Award-winning brother/sister Bluegrass duo, The Roys, continue their creative momentum as they gear up for the September release of their fourth studio album, The View.
The project offers the truest representation of The Roys’ unique sound to date, and builds upon the duo’s success as songwriters, introducing 11 of their new compositions.
The brand new album is fueled by the loving, upbeat first single, “No More Lonely,” released to radio on June 10 and commercially to fans on June 24 via digital vendors including: iTunes, Amazon, Google Plus, Rhapsody and eMusic.
The View, a Rural Rhythm Records’ release, gives listeners The Roys’ most organic project yet, and features a fan-appealing mix of traditional bluegrass, country and gospel.
The duo’s previous RRR release, Gypsy Runaway Train (2013), helped to secure Lee and Elaine’s place on the global Bluegrass stage. In addition to earning the #1 spot on Sirius XM Bluegrass Junction’s Most Played Album Chart for the month of October 2013, the album jumped back up to the chart’s #2 spot last month. The reigning three-time Inspirational Country Music (ICM) Bluegrass Artist of the Year award winners proved their radio-friendly consistency with Gypsy, and look to further expand their appeal with The View.
In collaboration with some of today’s hottest songwriters, including Steve Dean, Larry Alderman, Jenee Fleenor and Keesy Timmer, as well as country star Josh Thompson, The Roys are once again poised to take their listeners on an amazing musical journey.
The View
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Exploring a vast array of human emotions, The View resonates with diversity as it traverses the highs and lows of life. From the inspirationally-celebratory “Mended Wings” to the heartbreak of goodbye found in “Heaven Needed Her More,” to the powerfully poignant look at the life of an Alzheimer’s patient found in “Sometimes,” the duo tackles uncommon topics with grace, compassion and insight. Throughout the album, they are ably backed by band members Clint White (fiddle), Daniel Patrick (banjo) and Erik Alvar (bass).
The siblings teamed up with Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry icon “Whisperin’ Bill” Anderson to compose the disc’s title track. The song eulogizes Lee and Elaine’s grandparents’ final resting place at Saint Mary’s in New Brunswick, Canada. The lyrics and melody paint images of the small church overlooking the river so masterfully that one might ask if it is the view God sees while looking out his own window.
“Elaine and I poured our souls into this project,” Lee admits as he climbs aboard the bus for another whirlwind festival season. “We focused hard on writing what was in our hearts, used our band throughout, and recorded and produced it in our studio. It’s a bit unnerving to throw so much of ourselves out there, but we wanted this album to tell The Roys’ story,” he explains.
For Elaine, this project was a natural evolution. “For years, our fans have been telling us they really love the songs we write,” she notes. “We really wanted to explore that. Creatively involving the band in recording the album has helped us gel as performers and broadened a foundation we can continue to build upon. This album, more than anything we’ve done so far, has our signature on it - from beginning to end. We are very proud and excited for our fans to hear it,” Elaine adds enthusiastically.
Tour Dates: Jul 15 Mineral Wells, WV – West Virginia Interstate Fair & Expo Jul 24-27 Twin Lakes, WI – Country Thunder Aug 03 Athens, OH – Athens County Fair Aug 07-08 Richmond, MN – Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival Aug 09 Anita, IA – Oak Tree Opry Aug 16 Gettysburg, PA – Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival Aug 20 Staunton, VA – Bluegrass in the Park Aug 22-23 Rogersville, NB, Canada – Rogersville Bluegrass Festival Aug 25-26 New Richmond, Quebec, Canada – New Richmond Bluegrass Festival Aug 28-29 New Richmond, Quebec, Canada – New Richmond Bluegrass Festival Sep 20 Morehead, KY – Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival Sep 27 Manteo, NC – Outer Banks Island Bluegrass Festival Oct 01-04 Raleigh, NC – IBMA Convention Oct 10 Rio Grande, OH – Bob Evans Bluegrass Festival Oct 19 Orange Park, FL – Orange Park Fall Festival Nov 01 McKinney Performing Arts Center – McKinney, TX Nov 14 Crystal River, FL – St. Timothy Lutheran Church Nov 22 Dunnellon, FL – Withlacoochee River BGF Dec 13 Pigeon Forge, TN – Christmas in the Smokies Jan 08-12, 2015 – Tampa, FL – Danny Stewart Bluegrass Cruise Jan 18 Ft Lauderdale, FL – The Country Music Cruise
Acoustic Nation is written by Laura B. Whitmore, a music industry marketing veteran, music journalist and editor, who has contributed to Parade.com, Guitar World, and others. She has interviewed hundreds of musicians and hosts the She Rocks Podcast. As the founder of the Women’s International Music Network, she advocates for women in the music industry and produces the annual She Rocks Awards. She is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Positive Grid, making the world safe for guitar exploration everywhere! A guitarist and singer/songwriter, Laura is currently co-writing an album of pop songs that empower and energize girls.
