Today marks the release of Pickin’ On The Doors, the latest addition to CMH Records’ celebrated Pickin’ On Series. With over three decades and 80 albums under its belt, the series continues to charm audiences by reimagining the works of legendary artists through a bluegrass lens. This time, the Alabama bluegrass quartet Iron Horse turns their attention to The Doors, one of the most influential bands of the 60s.
Pickin’ On The Doors, featuring Iron Horse, is now available on CD and digital platforms: https://lnk.to/L8i5n8.
Iron Horse: Masters of Bluegrass Interpretations
Since 2003, Iron Horse has been at the forefront of the Pickin’ On Series, bringing their extraordinary musicianship and innovative arrangements to each project. The band, composed of Ricky Rogers (bass, baritone vocals), Tony Robertson (mandolin, harmony vocals, lead vocals on “Bird of Prey”), Vance Henry (guitar, lead and harmony vocals), and Anthony Richardson (banjo, harmony vocals), has a knack for infusing classic rock songs with a fresh bluegrass spirit.
On Pickin’ On The Doors, Iron Horse tackles twelve of The Doors’ iconic tracks, transforming them into lively bluegrass renditions. From “Break On Through (To the Other Side)” and “Love Her Madly” to “L.A. Woman” and “Roadhouse Blues,” the band adds a charming lightness and joy to the original compositions.
A Legacy of Musical Innovation
The Doors, formed in 1965, were a defining force of the 60s counterculture, producing eight consecutive gold-certified LPs and selling over 100 million records worldwide. Their influence on music is immeasurable, making them a perfect subject for Iron Horse’s bluegrass reinterpretations.
Ahead of the album’s release, Iron Horse shared singles “Break On Through (To the Other Side)” and “Riders on the Storm,” offering a preview of the full project. These tracks, along with the focus track “Love Her Madly,” are also available in Dolby Atmos, delivering an immersive listening experience—a first for the Pickin’ On Series.
Watch/Listen to “Break On Through (To the Other Side)”
A New Take on Timeless Classics
Iron Horse’s Tony Robertson reflects on the project: “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. ‘Break On Through’ has all the grit and energy you can possibly fit into a three-and-a-half-minute song. You can feel the determination in the writer to just spew out every emotion he’s feeling and drive his story right into your soul. It was awesome for us to have the opportunity to work with such great material and present it this way…thanks to CMH.”
Critical Acclaim
Early reviews have praised Pickin’ On The Doors. Americana Highways writer John Apice notes, “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 Tradition
The Pickin’ On Series began in 1993 with Pickin’ On the Movies. By 1997, tributes to The Beatles and Eagles had propelled the series into the spotlight. Recent releases, including Pickin’ On Pearl Jam and Pickin’ On Nirvana, received acclaim from Rolling Stone, Brooklyn Vegan, and Uproxx. The series has also charted on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart with Pickin’ On Modest Mouse and Fade to Bluegrass: The Bluegrass Tribute to Metallica. With 170,000 monthly listeners and over 90,000 followers on Spotify, the series shows no signs of slowing down.
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
About CMH Records
Founded in 1975 by Martin Haerle, CMH Records has been a cornerstone of American roots music, releasing essential recordings by legends like Merle Travis, The Osborne Brothers, and Wanda Jackson. The label continues to thrive under the leadership of Martin’s son, David, maintaining a strong commitment to honest music and creative diversification. The Pickin’ On Series exemplifies this spirit, breathing new life into classic hits through the unique lens of bluegrass.
Explore the rich legacy of CMH Records and the innovative interpretations of the Pickin’ On Series with Pickin’ On The Doors, out now.
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