Mary J. Hale, Founder and CEO of the PINK ARROW PROJECT is proud to announce Rodney and Beverly Dillard have joined the organization to help raise awareness to the project. 

Rodney Dillard has had a long and varied career resulting in two 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 years 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 every day somewhere in the world thanks to the still enormous popularity of The ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW reruns. 

Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band are now on tour including upcoming performances on February 8 at the Old Rock School in Valdese, NC and February 9 at the Historic Jonesborough Bluegrass Series in Jonesborough, TN.

Rodney and Beverly Dillard join the other multi-award winning artists including Carrie Hassler, The Roys, Marty Raybon to help spread the word about the PINK ARROW PROJECT campaigns and line of PINK products.  For more information, please visit PinkArrowProject.com, Facebook and Twitter.

MORE ON THE PINK ARROW PROJECT

The PINK ARROW PROJECT launched the On Target campaign earlier this year that promotes their line of “Pink” archery products.  The campaign features the fictional character, “Karing” that has proved popular with fans of The Hunger Games, the hit TV show Revolution, Arrow and more TV shows and movies released this year.  Proceeds from the promotional posters and stickers are also helping in the fight against cancer and those in need.

The product that started the PINK revolution was the extraordinary PINK VICTORY ARROW which fans not only shoot, but regularly carry in their quiver to show their support. THE PINK ARROW PROJECT now carries numerous archery products by manufacturers such as Victory Archery, Bohning, Lumenok, InnerLoc, InnerLoc Out-There, Ultimate Hunt, Watson Airlock, AUC LOK, Alpin Optics, Backwoods Life, Barnsdale Archery, Ben Pearson, Bills Archery, Bowhunting.Net, Doinker, Hunting in the Wild, Inside Outdoors TV, Instinct Archery, Lakeland Products, Last Chance, Opti Logic, Scott Strings, Shoot Like a Girl, Specialty Archery, Stink Stick, Viper and Extreme Whitetail Deer Farm and Scents.

Check out the interview with Rodney Dillard here.

Rural Rhythm Records is very proud to announce the premiere of BLUEGRASS COMES TO THE VALLEY on RFD-TV  as part of Reno’s Old Time Music.  Ronnie takes a trip up to the Valley with some great music and history of Renfro Valley, Kentucky.  This two part show includes performances by: Marty Raybon, Carrie Hassler, Audie Blaylock & Redline, Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band, and the Darrell Webb Band.

Part I premieres this weekend, Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 6:00 pm Central / 7:00 pm Eastern.  Part II premieres Saturday, September 22 at 6:00 pm Central / 7:00 pm.  For more information including times in your area, please visit RFD-TV’s Program Schedule.

BLUEGRASS COMES TO THE VALLEY was produced by Lost Echoes Productions, LLC.  The event was supported by the Mt. Vernon-RockCastle County Tourist Commission and the City of Mt. Vernon.

For more information on Rural Rhythm Records, please visit RuralRhythm.com.  For more information on Reno’s Old Time Music Festival and RFD-TV, please visit RFD.com.

Press Release:
Atlanta, GA (July 3, 2012)  Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson have both issued statements regarding the death of actor Andy Griffith who died today in Dare County, North Carolina.  Both appeared as part of the Darling family on The Andy Griffith Show in the ‘60s.

“Andy Griffith became more than an icon.  He represented American family values and has given comfort and hope in these uncertain times.  He gave The Dillards (The Darlings) an opportunity to be part of this.  Andy was kind, generous and patient with an inexperienced group of pickers from the Ozark Mountains.  Andy Griffith’s impact on the world will last forever,” said Rodney Dillard.  Rodney appeared in six episodes of The Andy Griffith Show (1963-1966), Return to Mayberry TV movie (1986) and composer of the Andy Griffith Show Reunion TV special (1993).  For more information, please visit www.RodneyDillard.TV

Maggie Peterson, who played the role of Charlene Darling on The Andy Griffith Show (1963-1968) kept in contact with Andy throughout the years.  Today in a tearful statement, she said “The passing of Andy leaves me so saddened.  It feels like the presence that kept us steady in life is now gone.   The Darling family was treated with such respect on the show.  These could have been ridiculous characters, without Andy’s respectful reaction to us.  Everyone will truly miss him.  Thank God we have those beautiful episodes to keep us company.   He enhanced my life and I will miss him so.”

