"This is a top-notch bluegrass band, an Alison Krauss on high-octane gas. While some of the songs (Country Strong, Seven Miles to Wichita come to mind) wouldn't feel out of place on a say, a Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride or even Faith Hill album, this is a kick-tail bluegrass band with incredible instrumentalists on fiddle, banjo, dobro and mandolin. All led by Hassler's sweet and strong classic country voice." - Mac McDonald, Monterey, CA - The Herald
"Holy smoke! Hassler's latest-no-holds-bared release demonstrates remarkable talent. From her blistering arrangement of "One Way Track To Nowhere" to an affective "Turn The Page," Hassler is at the top of her game." - Bob Mitchell, Radio Bluegrass International
“Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain’s new CD is probably the best that I've heard this year, from a stunning debut to a super sounding sophomore disc. Carrie Hassler is the Carrie Underwood of bluegrass. Great material, a label willing to put out the money to get a really super sounding disc, real refreshment.” Jim Moulton - CountryStarsOnline
"Better buckle your seat belts before light hits byte on this set, her debut was no fluke. Whether she was holding back or just honed her chops more with 2 years of road work, Hassler is the future of bluegrass. With playing and singing that can easily rival the great ladies at the fore of the form these days, Hassler doesn’t need to elbow them aside as the drive, passion and pure musicality puts her toe to toe with them. Firmly establishing herself as a front runner, this is not polite bluegrass, this is a high octane excursion that opens the ears and gets the blood flowing. Hot stuff." Midwestrecord.com
“The CCH2 CD is 1 of the BEST OF THE YEAR. Everyone I talk with that has heard anything from it loves it.” – Bryan Dietz, Bluegrass MidAmerica Radio
“Energetic and crisp, CHHR 2 is a hard-driving bluegrass album that showcases one of the most talented and imaginative sets of musicians in the genre today.” The9513.com
Influences
Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, J.D. Crowe, Tony Rice, The Jerry Douglas, Allison Krauss, Lonesome River Band, "Old" Lou Reid and Carolina, Doyle Lawson, Scott Vestal, Blue Highway, Barry Bales, Dan Tyminski, Mountain Heart, Ronnie Bowman, The Stanley Brothers, Alan Bibey, Stevie Ray Vaughn, System of The Down, Evanescence, Most of all....The Bluegrass Album Band, Ron Block, George Jones, Tim Stafford, Stuart Duncan, Jimmy VanCleve, Vince Gill,Etta James,Patsy Cline,Sonya Issaacs, and of course,Dolly Parton!!!
Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain’s highly entertaining performances along with a mega chart topping album has made them one of the fastest rising stars in acoustic music. Carrie’s incredible lead vocals backed by some of the hottest young musicians in bluegrass music, have garnered the band 1 albums and 1 singles on a variety of outlets around the world. Carrie has been featured on the cover of Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine, was honored by her hometown of Pikeville, TN where the Mayor presented her with the Key to the City and proclaimed “Carrie Hassler Day,” among many other honors and recognitions in recent years.
The group jumped on the scene late in 2006 with the release of their self-titled album on Rural Rhythm Records produced by Jim VanCleve of the band Mountain Heart. The CD was an immediate success debuting at 11 on Billboard Top Bluegrass Top Album Chart (retail sales) and spending nine months in 2007 on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Survey Top 15 Album Chart (airplay).
Just over a month after the initial album release, the single “Seven Miles From Wichita” hit the 1 spot on Sirius Radio’s Bluegrass Top 40 and went on to spend 10 months on the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Single Chart and was also a crossover in country radio as well. While that single was still charting, another single, “Going on the Next Train,” hit the same chart and appeared until January 2008. Yet another track, the gospel bluegrass song “Least That I Can Do” spent a year on Bluegrass Now Magazine’s Gospel Truths Chart.
In 2008, Rural Rhythm Records released the band’s sophomore CD, CHHR2 again produced by Van Cleve. The album made its debut at 5 on Billboard’s Top 50 Bluegrass Chart (retail sales), climbed the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 15 Album Chart and many more. The first single, “I Can Go Back Anytime” hit 1 on the May 2009 Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 with the second single, Faith & Hope also hitting the 1 spot on Power Source Magazine’s Top 10 Bluegrass Songs. The Alzheimer’s themed tune, “Stranger in His Mind” recently won Strictly Country’s Country of the Year. But it doesn’t stop there, another single, “Country Strong” was released in the U.K. and hit the 1 spot on UK Radio.
Carrie has been influenced by a wide range of talents including Sheri Easter, a gospel singer who tinged her music with some bluegrass sounds; Etta James, Patsy Cline, Dale Ann Bradley and Alison Krauss. "To this day, I remember the people I looked up to and I hope to make the same kind of mark in lives as these women did in mine," said Carrie.
CARRIE HASSLER & HARD RAIN includes the talents of Carrie Hassler, Kevin McKinnon, Keith McKinnon, Travis Anderson, Jamie Harper and Zach Gilmer. Check out the band's website to see a listing of 2009 dates. We invite you to JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST to keep up-to-date!!!
Thanks for adding me. I'll keep an eye on your page and see what your up to. Please let me know when your buying merch and I'll help ya make it look sweet and at a great price...
Thanks so much and good luck! Bill Nishanian Music Imprints bill@musicimprints.com 615-829-6858
Met you guys in France on the walking tour of Le Puy..Wow! people in my part of the country dont know what real bluegrass is...you guys are so awesome.....my absolute favorites from the whole festival and that includes the band I was with...
