New Single! "Don't Cry Blue" with Jonathan Edwards
Stream the New Single - "Don't Cry Blue" with guest artist Jonathan Edwards!
The first A sided single is written by Malcolm McKinney and popularized by folk-icon Jonathan Edwards, “Don’t’ Cry Blue” features Edwards joining Rock Hearts as he and Alex MacLeod of Rock Hearts trade verses and Edwards sings baritone harmony too.
Around 2010, Alex MacLeod had an opportunity with the band he was performing with, to open for the one and only, Jonathan Edwards. When asked what song he would most want to sing with Jonathan Edwards, Alex quickly responded, Don’t Cry Blue. Alex felt it was as close to a traditional bluegrass song that he had heard Jonathan perform. Of course, familiar with Jonathan’s collaboration with Emmy Lou Harris and the Seldom Scene, it was Don’t Cry Blue that resonated the most with MacLeod.
Rock Hearts with Jonathan Edwards
Fast Forward eight years, Long-time friend and musician, Rick Brodsky, joined Rock Hearts as the bass player bringing with him considerable talent, experience, and knowledge. He also happened to be the touring bass player with none-other than Jonathan Edwards.
“Don’t Cry Blue” contains performances by Alex MacLeod (Lead Vocals and Guitar), Joe Deetz (Banjo), Billy Thibodeau (Tenor Vocals and Mandolin), Rick Brodsky (Bass) and Austin Scelzo (Fiddle), with special guest performances by Jonathan Edwards (Lead and Baritone Vocals). “Don’t Cry Blue” is from the upcoming Rock Hearts debut album Wanderlust on 615 Hideaway Records with Ned Luberecki producing, and Stephen Mougin engineer extraordinaire at Dark Shadow Recording Studio.
Jonathan Edwards performing with Rock Hearts at Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival
And another single! "Driving Nails" with guest artist Dale Anne Bradley Stream on your favorite platform
Bruce Carroll, Mickey Hiter, and Kevin Thomas wrote the stirring gospel song, “Driving Nails”, and it was first released by Bruce Carroll in 1987 on his Something Good Is Bound to Happen album.
“I had always had a great relationship with my mom,” stated Alex MacLeod, “and she was always my number one supporter, fan, defender, and advocate.
“Driving Nails” caused him to start thinking about Mary, and what she had to endure as the mother of Jesus. “I put my mom through a lot of hardship,” he confesses, “but that was of my choice, a product of my pride, immaturity and sinful nature; By God’s grace, she never gave up on me.”
Alex Macleod with Dale Ann Bradley at Jennybrook Bluegrass Festival
Shortly before Rock Hearts was planning to return to Dark Shadow Studios to record their debut 615 Hideaway Record label project, Joe Deetz, banjo player for Rock Hearts, remembers waking up from a dream at 4:30am with what would prove to be somewhat of a prophetic dream.
Joe quickly shared with his bandmate Alex his dream. “I woke up from a dream that had you singing Driving Nails with Dale Ann Bradley,” he shared, adding, “I saw Dale Ann singing the part of Mary and you singing the part of the narrator.”
In classic Dale Ann Bradley fashion, she generously accepted and lent her beautiful vocals in a way that not only masterfully complimented the delivery of the song, but eloquently renders a genuine perspective of Mary. “It’s breathtaking,” says MacLeod.
“Driving Nails” is a classic gospel song for any mother who unconditionally loves her son and continues to pray, care, and worry for him. It’s a song for any man who, despite shortcomings, probably has a mom or mother-figure who hasn’t given up on them.
Dale Ann Bradley and Alex Macleod
“Driving Nails” contains performances by Alex MacLeod (Lead Vocals and Guitar), Joe Deetz (Banjo), Billy Thibodeau (Mandolin), Rick Brodsky (Bass) and Austin Scelzo (Fiddle) with special guest performances by Dale Ann Bradley (Vocals).
Driving Nails is from the upcoming Rock Hearts debut album Wanderlust on 615 Hideaway Records with Ned Luberecki producing, and Stephen Mougin engineer extraordinaire at Dark Shadow Recording Studio.
Learn with the Rock Hearts!
We will be putting on a number of workshops this summer!
The whole band will be discussing Band dynamics atThomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival (Read more here)
