Donna Ulisse

Donna's new CD ships to radio!

"An Easy Climb" marks the fourth venture into the studio by Donna and her producer guitarist Keith Sewell and they have once again proven that they are a team with chemistry knowing how to deliver a top notch bluegrass/acoustic project. With Ulisse supplying the remarkable original material that sets her apart from so many other artists in her genre and powerful yet sensitive vocals and Sewell leading a stellar group of musicians with the perfect arrangements for Ulisse's compositions, it makes a truly winning combination. Once again, Ulisse treats us to songs that are born of many of her family and personal relationships; and like a great painter would observe life around them and put it on canvas, she does the same by putting what she observes into the songs she writes and sings. With "Hand Me Down Home" she sings about the land in the Clinch Mountains of Virginia where her husband, Rick Stanley and his family hail from. The song references how the family homestead became more like a family heirloom after the passing of her father-in-law a few years ago. "Banks of Roane River" is a tender ballad about her own great-grandmother who lived a hard life working on a farm and raising fourteen children. "Where The Cold Wind Blows" was written after learning her niece's young husband was being deployed to Afghanistan and thinking about all the soldiers who go and never return. There are some romping fun tracks also like the opening song "Let It Rain" that is a real barn-barner it goes so fast!

Musicians on An Easy Climb:

Musicans: Acoustic Guitar/Keith Sewell

Banjo/Scott Vestal

Dobro/Rob Ickes

Upright Bass/Viktor Krauss

Mandolin and Fiddle/Andy Leftwich

Harmony Vocals: Keith Sewell, Rick Stanley, Greg Davis, Tony King, Jon Martin

Read what Dennis Jones of WNCW-FM in Spindale, North Carolina had to say about the CD:

"I 'met" Donna Ulisse originally through her CD "When I Look Back" . I didn't have much info on her or even know how to pronounce her last name. I did know I fell in love with her songs and voice, and that every time I played a track the phone in the studio rang with someone wanting to know "Who just sang that song". I've since watched Donna grow into a world class Bluegrass Artist and had the great honor of working with her and The Poor Mountain Boys. With "Let It Rain" Donna continues to show why she is one of best songwriters ever to approach Bluegrass. Her sense of tradition, home, love, Faith, family, good and bad times are brought to life through words and melody that transport the listener to those places she sings about. It's the very Heart and Soul of Bluegrass she breathes and with the production work of Keith Swell the music of this project reaches that perfect blend of Contemporary and Traditional. From the High Lonesome sounds of "Lonesome Without You" to the stunning tribute to our Service men and women and their families "Where The Cold Wind Blows" or the solid groove of "Hand Me Down Home" to the jumping track "Let It Rain" this is going to be easily one of the top 10 releases of 2011.

Dennis Jones

Host:"Goin' Across The Mountain and The Gospel Truth"

WNCW-FM Spindale N.C.

The CD can be bought right here on Donna's website Bandbox by clicking here