By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — For over two decades, singer/songwriter Daryl Mosley was a key member in several powerhouse bluegrass groups. Throughout the 90s he was the lead voice of the heralded group New Tradition. Then he joined the legendary Osborne Brothers in 2001, and remained until 2010. From there, he formed The Farm Hands, a group that became one of the genre’s most awarded acts, and doubled as a bassist as well as a vocalist.
But his latest venture truly puts Mosley’s outstanding writing skills and equally memorable voice in the spotlight.
“Small Town Dreamer” (Pinecastle), his second solo album, features 12 Mosley selections, and the lyrics and performances brilliantly celebrate virtues of small town life, country environments, and slices of life and culture that remain valuable, but often have been either replaced, abandoned or forgotten, A prime example of that is the single “Transistor Radio,” which highlights an experience those who grew up in that era will relish, hearing and becoming enamored with tunes coming from that source. That was also the LP’s lead single.
“I really enjoyed all the years I was in groups, but the thing about doing solo projects is that you can put your view, your vision, up front in the music,” Mosley told the Tribune last week. “These songs are very special to me because they reflect experiences and people from my background. I grew up with a mother who loved bluegrass and a father who loved country, and those are the two primary experiences that come together in my music, as well as gospel.”
“Small Town Dreamer” adeptly combines all these elements, from the spiritual fervor of “Mama’s Bible” and the poignant refrains of “The Way I Was Raised” and “The Last of His Kind,” a tremendous salute to working folks, as well as the lighter, but no less intense and enjoyable “Hillbilly Dust” and “Sing Me A Song About A Train.” There’s also a powerful and evocative number “The Waverly Train Disaster” that offers a valiant recounting of the 1978 derailment and explosion. Mosley gets superb harmony assistance throughout “Small Town Dreamer” from Jaelee Roberts and Jeanette Williams.
While some music veterans aren’t particular fans of current developments such as streaming or the Internet in general, Mosley cites both as vital parts of aiding his material. “I understand that you don’t see, especially immediately, the fruits of what you do with streaming the way that you did with having the physical product in record stores,” Mosley continued. “But streaming definitely helps get your music to the people. As for the Internet and social media, it’s a great way to keep in touch with the fans and to communicate directly with them. I certainly find social media very helpful in getting the music out and to more people. Sure, you want to sell records, but these days you need to use every thing available.
With “Transistor Radio” having gotten strong reaction and support across the board, with the video airing on CMT. Com, The Country Note, Americana Highways and Bluegrass Today, and the single getting extensive airplay on Siriux XM’s Bluegrass Junction channel, a second single from the LP has just been released. “Bringing Simple Back,” as well as “Transistor Radio” was co-written by Mosley with his longtime collaborator Rick Lang.
As is the case on every selection from “Small Town Dreamer,” it’s beautifully written and sung, and a wonderful reminder of Daryl Mosley’s excellence.
