Producer/bassist Jim Reilley will most likely be remembered as a founding member (along with musical partner Reese Campbell) of seminal folk rock band The New Dylans. Founded in 1986,the band barnstormed the US throughout the 90’s and won critical praise from Rolling Stone (who called their songs “offbeat classics”) and virtually every other major music publication and major newspaper. The Village Voice placed the band in the top 5 Ep’s of 1986 in their prestigious Pazz and Jop Poll. The band won the hearts and minds of manyfans in the then burgeoning AAA American radio format and had several feature spots on important tastemaking radio shows including NPR’s All Things Considered, Idiot’s Delight with Vin Scelsa, Danny Bonaduce’s WLUP show, Mountain Stage, World Café and Acoustic Café. MIchael Stipe of R.E.M. proclaimed The New Dylans his favorite band of 1986 and Natalie Merchant (of 10,000 Maniacs) would often jump onstage and sing with the band.
After 9 years of solid touring often over 175 dates a year sharing stages with many luminaries including R&R Hall Of Famers The Band, Reilley moved to Nashville to sign a writing and production deal with Curb Records. As a songwriter, Reilley had over 50 songs recorded by such artists as Hal Ketchum, Sam Bush, Vince Gill, Lauren Daigle, Hillary Scott, Claudia Church, Leann Rimes, Cowboy Crush, Jana Kramer, Tim O’Brien and had a European hit with Danish Rock legend Peter Belli. Albums produced by Reilley have won Best Album awards at Kerrville Folk festival and Merlefest as well as The John Lennon Songwriting Competition and many of them have gone on to be released by major labels and many have garnered millions of spins on Spotify and other streaming services.
The New Dylans reunited in 2016 and released the critically acclaimed album “Meta”. Nashville’s daily newspaper The Tennessean documented the entire process of the band reuniting from the writing of the songs through recording to the tour dates that followed. The documentary (Band On The Brink) chronicled the current realities, difficulties and triumphs of releasing an album in a world where no one seems to be buying music anymore. The film won several prestigious journalism awards and is still viewable on youtube.
In his career, Reilley has produced or made music with Sheryl Crow, Hal Ketchum, David Mead, Al Perkins, Pam Tillis, Lauren Daigle, Lee Brice, John Osborn of Bothers Osborn, Pure Prairie League, Leann Rimes, Poco, Daniel Tashian, Hillary Scott, Carly Pierce, Jana Kramer, Linda Davis, Vince Gill, Cheetah Chrome of The Dead Boys, The Mavericks, Jack Ingram, Leah Andreone, Diamond Rio, Hank Williams Jr, Jett Williams, Minton Sparks, Joy Lynn White, Sam Bush, Tim O’ Brien and regularly works members of The Jayhawks, Wilco, Genesis, Cheap Trick, Buckcherry, The Milk Carton Kids, John Mellencamp, The Doobie Brothers, The Dead Boys, Counting Crows, The Wallflowers, Richard Lloyd of Television, Joe Perry Band, The Black Crowes, Old Crow Medicine Show, Poco, The Cowsills, The Bangles, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Jack White band, Ten Years After, The Black Keys, The Band, The Beach Boys, 10,000 Maniacs and R.E.M.
Currently, Reilley is focusing mostly on producing, primarily on emerging rock and Americana artists, playing numerous sessions and continuing to compose original instrumental music for film /television. Reilley also is a member of experimental noise rock avant-garde ensemble The Birdwatcher Experiment. Reilley also headed up Grammy nominated Nashville indie label Plowboy Records in 2020.
Links
“Jim Reilley is that rare and wonderful combination of brilliant musician and twisted mind that I personally love most to work with. His playing is immaculate and his deep knowledge of music is intense and inspiring.”
Hal Ketchum
“You’re a solid bass player man. It’s because you’re a band guy you and don’t just play the bass, you play the song”.
Michael Rhodes
“You’ve got a great ear son”
Ray Edenton (Nashville A Team session player)
“You’re going to do just fine here in Nashville”
John Hartford
“Now that’s a damn song”
Harlan Howard
“Jim Reilley is an exceptional producer and brilliant bassist. His passionate love of music
is impressive and obvious”.
Richard Lloyd (Television)
“Jim can produce you a great record and play bass on it too-one of my favorite cats to work with!”
Steve Hinson (George Jones, Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan)
“Jim is an 18th century sea captain. He can guide you around the Cape of Good Hope.”
