Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted during 2025, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of the Original Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Ron Block, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 13 November 2025.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Ron Block who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Ron Block
This quote was submitted on Thursday 13 November 2025.
‘When I listen to Gene Watson, I’m always amazed at how many of his songs are part of my memories.
As a teen, I lived and breathed bluegrass and country music, and at night I went to sleep to the sounds of KZLA country radio in Los Angeles.
‘Fourteen Carat Mind‘, ‘Nothing Sure Looked Good On You‘ ‘Farewell Party‘ and other songs are burned into my brain and heart.
His vocal ease, tone, and pure soul put Gene Watson up there with the greatest country singers of all time’
Thank you, Ron Block, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Ron Block…
Ron Block was born Ronald Franklin Block on Thursday 30 July 1964 in Gardena, a city located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County in California.
Ron Block’s parents were divorced by the time he was 6 years old.
Ron Block’s mother remarried a widower with six kids at home, meaning Ron went from being the youngest, with two older brothers, to being a middle child.
Ron Block’s family soon moved to Northern California, to a rural town called Smartville.
Fascinated by music from an early age, Ron Block recalled that the classic LP that made an impact on him was the 1959 masterpiece, ‘Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs’ (Columbia Records, 1959) from Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982).
An avid reader and history buff, Ron Block discovered heroes in books and on vinyl, and found that he could tell vivid stories with his own style of playing – and writing – songs.
Ron Block enjoyed listening to The Stanley Brothers – Carter Stanley (Thursday 27 August 1925 – Thursday 1 December 1966) and Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 – Thursday 23 June 2016) – Larry Sparks, Flatt & Scruggs – Lester Flatt (Friday 19 June 1914 – Friday 11 May 1979) and Earl Scruggs (Sunday 6 January 1924 – Wednesday 28 March 2012) – and Jimmy Martin (Wednesday 10 August 1927 – Saturday 14 May 2005), all of whom were exponents of hardcore Bluegrass.
Ron Block was also drawn to the Bluegrass music of Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 – Monday 9 September 1996), and James Dee (J.D.) Crowe (Friday 27 August 1937 – Friday 24 December 2021).
Ron Block’s rural existence was interrupted, in 1977, when he was 13 years old, but the move to Torrance, California where he lived with his dad, Hogan’s House of Music store owner, Chuck Block, proved invaluable when it came to the youngster’s future.
It was also in 1977, after seeing Earl Scruggs (Sunday 6 January 1924 – Wednesday 28 March 2012) on television, when Ron Block learned to play the banjo.
In his teenage years, Ron Block also learned acoustic and electric guitar.
This was the mid-1970s, a time when FM radio in the United States could be counted on to expose listeners to a number of musical genres, from experimental jazz to hard rock.
Thanks to the countless hours spent at Hogan’s House of Music in Lawndale, California Ron Block was exposed to music of every stripe, from his fellow employees at the shop, where he began working in 1980.
Ron Block soon joined his first band, playing banjo and guitar and singing harmony.
After forming the group Weary Hearts with Jerome Henry ‘Butch’ Baldassari (Thursday 11 December 1952 – Saturday 10 January 2009), Eric Uglum and Mike Bub, Ron Block was soon to meet young singer and fiddle player, Alison Krauss and the members of Dusty Miller, Adam Steffey, Barry Bales and Tim Stafford, who would soon join Alison Krauss in Union Station.
After a stint with Eric Uglum, Dobro player Rob Ickes, and his wife, Sandra Block, in New Wine, Ron Block, who was now living in Nashville, played with Virginia’s Lynn Morris Band.
When Ron Block started playing with Alison Krauss, it began to develop into a stylistic thing where he did string-bending and his left hand was often more like an electric guitar player. Ron Block’s right hand was often like a traditional Bluegrass banjo.
Ron Block has won 14 Grammy Awards, 6 International Bluegrass Music Awards, a Country Music Association Award, and a Gospel Music Association Dove Award.
In October 1991, Ron Block – banjo player, guitarist, and singer-songwriter – joined Alison Krauss & Union Station.
