Pine Mountain Railroad's old time bluegrass sound began in the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains in September of 1998. Originally "thrown together" by the tourism industry in Pigeon Forge and disturbingly (though rather uniquely to bluegrass) sponsored by a sausage company, Pine Mountain Railroad is still the real deal. Guitarist and vocalist Jimbo Whaley leads the group with songs inspired by his love of old mountain storytellers. The sparkling and propulsive banjo is thanks to Kipper Stitt, bass is handled by retired federal agent and P.I. Bill McBee, and fiddler Clint Damewood and mandolin player Danny Barnes round out the lineup. The band first unleashed their traditional bluegrass on their Live at the Old Country Church album. Their Tennessee Pride Sausage-endorsed Knoxville Train followed in 2001 with down-home themes and tight harmonies. The group's less commercial (well, the sausage company isn't mentioned on the cover at least) The Old Radio followed on bluegrass stalwart CMH in August of 2003 with a sound that makes good on the album's retro title. ~ Charles Spano, Rovi
