Rural Rhythm recording artist, Rodney Dillard has had a long and varied career resulting so far in 2 Grammy Nominations, induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, a well known acting stint on the Andy Griffith Show, many other movie, commercials and TV appearances, recipient of The Outstanding Missourian Award, and worldwide acclaim for his over 50 yrs. of recording both traditional Bluegrass and his own brand of ‘DILLARDGRASS’. Rodney Dillard as founding member of the legendary group, ‘THE DILLARDS’ (aka the Darlings) is seen nearly everyday somewhere in the world thanks to the still enormous popularity of The ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW reruns.
Rodney continued to modernize and innovate the sound of Bluegrass as he wrote and collaborated to write such now classic songs as “There Is a Time”, “The Darlin Boys”, “Ebo Walker”, and “Dooley”.
By the late 1960′s Rodney had transformed the Dillards into the driving force creating new sounds in the West Coast music environment. Later, called “The Father of Country Rock”, Rodney was among the first Bluegrass musicians to “electrify” traditional Bluegrass instruments while also adding drums, steel guitar, and orchestra. The band’s unique flare for song writing and arrangement affected a broad range of important future musicians in the Bluegrass and Pop music world alike. Rodney is credited with helping set the stage for the “Country Rock” movement and burgeoning progressive sounds of Bluegrass. Albums such as “Wheatstraw Suites” and “Copperfields” remain legendary paradigm shifters and influenced many musicians who are now household names. Groups and performers as diverse as The Byrds, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Eagles, Elton John and Ricky Skaggs have all expressed appreciation for what Rodney accomplished musically.
A prolific multi-talented artist he has continued applying his innovation by producing albums for many artists as well as TV and radio commercials and has received many national awards for these.He is a frequent guest on various radio and television programs and has tour worldwide for 50 great years. He is excited about his new release on Rural Rhythm Records,”I Wish Life Was Like Mayberry” and touring with RODNEY DILLARD AND THE DILLARD BAND playing DILLARDGRASS!!!!! OFTEN IMITATED,NEVER DUPLICATED.
NEW GOSPEL ALBUM
Release Date: August 16, 2011
Rural Rhythm Christian
DON’T WAIT FOR THE HEARSE TAKE YOU TO THE CHURCH
Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band (featuring Beverly Dillard)
Pre-Order this CD in our Store!
The band’s current album, “I WISH LIFE WAS LIKE MAYBERRY” contains all the Darling’s / Dillard’s classics performed here by RODNEY DILLARD & The Dillard Band including the first single from the album “There Is A Time.” The song has been released to both bluegrass and country radio stations by Rural Rhythm Record’s Fresh Cuts & Key Tracks CD and also available at www.AirplayDirect.com
In addition to all the classics, there are four new original songs written by RODNEY DILLARD and friends of Rodney including: “There Goes The Neighborhood”, “Wicker Rocking Chair”, “The Mayberry Hat” and “The Andy Griffith Show”. As a BONUS, the album will also contains five episodes from the popular radio show “Mayberry Minute” – a show that ran nationally for 3 years and was narrated by Rodney Dillard.
Rodney and The Dillard Band includes the talents of: Rodney Dillard (guitar); Beverly Cotten-Dillard (banjo); George Giddens (fiddle & mandolin); Shane Lail (bass); and Jim Glaspy (banjoare). The band is proud to be part of the Rural Rhythm Records group of artists. With other Rural Rhythm artists like Bobby Osborne, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Carrie Hassler, Mason Douglas, Lou Reid & Carolina, The Crowe Brothers, Grasstowne and many more, Rodney is excited about being in the on going activities and efforts with his Rural Rhythm Records family.