On Friday 14 February 1992, Alison Krauss & Union Station saw the release of ‘Every Time You Say Goodbye’ (Rounder Records, 1992), which was produced by Alison Krauss, and included the following tracks:
‘Every Time You Say Goodbye’ (written by John Pennell)
‘Another Night’ (written by Jack Adkins)
‘Last Love Letter’ (written by Sidney Cox)
‘Cluck Old Hen’ (traditional)
‘Who Can Blame You’ (written by Ron Block)
‘It Won’t Work This Time (written by Aubrey Holt)
‘Heartstrings’ (written by Marshall Wilborn)
‘I Don’t Know Why’ (written by Shawn Colvin)
‘Cloudy Days’ (written by Billy Ray Reynolds)
‘New Fool’ (written by Sidney Cox)
‘Shield of Faith’ (written by Ron Block)
‘Lose Again’ (written by Karla Bonoff)
‘Another Day, Another Dollar’ (written by Dan Tyminski)
‘Jesus Help Me To Stand’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Every Time You Say Goodbye’ (Rounder Records, 1992) included the following:
Alison Krauss (fiddle, vocals)
Ron Block (banjo, vocals)
Barry Bales (bass, vocals)
Tim Stafford (guitar, vocals)
Adam Steffey (mandolin, vocals)
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Every Time You Say Goodbye’ (Rounder Records, 1992) reached No.75 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1992, and No.34 on the Billboard Top Heat-seekers Chart in 1992.
At the 35th Grammy Awards ceremony held in 1993, Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Every Time You Say Goodbye’ (Rounder Records, 1992) won the Grammy Award for ‘Best Bluegrass Album’.
On Friday 28 January 1994, Alison Krauss & The Cox Family saw the release of ‘I Know Who Holds Tomorrow’ (Rounder Records, 1994), which was produced by Alison Krauss, and included the following tracks:
‘Walk Over God’s Heaven’, which was written by Thomas Andrew Dorsey (1 July 1899 – Saturday 23 January 1993)
‘Will There Be Any Stars’ (traditional)
‘Where No One Stands Alone’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Thomas Mosie Lister (Thursday 8 September 1921 – Thursday 12 February 2015)
‘Never Will Give Up’ (written by David Marshall)
‘Remind Me Dear Lord’ (traditional), (Dottie Rambo: Friday 2 March 1934 – Sunday 11 May 2008)
‘I Know Who Holds Tomorrow’, which was written by Ira Forest Stanphill (14 February 1914 – Thursday 30 December 1993)
‘Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven’, which was written by Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022)
‘I’d Rather Have Jesus’, which was written by George Beverly Shea (1 February 1909 – Tuesday 16 April 2013) and Rhea F. Miller
‘Far Side Bank of Jordan’ (written by Terry Smith)
‘In The Palm of Your Hand’ (written by Ron Block)
‘Loves Me Like A Rock’ (written by Paul Simon)
‘Jewels’, which was written by George Frederick Root (30 August 1820 – 6 August 1895) and William Orcutt Cushing (31 December 1823 – 19 October 1902)
Personnel involved in the recording of Alison Krauss & The Cox Family’s ‘I Know Who Holds Tomorrow’ (Rounder Records, 1994) included the following:
Alison Krauss (fiddle, vocals)
Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals)
Barry Bales (bass, vocals)
Suzanne Cox, Evelyn Cox, Lynn Cox, Sidney Cox and Willard Cox (Wednesday 9 June 1937 – Monday 4 November 2019) (vocals)
Rob Ickes (Dobro)
Viktor Krauss (bass)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums)
Kayton Roberts (steel guitar)
Gary W. Smith (piano)
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
Andrea Zonn (fiddle)
Alison Krauss & The Cox Family’s ‘I Know Who Holds Tomorrow’ (Rounder Records, 1994) reached No.32 on the Billboard Contemporary Christian Albums Chart in 1995.
