What Folks Are Saying
Reviews for "High Ground"
Bluegrass Music Profiles
Magazine Sept 2006
HIGH
GROUND BLUEGRASS
A Game I Can’t Win
Stone Fever Records
BY GRACIE MULDOON
If High Ground Bluegrass isn’t winning any games, it won’t matter with their
newest release. Guest artists and songwriters Donna Hughes (Poor Ole Heart)
and former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune (Elizabeth) each lend their
vocals. The friendly, funny fellows that make up High Ground Bluegrass are Rick
Altis, guitar; Larry Taylor, guitar; Jim Almarode, mandolin; Bryan Plemmons,
banjo. Each takes their turn at lending their vocal talent, which is solid and
strong, as is their instrumentation. Chocked full of original songs and a
country classic, this album is sure to delight country and bluegrass fans. Each
song qualifies as good bluegrass entertainment and you’ll enjoy this project a
lot. Everyone is sure to want to book them after hearing this release. It’s
bluegrass baby! BMP
Sept-Oct 2006 Issue
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Bluegrass Unlimited Dec-2006
An interesting aspect about this particular bluegrass collection is the
presence of several songs dealing with water. For a starter, there is "Leaving
Roanoke In The Rain," followed by "Don't Let It Rain" and "Flood Of '69."
Other selections include "Train Of Destruction," "I'm So Blue" and "Someone
Else." Although the musicianship and level of talent are notable, it was
difficult to develop a full profile of the band because of incomplete liner
notes. For example, there is no mention of bandmember's full names or the
instruments they play. While "A Game That I Can't Win" should be a popular
band table item, it is hoped that future releases from High Ground will give
greater attention to overall production values. (High Ground, P.O. Box 167,
Mount Sidney, VA 24467, e-mail:
highground@rickaltis.com.)
Donna Hughes- Rounder Recording Artist and Award Winning Songwriter
Her comments after singing on the new High Ground project:
"The songs are awesome, and I really enjoyed singing on them! It was my pleasure and an honor to be a part of your upcoming project!"
Gracie Muldoon- WorldWideBluegrass
HIGH GROUND IS ONE of
the BEST INDIE BANDS & THIS IS SPECIAL!
TRADITIONAL BLUEGRASS..... A Game That I Can't Win
The NEW CD HAS FAN - TAB - U- LOUS
MUSIC ... IT MOVES THE SOUL.. ....
KUDOS TO DONNA HUGHES,
AS WELL AS JIMMY FORTUNE.
.......
FOR JOINING IN ON AND HAVING SUCH A GREAT EFFECT, ON THIS FANTASTIC PROJECT
Americana Rhythm Magazine
July-August 2006 issue
CD Reviews Page
A Game I Can’t Win
What started as two long time friends just wanting to record some music together, has turned into a legitimate Bluegrass band to be reckoned with. Their second CD, A Game That I Can’t Win, features all original material and a special rendition of Jimmy Fortune’s "Elizabeth," with guest vocals from Jimmy himself. Most times you can’t plan good things to happen, they just do, and High Ground exemplifies that. It’s good grass.
Jimmie Skinner-Promoter-Ohio
Bluegrass Junction was recently privileged to have a very exciting band perform for us that had the crowd rocking with their first song. By the second song people were asking when can we have them back, ''This band is awesome" was a comment we heard a lot that night.
The High Ground band is smooth as silk. They have excellent timing, their vocals are great and we sure are glad that they came to Bluegrass Junction
We highly recommend High Ground band to any promoter that wants a very Exciting “high energy” band.
Thanks Rick, Jimmy, Bryan & Larry for a great show.
Jimmie & Fonda Skinner
Bluegrass Junction
Shalersville Ohio
Bob Thompson-Promoter-D.C. Area
Feb. 2006
If you weren't at 1090 Sterling Road in Herndon, Virginia last night,
you missed a truly great show. HIGH GROUND was in concert at Holy Cross
Lutheran Church and the boys from the Shenandoah Valley tore the place
up with their hard driving instrumentals, wonderful vocal harmonies and
great sense of humor to boot . If you haven't seen them perform ---
shame on you --- get out more <g>. Thanks to Rick Altis, Jim Almarode,
Bryan Plemmons and Larry Taylor - HIGH GROUND - you're always welcome at
our house!