Daniel Tashian (ACM,CMA,Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves, Lucie Silvas, Girl Called Eddy,Tenille Townes)
“Jim Reilley is a multitalented producer, writer, instrumentalist, performer….like a Willie Mays or Ohtani who can do it all. Anyone would be lucky to work with him….and he’s a great guy!”
Dan Bern
“The New Dylans “Meta” produced by Jim Reilley has echoes of Big Star/Uncle Tupelo/Teenage Fanclub/New Mendicants/Stephen Duffy aplenty on this by The New Dylans”.
Pete Paphides (MOJO/The Guardian/BBC/London Times/Melody Maker)
“The New Dylans “Meta” produced by Jim Reilley is the sort of classy roots fixated college radio music R.E.M. used to play”
alldaysucker.net
"I can vouch for Jim's talent as a mentor, one of the best and most knowledgeable... in addition his integrity is unimpeachable. When Jim gives you his dedication you get truly valuable and useful insights into the music industry without all the b.s. Songwriting, production, studio guidance, and industry insights. All this and one of the best Rolodexes in the biz... Jim knows everybody, and everybody loves & respects Jim."
Robert Reynolds (The Mavericks)
Selected Discography
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Credits
With The New Dylans:
Meta 2015 (Caveat Emptor/Morphius Records)
Joe 6 Track 1996 (Caveat Emptor)
The American Way 1995 (Red House/Koch)
Warren Piece 1992 (Red House/Koch)
Fester 1991 (Caveat Emptor)
EP 1986 (Caveat Emptor)
Solo:
The Return Of Buddy Cruel 2002 (Silent Planet/Koch)
As Guest Vocalist:
Molly Jamieson/Barfly 2011 (Commercial Records)
Hank Williams Jr. /I’m One Of You 2003 (Curb)
As Producer/Bassist/Guitarist:
Cleo Childs/Moving With 2024 (Ind)
Hamilton Gardner/Mourning Promises 2024 (Ind)
Tarryn Aimee/It Came To Me 2020 (Ind)
Minton Sparks/Where Humans End and Birds Begin 2020 (Ind)
Greta Gaines/Pale Star 2020 (Justice Records)
Lauren Lucas/Addicted To The Rain 2019 (Ind)
Barbara J/A Box Full Of Records 2019 (Ind)
Robert Reynolds/EP 2018 (Ind)
Mary Bragg/Lucky Strike 2017 (Ind)
Fireworks on Ferris Wheels/Fireworks On Ferris Wheels 2017 (Ind)
Kelly Hoppenjans/Dreaming Is Easy 2017 (Luna Sea Media)
Rachel Solomon/Right On Time 2017 (Rachel Rox Records)
Jaebelle/My Awakening 2016 (Ind)
Brit Wilson/Pick Me Up 2015 (Ind)
Barbara J/Sundown:A Tribute To Gordon Lightfoot 2014 (Ind)
Sarah Williams/Come Back Around 2013 (Ind)
Jackie Gray/Gray Skies & Emerald Cities 2013 (Ind)
Gina Horswood/The Nashville Sessions 2013 (Ind)
Jennifer Graybill/Tyrant Heart 2013 (Ind)
The Love Is Loud/Love Was Loud 2012 (Ind)
Jenn Franklin/Girl Invisible 2010 (Groove House Records)
Nick Young/Truth Is 2010 (Youth Dew Records)
Jenna Von Oy/Coffee & Men 2009 (Little Ladybug Records)
Jon Roniger/Charmed Life 2008 (Matchbox Records)
Brooke Ludwick/When The Circus Leaves Town 2008 (Ind)
Jenna Von Oy/Breathing Room 2007 (Little Ladybug Records)
Casey Kessel/Ripple In The Water 2007 (Ind)
Dustin Overbeek/I Can’t Fly 2007 (Ind)
Megan Light/Weightless 2007 (Ind)
Lisa Brokop/Hey Do You Know Me 2005 (Curb)
Randy Russell/Long Way From The Start
2004 (Ind)
Randy Russell/Sad State Of Affairs 2004 (Ind)
As Producer Film/TV:
The Green Lantern 2011 (DC Comics/Warner Brothers)
The Canyon 2009 (Magnolia Pictures)
As Songwriter:
Leah Blevins/First Time Feeling 2023 (Ind)
Tarryn Aimee/It Came To Me 2020 (Ind)
Lauren Lucas/Addicted To The Rain 2020 (Ind)
Mary Sue Englund/Joyful Noise 2017 (Jane's Parade Records)
Rachel Davis/Bandbox Jubilee 2014 (Ind)
Casey Berry/Long Way Down 2014 (80615 Entertainment)
Hal Ketchum/Father Time 2008 (Curb/Asylum)
Cowboy Crush/Cowboy Crush 2006 (Curb)
Lisa Brokop/Hey Do You Know Me 2005 (Curb)
Lauren Lucas/The Carolina Kind 2005 (Warner Brothers)
Susan Haynes/Crooked Little Heart 2005 (Epic)
Must Love Dogs Soundtrack 2005 (Epic)
Gary Portnoy/Keeper 2004 (Argentum Records)
Tammi Powell/Single 2004 (Magnatone)
Jack Ingram/EP 2002 (Sony/Lucky Dog)
Peter Belli/Ny Dag Pa Veg 2001 (Koch)
