By TIM PRESTON / The Independent
ASHLAND — Things have been hectic, and a bit confusing for fans as the acoustic band Mountain Heart has driven its way to success.
The band, with a new singer/guitarist and lead guitar player, will prove they’ve only grown stronger when they perform Oct. 25 at Paramount Arts Center in Ashland — two days after the release of their latest CD “Road that Never Ends.”
“That will be a big night for us. It will be the first show we play after the release,” said vocalist Josh Shilling, who recently made his debut with Mountain Heart on stage at the Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville.
While he had known members of Mountain Heart for a while, Shilling said his first time on stage with the band was a special, and nerve-racking, experience.
“I just closed my eyes and sang as hard as I could go,” Shilling said of that show in early 2007. “It was just an awesome night altogether.”
By the time the band left the Grand Ol’ Opry stage, the audience was on its feet offering ovations.
Shilling isn’t the only new man on stage with Mountain Heart. Standing in for veteran guitarist Clay Jones, who is on the band’s new recording, is veteran guitarist Clay Hess. Each of the guitarists have earned numerous awards and honors for their playing, and both are former members of Ricky Skagg’s Kentucky Thunder group.
“On stage with the guy — he’s just a tremendous talent,” Shilling said of Hess, adding he is equally easy to get along with off stage.
Shilling said the audience at the Paramount will hear a set quite similar to the song list captured on the new CD.
“For the most part it is one take live recording. You can’t really overdub a lot on a live bluegrass recording because there are so many mics on so many things. There is an incredible amount of energy and attitude on there. You can hear us raising Cain the whole show and there’s a lot of audience interaction,” Shilling said. “In some ways it was probably easier than doing a studio record, but it is also a more vulnerable state for an artist.
“People who leave the Paramount with that recording will be carrying away something to help them remember their experience,” Shilling concluded.
For information about Mountain Heart’s performance at Paramount Arts Center call (606) 324-3175.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at (606) 326-2651 or at tpreston@dailyindependent.