At the Grammy Awards in 1995, Alison Krauss & The Cox Family’s ‘I Know Who Holds Tomorrow’ (Rounder Records, 1994) won the Grammy Award for ‘Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album’.
On Tuesday 25 March 1997, Alison Krauss & Union Station saw the release of ‘So Long So Wrong’ (Rounder Records, 1997), which was produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station, and the first album to feature guitar player Dan Tyminski, who replaced Tim Stafford; the album included the following tracks:
‘So Long So Wrong’ (written by Patrick Brayer and Walden Dahl)
‘No Place To Hide’ (written by Bob Lucas)
‘Deeper Than Crying’ (written by Mark Simos)
‘I Can Let Go Now’ (written by Michael McDonald)
‘The Road Is A Lover’ (written by Bob Lucas)
‘Little Liza Jane’ (Public Domain)
‘It Doesn’t Matter’, which was written by Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011)
‘Find My Way Back To My Heart’ (written by Mark Simos)
‘I’ll Remember You Love In My Prayers’ (Public Domain)
Looking In The Eyes of Love’ (written by Kostas Lazarides and Tricia Walker)
‘Pain of A Troubled Life’ (written by Ron Block)
‘Happiness’ (written by Michael McDonald and Viktor Krauss)
‘Blue Trail of Sorrow’ written by (Jeff White)
‘There Is A Reason’ (written by Ron Block) / this song is one of Ron Block’s favorites, as it deals with his Christian faith
Personnel involved in the recording of Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘So Long So Wrong’ (Rounder Records, 1997) included the following:
Alison Krauss (vocal, fiddle)
Dan Tyminski (guitar, bass, vocals)
Ron Block (guitar, banjo, vocals)
Barry Bales (bass, vocals)
Adam Steffey (mandolin, mandola, vocals)
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘So Long So Wrong’ (Rounder Records, 1997) reached No.4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1997, and No.45 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1997.
In 1998, Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘So Long So Wrong’ (Rounder Records, 1997) won three Grammy Awards, ‘Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal’ for ‘Looking In The Eyes of Love’, ‘Best Country Instrumental Performance’ for ‘Little Liza Jane’, and ‘Best Bluegrass Album’.
On Tuesday 29 April 1997, Bill Frisell saw the release of ‘Nashville’ (Elektra Nonesuch Records, 1997); six of the included tracks, ‘Go Jake’ (written by Bill Frisell), ‘Will Jesus Wash The Bloodstains From Your Hands’ (written by Dickens), ‘Pipe Down’ (written by Bill Frisell), ‘Dogwood Acres’ (written by Bill Frisell), ‘The End of The World’ (written by Kent and Dee), and ‘Gone’ (written by Bill Frisell), featured Ron Block on banjo.
On Tuesday 29 July 1997, Clint Black saw the release of ‘Nothin’ But The Taillights’ (RCA Records, 1997); one of the included tracks was ‘Our Kind of Love’ (written by Clint Black and Shake Russell), which featured guest vocals from Alison Krauss & Union Station, and Ron Block on acoustic guitar.
On Tuesday 3 August 1999, Alison Krauss & Union Station saw the release of ‘Forget About It’ (Rounder Records, 1999), which was produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station, and included the following tracks:
‘Stay’ (written by Larry Byrom and Allyson Taylor) / this track reached No.28 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart in 1997
‘Forget About It’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman) / this track reached No.67 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997
‘It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference’ (written by Todd Rundgren)
‘Maybe’ (written by Gordon Kennedy and Phil Madeira)
‘Empty Hearts’, which was written by Michael McDonald and Michael Johnson (Tuesday 8 August 1944 – Tuesday 25 July 2017)
‘Never Got Off The Ground’ (written by Danny O’Keefe)
‘Ghost In This House’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024)
‘It Don’t Matter Now’ (written by Michael McDonald)
‘That Kind of Love’ (written by Pat Bergeson and Michael McDonald)
‘Could You Lie’ (written by Ron Block)
‘Dreaming My Dreams With You’ (written by Allen Reynolds) / this track featured guest vocals from Dolly Parton and Lyle Lovett
Personnel involved in the recording of Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Forget About It’ (Rounder Records, 1999) included the following:
Alison Krauss (fiddle, vocals, harmony vocals)
Viktor Krauss (bass)
Barry Bales (bass, harmony vocals)
Jim Keltner and Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums)
Pat Bergeson (guitar)
Ron Block and Dan Tyminski (guitar, harmony vocals)
Sam Bush (mandolin, slide mandolin, harmony vocals)
Dolly Parton and Lyle Lovett (harmony vocals on ‘Dreaming My Dreams With You’)
Evelyn Cox, Sidney Cox and Suzanne Cox (harmony vocals)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel guitar)
Joey Miskulin (accordion)
Matt Rollings (piano)
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Forget About It’ (Rounder Records, 1999) reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1999, No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1999, and No.60 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1999.