Tim O'Brien & Sam Bush/Celebration Of The American Farm 2001 (Almanac records)
Jamie Richards/No Regrets 2001 (D Records)
As Songwriter Film/TV:
Country Crush 2017 (Shout! Factory)
Nashville Television Show 2013 (ABC)
The Green Lantern 2011 (DC Comics/Warner Brothers)
The Canyon 2009 (Magnolia Pictures)
Zoe 2001 (Ind)
Album Quotes
Fireworks on Ferris Wheels: Fireworks on Ferris Wheels by George Graham
In the midst of the aggressive in-your-face texture of a much of commercial pop, there has been an undercurrent of more laid-back music, with a more contemplative sound and a kind of atmospheric or ethereal quality. Sometimes it takes the form of electronic ambiances, or other groups may go for a more acoustic or folky sound with in the course of their mellowness. This week, we have a worthy example of the latter. It’s the debut release by a duo who call themselves Fireworks on Ferris Wheels.
Amy Courts and Paul Koopman had both migrated to Nashville to try to make it in the music business, when they met at an open mic in 2004. They soon hit it off musically, working together, and leading to marriage. Ms. Courts eventually released two album on her own, while Koopman pretty much dropped out of the music scene, taking a non-musical job and taking a decade off from performing. A one-off project that Koopman did attracted the attention of a noted producer friend in Nashville, who in 2015, asked for more music and inspired them to journey back Music City to begin what would become Fireworks on Ferris Wheels. The band’s name, by the way, came from their then-five-year-old son Elijah, who also created the drawing that they used for the recording’s artwork. They worked with said notable veteran producer Jim Reilley (of the critically acclaimed pop band The New Dylans), and came up with a beautifully engaging record that is folky and atmospheric with interesting lyrics that are often contemplative. They also include creatrive covers of a song each by Leonard Cohen and the Cure.
Reilley also ably served as multi-instrumentalist with bass, electric guitar and piano; and with drums, guitars and keyboards played by Eric Fritsch. The result is quite tasteful, with the instrumentation often scaling back to just a guitar or two, or sometimes building up to a rock band setting.
Fireworks on Ferris Wheels, the new album by the duo of the same name, is a pleasing and artistically worthwhile recording that draws on the folky singer-songwriter paradigm and adds a nice atmospheric sound without getting too wispy. Amy Courts and Paul Koopman’s songs are first-rate and their album is quite tasteful. It’s the kind of recording that will grow on you with time.
Our grade for sound quality is an “A.” The recording is clean and has good clarity and decent warmth despite the rather atmospheric sound with generous reverb on some of the instrumentation. The dynamic range, how well the recording captures the span from loud to soft, is great.
THE NEW DYLANS “Meta”
“The New Dylans “Meta” produced by Jim Reilley has echoes of Big Star/Uncle Tupelo/Teenage Fanclub/New Mendicants/Stephen Duffy aplenty on this by The New Dylans”.
Pete Paphides (MOJO/The Guardian/BBC/London Times/Melody Maker)
“The New Dylans “Meta” produced by Jim Reilley is the sort of classy roots fixated college radio music R.E.M. used to play”
alldaysucker.net
NICK YOUNG “Truth Is”
Hailing from Rochester, N.Y., singer/songwriter Nick Young's songs combine power pop hooks with country-tinged roots rock to form an energetic sound that's familiar, yet all it's own. After several years as the frontman and principal songwriter of the band Burning Daylight, Young has spent much of the last year recording his solo debut record both locally and in Nashville, Tennessee with gifted producer Jim Reilley (The New Dylans). With the help of Reilley and with legendary pedal steel player Al Perkins (Gram Parsons) and drummer Ken Coomer (Wilco) augmenting Young's Americana/Power Pop sound, the album "Truth Is" was released on November 30, 2010.
