The Lonesome River Band is an American contemporary bluegrass band. The band has released 15 recording projects since its formation in 1982. Lonesome River Band is led by Sammy Shelor who is a member of the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame and a 5-Time International Bluegrass Music Association Banjo Player of the Year Award recipient. The band has experienced numerous personnel changes over the years, and has not included an original member since Tim Austin left the band in 1995 to focus on Doobie Shea Records.[1][2]

Lonesome River Band
OriginMeadows of Dan, Virginia, United States
GenresBluegrass, Folk
Years active1982–present
MembersMike Hartgrove
Jesse Smathers
Barry Reed
Brandon Rickman
Sammy Shelor
Derrick Clifton
Past membersTim Austin
Jerry McMillan
Steve Thomas
Rick Williams
Jeff Midkiff
Billy Wheeler
Randy Driskill
Adam Steffey
Brian Fesler
Dan Tyminski
Dale Perry
John Green
Ronnie Bowman
Steve Dilling
Darrell Webb
Don Rigsby
Kenny Smith
Rickie Simpkins
Jeff Parker
Irl Hees
John Wade
Shannon Slaughter
Barry Berrier
Matt Leadbetter
Mike Anglin
Andy Ball
Mike Jones
Randy Jones
Websitewww.lonesomeriverband.com

On November 11, 2011, band member Sammy Shelor was awarded the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo.[3] Shelor was presented with the award on the Late Show with David Letterman. Following the presentation of the award, Steve Martin performed with the Lonesome River Band.

Members edit

Current members edit

Previous members edit

Guests edit

Discography edit

Albums edit

Title Album details Peak positions
US Bluegrass
I Guess Heartaches Are in Style This Year
  • Release date: 1985
  • Label: Shar-Lin
The Lonesome River Band
Saturday Night – Sunday Morning
  • Release date: 1988
  • Label: Rebel Records
Looking for Yourself
  • Release date: 1989
  • Label: Rebel Records
Carrying the Tradition
  • Release date: 1991
  • Label: Rebel Records
Old Country Town
One Step Forward
  • Release date: March 19, 1996
  • Label: Sugar Hill Records
Finding the Way
  • Release date: August 18, 1998
  • Label: Sugar Hill Records
Talkin to Myself
  • Release date: June 20, 2000
  • Label: Sugar Hill Records
Window of Time
  • Release date: August 27, 2002
  • Label: Doobie Shea Records
Head on into Heartache
The Road with No End
  • Release date: July 25, 2006
  • Label: Mountain Home
No Turning Back
Still Learning
  • Release date: July 13, 2010
  • Label: Rural Rhythm Records
8
Chronology, Volume 1
  • Release date: February 28, 2012
  • Label: Rural Rhythm Records
10
Chronology, Volume 2
  • Release date: July 3, 2012
  • Label: Rural Rhythm Records
Chronology, Volume 3
  • Release date: October 16, 2012
  • Label: Rural Rhythm Records
Turn on a Dime
  • Release date: October 28, 2014
  • Label: Mountain Home
9
Coming back home to you
  • Release date: August 14, 2015
  • Label: Mountain Home
Bridging the Tradition
  • Release date: March 18, 2016
  • Label: Mountain Home
2
Mayhayley's House
  • Release date: June 23, 2017
  • Label: Mountain Home
Outside Looking In
  • Release date: May 24, 2019
  • Label: Mountain Home
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

References edit

  1. ^ "Tim Austin: Where Is He Now?". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  2. ^ Lawless, John (May 27, 2021). "Big changes for Lonesome River Band". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  3. ^ "Sammy Shelor Wins Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Band and Bluegrass". Sammy Shelor. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  4. ^ "Lonesome River Band". lonesomeriverband.com. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  5. ^ "The Lonesome River Band". discogs. Retrieved January 12, 2016.

External links edit