More information The Dillards (The Darlings)

In 1962, The Dillards, who had a new recording contract with Elektra Records, were asked by the producers of The Andy Griffith Show to play a bluegrass-playing family (The Darlings), whose patriarch was to played by popular Hollywood actor Denver Pyle… and to this day The Dillards are seen nearly every day somewhere in the world thanks to the still enormous popularity of The Andy Griffith Show re-runs.  Rodney Dillard wrote and collaborated with others to write such classic songs as “There Is A Time”, “The Darlin’ Boys”, “Ebo Walker”, and “Dooley.”

Media Contact:  Hope River Entertainment 678.377.3298

When Tom Rusk got together with liked-minded fans of Mayberry and “The Andy Griffith Show” to discuss putting together a festival based on the life lessons of the series, the town and the characters, he never imagined he would get more people at his festival than actually lived in the fictional town. But last year, that was exactly what happened when the Mayberry Comes to Westminster festival opened for the first time.”  CONTINUE READING

Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band (Featuring Beverly Dillard)
“Don’t Wait for the Hearse to Take You to Church”

Tracks
01 The Devil Just Can’t Knock Me Off My Knees
02 Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
03 River of Jordan
04 Somebody Touched Me
05 Gospel Ship
06 Hear Them Thunders Roaring
07 Heaven
08 Softly and Tenderly
09 When My Time Comes To Go
10 Don’t Wait For The Hearse to Take You to Church
BONUS MATERIAL
01 New Minister
02 Church Inheritance
03 Man In A Hurry
04 Choirboy Barney

Note: All albums autographed by Rodney Dillard -(shrink wrap will be removed for the autographing)

I WISH LIFE WAS LIKE MAYBERRY
Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band
Rural Rhythm Records

1. MAYBERRY MINUTE (1:09)
2. THE DARLIN’ BOYS (2:01)
3. THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD (2:50)
4. THERE IS A TIME (3:35)
5. WICKER ROCKING CHAIR (2:54)
6. DOOLEY (3:14)
7. DOUG’S TUNE (Instrumental) (2:16)
8. SALTY DOG (2:13)
9. EBO WALKER (2:08)
10. THE MAYBERRY HAT (3:18)
11. BANJO IN THE HOLLOW (Instrumental) (2:03)
12. LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS (2:44)
13. THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW SONG (2:08)
14. WET SHOES IN THE SUNSET SUITE (2:31)

BONUS MATERIAL: A TRIBUTE TO MAYBERRY VALUES
From the archives of the popular radio show “Mayberry Minute”, hosted by Bluegrass Hall of Fame Legend and member of the “Darling Family” on The Andy Griffith Show, Rodney Dillard. The radio show ran nationally for 3 years with narrator Rodney Dillard and took a look at back episodes and the great moral and life lessons they taught.

15. LEAKY BOAT (1:05)
16. G-MAN BARNEY (:55)
17. PICTURES (:59)
18. GOOBER AND ROY (:57)
19. PARENTING (:59)

Note: All albums autographed by Rodney Dillard -(shrink wrap will be removed for the autographing)

ROOTS OF GOSPEL by Rodney Dillard

Wayfaring Stranger
What A Friend
Just as I Am
When My Time Comes To Go
Somebody Touched Me
God Rides
Come to My Rescue
I Fell the Rain
Softly & Tenderly
Uncloudy Day

Note: All albums autographed by Rodney Dillard -(shrink wrap will be removed for the autographing)

THERE IS A TIME by THE DILLARDS

1. Introduction 
2. Banjo in the Hollow 
3. Dooley 
4. Polly Vaughn 
5. The Old Home Place  
6. Somebody Touched Me  
7. Hamilton County Breakdown 
8. Walkin’ Down the Line  
9. Never See My Home Again  
10. Paddy on the Turnpike 
11. Old Blue 
12. Liberty 
13. There Is a Time 
14. The Whole World ‘Round  
15. Sally Johnson 
16. Yesterday 
17. Ebo Walker  
18. Rainmaker 
19. Copperfields 
20. Old Man at the Mill

Note: All albums autographed by Rodney Dillard -(shrink wrap will be removed for the autographing)

Join the Dillards in Salem, Missouri for a living room setting while the boys rehearse for a show. Different Dillard friends drop in and jam with them.

