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New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music
07/20 - 08/24 - Danville, VA Listen to America's music and hear the story of freedom. It's the story of people in a New World places they have l...

New Harmonies Exhibit: Celebrating American Roots Music
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Crooked Road CD Series [Back]

Frank Newsome :
Gone Away With a Friend

Co-Produced by Grammy Winning Bluegrass artist Jim Lauderdale

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A few years back at his Hills of Home Festival in Coeburn, Virginia, Ralph Stanley brought out a special guest during his set that he and his wife Jimmie wanted us to hear.  There, alone on that stage, Frank Newsome sang “Gone Away With a Friend.”  I'm sure there were many others like me who were riveted and had a profound experience.  On many levels it was one of the most powerful, spiritual, mournful, emotional, beautiful, and hopeful things I have ever heard.  There is a purity about Frank’s singing that brings a soul-stirring, heart-tugging peacefulness that is beyond words.  This music comes through Frank from a different, bigger place.  Frank is a humble man of God with a wonderful family that is never far away.  We gathered together where they worship, at the Little David Church outside of Haysi, to record him singing at his pulpit.  On that night in late May his family called out requests and we cried and rejoiced together.

Hearing Frank is a real blessing.

-Jim Lauderdale

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