Available now: 
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/divided-united-songs-civil/id720936196
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Divided-United-The-Songs-Civil/dp/B00EIGQKE2

32 fresh interpretations of Civil War songs from a collection of artists who span genres and generations.

ATO Records and music supervisor Randall Poster ('Moonrise Kingdom,' 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Rave on Buddy Holly') have joined forces to release 'Divided & United,' a two-disc set of Civil War songs brought to life through fresh interpretations by the pioneers, Hall of Famers and rising young stars of country, bluegrass, folk and beyond. The collection celebrates music deeply vital to the history and spirit of America in tribute to the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Each song offers a unique window on the past, with themes exploring race, identity and reconciliation in a manner that echoes profoundly today.

The tremendous talents on 'Divided & United' span several generations and genres. Combined they have won close to 200 GRAMMY Awards, numerous Country Music Awards and include Rock And Roll Hall of Famers, Country Music Hall of Famers and Bluegrass Hall of Famers.

The songs represent hope and loss, camaraderie and compassion, and the distinct voices of the North and South; born out of the specific battles and turning points, sentimental, parlor songs and spirituals of the period, songs that soldiers brought into battle with them, abolition and minstrel songs, and more.



Chris Stapleton "Two Brothers"

Living The Dream

Written by Arlo McKinley. Arlo McKinley-Vocals,Acoustic Guitar; Sarah Davis-Vocals,Piano; Kelly Thomas-Vocals; Silvia Mitchell-Harp; Zac Roe-Electric Guitar; Tyler Lockard-Upright Bass; Brian Pumphrey-Drums. Executive Producer-Kelly Thomas. Recorded at The Southgate House Revival by Brian Jester and Elton Clifton. Mixed and Mastered at JCR Studio by Brian Jester II

Dark Side Of The Street (Unofficial Release)

Long Hot Summer Days - Turnpike Troubadours

In Texas, biologists have documented an extraordinary bird — the natural hybrid offspring of a green jay and a blue jay. it's the first observed vertebrate that's hybridized as a result of two species both expanding their ranges due, at least in part, to climate change.  I wrote a song about it I call "Hybrid Jay"



(Verse 1)
In a Texas backyard, where the sun burns so wide,
A curious bird took its wings for a ride.
With a mask of deep black and a chest pure as snow,
A green jay and blue jay let their love freely grow.

From jungles and forests, their paths long apart,
Seven million years couldn't still their wild heart.
Climate's a-shifting, their ranges entwine,
In San Antonio's glow, their stars would align.

(Chorus)
Hybrid jay, soaring through the sky,
A feathered surprise where two worlds unify.
Green and blue, a blend so rare,
Dancing in the Texas air.
Hybrid jay, you're one of a kind,
A sign of the times in this heart of mine.

(Verse 2)
A birder's sharp gaze caught your hues so unique,
Shared on the web, gave the scholars a peek.
Brian Stokes raced with a net in his grip,
To find you, rare bird, on that warm Texas trip.

Mist nets were strung, but you danced out of reach,
Till fate brought you near in that yard's quiet breach.
A drop of your blood spoke of lineage true,
Green jay mama, blue jay dad, born in the blue.

(Chorus)
Hybrid jay, soaring through the sky,
A feathered surprise where two worlds unify.
Green and blue, a blend so rare,
Dancing in the Texas air.
Hybrid jay, you're one of a kind,
A sign of the times in this heart of mine.

(Bridge)
Climate's turning, borders blurring, walls fade away,
Tropical and temperate join in a bold new display.
You're the first, oh creature, born of change's embrace,
A winged marvel, rewriting nature's old space.

(Verse 3)
No name like the grolar or coywolf you bear,
Yet your tale soars high in the Gulf's salty air.
From a Texas backyard to the journals of lore,
Your hybrid spark lights up science's core.

So glide, little jay, with your colors so grand,
A story of worlds woven tight in your band.
The future's unknown, but your wings pave the trail,
A hybrid of hope where old boundaries fail.

(Chorus)
Hybrid jay, soaring through the sky,
A feathered surprise where two worlds unify.
Green and blue, a blend so rare,
Dancing in the Texas air.
Hybrid jay, you're one of a kind,
A sign of the times in this heart of mine.

(Outro)
Here's to the jay, with a song in its flight,
A child of the earth, blending day with the night.
In a Texas backyard, where the tale came alive,
The hybrid jay soars, where two worlds thrive.