Rhonda Vincent recorded Ron Block’s ‘You’re In My Heart’ and included the track on ‘Back Home Again’ (Rounder Records, 2000).
Randy Travis recorded Ron Block’s ‘Which Way Will You Choose?’ and included the track on ‘Inspirational Journey’ (Word Records / Warner Bros. Records / Curb Records, 2000).
On Tuesday 5 December 2000, Lost Highway Records / Mercury Records released the multi-platinum soundtrack of the Coen Brothers’ ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou’ (Touchstone Pictures/Universal Pictures/StudioCanal/Working Title Films/Blind Bard Pictures); the soundtrack album featured Ron Block, with Alison Krauss & Union Station, and Ron Block can be seen playing banjo in the 2000 film.
On Tuesday 29 May 2001, Brad Paisley saw the release of ‘Part II’ (Arista Nashville Records, 2001); two of the included tracks, ‘Two Feet of Topsoil’ (written by Brad Paisley and Robert Arthur) and ‘Munster Rag’ (instrumental) (written by Brad Paisley, James Gregory and Mitch McMichen) featured Ron Block on banjo.
On Tuesday 7 August 2001, Ron Block saw the release of ‘Faraway Land’ (Rounder Records, 2001), which was produced by Ron Block, and included the following tracks:
‘Faraway Land’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Faraway Land’ included the following:
Ron Block (lead vocals, guitar)
Dan Tyminski (baritone vocals, tenor vocals)
Barry Bales (bass)
Luke Bulla, Sara Watkins and Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Chris Thile (mandolin, bouzouki)
Sean Watkins (rhythm guitar)
‘He’s Holding On To Me’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘He’s Holding On To Me’ included the following:
Ron Block (lead vocals, banjo)
Homer Forbes (baritone vocals)
Barry Bales (bass)
Jay Forbes (bass vocals)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Rickey Wasson (guitar)
Dan Tyminski (mandolin)
Lisa Forbes (tenor vocals)
‘Your Heart Has Found A Home’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Your Heart Has Found A Home’ included the following:
Ron Block (lead vocals, rhythm guitar)
Barry Bales (bass)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel guitar)
Alison Krauss (fiddle, tenor vocals)
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
Dan Tyminski (rhythm guitar, baritone vocals)
‘Searching’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Searching’ included the following:
Lisa Forbes (baritone vocals)
Barry Bales (bass)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel guitar)
Adam Steffey (mandola, mandolin)
Dan Tyminski (rhythm guitar)
Lori Forbes Slate (tenor vocals)
Alison Krauss (viola)
‘Is It Any Wonder?’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ” included the following:
Ron Block (lead vocals, banjo)
Barry Bales (bass)
Dan Tyminski (guitar, tenor vocals)
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
Jerry Douglas (slide guitar – Weissenborn)
‘Higher Than Man’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Higher Than Man’ included the following:
Ron Block (lead vocals, slide guitar, electric guitar)
Viktor Krauss (bass)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Larry Atamanuik (drums)
Dan Tyminski (guitar, tenor vocals, baritone vocals)
Pat Bergeson (harmonica, bass harmonica)
‘Another Life I’m Living On’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Another Life I’m Living On’ included the following:
Ron Block (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, guitar)
Alison Krauss (baritone vocals)
Viktor Krauss (bass)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Chris Thile (mandolin)
Sean Watkins (rhythm guitar)
Dan Tyminski (tenor vocals)
‘In The Morning Light’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘In The Morning Light’ included the following:
Ron Block (lead vocals, banjo)
Barry Bales (bass)
Alison Krauss and Andrea Zonn (fiddle)
Dan Tyminski (guitar, tenor vocals, baritone vocals)
Chris Thile (mandolin)
