tag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:/blogs/band-blog?p=2Band Blog2019-05-07T02:02:30-04:00Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectionfalsetag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/49908352017-12-22T22:20:50-05:002024-03-01T22:03:21-05:00BLUEGRASS STANDARD Reviews “All I’ve Got”<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/229643/08a388fe291b44ddb41e042e3b1c5917318d9f73/original/98ed75b1-3e36-4d16-8b74-b1f18a715a7b.jpeg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectiontag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/49908332017-12-22T22:15:30-05:002023-12-27T05:41:23-05:00“Folks Like Me” Debuts on BLUEGRASS TODAY Chart<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/229643/ea2e40176b518080eb0e7954cb26464ca1b2e2b1/original/70a00487-1a04-4bc7-a44e-4a3454bf5550.jpeg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/229643/3a8671591dd897488f542bdab4ab2d70e879ab2b/original/0e7f4a57-3120-4769-8536-b9758a176644.jpeg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectiontag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/49908192017-12-22T22:07:14-05:002023-12-10T12:28:57-05:00MIKE BENTLEY – "ALL I’VE GOT" REVIEWED BY: DEVIN ADAMS <p>MIKE BENTLEY – "ALL I’VE GOT" REVIEWED BY: DEVIN ADAMS </p>
<p>Mike Bentley – "All I’ve Got" <br>Union House Records – 2017 <br>Reviewed By: Devin Adams </p>
<p>After ten years and three projects with Cumberland Cap Connection, Mike Bentley decided it was finally time to step out to try something new, something all his own. The time was right for a change of pace and the temptation to work with a different group of friends was too much to pass by. “All I’ve Got,” Bentley’s first solo project, and his first with Union House Records, is the result of that temptation. </p>
<p>The collection of friends Bentley has assembled is astounding including the likes of producer Alan Bibey, also on mandolin, Rob Ickes on Dobro and Justin Jenkins on banjo just to name a few. Vocally Bentley’s smooth baritone rings reminiscent of Keith Whitley and is joined in harmony by Ronnie Bowman and <br>Shawn Lane (also on fiddle) as well as Charli Robertson of Flatt Lonesome, who lends her voice on the beautifully sad duet “Someone Else.” </p>
<p>”All I’ve Got” is not only loaded with stellar musicians but with top songwriters as well, including The Mighty Cord, Larry Cordle and Larry Snell’s “Homeless,” a cleverly written metaphor about a lost love. Bentley delivers on a pair of Harley Allen tunes in “My Remains” and “Casualties Along the Way” with the latter showing off some tasty fiddle work from Lane. Bentley includes a pair of gospel songs as well with “What Are You Doing Here” and his own “In Your Love.” “Train,” written by Bowman and Tim Stafford, closes out “All I’ve Got” with a story about finally going home after chasing dreams and coming up empty. </p>
<p>The term “new traditional” was thrown around while brainstorming ideas for “All I’ve Got” and that is definitely a perfect description. Bentley and friends have created a highly satisfying project that rings a little bit traditional and a little bit modern that blends well in a mix of pure traditional and progressive bluegrass. Bentley struck gold with “All I’ve Got,” but he is sure to find more very soon.</p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectiontag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/47190072017-05-23T08:42:26-04:002023-12-10T13:38:06-05:00FIRST SINGLE FROM MIKE BENTLEY'S SOLO PROJECT DROPS TODAY <p>For Immediate release May 23, 2017</p>
<p>Initial excitement and praise for the first single from Mike Bentley's solo project ALL I'VE GOT, releasing on Union House Records, is spinning around the bluegrass industry and it couldn't be more well deserved. Bentley's effortless, silky tone that can achieve such a wide vocal range is one that bluegrass music is craving and about to receive in full force with this outstanding solo venture. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/229643/cf0c53c555e80da3c556a4f467460f6d023eab09/medium/cd-cover.png?1494862800" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Today, the first single, Someone Else, an emotional duet with one of bluegrass music's reigning sweethearts, Charli Robertson (Flatt Lonesome), is released to radio and for public download. We can all feel very blessed because this song is for lack of a better word, amazing. Not only does the single deliver us a unique duet which we so seldom get to enjoy in bluegrass music, but the vocals and arrangements are beyond impressive. In addition to the lead vocals from Mike and Charli, we enjoy a rich baritone from one of the songs writers, Ronnie Bowman, as well as Alan Bibey on mandolin, Wyatt Rice on guitar, Rob Ickes on Dobro and Jason Moore on bass. These boys are all masters with their instruments and it shows through and through on this stellar track. </p>
<p>The song, Someone Else was written by Ronnie Bowman, Wayne Taylor and Chris Harris. Wayne had this to say after listening to Mike's final recording: </p>
