Billy Blue Records today released “When It’s Time for the Whippoorwill to Sing,” the first single from A Century of Strings, Stories & Songs: A Tribute to The Delmore Brothers. Originally a Top 3 hit on Billboard‘s Hillbilly chart in 1941, the song is newly recorded by bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson and producer Jerry Salley, launching a centennial celebration of the pioneering duo whose songs and harmonies helped shape the sound of country, bluegrass, folk, and American roots music for generations.
“When I was asked by the Athens State University Foundation to produce a tribute album to The Delmore Brothers, Doyle Lawson was the first artist I asked to sing on it. He is a lifelong Delmore Brothers fan, and I have always wanted to sing tenor to Doyle’s legendary voice. ‘When It’s Time for the Whippoorwill to Sing’ was one that we have both always loved, so we chose that one for our song. It was such an honor to record this with him,” says Salley.
“I’ve been a Delmore Brothers fan for longer than I remember, and it’s an honor for me to sing ‘When It’s Time for the Whippoorwill to Sing’ with Jerry,” adds Lawson. “It’s a special song and it thrills me to know it’s the track that’ll be kicking off the release of this very special album.”
A Century of Strings, Stories & Songs: A Tribute to The Delmore Brothers
track listing, and featured artists, is below:
1. “Honey, I’m Ramblin’ Away” (2:56) – Junior Sisk & Don Rigsby
2. “I’ve Got the Big River Blues” (3:05) – Marty Raybon & Jimmy Fortune
3. “When It’s Time for the Whippoorwill to Sing” (3:21) – Doyle Lawson & Jerry Salley
4. “Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar” (3:11) – Trey Hensley & Del McCoury
5. “Put Me on the Trail to Carolina” (3:28) – The Malpass Brothers
6. “Brown’s Ferry Blues” (3:14) – The SteelDrivers
7. “Will You Be Lonesome Too?” (3:45) – The Grascals (feat. Charlie McCoy)
8. “Field Hand Man” (3:21) – Wood Box Heroes
9. “Hillbilly Boogie” (2:59) – Alex Miller & Carson Peters
10. “The Fugitive’s Lament” (3:23) – Riders in the Sky
11. “Blue Railroad Train” (3:32) – Bradley Walker & Ricky Skaggs
12. “Life’s Too Short” (3:36) – The Gibson Brothers
13. “Blues Stay Away from Me” (3:19) – Chris Jones & The Night Drivers
14. “Bound For The Shore” (2:41) – Appalachian Road Show
15. “Sweet, Sweet Thing” (3:05) – Darin and Brooke Aldridge (feat. Charlie McCoy)
Of the album, available everywhere on October 1, Salley says, “The Delmore Brothers are a national treasure whose songs, harmonies, musicianship, and pioneering spirit helped shape the very foundation of American roots music. Their influence can be heard in generations of artists who followed, including Woody Guthrie, Bill Monroe, The Everly Brothers, The Louvin Brothers, Merle Travis, Doc Watson, Bob Dylan, Jim & Jesse, The Osborne Brothers, The Band, and, more recently, Billy Strings.
Their timeless songs have also been embraced by artists across genres, from Merle Haggard, B.B. King, Asleep at the Wheel, Red Foley, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, and Vince Gill to countless others who have carried the Delmore’s music to new audiences. One hundred years after Alton and Rabon Delmore first began making music together, their influence remains as strong as ever, and this album is a celebration of their extraordinary contribution to American music.”
Dr. Keith Ferguson, Vice President of University Advancement, Athens State University, whose Foundation executive produced the album, says, “With A Century of Strings, Stories & Songs: A Tribute to The Delmore Brothers, we set out to honor a musical legacy that continues to inspire artists across country, bluegrass, folk, Americana, and beyond. The incredible performances on this album are a testament to the enduring power of the Delmores’ songwriting and the profound mark they left on American music. One hundred years after Alton and Rabon first began performing together, their influence remains as strong as ever and as caretakers of the Delmore Brother’s legacy, it has been a privilege to help celebrate their extraordinary contribution to our musical heritage.”
Debby Delmore, Alton Delmore’s youngest daughter, says, “I’m honored that my father and uncle’s music will be shared again through this special project. We are so proud of the legacy they left behind, and we thank the Athens State University Foundation, Jerry Salley, Billy Blue Records, and all the artists who contributed their voices and musicianship to this album. We are excited for the world to hear it.”
About The Delmore Brothers:
Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001, the music of Alton and Rabon Delmore continues to influence generations of singers and songwriters across multiple genres. From their first appearance as the Delmore Brothers at the 1926 Athens Fiddlers Convention, their intricate harmonies took them to the Grand Ole Opry in 1933. In 1944, joined by Merle Travis and Grandpa Jones, they formed the Brown’s Ferry Four, one of the first commercially successful gospel quartets, and finally into the full band and boogie-woogie sound of the late 1940’s, their adaptability and creative drive impacted multiple forms of music. Their number one hit in January 1950, “Blues Stay Away from Me” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.
About Billy Blue Records:
Billy Blue Records is a boutique bluegrass label, home to an award-winning roster of artists including Adam McIntosh, Alan Bibey and Grasstowne, Appalachian Road Show, Bob Minner, Caroline Owens, Carson Peters & Iron Mountain, Chris Davis Band, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Dave Adkins, Grascals, Jason Barie, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Kristy Cox, Marty Raybon, NewFound Road, the multi-artist projects Blue Collar Gospel, Country Faith Bluegrass, and the Grammy-nominated recording Gonna Sing Gonna Shout. 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.
About the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention:
Founded in 1967, the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention is held annually on the first full weekend of October on the campus of Athens State University in Athens, AL and is known as the “Granddaddy of Mid-South Fiddlers Conventions.” The mission of the convention is the preservation of old-time music through competitions, education, and direct support of touring artists. The convention operates under the authority of the Athens State University Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is a sole support organization for Athens State University and its students.