‘Set Your Children Free’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Set Your Children Free’ included the following:
Ron Block (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Viktor Krauss (bass)
Pat Bergeson (electric guitar)
Dan Tyminski (mandolin, tenor vocals)
Larry Atamanuik (percussion)
‘Donal’s Lullaby’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Donal’s Lullaby’ included the following:
Ron Block (rhythm guitar, guitar – solo)
Barry Bales (bass)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Lisa Forbes and Lori Forbes Slate (harmony vocals)
Adam Steffey (mandolin, mandola)
Dan Tyminski (rhythm guitar)
‘In Memory of Steve’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘In Memory of Steve’ included the following:
Ron Block (guitar, E-bow)
Viktor Krauss (bass)
Jerry Douglas (lap steel guitar)
‘Let Me Be You’ (written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Let Me Be You’ included the following:
Ron Block (lead vocals, rhythm guitar)
Homer Forbes, Lisa Forbes and Lori Forbes Slate (backing vocals)
Barry Bales (bass)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
Dan Tyminski (rhythm guitar, tenor vocals, baritone vocals)
On Tuesday 14 August 2001, Alison Krauss & Union Station saw the release of ‘New Favorite’ (Rounder Records, 2001), which was produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station, and included the following tracks:
‘Let Me Touch You For Awhile (written by Robert Lee Castleman)
‘The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn’ (traditional)
‘The Lucky One’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman)
‘Choctaw Hayride’ (written by Jerry Douglas)
‘Crazy Faith’ (written by Mark Simos)
‘Momma Cried’ (written by Bob Lucas)
‘I’m Gone’ (written by Eric Kaz and Wendy Waldman)
‘Daylight’ (written by Bob Lucas)
‘Bright Sunny South’ (traditional)
‘Stars’, which was written by Dan Fogelberg (Monday 13 August 1951 – Sunday 16 December 2007)
‘It All Comes Down To You’ (written by Ron Block)
‘Take Me For Longing’ (written by Mark Simos)
‘New Favorite (written by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch)
Personnel involved in the recording of Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘New Favorite’ (Rounder Records, 2001) included the following:
Alison Krauss (lead vocals, fiddle, viola)
Dan Tyminski (background vocals, lead vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin)
Ron Block (background vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel guitar)
Barry Bales (background vocals, upright bass)
Larry Atamanuik (drums, percussion)
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘New Favorite’ (Rounder Records, 2001) reached No.2 on the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums Chart in 2001, No.3 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2001, and No.35 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2001.
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘New Favorite’ (Rounder Records, 2001) was released in the same year – 2001 – as the ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’ soundtrack, which Alison Krauss appeared on, that had a large effect on Bluegrass music in the United States.
At the 44th Grammy Awards, Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘New Favorite’ (Rounder Records, 2001) would go on to win the Grammy Award for ‘Best Bluegrass Album’, while the single, ‘The Lucky One’, won the Grammy Award for ‘Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal’, as well as ‘Best Country Song’.
On Tuesday 5 November 2002, Alison Krauss & Union Station saw the release of ‘Live’ (Rounder Records, 2002), which was produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station; all of the songs, with the exception of ‘Down To The River To Pray’ (which was performed at Austin City Limits), were recorded at The Louisville Palace on Monday 29 April 2002 and Tuesday 30 April 2002.
