Album Profile
Rick Bartley
Rick Bartley
PRODUCTION NOTES
The self-titled album Rick Bartley, released in 2003 on Lonesome Day Records (LDR 002), marks the inaugural release in a long-standing collaboration between label founder/producer Randall Deaton and multi-instrumentalist Ron Stewart. This 12-track project, approximately 34 minutes in length, introduced Kentucky singer-songwriter and guitarist Rick Bartley to a wider bluegrass audience with his warm, expressive tenor and original compositions rooted in traditional high-lonesome style, drawing on themes of rural life, family legacy, nostalgia, faith, and personal reflection through heartfelt ballads, upbeat drivers, and gospel-tinged numbers that evoke deep Appalachian authenticity.
Produced by Randall Deaton at Lonesome Day Studio in Booneville, Kentucky, the album features a clean, organic acoustic production that emphasizes crisp instrumentation, tight harmonies, and emotional sincerity—delivering a rootsy yet unadorned sound that lets Bartley’s storytelling and vocal delivery take center stage.
Standout tracks include the lively wanderer’s tale “I’m A Hobo (But That Don’t Mean A Thing)”, the family tribute “Live Like My Grandaddy”, spiritual highlights “Where Glory Can Be Found” and “Answered Prayers”, the nostalgic “Memories Of My Younger Days”, the classic country heartache “Walkin’ The Floor Over Me”, and the longing “How He’d Like To Go Back Now”. These originals mix driving rhythms with tender introspection for a cohesive, engaging listen.
Bartley leads on vocals and guitar, supported by a strong ensemble: Clay Hess on guitar, Shayne Bartley on mandolin, Harold Nixon on bass, and Ron Stewart on banjo and fiddle. Their precise picking, fluid fills, and seamless support create a tight, spirited band dynamic that enhances the material’s emotional depth.
Though released in the pre-digital streaming era (with a later 2010 reissue on platforms), Rick Bartley has garnered quiet praise from bluegrass fans for its tight musicianship and genuine old-school feel. As a foundational Lonesome Day release, it exemplifies the label’s commitment to authentic regional talent and set the tone for Deaton and Stewart’s enduring partnership on numerous subsequent projects.
TRACK LISTINGS
1. Ain't Gonna Cry Anymore
2. Fly Away
3. I'm A Hobo (But That Don't Mean A Thing)
4. Live Like My Grandaddy
5. Where Glory Can Be Found
6. Answered Prayers
7. Haunting Memories of the Past
8. Texas Heat
9. It's over Now
10. Memories Of My Younger Days
11. How He'd Like To Go Back Now
12. Walkin' The Floor Over Me
STREAM/PURCHASE
SOUND CLIPS
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