughlin. Linda has toured nationally with the masters of the Steel String Guitar and was the featured vocalist and bassist. Linda is a master artist in traditional singing for the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Along with banjoist Sammy Shelor, they recorded a project, Taking the Crooked Road Home, for the Virginia Folklife Program under the direction of Jon Lohman. Linda has performed with singers across several genres of music, from the likes of Vern Gosdin, Carl Jackson, Bruce Hornsby to Piedmont blues singer John Cephas and master of the telecaster, Bill Kirchen.