Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice | The Nashville Bridge

photo – Anthony Ladd

Nashville, TN (October 1, 2012) — In spite of all the deer that Junior Sisk as an avid huntsman may have collected over the years, last Thursday night was without a doubt the biggest night of his life.

Sisk and his band Ramblers Choice were named two-time winners at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards when their names were announced as recipients of Song of the Year for “A Far Cry From Lester And Earl” and Album of the Year for their Rebel Records release, The Heart Of A Song. A visibly emotional Sisk was so overwhelmed he could barely speak when he was brought on stage to accept the Song of the Year honor along with his band and co-writers Rick Pardue and Tim Massey. After speeches by Pardue and Massey, Sisk walked to the microphone and said “I don’t know what to say folks, I love you!” Later in the evening, a still emotional Sisk, upon accepting the award for Album of the Year, stated “I swear I don’t know what to say. I’ve had speeches made up for years but this time it’s for real!”

“A Far Cry From Lester And Earl” broke several chart records this year and was #1 four consecutive months on Bluegrass Unlimited’s Top 30 Songs chart (3/12-6/12) and six consecutive months on Bluegrass Music Profiles’ Top 30 Hot Singles (12/11-5/12). In addition, The Heart Of A Song enjoyed multiple months as the #1 album on BMP’s Top 10 CDs and on SiriusXM’s Most Played Albums chart.

It’s been an outstanding year for Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice. In addition to the IBMA accolades, the band also recently announced a partnership with NASCAR legend Ward Burton and the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. And earlier this month, Sisk was inducted into the Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame. With the band’s extremely busy year, including a packed touring schedule, they have still managed to find time to work on their next project, The Story Of The Day That I Died, due for release on Rebel Records March 12, 2013. The title cut will be released as a single to radio programmers worldwide on Sisk’s Birthday, November 6th of this year.

– thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

Junior Sisk getting award as wife, Susan Sisk looks on.

Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice Celebrate at IBMA’s World Of Bluegrass with Two Nominations and Appearances on SirisuXM, WAMU and WSM

Chesterfield, VA (September 21, 2012) — Virginia native, Junior Sisk was honored by his home-state and colleagues during a ceremony in Chesterfield, Virginia on Friday, September 14th. Sigrid Williams of the Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame presented Sisk with a plaque during a performance by his band, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, officially honoring Sisk as the 2012 Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame Inductee. The Virginia Folk Music Association was formed in 1943 for the purpose of preserving the history of country, bluegrass and gospel music. In 1973, the “Hall of Fame” was established and since that time has inducted many well known musicians such as Roy Clark, The Statler Brothers, Jimmy Dean and bluegrass legends Jim & Jesse McReynolds.

photo credit – Anthony Ladd

Also during the ceremony, Edwin Esten, Vice President of the Virginia Folk Music Association presented another plaque to Sisk on behalf of Virginia’s governor, Bob McDonnell, in recognition of Sisk’s dedication to preserving and fostering bluegrass music not only in Virginia, but world-wide as well. “I was deeply honored to be inducted into the Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame and also to receive the plaque from Governor McDonnell,” stated Sisk. “I play traditional bluegrass music and never think about receiving any awards for it. But when you are recognized by your home-state for what you do, it sure does mean a lot.”

The Hall of Fame induction is among several newsworthy items as of late for Sisk and Ramblers Choice. The band learned in August that they are nominees for this year’s International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards in two categories; Album of the Year for their latest Rebel Records release, The Heart Of A Song and Song of the Year for “A Far Cry From Lester And Earl”. Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice will spend next week in Nashville, Tennessee to attend the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Conference and have several personal appearances lined up including radio interviews and performances in addition to attending the IBMA Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Here’s a complete list of their appearances (all times are CST):

Tuesday, September 25th

2:00pm SiriusXM Radio’s “Bluegrass Junction Live from IBMA” – Admission is free and open to the public. Guests should arrive at the Bridgestone Arena lobby no later than 1:30pm as seating is limited.)

3:30pm SiriusXM Studio Special – Private hour long performance to be aired at a later date on SirisXM’s Bluegrass Junction

7:00pm Martin Guitar’s Showcase at Robert’s Western World, 416B Broadway

10:00pm WAMU’s Bluegrass Country Showcase Nashville Convention Center Room 107

Wednesday, September 26th

8:00am WSM 650AM “Coffee, Country and Cody” – http://www.wsmonline.com

6:30pm Mountain Music Entertainment/Rebel Records Showcase at Jack’s BBQ, 416 Broadway (Free Admission)

9:30pm Bluegrass on Broadway at Ernest Tubb Record Shop, 417 Broadway (Free Admission)

Thursday, September, 27th

5:45pm IBMA Red Carpet Media Event

7:30pm IBMA Awards at the Ryman Auditorium

Friday, September 28th

9:30pm California Bluegrass Association Showcase

11:00pm Fan Fest

Junior Sisk will be part of the Bluegrass talent that descends on Nashville next week at IBMA World of Bluegrass.

– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com

Junior Sisk Big IBMA Night

Nashville, TN (October 1, 2012) — In spite of all the deer that Junior Sisk as an avid huntsman may have collected over the years, last Thursday night was without a doubt the biggest night of his life.

Junior Sisk Inducted Into Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame

Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice Celebrate at IBMA’s World Of Bluegrass with Two Nominations and Appearances on SirisuXM, WAMU and WSM