Daywind Music Group, home to top Gospel labels Daywind Records and New Day Records and upstart mainstream bluegrass label Billy Blue Records, is relaunching Thoroughbred Records, a Gospel bluegrass label with historic ties to the genre. Thoroughbred’s first signing is Chosen Road who debut with a brand new album titled Appalachian Christmas featuring the veteran band as well as several artist friends including Selah, Point of Grace, and more.
Thoroughbred Records emerged in 1995 as the premier outlet for bluegrass Gospel music. Thoroughbred was home to the incomparable Lewis Family, Hall of Famers in the bluegrass and Gospel genres, from 1995 until shortly before their retirement in 2009. The Easter Brothers, a Mt. Airy, North Carolina, mainstay of the genre with the brothers Edd, Russell, and James Easter, followed and were later joined by Chigger Hill Boys and Terri, who joined the label in 2003. Along with these formidable artists, the label brought attention to the Gospel side of bluegrass during the period of tremendous resurgence of the bluegrass genre. following the release of the hit film, O Brother Where Art Thou through his two-volume collection of Bluegrass Gospel music, O Lord How Great Thou Art, which featured cuts by artists such as Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Bluegrass Cardinals, Alison Kraus, Ricky Skaggs, and many more. Thoroughbred culminated its successful debut run with an audio and video collaboration featuring Jeff and Sheri Easter, the Lewis Family and the Easter Brothers, aptly titled We are Family.
In 2018, Daywind Music Group formed Billy Blue Records, a mainstream bluegrass label under the leadership of veteran industry creator Jerry Salley. The highly successful label includes Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver (recently retired), Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, Donna Ulisse, Jason Barie, Appalachian Road Show, Authentic Unlimited, and more, and is home to multi-artist projects like Winner winner of the IBMA Country Faith Bluegrass Award and Grammy nominee Gonna Sing Gonna Shout. The relaunch of Thoroughbred Records fits perfectly with Daywind Music Group’s move into the bluegrass genre and will give Chosen Road and other strictly bluegrass Gospel artists their own label.
Jonathan Buckner of Chosen Road adds, “As a band, we couldn’t be more excited about the relaunch of Thoroughbred Records and the opportunity to become part of the Daywind family. Thoroughbred Records has a rich history in bluegrass and gospel music roots. We grew up listening to the legendary artists that once called Thoroughbred home. We are honored to be part of this legacy. Daywind has had such a positive impact on the world through Gospel music, and that’s why Chosen Road exists. We look forward to bringing hope to audiences and listeners through exciting new music very soon.
Thoroughbred Records will be distributed to retailers Christians through New Day Christian Distributors.
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Author: Herb Longs