The Lonesome River Band is an American contemporary bluegrass band. The band has released 15 recording projects since its formation in 1982. Lonesome River Band is led by Sammy Shelor who is a member of the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame and a 5-Time International Bluegrass Music Association Banjo Player of the Year Award recipient. The band has experienced numerous personnel changes over the years, and has not included an original member since Tim Austin left the band in 1995 to focus on Doobie Shea Records.
On November 11, 2011, band member Sammy Shelor was awarded the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo. Shelor was presented with the award on the Late Show with David Letterman. Following the presentation of the award, Steve Martin performed with the Lonesome River Band.
Members
Current members Sammy Shelor — banjo, backing vocals (1990–present) Mike Hartgrove — fiddle (2001–2005, 2008–present) Jesse Smathers — mandolin, vocals (2015–2021); guitar, vocals (2021–present) Adam Miller — mandolin, vocals (2021–present) Kameron Keller — bass, backing vocals (2021–present)
Discography
Albums Title Album details Peak positions US Bluegrass I Guess Heartaches Are in Style This Year Release date: 1985 Label: Shar-Lin — The Lonesome River Band Release date: 1986 Label: Rebel Records — Saturday Night – Sunday Morning Release date: 1988 Label: Rebel Records — Looking for Yourself Release date: 1989 Label: Rebel Records — Carrying the Tradition Release date: 1991 Label: Rebel Records — Old Country Town Release date: January 25, 1994 Label: Sugar Hill Records — One Step Forward Release date: March 19, 1996 Label: Sugar Hill Records — Finding the Way Release date: August 18, 1998 Label: Sugar Hill Records — Talkin to Myself Release date: June 20, 2000 Label: Sugar Hill Records — Window of Time Release date: August 27, 2002 Label: Doobie Shea Records — Head on into Heartache Release date: May 17, 2005 Label: Mountain Home — The Road with No End Release date: July 25, 2006 Label: Mountain Home — No Turning Back Release date: September 9, 2008 Label: Rural Rhythm — Still Learning Release date: July 13, 2010 Label: Rural Rhythm Records 8 Chronology, Volume 1 Release date: February 28, 2012 Label: Rural Rhythm Records 10 Chronology, Volume 2 Release date: July 3, 2012 Label: Rural Rhythm Records — Chronology, Volume 3 Release date: October 16, 2012 Label: Rural Rhythm Records — Turn on a Dime Release date: October 28, 2014 Label: Mountain Home 9 Coming back home to you Release date: August 14, 2015 Label: Mountain Home — Bridging the Tradition Release date: March 18, 2016 Label: Mountain Home 2 Mayhayley's House Release date: June 23, 2017 Label: Mountain Home — Outside Looking In Release date: May 24, 2019 Label: Mountain Home — Heyday Release date: May 28, 2022 Label: Mountain Home — "—" denotes releases that did not chart
References
External links
CMT.com: Lonesome River Band: Biography Steve Martin Honors Another Banjo Player