Tidalwave Road signs record deal, releases new EP

Williamsburg bluegrass band Tidalwave Road has been signed to Pinecastle Records, and the group has announced that its first radio single with the label will be “Time And Money.” The single is part of its EP, “The Bonfire Session,” which released on Wednesday, May 15.

“We all grew up listening to bluegrass music played on the porches of every house in every holler throughout Whitley County, Kentucky. Our love for the music runs deep and has been passed down through the generations,” the band wrote in a release.

“It is surreal for us to go from entering, and then winning, a band competition to recording music with Steve Wilson, hiring an agent and now signing with Pinecastle Records. We feel like we grew a whole new family and we commit to them and to our fans to continue to bring the same fire and passion to everything we have always done and then-some. We are so grateful for this opportunity!”

Tidalwave Road first formed in 2010. Its lineup since 2018 consists of members Ben Parker (banjo), Carlie Parker (mandolin), Daniel Parker (bass) and Robert Sulfridge (guitar), who all hail from Williamsburg.

The band gained national notoriety after winning the 2023 SamJam Festival Band Competition. As a result, they won three days at Pinecastle’s Bonfire Recording Studio, which is located in South Carolina.

During that time, they were able to fully complete an entire EP, which inspired the title. Almost immediately they caught the attention of Pinecastle Records with their unique sound.

“Time And Money” is a tune that was written by Ben Parker. The song explores the dynamics of a relationship where two people have different priorities. The lyrics are cleverly crafted, giving us a glimpse into the contrasting perspectives and struggles within the relationship.

The vocals and instrumentation are top-notch, adding an extra layer of power and emotion to the song. It’s one of those tracks that hooks you right from the start and keeps you captivated until the very end.

“We’re excited to welcome Tidalwave Road to the Pinecastle family,” said Pinecastle Records CEO Ethan Burkhardt. “They initially caught our attention when they were in our studio after winning the band competition at SamJam last year. They have a unique sound and we’re excited to introduce them to everyone in the national scene.”

The group is currently in the studio working on their debut project, set for release via Pinecastle Records. Just like the EP, the entire collection will be produced by industry veteran Steve Wilson(of Wilson Banjo Co.). They look to capture the magic from the previous session by bringing their one-of-a-kind sounds, which are heavily inspired by their Williamsburg roots. The group was recently named by Kentucky Country Music as one of their 2024 Kentucky Music Acts To Watch.