ROUNDER RECORDS SIGNS NASHVILLE ALL-STAR GROUP THE TIME JUMPERS
BAND WELCOMES NEWEST MEMBERS VINCE GILL, LARRY FRANKLIN AND BILLY THOMAS
SEPTEMBER 11 RELEASE DATE CONFIRMED
INTERNATIONAL RELEASE DATE WILL VARY
“It’s hard to imagine a more skilled band playing [Western swing/country]. Pick a country or bluegrass artist — past or present — and it’s a good bet someone in the group has worked with them. They’re so adroit they don’t even rehearse.”
– Associated Press
Burlington, MA – Rounder Records is pleased to announce the signing of Western swing/country group The Time Jumpers. Formed in 1998 by a group of Nashville’s recording studio elite, the band began just as a jam session for the musicians to blow off steam and play their favorite songs. Soon they were playing gigs in the Nashville area and were offered a regular slot at the Station Inn every Monday night.
The critics loved the show and as word spread, The Time Jumpers became the “show that stars go to see.” On any given Monday, stars such as Reba McEntire, Bonnie Raitt , Norah Jones, Toby Keith, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello and even Robert Plant have been known to pull up a chair and sit in with the band. The band continues to play every week, but has recently moved venues to 3rd and Lindsley since they were drawing crowds too large for the Station Inn’s capacity.
The group’s make-up has changed over the years. The current lineup of 11 singers and musicians includes “Ranger Doug” Green of Riders in the Sky as well as these highly-regarded Nashville session and touring musicians Paul Franklin, Jeff Taylor, Kenny Sears, Andy Reiss, Dennis Crouch, Dawn Sears, Joe Spivey, and newest members Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill, Larry Franklin and Billy Thomas.
Of the signing, founding member and vocalist/fiddler Kenny Sears remarks, “We are so excited to be signing with Rounder Records. We have all been fans of this label for a long time. The fact that they are excited about our project makes us twice as excited: lots of excitement!
“We’re very proud of this album; it's the first time we've been able to record our own songs in a studio setting. We all look forward to our new relationship with Rounder Records.”
Check out a performance of “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ but the Blues” here.
In 2007, the group recorded a live album titled Jumpin' Time that was nominated for two Grammy® awards. The Time Jumpers are managed by Fitzgerald Hartley and their first studio album, and Rounder debut, is expected September 11.
The Time Jumpers are:
Dennis Crouch – upright bass
Larry Franklin – fiddle
Paul Franklin – steel guitar
Vince Gill – vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar
“Ranger Doug” Green – vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
Dawn Sears – vocals
Kenny Sears – vocal, fiddle
Joe Spivey – fiddle, vocals
Andy Reiss – electric guitar
Jeff Taylor – accordion, piano
Billy Thomas – drums, vocals