Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers debut a new single, "Big City," today on radio and digital music platforms. Written by the legendary Paul Williams and Sam Humphrey, “Big City” is the group's latest mainstream bluegrass release on Billy Blue Records. The group released a successful Gospel album in May 2021, Somewhere Beyond the Blue.
Joe Mullins, the group’s leader, banjo player and lead vocalist, shared, "Paul Williams wrote and recorded some of the most requested songs in bluegrass history alongside Jimmy Martin with the Sunny Mountain Boys. Their show was in great demand in the early 1960’s, nationwide, from Nashville to Las Vegas and throughout Canada. Paul signed on as a staff writer for Sure Fire Music and Decca Records. Many of his songs, “Big City” included, were recorded by country artists. I found the original version of “Big City” on an Ernest Tubb album from 1965. Paul’s given last name is Humphrey. He began his career as a radio performer in the early 1950’s with a duo known as the Williams brothers and kept the stage name. His brother, Sam Humphrey, was a frequent co-writer of Paul’s. Coincidentally, I recorded several albums with an all-star band, Longview. The first hit single that band released in the 1990’s was written by Sam Humphrey, ‘I’ve Never Been So Lonesome In My Life.’”
Continued Joe Mullins, “Paul is a wonderful mentor to The Radio Ramblers, and so many other artists have been inspired by his fantastic voice, his songs, and his sweet spirit. Old or new, it’s always a good choice to record a Paul Williams song!”
"Big City” is the first release from the group's upcoming album, releasing in Spring, 2023. The band has some other surprises coming between now and then, along with a packed touring schedule featuring appearances across the country befitting their status as International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) Entertainers of the Year, awarded in 2019.
Jerry Salley, A&R and Creative Director for Billy Blue Records, comments, “On the heels of their highly successful Bluegrass Gospel album, Somewhere Beyond The Blue, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers return to the airwaves with a brand new, hard-driving mainstream hit, “Big City.” Co-written by Bluegrass Hall of Famer, Paul Williams, this exciting radio single features the unmistakable lead vocal of mandolin maestro, Jeff Parker, and the superb harmonies and musicianship of the entire band. "Big City" is sure to become a Radio Ramblers’ fan favorite, and leaves the listener with no doubt why the 2019 IBMA Entertainers of the Year are one of the most respected bands in our genre.
Continued Jerry Salley, "Working with Joe and the guys is an absolute honor, and everyone at Billy Blue Records is grateful for the opportunity to represent their entertaining, high-energy brand of Bluegrass music. Be looking for their new album early next year.”
ABOUT JOE MULLINS & THE RADIO RAMBLERS
Named Entertainers of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 2019, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have consistently delivered chart-topping radio hits and energetic performances for nearly 15 years. The Radio Ramblers are seen by tens of thousands of bluegrass fans every year and since 2013 have become regular guests on the historic Grand Ole Opry. Their previous album, For The Record, for the Nashville-based label Billy Blue Records, was a Top 5 Billboard hit and remained on the charts for a record 13 months, producing multiple top 10 singles. Their all-Gospel album, Somewhere Beyond The Blue, received rave reviews and the first single, “Hear Jerusalem Calling,” was nominated for Gospel Recorded Performance by the IBMA (2021). In addition to band leader duties, Joe Mullins is an award-winning radio broadcaster who can be heard daily across the globe via Real Roots Radio and is also host of the syndicated radio program Front Porch Fellowship currently on over 200 radio stations worldwide. He also produced IBMA’s 2021 Album of the Year, Industrial Strength Bluegrass, for Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have generated an in-demand following on the national scene, allowing them to be one of today’s most heralded torch-bearers in mainstream bluegrass and gospel music.
ABOUT BILLY BLUE RECORDS
Billy Blue Records is a boutique bluegrass label, home to an award-winning roster of artists, including Alan Bibey and Grasstowne, Appalachian Road Show, Barry Abernathy, Carolina Blue, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Donna Ulisse, Jason Barie, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Kristy Cox, Marty Raybon, Tennessee Bluegrass Band, Authentic Unlimited, and concept recordings like the Grammy-nominated “Gonna Sing Gonna Shout,” and 2021’s star-studded “Country Faith Bluegrass.” Founded in 2018 by Jerry Salley, Ed Leonard, and Dottie Leonard Miller, Billy Blue is distributed to retail by the Orchard (Sony) and New Day Distribution.