{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F566df167-beb0-4929-a53e-2e26b6522d1f","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"Flat River Band, Jingle Bells, Every Dog and Bruce Hilliard","description":"One thing is apparent when you listen to The Flat River Band. The trio, comprised of siblings Andy, Dennijo, and Chad Sitze, love to have fun when they are playing music \u2013 and it shows.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe have a blast,\u201d says Andy. I think that all bands, if they've been playing long enough with each other - they have a good time. Otherwise they wouldn't play together.\u201d Andy recognizes it could be the family ties they enjoy. \u201cI think we're able to dig each other to that point where well, maybe we've gone too far. But, at the same time, we know where that line is. It's enjoyable as long as everybody knows where the lines are at.\u201d\r\n\r\nThis bond has carried the success of the band throughout the years as the trio has opened for the Dixie Chicks\u2019 Natalie Maines, Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, TG Sheppard, among others. \r\n\r\nThe brothers have also charted #1 hits on the bluegrass gospel charts as well as have had their songs featured in the 2018 movie \u201cThe Least of These \u2014 A Christmas Story\u201d featuring Duane Allen (Oak Ridge Boys), Deborah Allen, and Tayla Lynn (Loretta Lynn\u2019s granddaughter). \r\n\r\nThat unabandoned joy and love of music comes to the forefront when you listen to the band\u2019s new album, Every Dog Has Its Day. The trio\u2019s fifth effort is one that the band is very excited to bring to the attention of its fans. \r\n\r\n\u201cFor this collection, we recorded seven songs that are all original,\u201d reflected Dennijo. \u201cWe\u2019re always excited about releasing new material, but I feel this collection is our best yet. Our vocals were recorded all at the same time, so we rehearsed pretty extensively. In the past, we always built around the lead vocalist. On Every Dog Has Its Day project, we all three sang at the same time, so if someone made a mistake, we\u2019d have to start over. By doing this, we captured a vibe that we have never captured before.\u201d \r\n\r\nAaron McDaris who plays with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage was brought into play banjo, and much to the brothers\u2019 surprise, he brought with him his 1934 Gibson RB-3 that was owned by Sonny Osborne who recorded the University of Tennessee\u2019s theme song \u201cRocky Top\u201d with that same banjo in 1967. One of Dennijo\u2019s guitar superheroes, Johnny Hiland who is legally blind was brought in to play the electric guitar, while Stuart Duncan played fiddle.\r\n\r\nThose all-star names only add to the first\u2014rate musicianship that fans have expected from The Flat River Band over the years. Again, Chad chalks that up to the undeniable bond between the three brothers that grew through a dozen years performing at Branson\u2019s Silver Dollar City and five at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. \r\n\r\n\u201cThank God, we've been able to really play together as brothers. A lot of times, you\u2019ll see other bands, and you\u2019ll see different members across the years. I think that with us, that togetherness comes from that bond of being brothers. We hope to be together for a long time. It's a special thing because I feel like sometimes when we play, we almost have an idea what the next person's going to do. What move he's going to make - whether it be on the guitar or where's he going to go with his vocals. It\u2019s like Buck Owens and Don Rich. I think that extra bond, that helps. You know what I'm saying?\u201d\r\n\r\nThe fans of the Flat River Band know exactly what the band is saying with their music, and they will likely respond in positive fashion to the band\u2019s new music. One track that Dennijo is particularly excited about is \u201cDeal With The Devil,\u201d which he thinks will strike a chord with listeners.\r\n\r\n\u201cWith the current place our country's in, we've all gotten politically correct. It seems like everything that I stand for as a Christian as a human-being and the way I was raised has almost become bad - God in school, prayer and guns. We shortened the title down to \u2018Deal with the Devil,\u2019 but the original title is \u2018Uncle Sam's Deal with the Devil.\u2019 I wrote this a couple years ago. We were in a place where you\u2019ve got to stand for something. So, we put it in lyrics...","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/2b9f5e98-53e2-4dff-a990-0f977a308696/logo_squish_full_3000.png"}