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Live’ (Rounder Records, 2002) included the following tracks:
Disc 1
‘Let Me Touch You For Awhile’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman)
‘Choctaw Hayride’ (written by Jerry Douglas)
‘The Lucky One’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman)
‘Baby, Now That I’ve Found You’ (written by Tony Macaulay and John MacLeod) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Foundations, who included it on ‘From The Foundations’ (Pye Records, 1967); The Foundations’ version of the track reached the following chart positions in 1967/1968:
Australia Go-Set Chart (No.21)
Belgium (No.19)
Canada RPM Chart (No.1)
Ireland Irish Singles Chart (No.3)
Netherlands (No.13)
New Zealand (No.16)
Norway (No.6)
South Africa (No.10)
UK Singles Chart (No.1)
Billboard Hot 100 Chart (No.11)
Record World Chart (No.9)
Cash Box Top 100 Chart (No.8)
‘Bright Sunny South’ (traditional)
‘Every Time You Say Goodbye’ (written by John Pennell)
‘Tiny Broken Heart’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965)
‘Cluck Old Hen’ (traditional)
‘Stay’ (written by Larry Byrom and Allyson Taylor)
‘Broadway’ (written by Sidney Cox and Suzanne Cox)
‘Ghost In This House’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024)
‘Forget About It’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman)
‘Faraway Land’ (written by Ron Block)
Disc 2
‘A Tribute to Peador O’Donnell’ / ‘Monkey Let the Hogs Out’ (written by Dónal Lunny and Jerry Douglas)
‘The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn’ (traditional)
‘Take Me For Longing’ (written by Mark Simos)
‘I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow’ (traditional)
‘Maybe’ (written by Gordon Kennedy and Phil Madeira)
‘We Hide & Seek’ (written by Jerry Douglas)
‘But You Know I Love You’ (written by Mike Settle)
‘When You Say Nothing At All’ (written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz)
‘New Favorite’ (written by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch)
‘Oh, Atlanta’ (written by Mick Ralphs)
‘Down To The River To Pray’ (traditional)
‘There Is A Reason’ (written by Ron Block) / this song is one of Ron Block’s favorites, as it deals with his Christian faith
Personnel involved in the recording of Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Live’ (Rounder Records, 2002) included the following:
Alison Krauss (vocals, fiddle)
Jerry Douglas (resonator guitar, vocals)
Dan Tyminski (guitar, mandolin, vocals)
Ron Block (guitar, banjo, vocals)
Barry Bales (bass, vocals)
Larry Atamanuik (drums)
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Live’ (Rounder Records, 2002) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums Chart in 2002, No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2002, and No.36 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2002.
At the 46th Grammy Awards, Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Live’ (Rounder Records, 2002) won the Grammy Award for ‘Best Bluegrass Album’, while the traditional song, ‘Cluck Old Hen’ won the Grammy Award for ‘Best Country Instrumental Performance’.
On Tuesday 22 July 2003, Brad Paisley saw the release of ‘Mud On The Tires’ (Arista Nashville Records, 2003); three of the included tracks, ‘Mud On The Tires’ (written by Brad Paisley and Chris DuBois) (No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in late 2004), ‘Famous People’ (written by Chris DuBois and Chris Wallin), and ‘The Best Thing That I Had Goin’ ‘ (written by Jerry Salley and Chris Stapleton), featured Ron Block on banjo.
