Bluegrass dynamos, The Roys, have signed a production deal with ValCom Studios for a new, weekly music-driven variety show. Lee and Elaine Roy will appear and perform on the 30-minute show
titled, Roots And Music With The Roys, with the inaugural 13 episodes to be taped in Nashville early next year. The show has already been picked up by over 120 stations nationwide, landing The Roys a potential 40 million cable and broadcast household viewers. Vince Vellardita, CEO-President of ValCom Studios says, “Elaine and Lee are incredibly talented. There are no shows on the air like this one, and it’s the perfect vehicle to expand The Roys’ career.”
“Our mission has been to spread the ‘joy’ of Bluegrass, and this show will certainly help us bring this
iconic American musical style to many new listeners,” says Lee. The duo has enjoyed enormous success at radio and at retail, and Elaine calls the new show “an incredible opportunity.”
The episodes will be presented in true “variety” format, with each show including a performance by The Roys, humanitarian features, a festival
event highlight segment, plus a guest musical artist, interview, and a closing jam session. Roots And Music With The Roys will focus on Bluegrass and Acoustic Roots formats.
The Roys are uniquely qualified to act as ambassadors for their genre; the duo was recently named 2011 Inspirational Bluegrass Artist of the
Year at the ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards show, and were previously honored with the ICM’s Duo of the Year Award in 2010 and 2009. Their recent hit, “Coal Minin’ Man” rocketed up the Bluegrass charts, landing at #1 on Power Source’s Bluegrass Top 35 Chart, #1 on HotDiscInternational Top 40 Chart, #3 on Bluegrass Unlimited’s National Bluegrass Survey and #4 on Bluegrass Music Profiles’ Top 30 Singles Chart.
The Roys start 2012 with their first-ever shows in Australia:
01/25/2012 Tamworth, Australia / Tamworth
City Council Outdoor Show
01/26/2012 Tamworth, Australia / The Family Inn
01/27/2012 Tamworth, Australia / Tamworth Country
Music Festival, Toyota Stage
01/29/2012 Tamworth, Australia / Tamworth City
Council Outdoor Show
Following their return from Australia, The Roys will launch a busy U.S. touring
season, which includes festivals and fairs and co-hosting duties at the Christmas 4 Kids Celebrity Golf
Tournament with Tennessee Titans’ Rob Bironas in April.
Hall of Fame Inductees for 2011
Del McCoury
George Shuffler
Entertainer of the Year
Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
Vocal Group of the Year
The Gibson Brothers
Instrumental Group of the Year
The Boxcars
Male Vocalist of the Year
Russell Moore
Female Vocalist of the Year
Dale Ann Bradley
Emerging Artist of the Year
The Boxcars
Album of the Year
Help My Brother by The Gibson Brothers (artists), Eric & Leigh Gibson and Mike Barber (producers); Compass (label)
Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year
“Goin’ Up Dry Branch,” Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (artist), Buddy Spicher & Jimmy Martin (songwriters), Jeff White & Michael Cleveland (producers), Rounder (label)
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year
“Prayer Bells of Heaven” by J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, & Paul Williams (artists), Ben Isaacs (producer), Mountain Home (label)
Song of the Year
“Trains I Missed;” Balsam Range (artists); Walt Wilkins, Gilles Godard & Nicole Witt (songwriters)
Recorded Event of the Year
“Prayer Bells of Heaven” by J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson & Paul Williams (artists); Ben Isaacs (producer); Mountain Home (label)
Banjo Player of the Year
Kristin Scott Benson and Ron Stewart (tie)
Guitar Player of the Year
Bryan Sutton
Fiddle Player of the Year
Michael Cleveland
Bass Player of the Year
Marshall Wilborn
Mandolin Player of the Year
Adam Steffey
Dobro Player of the Year
Rob Ickes
Awards & Honors given at the Special Awards Luncheon Thursday afternoon.
Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients
Greg Cahill
Bill Knowlton
Lilly Pavlak
Geoff Stelling
Roland White
Broadcaster of the Year
Katy Daley
Print Media Person of the Year
Juli Thanki
Bluegrass Event of the Year
Silver Dollar City’s Bluegrass & BBQ Festival; Branson, Mo.
Best Graphic Design
Ricardo Alessio & Erica Harris (designer & artist), City of Refuge, Abigail Washburn (artist), Rounder (label)
Best Liner Notes
Colin Escott (writer), A Mother’s Prayer, Ralph Stanley (artist), Rebel (label)
source: ibma.org
