Rick Lang is a songwriter in demand these days. He’s been writing songs in bluegrass for decades and has been recorded by over one hundred artists during that span. In our interview, he seems genuinely in awe of his good fortune; repeatedly and humbly deflecting attention. But attention he’s getting. Recipient of most every award genre there is; Grammys, Dove Awards, IBMA’s, Gospel Awards. He’s been collaborating with other songwriters well before “co-writing was cool”.

Born and raised in South Eastern coastal NH, he started regionally with New England musicians but as his associations grew, more time in Nashville beckoned. His connections with Jerry Salley and Stephen Mougin have landed Rick some recording opportunities in Nashville. They have been very successful indeed. The 2018 release on Salley’s newly hatched Billy Blue Records “Gonna Sing Gonna Shout” won nominations from the IBMA and the Grammy’s.! An all star cast sing Rick Langs penned tunes.

Rick’s recent signing with Stephen Mougin’s Dark Shadows Records will result in a Fall release called “A Tale to Tell”; a batch of what Rick calls “story songs”. Our segment closes with his song based on the real life history of the Quabbin Reservoir in nearby Western Massachusetts called “Lost Town”. This is the first single from the forthcoming album.

Our conversation touches many topics from the impact of living in New Hampshire, his work on a tribute to the Boston Marathon, his New England coastal ocean album called “Undertow”, his recording of the bluegrass gospel “Gonna Sing Gonna Shout” and his experience at the Grammy Awards. We talk songwriting as well. The value of authentic experience in creating great songs is explored. But of course, there are the songs! We begin with “Gonna Sing” with the vocal work of Claire Lynch as well as the Marathon anthem, “Running for the Glory”. The segment finishes with his latest release, “Lost Town”.

Rick Lang still exhibits the awe of the songwriting process which probably explains his longevity and continued success .He was a joy to chat with and I could have spent the full two hours with him telling stories and tracing his successful musical and personal journey. Give the segment a listen.