​After separately weathering similar personal experiences, Susan Levine and Doug Kwartler joined forces as The Lied To’s in 2014. The following year, they released their well-received, self-titled debut which dealt with the emotional turmoil of divorce and its aftermath. Now, the twosome are prepping the release of their sophomore project, The Lesser of Two Evils (May 11) which not only reflects on those events, but explores what comes next.
 
Both Kwartler and Levine, whose professional relationship blossomed into a personal one, are single parents to two children each and admit that while juggling family life, music, and their relationship can fuel inspiration for songwriting, it can also be a struggle. “Like everyone else is feeling right now, except maybe the 1%, you just go about your day looking straight ahead trying to get things done,” Kwartler says, adding, “You work, pay bills, take care of your kids, have a relationship, and deal with your past…oh, and we also try to make music. The new record covers all that. While the songs are not purely autobiographical, the emotional truths definitely come from everything we've been through.”  

Despite the challenges, The Lied To's continue to build momentum around the eagerly anticipated eleven-track project which uniquely blends folk, rock, bluegrass, and country in ways that capture The Lied To's distinctive style, one that feels both contemporary and timeless.

Today, TDC is pleased to share with you one of the album’s standout tunes, “One String.” Penned by Kwartler, the poignant "One String" is led by the seamless interplay of fiddle, banjo, and organ alongside a stoic drumbeat and Kwartler's melancholy vocals which draw the listener into the stirring narrative, conveying the aching awareness of feeling incomplete. 
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“There’s one string missing from my heart
And its big and round and should have been there form the start’
But ever since the day I was born, there’s the space from which it’s torn
There’s one string missing from the heart”
 
Kwartler relays the story behind the song, “It’s pretty hard to find a guitar with 11-strings unless your 12-string is missing one. I picked up my 12-string acoustic, which at that point had 11-strings on it, and started half-jokingly singing, ‘There’s one string missing from my guitar.’ But then soon it became something more. Maybe you feel that there’s something missing in your emotional DNA that could help you survive the rigors of this world, be it personal, political, or otherwise. I think a lot of us feel that way, whether we admit it or not.”
 
Fun fact: “One String,” cleverly name drops Keith Richards who infamously plays with five strings…..he has "one string" missing from his six string, too.
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Nashville, Tenn. (March 15, 2018 Press Release) — In remembrance of the late Daryle Singletary, a special tribute concert will be held on Tuesday, March 27 at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium starting at 7:00 p.m. The Daryle Singletary Keepin' It Country Tribute Show is free and open to the public, inviting family, friends, fans, and music industry colleagues to celebrate the life and career of the traditional country artist. 
 
Those slated to perform include Darryl Worley, Rhonda Vincent, Chris Young, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson,Jeff and Sheri Easter, Andy Griggs,Ben Hayslip, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Mo Pitney, Pete Schlegel, Josh Turner, and Curtis Wright. The event will be hosted by 650AM WSM's Eddie Stubbs.
 
"It is a huge honor to be asked to sing at Daryle's tribute," says Worley. "I can only hope that it will bring some comfort to the family to honor him and his memory with this gathering."
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Singletary passed away Monday, February 12, 2018, at his home in Lebanon, Tennessee. He was 46.

After Janiva Magness added a 2016 Grammy nomination to her 26 Blues Music Award nominations — with seven wins, including Entertainer of the Year — she might have taken a short rest on her laurels. Instead, one of the preeminent voices in contemporary American roots music has raised the bar for herself. Magness’ 14th album, Love Is an Army, is a brilliantly crafted bridge between the past and present, blending the echoes of classic soul and Americana music with timeless themes of love and the very contemporary sound of protest. In support of the album, Magness will be in NYC on April 22nd. Full details and ticket info below
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When: Sunday, April 22
Where: Iridium NYC 1650 Broadway
Showtime: 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $27.50
http://theiridium.com/events/6779/janiva-magness-27-50/ 
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Charlie Overbey salutes, and sings with, the Supersuckers Eddie Spaghetti in the latest tune, "The Ballad of Eddie Spaghetti," from his upcoming album, Broken Arrow.  The inspiring roots rocker, led by the duo's harmonies and a rollicking melody, addresses mortality via Spaghetti's reflection on his recently won battle with cancer.

"I still got too much to do to cash in my chips yet
I ain't going down like that so gamblers take your bets
I swear to be a better man if  I somehow live
Tell me what I've got to do, take all I've got to give"

A triumphant collection of road-hardened alt-country tunes born of Overbey’s upbringing in what he calls “the school and church of Johnny Cash,” Broken Arrow (due April 20)  features guest appearances from The Mastersons (who also play in Steve Earle's band The Dukes), Miranda Lee Richards (who sings on duet single “Slip Away”) and Eddie Spaghetti of the Supersuckers, and was produced by Ted Hutt who recently won a Grammy for his work with Old Crow Medicine Show, and has helmed multiple albums by Lucero, The Gaslight Anthem, Dropkick Murphys and many more. Learn more HERE.

Stream "Ocean" via Soundcloud

March 13, 2018 (Press Release) -- California/Texas-based bluegrass group The Vintage Martins have shared the lead single from their LP, Traveled, at PopMatters, who praised the song for creating "intricately-crafted, emotive landscapes of lush acoustic sound to get lost in." Traveled is out May 11th on Louisville, Ky.-based label Eastwood Records. 
 
Traveled is the debut record from acclaimed bluegrass group the Vintage Martins. The band is a culmination of a musical friendship between Eric Uglum and Bud Bierhaus which spans over three decades. The pair often perform as a trio, enlisting Ron Block (Alison Krauss & Union Station), and as a full band with the addition of Christian Ward (Sierra Hull) on fiddle and Uglum’s stepson Austin Ward (Kenny & Amanda Smith Band) on bass.
 
While the instrumentation and songcraft of Traveled are indeed traditional bluegrass, Uglum’s production flourishes give the album a timeless sound that recalls the work of genre luminaries like Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, and Sam Bush. Gorgeous two and three-part vocal harmonies lead the way amidst waves of lush acoustic instrumentation. The song choices reflect the group’s eclectic tastes, ranging from Bierhaus’ Sunday tent-revival originals to classic country (George Jones’ “Open Pit Mine”, Tom T. Hall’s “Only The Wind”) and legendary folk ballads (“Someday My Ship Will Sail”).
 
California native Eric Uglum is an internationally known musician, producer, and owner of New Wine Sound Studio in Southern California. He has performed with several bluegrass luminaries like Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss, James King, Stuart Duncan, Ron Block, Rob Ickes and many others. His debut solo album, Shenandoah Wind, was selected in 2010 as Album of the Year by Bluegrass Now Magazine.