Southern Roots and Branches (Yesterday and Today) (Rural Rhythm RHY 1097, 2012) is a bluegrass project from Marty Raybon — best known as lead vocalist of the neo-traditional country group Shenandoah — marking a full return to the roots music of his upbringing. Born in Greenville, Alabama, Raybon began performing in his father's bluegrass band at age eight, and this album revisits that foundation with covers of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and Jimmy Martin alongside original material. The session features multi-instrumentalist Justin Moses (banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dobro), guitarist Kenny Smith, and bassist Mark Fain. Raybon's gospel sincerity and country phrasing give the classic repertoire renewed conviction, establishing him as a committed presence in the bluegrass community beyond his mainstream country profile. Note: catalog also credits Alastair Whitehead and Ken Kolodner; their roles could not be confirmed against published sources.
Tracklist
- 1 Dirt Road Heartache 3:01
- 2 Long Hard Road 3:48
- 3 Rocky Road Blues alt version 2:30
- 4 Get Up In Jesus Name 3:26
- 5 Beulah Land alt version 3:31
- 6 White House Blues alt version 2:12
- 7 Big Pain 3:15
- 8 Home Run Man 2:20
- 9 Ghost In This House 3:35
- 10 Prayer Bells In Heaven 3:19
- 11 Next To You, Next To Me 3:08
- 12 Down the Road alt version 2:40