<p>"When you are part of the song writing process and you get something good, the first thing you start thinking about is the right artist for the song. Well, I think we found the perfect artist for this song. Mike has been one of my favorite vocalists for a long time, and the combination of Mike, Charli, Ronnie and Alan and all the great musicians on this record, I think it's a home run. Congrats my friend on a job well done." </p>
<p>The album, ALL I'VE GOT, is expected to be released in it's entirety this summer, and was produced by Alan Bibey, engineered by Wes Easter, and mixed and mastered by Greg Luck. That's a triple threat right there, ensuring a powerful project! </p>
<p>Radio programmers can download the single from AirPlay Direct now and it will also be available on popular digital download sites. </p>
<p>Vocalist/Guitarist, MIKE BENTLEY is from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, and was exposed to music and singing early on in life. He began singing at a very young age, and like many folks in the mountains, learned a lot from singing in church. Being raised in a hollow in Pike County, learning to sing and play bluegrass music seems only fitting. Mike is quick to tell anyone that his favorite singer is Keith Whitley, but he is also partial to singers such as Larry Sparks, Marty Raybon, George Jones, and so many others. His musical resume includes being a member of bands such as Dismal Pike, Allen Amburgey and the Kentucky Mountain Grass, and Ernie Thacker & Route 23, just to name a few. Mike writes a lot of original tunes and takes great pride in his songwriting, as well as his vocal and instrumental parts with the band. His songs have been recorded by some very familiar names in bluegrass, such as Grasstowne and Lou Reid and Carolina. Since beginning with Cumberland Gap Connection, Mike has continued to help define the band's sound with his vocal work and songwriting. Doing a solo project has been a life long dream of Mike's and he is very humbled to be joined by the talented musicians on the project as well as producer and good friend, Alan Bibey. He hopes you will enjoy ALL I'VE GOT as much as he did creating it with this amazing group of people. Keep up with Mike online at http://cumberlandgapconnection.com/.</p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectiontag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/47190032017-05-23T08:35:16-04:002023-12-10T11:49:48-05:00Mike Bentley introduces Someone Else with a video Posted on May 22, 2017 By John Lawless<p><strong>Posted on May 22, 2017 By John Lawless</strong></p>
<p>With his new solo project, All I’ve Got, Mike Bentley is making a pitch to be considered among the top male vocalists in bluegrass music. His rich baritone voice just oozes sincerity, and the songs he has chosen are perfect vehicles for his style of singing. </p>
<p>A single, being released tomorrow shows what Mike has to offer in a duet with Flatt Lonesome’s Charli Robertson. The song, Someone Else, was written by Ronnie Bowman with Wayne Taylor and Chris Harris, and both Mike and Charli let it all hang out with the vocal acrobatics. </p>
<p>Co-writer Taylor offers a big atta boy to Mike for the track… </p>
<p>“When you are part of the song writing process and you get something good, the first thing you start thinking about is the right artist for the song. Well, I think we found the perfect artist for this song. Mike has been one of my favorite vocalists for a long time, and the combination of Mike, Charli, Ronnie and Alan and all the great musicians on this record, I think it’s a home run. Congrats my friend on a job well done.” </p>
<p>Someone Else releases tomorrow as a single, and can be purchased from popular download sites at that time. Radio programmers can get the track now from Airplay Direct. </p>
<p>The full album, produced by Alan Bibey, is expected sometime in July.</p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectiontag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/47144302017-05-18T19:08:08-04:002024-03-26T01:24:15-04:00Mike Bentley solo project preview Posted on February 1, 2017 By John Lawless<p>Mike Bentley, lead singer with Cumberland Gap Connection, has released a preview video to give people a taste of his upcoming solo project for Union House Records. </p>
<p>He spent time in the studio last month with some top bluegrass session players, where he captured the video. Alan Bibey was on mandolin, Wyatt Rice on guitar, Jason Moore on bass, and Justin Jenkins on banjo. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/229643/3d3d0a5d1061531e5e3bfa699a7992e43a7b4ba9/medium/bentley.jpg?1495148814" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p>
<p>In the video you’ll hear bits of several different tracks in their unfinished state, and comments from Rice and Jenkins.</p>
<p>No word yet on a title or a release date, but from this preview it sounds like this will be on to watch for. </p>
