A Fresh Bluegrass Take on Classic Rock Legends
CMH Records has just released Pickin’ On The Doors, the newest entry in their acclaimed Pickin’ On Series. This series, known for its bluegrass renditions of influential artists, has been a beloved staple for over 30 years with more than 80 albums.
On June 28, Alabama-based bluegrass quartet Iron Horse brought their unique sound to one of the most iconic bands of the 1960s, The Doors.
Pickin’ On The Doors is available now on CD and digital platforms: Listen Here
Cover for Pickin’ On The Doors
Iron Horse, featuring Ricky Rogers (bass, baritone vocals), Tony Robertson (mandolin, harmony vocals, lead vocals on “Bird of Prey”), Vance Henry (guitar, lead & harmony vocals), and Anthony Richardson (banjo, harmony vocals), has been the primary recording artist for the Pickin’ On Series since 2003.
The band is known for their incredible musicianship, precise picking, rich harmonies, and creative arrangements that put a new spin on classic tracks.
On Pickin’ On The Doors, Iron Horse reimagines twelve fan-favorite songs by The Doors in a bluegrass style. From “Break On Through (To the Other Side)” and “Love Her Madly” to “L.A. Woman” and “Roadhouse Blues,” the band brings a refreshing lightness and joy to these legendary rock tunes.
The Doors, formed in 1965, were a significant force in the counterculture movement, known for their groundbreaking music and provocative lyrics. Although their career lasted only eight years, they produced numerous hits and achieved eight consecutive Gold-certified LPs, selling over 100 million records worldwide. Pickin’ On The Doors pays tribute to their enduring legacy with a unique bluegrass twist.
Before the album’s release, singles like “Break On Through (To the Other Side)” and “Riders on the Storm” offered a preview of what was to come. These songs, along with the focus track “Love Her Madly,” are also available in Dolby Atmos, providing a richer, more immersive sound experience—a first for the Pickin’ On Series.
Watch/Listen to “Break On Through (To the Other Side)” on YouTube
Reflecting on the project, Iron Horse’s Tony Robertson shared, “It’s been a minute since we started working on this project of The Doors songs, but after stepping away from it for a bit and now giving it a fresh listen, I’m thinking, ‘we should have done this project sooner.’ Their great songs just fell right into that bluegrass genre and made themselves at home. It was awesome for us to have the opportunity to work with such great material and present it this way…thanks to CMH.”
Early reviews have praised the album. John Apice of Americana Highways said, “It’s obvious these players know how to take an original recipe and add some corn liquor to it. The virtuosity is flawless, and each application is respectful of the original compositions… Music can amazingly shape itself into anything in the hands of experts. Iron Horse is such a band.”
The Pickin’ On Series began modestly in 1993 with Pickin’ On the Movies and quickly gained popularity with tributes to The Beatles and Eagles. By 1997, the series had become a favorite among bluegrass fans. It has continued to thrive by blending traditional bluegrass with popular music, always ready to create innovative interpretations.
Recent releases featuring Iron Horse, such as Pickin’ On Pearl Jam and Pickin’ On Nirvana, have been well-received, earning coverage from Rolling Stone, Brooklyn Vegan, and Uproxx. Albums like Pickin’ On Modest Mouse and Fade to Bluegrass: The Bluegrass Tribute to Metallica have even charted on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart.
The series has also garnered retrospective coverage from outlets like the Los Angeles Times and No Depression, and it boasts 170,000 monthly listeners and over 90,000 followers on Spotify. Songs from the Pickin’ On Series have been featured in popular TV shows such as Revolution and HBO’s True Blood.
Other artists who have been given the Pickin’ On treatment include the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, the Allman Brothers Band, Coldplay, The Black Keys, Jack White, The Killers, and many more.
Track Listing for Pickin’ On The Doors:
- Break On Through (To the Other Side)
- Love Her Madly
- Roadhouse Blues
- Hello, I Love You
- L.A. Woman
- Love Me Two Times
- People Are Strange
- Love Street
- Strange Days
- Touch Me
- Bird of Prey
- Riders on the Storm
Photo credit: Iron Horse
About CMH Records:
Founded in 1975 by Martin Haerle, CMH Records has released albums by artists who have had a monumental influence on American roots music. The label’s catalog includes essential recordings by bluegrass, old-time, and traditional country legends like Merle Travis, The Osborne Brothers, and Wanda Jackson. Today, CMH Records remains a family-run business, managed by Martin’s son, David Haerle, and continues to produce music that celebrates both heritage and innovation.
CMH Records is known for its commitment to honest music and creative diversification, a philosophy that is evident in its ongoing Pickin’ On Series. This series transforms contemporary songs into bluegrass classics, resonating with fans across generations and solidifying CMH Records’ place in the music industry.
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For more information on CMH Records, contact:
Falcon Publicity
Angela Moreno / amoreno@falconpublicity.com
Alexandra Greenberg / agreenberg@falconpublicity.com
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Last modified: August 26, 2024