Chapter List:
1. Finding The Dillards
2. Banjo In The Hollow
3. There Is A Time
4. Old Home Place
5. The Whole World Round
6. Pop Dillard With Beverly And The Boys
7. Ebo Walker
8. Never See My Home Again
9. Reuben’s train
10. Liberty
11. The Biggest Whatever
12. Sitting On Top Of The World
13. Doug’s Tune
14. Rainin’ Here This Morning
15. I’ll Fly Away
16. Intermission
17- 27. The Back Story

Join the Dillardgrass Fan Club – For fans of the Dillards/Darlins Past & Present.

Membership includes:
Dillardgrass T-shirt, and a fan club personalized certificate “Suitable for Framing” and a classic autographed Darlin picture of Pa and the Boys. 

We have more sweet swag planned for the Dillardgrass Fan Club members. Join to get ALL the extras.

NOTE:  Please select your t-shirt size in Price drop-down menu.

The Darlings Homeland Security t-shirt available in S, M, L, XL, 2X

Check out his latest from 2011 – Don’t Wait For The Hearse To Take You To Church, released on Rural Rhythm Records. The sly but prudent title cut is truly one of the musician’s best contributions in the latter part of his career.

With all these accomplishments, Rodney definitely has a lot of stories that he could tell. During the past month, he’s done just that in an extensive interview for this column.

“The Attala Historical Society is presenting the eighth annual Bluegrass concert  featuring three groups on March 31 at 6 p.m. in the Kosciusko Junior High School auditorium.  Advance tickets for the event are now on sale at $12 for adults with children 10 and under to be admitted free. Tickets will be $15 at the door.

Featured at this year’s concert will be the Rodney Dillard Band, the Larry Wallace Band and Nash Street.”  Read more at the Star Herald.

Songwriter and all-around artist Rodney Dillard is never too far away from his passion – music. When not touring throughout the nation with his bluegrass band (visit his official website to know when he’s going to be in your neck of the woods), Dillard can often be found working on a new song. 

“By the time British sensation Elton John signed the Dillards to his first American tour in 1972, the bluegrass band was so popular, it crossed into the pop/rock market with ease.”….Check out the entire article in the Asheville Citizen Times here.

Rolling Stone always gave me credit for being the father of country rock, and that kinda stuck.  It’s great, I never had a hit-hit, but I would rather do what I’ve done over the years than be a one-hit wonder.  You know, you get one song, it’s the pick flower of the day, then it’s over. 

Our publisher tells me every day an artist is requesting a song from one of my albums to record.  I’m very thankful for that.  I’m just thankful to be alive (laughs).

Earlier this week an interview about The Dillards’ best-selling album, Roots and Branches, appeared here. In it, Dillards cofounder Rodney Dillard recalled the making of that album, along with rare behind the scenes anecdotes about each song on side one.

Roots and Branches had a checkered recording history, taking nearly two years for the group to complete with famed rock producer Richard Podolor [Three Dog Night, Alice Cooper, Iron Butterfly] at American Recorders in North Hollywood.

He was one of the Darling Boys on the 1960s “Andy Griffith Show” and he is going to tape an episode of Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia on Saturday, March 3rd. Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band will headline the concert on March 3rd which will also include musical performances by the “Close Kin Project” and “Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition”.

Rodney Dillard has had a long varied career that includes two 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 years 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.

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

The Close Kin Project on Mountain Roads Recordings has brought together over 20 veteran bluegrass and old time musicians to create a fantasic recorded project and live show. Whether you’re a fan of bluegrass or old-time music, 29 artists from both sides of the aisle have come together to create a truly unique recording that combines these two musical genres and their bold styles.

The Appalachian Highlands region of Northeast Tennessee, Northwestern North Carolina, Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Kentucky is home to the origins of both bluegrass and old-time string band music. This music has been enjoyed for generations in kitchens and back porches, school auditoriums and music festivals and venues. Many times bluegrass and old-time artists can be heard jamming off stage at festivals before or after shows or even late into the night after the crowds have gone home. Amazing sounds are created when these styles are blended together as their heritage intended and rarely heard by the fans. Close Kin brings these sounds to the fans. Artists included on the Close Kin Project are Johnny & Jeanette Williams, Adam & Tina Steffey, the VW Boys, the Wolf Brothers, the Snyder Family, Scott & Mark Freeman, Jim Lloyd and others.

Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition is one of the busiest and best-known local bluegrass bands in Western North Carolina. The band was formed in 2003 and has played continuously since then throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. They have recorded four studio CD’s as a band, plus two solo projects by Bobby and Phil as well as contributing to a Christmas compilation CD produced by K&K Recording in 2005. Their “I Live for Him” CD was voted by listeners as one of the top 50 bluegrass CD’s of 2010 on WNCW.

The band consists of Bobby Anderson on banjo, Jim Turpin on mandolin, Gene Burns on guitar, Phil Preston on bass and Rich Inman on fiddle. In 2011, the band won first place in the bluegrass band competition at the North Carolina Mountain State Fair. Individually, Bobby won first place in banjo, Jim won first place in mandolin and vocals, Phil won first place in bass and Rich won second place in fiddle. This was a tremendous honor for one band to receive this many awards and a testament to their hard work. When they play for you this evening, you’ll see why they won these awards. Please make welcome Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition.

Song of the Mountains features bluegrass, old time, Celtic and Americana Music and is currently airing on over 190 Public Television outlets across the United States. Tim White hosts the series. Tickets for the Saturday, February 4th concert at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia are $20. Reserved tickets may be purchased at the Lincoln Theatre Box Office in Marion, VA or online at www.SongOfTheMountains.org . The concert begins at 7:00 pm. For information or tickets by phone call 276-783-6093.

Song of the Mountains is underwritten for public television by Alpha Natural Resources, Mountain States Health Alliance www.msha.com , Bryant Label Co. of Blountville, TN, TEDS, the General Francis Marion Hotel in Marion, VA, Blue Ridge Country 98.1 fm, The Bank of Marion and Emory & Henry College. Special support from Marion, and Smyth County, VA.

Memberships and Song of the Mountains merchandise are available at the website and your purchases help support the concert series. Song of the Mountains/The Lincoln Theatre is a non-profit organization.
The band consists of Bobby Anderson on banjo, Jim Turpin on mandolin, Gene Burns on guitar, Phil Preston on bass and Rich Inman on fiddle. In 2011, the band won first place in the bluegrass band competition at the North Carolina Mountain State Fair. Individually, Bobby won first place in banjo, Jim won first place in mandolin and vocals, Phil won first place in bass and Rich won second place in fiddle. This was a tremendous honor for one band to receive this many awards and a testament to their hard work. When they play for you this evening, you

Rodney and Beverly Dillard’s photo (AP Free Press by Charles Buchanan) was the Yahoo featured PHOTO OF THE DAY.  Check it out here shown on the Good Morning America website.

By the time The Dillards went into the studio to cut their sixth album in late 1970, entitled Roots and Branches, a change in the weather was afoot. Led by Mitch Jayne, Dean Webb, and Rodney Dillard, the band had exited their longtime record label [Elektra] for the second and final time, landing on the independent Anthem Records.

Photography by Henry Diltz / Corbis

The Dillards were the premiere bluegrass group in L.A. during the ’60s. Featuring Dean Webb on mandolin, Mitch Jayne on stand-up bass, Doug Dillard on banjo, and his younger brother Rodney on guitar/lead vocals, the band confounded audiences and critics alike when they first arrived in California in November 1962. 

“Relax, slow down, take it easy…what’s your hurry?” Those effortless words were spoken by a visiting preacher in ‘The Sermon For Today,’ a classic 1963 episode of The Andy Griffith Show. Although not an actual town in North Carolina (Andy’s hometown of Mt. Airy comes quite close), Mayberry is alive in the hearts of millions of fans nearly 50 years later.

“This recording is a highly-produced, mainstream gospel program featuring top-notch pickers and the singing of Rodney and Beverly Dillard. This is part of their mission, Mayberry Values Ministries, which they are taking on the road across the country to share the values they feel are inherent in the legacy of that television utopia.” Check out the full review of Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band – Don’t Wait For The Hearse To Take You To Church in the February 2012 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine

The Dillardgrass Fan Club is now open. 

Your $20 membership includes:  Dillardgrass T-shirt and bumper sticker (B design) and Membership Certificate.

If you would like to pay via credit card, please visit our Store. 

