- January 29, 2009 -
Review by:
Bob Barden, Host - Good-Tyme Bluegrass Show, 91.9 WFSS, Fayetteville, NC

"What Barney Rogers and Russell Johnson have created with
this new project is truly a work of genius from the opening tune
til the last one. Every year, our show receives multiple new
projects that have the Civil War as their theme, and every
year most of these end up in the "Do Not Play" pile because the
sender didn't notice that our show is about Bluegrass and
only Bluegrass. When The Bands Played is the ONLY project I
can remember getting that is indeed 100% about the CivilWar
(A still hotly debated topic in our neck of the woods) and 100%
Bluegrass (still the favorite music of the Southland). The project
showcases expressive, insightful songwriting, while the vocals and
instrumentation coaxes the highest standard of musicality and
professionalism of any Bluegrass group performing today. Well
done Rogers & Johnson, I'm proud to have a copy of this project and
you can count on having it played on our show for many years to come. "


- January 29, 2009 -
Review by:
George McKnight, Host producer- Banks of the Ohio and Uptown Bluegrass radio

"A whole CD of songs and tunes about the American Civil War…but
definitely not what one may think it is. 13 selections are quite
decidedly about the people of the Civil War, in original tunes written and
recorded by Russell Johnson, mandolin & vocals and Barney Rogers, banjo
and vocals. Their interest in a pivotal event of American history goes
back to childhood when they listened to the stories about the war from
family and friends. They spent 4 years in research through 10 states, looking
for the dramatic events, lesser known stories and personal family histories
as inspiration for the project. Songs of note include “When the Bands
Played” where the soldiers on both sides sang the same song on a silent
battlefield at Christmas, “Angel in Gray” the story of a person who
constantly ministered to the wounded soldiers, “Mandy Play Your
Mandolin” the plaintive cry of a heartbroken soldier and much more.
The rest of the band is Steven Martin - guitar, Lloyd Herring - bass,
Stephen Fraleigh - fiddle, Rick Keen - resophonic guitar and vocal assists
from Scott McBride and Cassie Garner. “When the Bands Played” is
a terrific collection of original, inspired tunes; a great addition to
any music collection."


- January 4, 2009 -
"When The Bands Played" received 3.5 out of 4 stars from The News & Observer
Lifestyles Correspondent, Jack Bernhardt. Click on one of the links below to read
the full review.

News & Observer online

Downloadable PDF copy


- January 1, 2009 -
"When The Bands Played" distributed to radio stations nationwide.