Oct. 2006-
HIGH GROUND put on a phenomenal concert last night as part of the Weekend Bluegrass Concert Series in Herndon, Virginia. This was their second visit with us with the first being back on February 17th of this year. They stunned folks on their first visit with their hard charging contemporary bluegrass style that is filled with unreal vocals and fret bending. I don't know what comes after "stunned" boys and girls, but we saw it last night. After their first visit we thought we had witnessed the best show ever ---- well last night was even better! Our audience was "fully engaged" in their enthusiasm and responsiveness to what they were hearing and seeing and lent full voice to their feelings. Great, great fun was also in abundance and everyone in the building had a grand time. Make sure you go and see these guys whenever you get a chance as you are in for a real treat. Thanks Rick, Jim, Bryan and Larry for who you are ---- great musicians, but more importantly, great people! HIGH GROUND
Vicki
Abbott
"Abbott's Bluegrass Habit"
WorldWideBluegrass Radio Network - Bluegrass
High Ground, "Old Friends", so named for long time friends, Rick Altis and Larry Taylor, is an enjoyable mix of traditional, gospel, instrumental and new bluegrass. Tight vocals and great instrumentation along with the addition of some new friends, Will Parsons, Jimmy Almarode, Bryan Plemmons and Ben Swarey, have created and album you'll enjoy hearing again and again. You'll definitely be hearing them on my show!
Clyde Scott
BluegrassRadio.org
"I kinda excited about a new group called High Ground.. They have a new CD that is really good stuff..!!"
High Ground- "Artists Of The Month" October 2005
We are honored to have you as our 'Artist Of The Month' at Bluegrass Radio. I really liked your stuff the first time I listened to it here in our studio.... Clyde Scott
Gracie Muldoon
DJ on BluegrassRadio.org and www.worldwidebluegrass.com
WOW!!!!! WHAT A GREAT CD YOU HAVE!!!! I WAS THRILLED WHEN
I HEARD THE FIRST SONG.. AND AM LISTENING TO THE REST. SO FAR, SO GREAT!
VERY GOOD CD! THE VOCALS ARE RIGHT ON AND INSTRUMENTATION IS SOLID GOOD
BLUEGRASS! YOU GUYS ARE VERY GRASSY AND I WILL PLAY YOU ON ALL MY RADIO SHOWS........Gracie
Matt Null
Host, "House Mountain Radio"
WLUR-91.5FM
"Old Friends" shows High Ground to be an incredibly tight bluegrass band with pitch-perfect, high lonesome harmonies, soulful lead vocals, and intricate, inventive picking all around. With songs like "Wild Bill Jones" and "Money in the Bank," they stay true to the traditions of the genre yet forge ahead with their own unique sound. The skilled guitar, mandolin, and banjo-work on this album sets High Ground apart from many of their peers and will grab your ear from start to finish. If you're looking for a fresh bluegrass sound, check out this band. We're definitely looking forward to having them on the show!
Bill Kramer- The Staunton (VA) News Leader 5/26/2005
There are few things more fun than a democratic, inclusive bluegrass outfit, especially one that is trotting out new material by folks who've played together for a long time. Throw in the fact that most of these guys play multiple instruments and can fill various vocal responsibilities, and you've got something.
County Sales
Solid and pleasant, well-played Bluegrass with a Lonesome River Band influence. The principles—Rick Altis and Larry Taylor—are from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Just 10 songs here, including nice versions of MONEY IN THE BANK, AM I A FOOL FOR HANGING ON and WILL THE ROSES BLOOM.
The Little Grill- Harrisonburg, VA- Music Venue
High Ground is a traditional five-man bluegrass outfit led by Larry Taylor and Rick Altis, and they are proof positive that The Blue Ridge Mountains are just ripe with talented musicians. Larry and Rick have been friends for 30 years, and their first musical collaboration, aptly titled "Old Friends," will make you wonder why they haven't gotten together before now. Thankfully, they have. Lucky us.
Staunton
News-Leader