Charlie Rauh
“Charlie Rauh plays guitar with a quiet intensity, each note and chord ringing with purpose,” writes Acoustic Guitar Magazine. “Rauh gives a gentle reminder that playing soft and slow can be more impactful than loud and fast.” With these words, we find ourselves in the company of a musician whose imprint is as delicate as it is indelible.
The wonders of Rauh’s upbringing seem directly encoded into the music he creates. Growing up in Huntsville, Alabama, he spent much of his time outside by his lonesome, humming melodies to scenes unfolding only in his mind. This cinematic consciousness carried over into the films of the 30s, 40s, and 50s beloved by his parents.
After studying jazz guitar for a spell at Shenandoah Conservatory, he moved to Nashville, where he sometimes played backup for local songwriters. One night, local producer Jim Reilley, who was in attendance, immediately noticed Rauh’s talent. Says Rauh of the encounter, “He would be the first person to put me in a real studio, playing with some of the best players in Nashville to work on tracking sessions, as well as my own music. It was a pivotal moment. From then on, I knew I had to compose and record.” Rauh then made the daunting decision to relocate to New York City, making music his full-time pursuit.
AllAboutJazz.com
GINA HORSWOOD
Australian singer-songwriter Gina Horswood bought a one-way ticket to the other side of the world in 2011 and has spent the decade since crafting distinctive songs & her sound, all inspired by her nomadic life.
Gina’s debut “Our Way”, penned with sister Melanie, was released in 2006 and boasted two Top 10 country singles in Australia. The duo extensively toured East Coast Australia and shared bills with multiple-Aria-winning artists Kasey Chambers and Pete Murray. In 2009, Gina’s first solo album, “Crazy Brilliant Mess”, received critical acclaim, with the video for her single “Ordinary Girl” reaching the top 50 on the national Country Music Channel charts.
In 2013, Gina followed the troubadour tradition and travelled to Nashville, Tennessee, where she collaborated with renowned veteran songwriter and producer Jim Reilley (The New Dylans, cuts by Vince Gill and dozens of others) to create The Nashville Sessions EP. After that release in 2014, Gina continued touring North America, opening for acts such as Dana Fuchs (Across The Universe, off-broadway “Love, Janis”), Suzie Vinnick (10X Maple Blues Award winner, 3X Juno Nominee), and Basia Bulat (2013 Polaris and Juno nominee) to name a few.
Mary Bragg album “Lucky Strike” Wins MerleFest Chris Austin Contest in Country Category
Nashville-based Americana singer-songwriter Mary Bragg has won the MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriter CONTEST in the country category for her song "Lucky Strike" (co-written with Liz Poston). As winner in her category, she performed her song at MerleFest in Wilkesboro, NC on the Cabin Stage on Friday night. Other artists who performed at this year's MerleFest included Zac Brown Band, The Avett Brothers, Béla Fleck, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sarah Jarosz, Jim Lauderdale, and many others.
"Lucky Strike" is rooted in the big dose of humility Bragg got when she moved from her hometown of Swainsboro, GA to New York City to pursue music. "There's this feeling-no matter the dream-this desire to be seen, acknowledged; like you're just waiting on that one thing that will get you to where you want to be," Bragg explains. "The song 'Lucky Strike' is bit of a sarcastic poke at hopefulness, because it might feel like there's just one thing holding you back. But it's never that simple is it? And-it might even be your own subconscious hang-ups standing in the way."
The song is the title track from Bragg's brilliant forthcoming album, Lucky Strike, which will be released on May 5, 2017. Bragg and producer Jim Reilley (of indie stalwarts The New Dylans) recorded the album "in a backyard barn studio," says Bragg, "where the microphones are old, not expensive-vintage-old, just old. Where the pop filters have holes in them. Where the vocal booth is unfinished because real walls never got built. It's where 'recorded live' is for real recorded live, and everything is exposed."
She has been honored in the past in such prestigious songwriting contests as Kerrville New Folk, Telluride Troubadour, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Wildflower! Festival, and the International Songwriting Competition. She has been named a finalist in the 2017 Kerrville New Folk CONTESTwith a track from the Lucky Strike album called "Comet”. The album was lauded by press from USAToday to NASHVILLE Scene, CBS New York praised Bragg for "winning over audiences for years," while Blurt Magazine called her album "assured yet vulnerable."
Caryn Robbins
Hal Ketchum
“Jim Reilley is that wonderful combination of brilliant musician and twisted mind that I personally love most to work with. His playing is immaculate and his deep knowledge of music is intense and inspiring.”