October 7, 2014 will be the launch of the new album by Rick Lang "That's What I Love About Christmas"

These are expressions of the own Rick Lang, about her new CD dedicated to Christmas:

I am thrilled to tell you we have recently put the finishing touches on a brand new Christmas album (my second) that is scheduled for release in October of this year. Entitled “That’s What I Love About Christmas,” this one has a heavy jazz influence…breaking new ground for me as a songwriter. Produced by my good friend Stephen Mougin, the recording features a wonderful group of musicians and singers from the Nashville area chosen for the project. The Yuletide Jazz Ensemble includes Annie Sellick, Jana and Stephen Mougin, Aaron Till, Pat Bergeson, Todd Parks, Chris Brown, Joe Davidian, Ron Block and Sierra Hull.

A year in the making, “That’s What I Love About Christmas” is one of the coolest project have ever been a part of. Truth be told I was not even planning on recording another Christmas record for a few more years. This was truly an album of destiny. Here is how it all unfolded. In the winter of 2013 I asked Stephen to demo a couple of my Christmas songs to add to my song demo catalog. After hearing the tunes he said they might sound really nice in a jazz setting. Stephen knew some really good players in the Nashville jazz scene…so I said why not give it a shot.

He then set up a session with jazz guitarist Pat Bergeson, bassist Todd Parks, drummer Chris Brown and Stephen would handle the lead vocals. Had no idea what they would sound like, but when I listened to the completed demos I almost fell off my chair. They were fantastic!

A couple weeks later I asked Stephen about the possibility if recording a full album with that same Jazz feel…he was all for it. Had to do some re-writing and re-arranging but came up with enough material to make it all work. The album was recorded pretty much live in three separate sessions. The harmony and background vocals were added later. A.J. Schubert took a lot of great photos during the recording sessions as well as filming two music videos. Can’t wait for you to here this new Christmas album. Will have more info as the release gets closer.

Rick Lang Biography:

A native of New Hampshire, songwriter Rick Lang has had well over sixty of his songs recorded and performed by a variety of well-known national and regional Bluegrass Bands over the last twenty five years including… Front Range, Southern Rail, Paul Adkins and the Borderline Band, The Lonesome River Band, and 111rd Tyme Out…. among many others. His composition “Listen To The Word Of God” appeared on the Lonesome River Band's critically acclaimed Carrying The Tradition recording, which was awarded IBMA album of the year in 1992. Another of his songs “Sing Praises To The King” appeared on Front Range's One Beautiful Day album, which was voted best Gospel recording of the year by the IBMA in 1995.

In 1991 Rick Released his first studio recording “Out Where The Wildflowers Grow” featuring twelve of his original compositions. Joining him on the project were veteran musicians Bob Dick, Roger Williams and Dave Dick. In Bluegrass Unlimited, an album reviewer proclaimed… “This is a very important and worthwhile release. We have here a new and exciting voice…one very deserving to be heard.” 

In 2003 Rick Lang & Friends (featuring Bob Dick, Dave Dick, Roger Williams and Karen Lincoln) released “The Season Of My Heart”, a collection of 13 original Christmas/Seasonal songs penned by Rick which received great reviews as well as extensive radio airplay in the US and abroad. “This is a beautiful project unlike any I’ve ever heard before…full of good cheer and some wonderful sentiments. Finally, someone does an all-Christmas project right. Well Done!” Dave Higgs – “Bluegrass Breakdown” - Nashville Public Radio. “The Season Of My Heart” was voted one of the top 25 albums of the year by a national Folk Radio Survey. 

In the spring of 1996, Rick Lang And Friends produced A Tribute to the 100th Anniversary of the Boston Marathon featuring two of Rick's songs written to pay tribute to the history of the Boston Marathon... “Running For The Glory” and “Heartbreak Hill”. Both songs received heavy radio airplay throughout New England prior to the event, and “Running For The Glory” was also featured (including a music video of the performance) on a TV special entitled "A Century Of Running" that aired on a major Boston television network. 

In 1997, in another collaborative effort, Rick Lang and Friends wrote and produced “First Night”, a tribute to the relatively new, and increasingly popular First Night tradition and were invited to perform the song at the opening ceremony at First Night Worcester Massachusetts that same year. Their recorded version of the song is currently being used to help promote First Night programs all across the United States and Canada.

In the winter of 2010 Rick signed his first record deal as an artist on the Rural Rhythm Record Label. Based in California, Rural Rhythm’s music genres include Bluegrass, Roots, Americana, Country and recently launched Rural Rhythm Christian to branch out into Christian & Gospel music. Rural Rhythm Records is owned by the Passamano family who are very well respected in the music industry.

Rick’s first ever All-Gospel recording “Look To The Light” was release d on Rural Rhythm Christian in May of 2010. The album includes 14 original spiritual songs all penned by Rick. Produced by Jesse Brock and John Miller, “Look To The Light” features performances by some of Bluegrass Music’s finest singers and musicians including: Russell Moore, Dale Ann Bradley, Barry Scott, Junior Sisk, Michael Cleveland, Ron Stewart, Roger Williams and Wyatt Rice. Terry Herd form the Bluegrass Radio Network offers: “Look To The Light" is more than a great gospel album, it's a tour de force of bluegrass's finest, coupled with heartfelt songs from the pen of preeminent bluegrass gospel songwriter Rick Lang. A must have." " Look To The Light” was nominated for GMA Dove Award and an IBMA Award for Gospel Recorded performance of the year.

In November 2011 Rick released his first Christmas single “Little Did They Know” on the Rural Rhythm Christian label. Penned by Rick the song was produced by Stephen Mougin and features Jana Mougin on lead vocals with a great supporting cast including Melonie Cannon and Randy Kohrs. 

In addition, Rick has written songs and jingles for Bluegrass festival promoters, done freelance writing for Bluegrass Unlimited magazines. Rick is currently a member of the IBMA songwriting committee and continues to perform his songs at music venues in the New England area as well as conducting songwriting workshops. 

www.ricklangmusic.com

www.jazzpromoservices.com