If you had rather pay via check or money order, please send:
Name, address, email address, phone number, and T-SHIRT SIZE to:

Dillardgrass Fan Club
PO Box 1001
Jonesborough, TN  37659
877-746-5165

If you have any questions, please send email to:laura@mountainmusicentertainment.com

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce Rodney Dillard will be inducted into the Missouri Music Association’s new Hall of Fame when the organization honors its three premier inductees in the bluegrass genre:  The Dillards, John Hartford and Charlie Wolfe.  This new Hall of Fame will recognize Missouri talent from all genres of music and will collaborate with other music organizations within the state of Missouri, and elsewhere, to provide a central database of Missouri talent.  Initially, the Hall of Fame will include talent that has already been recognized by other Halls of Fame based on their individual music genre.  All three of these new inductees are currently members of the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

The Dillards, Rodney Dillard (guitar) and Douglas Dillard (banjo), grew up playing music with their family and friends including a teenaged John Hartford, in Missouri. They performed on a St. Louis radio station as The Dillard Brothers in 1958, recording for a local label. The Dillards played their first show at Washington University in St. Louis and hit the road for Los Angeles in 1962. A DesiLu Studios rep saw an ad in Variety magazine about Elektra signing The Dillards, and within days they were called in to audition for the role of The Darlins on The Andy Griffith Show. Their original songs have become bluegrass standards like “The Old Home Place,” “Dooley,” “Doug’s Tune,” “Banjo in the Holler” and “There is a Time.”  The Dillards incorporated stand-up comedy into their stage show, and their talents as entertainers brought bluegrass to new audiences in urban clubs from L.A. to New York City, on college campuses, in movie scores, at folk festivals and on tour with mainstream rock bands and comedians. The band’s unique flair for songwriting and arrangement affected a broad range of important future musicians in the bluegrass and pop music world alike, and they are credited with helping set the stage for the “country rock” movement and the burgeoning progressive sounds of bluegrass. The Dillards were inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2009.

Rodney Dillard now tours with “The Dillard Band” and the group is celebrating their Rural Rhythm album, I WISH LIFE WAS LIKE MAYBERRY.  The band is gearing up for their August 16th album, DON’T WAIT FOR THE HEARSE TO TAKE YOU TO CHURCH, featuring Beverly Dillard.  Rodney and Beverly Dillard also launched their new “Mayberry Values Ministry” and perform at churches and other organizations throughout the country inspiring families and individuals of all ages with their brand of humor, stories, testimonies and more.  For more information including upcoming tour dates, please visit www.RodneyDillard.TV.

For more information on the Missouri Music Association including memberships available to industry professionals and the general public, please call 615-419-3417 or visit www.missourihalloffame.info

Check out the Bluegrass Blog post on the new album here.

Watch for “Notes From The Road” telling about fun and interesting antics as well as experiences from Rodney, Beverly and the Dillard band.

Rural Rhythm Records is very proud to announce the September 28, 2010 album release, “I WISH LIFE WAS LIKE MAYBERRY” by RODNEY DILLARD & The Dillard Band.   The album will be available everywhere including: Borders, f.ye., Ernest Tubbs, County Sales, Music Shed, Amazon.com, iTunes, and more.

“I WISH LIFE WAS LIKE MAYBERRY” contains all the Darlings / Dillards classics performed here by RODNEY DILLARD & The Dillard Band including the first single from the album “There Is A Time.” The song is available to radio stations now via Airplay Direct.

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 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. 

MORE ON RODNEY DILLARD:
Rodney Dillard is a founding member of the legendary group THE DILLARDS, and beloved member of the most often seen Bluegrass group in the world, THE DARLINGS. His long and illustrious career has resulted in two GRAMMY® Nominations, induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, a well-known acting stint on The Andy Griffith Show, and worldwide acclaim for over 50 years of recording both traditional bluegrass and his own brand of “DillardGrass”.

In 1962, THE DILLARDS, who had a new recording contract with Elektra Records, were asked by the producers of The Andy Griffith Show to play a bluegrass-playing family (The Darlings), whose patriarch was played by popular Hollywood actor Denver Pyle… and to this day THE DILLARDS are seen nearly every day somewhere in the world thanks to the still enormous popularity of The Andy Griffith Show re-runs. October 2010 is the 50th Anniversary of the first airing of this popular show. 

Rodney Dillard wrote and collaborated with others to write such classic songs as “There Is A Time”, “The Darlin’ Boys”, “Ebo Walker”, and “Dooley.” These songs, plus more DILLARD and MAYBERRY classics, can be found on their upcoming album.