BAND BIO
Blue Moon Rising has topped the bluegrass charts for many years, so it is no surprise they have done it again with their new release, STRANGE NEW WORLD released on Rural Rhythm Records. The band is lead by the multi-talented guitarist and acclaimed songwriter, Chris West, who writes many of the band’s songs. His original tunes have become the signature sound of the group, including fan favorites: Time to be Movin' On, Living Water, The Hanging Tree, Crime I'm Guilty Of, The Old Time Preacher Man, Revival, He Arose, and so many more. Chris is joined Tony Mowell (bass and vocals); Brandon Bostic (mandolin, guitar, vocals); and Kris Rasnake (banjo.)
Blue Moon Rising garnered international recognition with the release of their third album, ON THE RISE (Lonesome Day Records) that proved to be a symbolic title for the group as the album debuted at #14 on the BILLBOARD Top 50 Bluegrass Chart in 2005. ON THE RISE received tremendous recognition including, but not limited to, "CMT.com Top 10 Bluegrass Albums" and "Gritz Magazine's Top Overall Albums” of 2005." The album spent ten months on Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine's Bluegrass National Survey Top 15 Album Chart and the single, “This Old Martin Box” spent the entire 2006 calendar year in the Top 30 Singles. IBMA members honored the group with a 2006 nomination for the IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year with band leader, Chris West performing in the 2006 IBMA Songwriter’s Showcase.
Fans had eagerly awaited their July 2008 release of their fourth album, ONE LONELY SHADOW (Lonesome Day Records) and were not disappointed. The album highlights the band’s ability to perform their original well-crafted bluegrass songs and also throwing in a few surprises to the mix.
With the release of STRANGE NEW WORLD late in 2010, Blue Moon Rising continues to impress the critics and fans with their talents and hit albums. The group has been chosen to perform as an official IBMA Showcase Artist at this year's International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass to be held in the Fall of 2011.
Simply put, this band has it all. They play well, sing well, and write well…Blue Moon Rising is the complete package.
band member bios
CHRIS WESTChris West began playing guitar, singing, and writing songs under the guidance of his uncle Tony Thomas at the age of 13. He credits Tony, The Knoxville Grass, The Country Gentlemen, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, and Larry Sparks as his earliest musical influences. Chris is one of the founding members of Blue Moon Rising and since the beginning, has played guitar and mandolin and has shared lead vocal duties with Keith. Additionally, Chris also sings a wide range of harmony vocals in the band and has written many of the band's original songs. Chris was recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Association by being invited to perform in their 2006 Songwriter Showcase and has had several of his songs recorded by other artists.
TONY MOWELLTony Mowell, bass player and vocalist for Blue Moon Rising, makes his home in Church Hill, TN. His love of bluegrass and acoustic music comes from growing up in east Tennessee, which is a hot bed for world-class musicians. His dad gave him his start when he was eleven years old by teaching him guitar and bass while his mother worked with him on harmony vocal parts. His love for the bass stemmed from his dad playing bass in bluegrass bands in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. He gained valuable experience by playing in various local and regional bands, while working on his own song writing. Tony credits Todd Phillips, Doyle Lawson, Tony Rice, Byron House, and Sam Bush as a few of his many influences.
BRANDON BOSTIC
Brandon Bostic of Milton, Florida, began playing guitar at age thirteen. Gaining an interest in bluegrass from his dad, Brandon soon began playing other instruments as well. Upon graduating from high school, Brandon began touring with Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike as the band’s guitar player, while also lending his talents on banjo and mandolin. After departing from the band in 2008, he continued his education at Middle Tennessee State University where he studies Business Administration. Sharing lead and baritone vocals, as well as playing mandolin and guitar, Brandon is excited to be a part of Blue Moon Rising and is looking forward to making great music with such a talented group.
KRIS RASNAKEKris Rasnake has lived in the heart of Stanley country in Southwestern Virginia all his life. He began learning to play banjo from his father at 10 years old. As a junior in high school, Kris got his first professional banjo gig with one of his heroes; the legendary Larry Sparks. Later in 2001, Kris spent some time with Ernie Thacker and Rt. 23. Most recently, Kris became a proud MBA graduate of King College in Bristol, TN with a specialization in finance. While admiring several professional musician, Kris credits local musical idols Jeff & Tony Brown, Jacky Ray, and the Hubbard Family along with his father as his primary influences. Kris is very excited about the future with Blue Moon Rising and looks forward to meeting fans of the band this year at shows.
