The Late Audie Blaylock is Honored in Song

On January 10, 2024 lifelong bluegrass singer and bandleader, Audie Blaylock passed away unexpectedly at his home in Auburn, Indiana at just 61 years old. Blaylock's final role was lead singer and guitarist with his own band, Redline. On the first anniversary of Blaylock's passing, a very special song will be released to fans and radio.

In the wake of Blaylock's passing, Reed Jones, bassist and primary songwriter with Redline, and a close friend of Audie's, shared memories with Bluegrass Today. "Audie was a very passionate person, and once you were his friend, you were in for good. Extremely loyal. Over the course of the past 13 years, Audie became like a brother to me. Traveling together, you form a very special bond," Jones said. "Most bands tend to have a revolving door with personnel, but Redline has had a core that stayed. Audie called it a brotherhood."

The bonds formed by members of Audie's band remain a testament to the clarity of Audie's musical vision, his relentless pursuit of excellence, and his complete love and acceptance of those he allowed in his close circle of bandmates and friends. 

Now, the brotherhood has found a way to honor their lost leader and work toward healing from loss with an original song crafted by Reed Jones. "Ran Out of Road" was inspired by what appeared to be a posthumous Audie sighting. "It was like he was reminding me that he was still right there with me," Jones says. "And I know he is. This song was written for me, my Redline brothers, and everyone who has experienced the pain of losing a loved one.  Each of those groups gets a part of this song, and I hear Audie all over it."

Jones reached out to the brotherhood of former Redline members for this very special collaborative song, which will be released on the anniversary of Blaylock's passing, January 10, 2025. Appearing on the track are Patrick McAvinue (fiddle and mandolin), Evan Ward (banjo), Russ Carson (banjo), Mason Wright (fiddle), and Darren Nicholson (baritone vocal). Reed Jones plays Audie's own guitar and provides bass and lead vocals for the song. A musical visionary and teacher, Audie's influence provided a powerful foundation for growth and advancement for those who played with him. McAnivue went on to play for Dailey & Vincent, and then the US Navy Band. Russ Carson moved on to Ricky Skaggs' Kentucky Thunder. All who played with Redline were touched by Blaylock's mentorship, and those friendships, Jones says, remain a lifelong bond.

Special guests on "Ran Out of Road" are Harry Stinson on snare and Vince Gill with tenor vocals.

Blaylock was a veteran of the genre who dedicated the bulk of his adult life to bluegrass. In 2004, he released the Grammy-nominated A Tribute To Jimmy Martin: The King of Bluegrass. In 2011, he released the highly praised I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky: The Tribute to Bill Monroe, showcasing his commitment to traditional first-generation sounds of bluegrass music. He played with many of the greats including Red Allen, Jimmy Martin, Lynn Morris, and Rhonda Vincent before forming and fronting Redline. He continued to work with some of the finest talents in bluegrass, such as Del McCoury, Michael Cleveland, Bobby Osborne, and JD Crowe. 

Blaylock, who also happened to have a passion for vintage automobiles, chose a perfect name for his band. He had a clear vision for his sound involving an occasional glance in the rearview mirror, but with a heavy foot planted on the accelerator, driving his sound firmly into the future. He demanded that his music be played with passion and precision.

He could be intense, opinionated and driven, but always sensitive. Never content in the passenger's seat, once he took the steering wheel into his own hands, he charted a unique course with a distinct sound. Redline earned International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) nominations and awards including Instrumental Group of the Year, Guitar Player of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and a Grammy nomination.  

The band released six albums, traveled to three continents, and nearly two dozen countries.  Blaylock was an innovative writer, composer, arranger and devoted student of the genre he so passionately loved.  

 

 

 

Tags : audie blaylock redline Reed Jones