<p>Keep an eye on the CGC web site or Mike’s Facebook page for further updates.</p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectiontag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/44735012016-11-18T12:08:32-05:002024-03-26T01:23:24-04:00I HEAR KENTUCKY CALLIN’ ME – NEW SINGLE FROM MIKE BENTLEY & CUMBERLAND GAP CONNECTION<p>NOVEMBER 1, 2016 | WILSONPICKINS<br><br>There’s news coming out of Union House Records this week as Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connection have released a new single from their March 2016, self titled album, “I Hear Kentucky Callin’ Me”, written by Robert C. Landes. The band has also just joined the ranks of the Wilson Pickins Promotions agency and looks forward to the future with this great support system behind them. </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Kb9xYJirO-4" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/Kb9xYJirO-4/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kb9xYJirO-4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>The East Kentucky based bluegrass band decided to add the song to the album because it had great arrangement possibilities, a happy feeling to it, and it was about Kentucky, which is where they were all from. The first single released from the album, “Truck Drivin’ “, charted on Bluegrass Today at #10 in February 2016. </p>
<p>This new, delightful single will no doubt please listeners with Bentley’s trademark smooth, paramount vocals describing a whimsical view of a past life in Kentucky and a desire to return to it. The worthy arrangement and strong, skillful instrumentation from the rest of the band, lend support to what should make for a popular new tune for the bluegrass radio audience. </p>
<p>Radio programmers can download the single or full album on AirPlay Direct, and the album is available for sale or download on the band website as well as the major digital retailers.</p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectiontag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/44734812016-11-18T12:01:16-05:002024-02-26T23:03:37-05:00Cumberland Gap Connection to Wilson Pickins | John Lawless | November 2, 2016<p>Wilson Pickins Bluegrass Promotions in Westminster, SC has announced the addition of Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connection to their roster. This fast-growing agency, managed by Melanie Wilson, has been extremely aggressive in 2016 and is making quite a name for themselves in bluegrass. </p>
<p>The Kentucky-based band features Bentley on guitar and lead vocals, Rod Smith on banjo, Matt Hiser on mandolin, and Jeff Smith on bass. </p>
<p>Bentley and the boys have also recently released a new single from their current CD. It’s I Hear Kentucky Calling Me written by Robert C. Landes, which you can hear in the video below.<br><br>READ MORE HERE: <a contents="http://bluegrasstoday.com/cumberland-gap-connection-to-wilson-pickins/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://bluegrasstoday.com/cumberland-gap-connection-to-wilson-pickins/" target="_blank">http://bluegrasstoday.com/cumberland-gap-connection-to-wilson-pickins/</a></p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectiontag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/44593672016-11-09T14:47:07-05:002024-03-26T01:22:17-04:00CGC on Sirius/XM's Track By Track with Kyle Cantrell<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/229643/ef736cd2806d474bee7aa637422e3cd0cf247c3c/original/index-element102.jpg?1478720784" class="size_orig justify_left border_" /><br>April 17, 2013 - CGC recently visited with Kyle Cantrell in the Sirius/XM studio in Nashville, TN, to record a Track By Track episode on Bluegrass Junction featuring "Another Song". The program airs today and we couldn't be more excited! Thanks to Kyle Cantrell for inviting us to be part of such a great program, it's a true honor!</p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectiontag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/44593362016-11-09T14:31:56-05:002024-03-26T01:24:16-04:00CGC Hits PowerGrass Radio Bluegrass Gospel Chart<p>April 1, 2013 - "He Keeps Me On The Narrow Way" is sitting at #3 on the PowerGrassRadio.com Bluegrass Gospel Chart for April 2013. Cumberland Gap Connection would like to thank everyone for their continuing support!</p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectiontag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/44591032016-11-09T11:45:44-05:002024-03-26T01:21:33-04:00Mountain Fever Records Releases "Another Song"<p>February 12, 2013 - Mountain Fever Records is very proud to announce the release of the fifth CD from Cumberland Gap Connection, "Another Song". The first single, "John Dig A Hole" was released to radio programmers in October and is currently enjoying success on several bluegrass charts. The entire project is now available to programmers on AirPlay Direct.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/229643/b41f6ef1117915b18986f4bf4337e1238d730366/small/anothersong.jpg?1478709975" class="size_s justify_right border_" /></p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connectiontag:www.cumberlandgapconnection.com,2005:Post/44590882016-11-09T11:11:35-05:002024-03-26T01:20:42-04:00"John Dig A Hole" Debuts at #2 on Bluegrass Today<p>December 7, 2012 - Released in October 2012, "John Dig A Hole" is the first release from Cumberland Gap Connection's upcoming project "Another Song". CGC would like to thank all of their fans as well as bluegrass radio for helping "John Dig A Hole" debut at #2 this week on Bluegrass Today!<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/229643/aeb7bb3072127e65f00cc00f48657ab732b184da/medium/bg-today.jpg?1478707862" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connection