On Tuesday 23 November 2004, Alison Krauss & Union Station saw the release of ‘Lonely Runs Both Ways’ (Rounder Records, 2004), which was produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station, and included the following tracks:
‘Gravity’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman)
‘Restless’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman)
‘Rain Please Go Away’ (written by Del McCoury)
‘Goodbye Is All We Have’ (written by Sarah Siskind)
‘Unionhouse Branch’ (written by Jerry Douglas)
‘Wouldn’t Be So Bad’ (written by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch)
‘Pastures of Plenty’, which was written by Woodrow ‘Woody’ Wilson Guthrie (Sunday 14 July 1912 – Tuesday 3 October 1967)
‘Crazy As Me’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman and Melanie Castleman)
‘Borderline’ (written by Sidney Cox and Suzanne Cox)
‘My Poor Old Heart’ (written by Donna Hughes)
‘This Sad Song’ (written by Alison Brown and Alison Krauss)
‘Doesn’t Have To Be This Way’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman)
‘I Don’t Have To Live This Way’ (written by Ron Block)
‘If I Didn’t Know Any Better’ (written by John Scott Sherrill and Mindy Smith)
‘A Living Prayer’ (written by Ron Block) / this track was honored with the award for ‘Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year’ from the Gospel Music Association
Personnel involved in the recording of Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Lonely Runs Both Ways’ (Rounder Records, 2004) included the following:
Alison Krauss (lead vocals, fiddle, viola)
Dan Tyminski (lead vocals, background vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin)
Ron Block (background vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo, slide guitar)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel guitar)
Barry Bales (background vocals, upright bass)
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Lonely Runs Both Ways’ (Rounder Records, 2004) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums Chart in 2004, No.6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2004, and No.29 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2004.
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Lonely Runs Both Ways’ (Rounder Records, 2004) won three Grammy Awards in 2006, including ‘Best Country Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal’ for the song, ‘Restless’, ‘Best Country Instrumental Performance for ‘Unionhouse Branch’, and ‘Best Country Album’.
On Tuesday 26 September 2006, Alan Jackson saw the release of ‘Like Red On A Rose’ (Arista Nashville Records, 2006), which was produced by Alison Krauss, and included the following tracks, which were selected by Alison:
‘Anywhere On Earth You Are’, which was written by Tim Krekel (Tuesday 10 October 1950 – Wednesday 24 June 2009) and Danny O’Keefe
‘Good Imitation of The Blues’ (written by Patrick Brayer)
‘Like Red On A Rose’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman and Melanie Castleman) / this track reached No.15 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2006
‘Nobody Said That It Would Be Easy’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman and Melanie Castleman)
‘Don’t Change On Me’, which was written by Jimmy Holiday (Tuesday 24 July 1934 – Sunday 15 February 1987) and Eddie Reeves (Friday 17 November 1939 – Sunday 18 November 2018)
‘The Firefly’s Song’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman)
‘Wait A Minute’ (written by Herb Pedersen)
‘Had It Not Been You’ (written by Sidney Cox)
‘A Woman’s Love’ (written by Alan Jackson) / this track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2006
‘Don’t Ask Why’ (written by Roy Freeland and Bill LaBounty)
‘As Lovely As You’ (written by John Pennell)
‘Where Do I Go From Here (A Trucker’s Song)’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman and Stephen Foster)
‘Bluebird’, which was written by Leon Russell (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 13 November 2016)
Personnel involved in the recording of Alan Jackson’s ‘Like Red On A Rose’ (Arista Records, 2006) included the following:
Ron Block (acoustic guitar, twin electric guitars on ‘A Woman’s Love’)
Jim Cox (Fender Rhodes, Hammond B-3 organ, Wurlitzer)
Jerry Douglas (lap steel guitar, Dobro)
Alan Jackson (lead vocals)
Alison Krauss (strings)
Viktor Krauss (bass guitar, upright bass)
Howard Levy (harmonica)
Michael McDonald (clavinet, Fender Rhodes)
Joey Miskulin (accordion)
Gordon Mote (piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B-3 organ)
The Nashville String Machine (strings on ‘A Woman’s Love’ and ‘Had It Not Been You’)
Bernard Purdie (drums)
Kenny Vaughan (electric guitar)
Sam Bush, Sidney Cox, Suzanne Cox, Dave Denman, Alison Krauss, Richard Sterban, Dan Tyminski, Cheryl White and Lee Ann Womack (backing vocals)
On Tuesday 19 June 2007, Ron Block saw the release of ‘DoorWay’ (Rounder Records, 2007), which was produced by Ron Block, and included the following tracks:
‘The Kind of Love’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘The Kind of Love’ included the following:
Ron Block (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Viktor Krauss (bass)
Shannon Forrest (drums)
Homer Forbes, Lori Forbes Slate, Sidney Cox and Suzanne Cox (harmony vocals)
Jerry Douglas (lap steel guitar)
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
‘Along The Way’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Along The Way’ included the following:
Barry Bales (acoustic bass)
Dan Tyminski (acoustic guitar, baritone vocals)
Ron Block (led vocals, banjo)
Homer Forbes (bass vocals)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
Sidney Cox (tenor vocals)
‘Love’s Living Through Me When I Do’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Love’s Living Through Me When I Do’ included the following:
Viktor Krauss (bass, Wurlitzer Organ)
Shannon Forrest (drums)
Ron Block (lead vocals, electric Guitar, acoustic guitar)
Suzanne Cox (harmony vocals)
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
‘Things Aren’t Always As They Seem’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Things Aren’t Always As They Seem’ included the following:
Barry Bales (acoustic bass)
Dan Tyminski (acoustic guitar)
Ron Block (lead vocals, acoustic guitar)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Homer Forbes, Lisa Forbes and Suzanne Cox (harmony vocals)
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
‘Be Assured’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Be Assured’ included the following:
Barry Bales (acoustic bass)
Dan Tyminski (acoustic guitar, tenor vocals)
Ron Block (lead vocals, banjo)
Homer Forbes (baritone vocals)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
‘DoorWay’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘DoorWay’ included the following:
Viktor Krauss (bass, Wurlitzer Organ)
Ron Block (lead vocals, electric guitar)
Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, Lisa Forbes and Lori Forbes Slate (harmony vocals)
Andy Hubbard (percussion)
‘Above The Line’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Above The Line’ included the following:
Barry Bales (acoustic bass, electric bass)
Ron Block (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Dan Tyminski (acoustic guitar, harmony vocals)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel guitar)
Andy Hubbard (drums, body percussion
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
‘The Blackness of The Need’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘The Blackness of The Need’ included the following:
Barry Bales (acoustic bass)
Dan Tyminski (acoustic guitar)
Ron Block (lead vocals, acoustic guitar)
Homer Forbes, Lisa Forbes, Lori Forbes Slate, Sidney Cox and Suzanne Cox (harmony vocals)
Jerry Douglas (lap steel guitar)
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
Alison Krauss (viola)
‘Flame’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Flame’ included the following:
Ron Block (lead vocals, tenor vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Dan Tyminski (baritone vocals)
Viktor Krauss (bass)
Andy Hubbard (drums, percussion)
‘Secret of The Woods’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Secret of The Woods’ included the following:
Ron Block (acoustic guitar)
‘I See Thee Nevermore’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘I See Thee Nevermore’ included the following:
Ron Block (acoustic guitar)
‘Someone’
(written by Ron Block)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Someone’ included the following:
Barry Bales (acoustic bass)
Ron Block (lead vocals, acoustic guitar)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Dan Tyminski and Suzanne Cox (harmony vocals)
Adam Steffey (mandolin)
On Tuesday 19 June 2007, Brad Paisley saw the release of ‘5th Gear’ (Arista Nashville Records, 2007); two of the included tracks, ‘Ticks’ (written by Brad Paisley, Tim Owens and Kelley Lovelace) (No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2007) and ‘Letter To Me’ (written by Brad Paisley) (No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for four weeks in February 2008), featured Ron Block on banjo.
In 2009, Dailey & Vincent saw the release of ‘Brothers From Different Mothers’ (Rounder Records, 2009), which included the following tracks, all of which featured Ron Block on banjo:
‘Head Hung Down’
‘You Oughta Be Here With Me’
‘Your Love Is Like A Flower’
‘When I’ve Traveled My Last Mile’
‘Years Ago’
‘There Is You’
‘Girl In The Valley’
‘Please Don’t Let Our Sweet Love Die’
‘Oh Ye Must Be Born Again’
‘Winter’s Come & Gone’
‘When I Reach That Home Up There’
‘On The Other Side’ 4:31′
On Tuesday 12 April 2011, Alison Krauss & Union Station saw the release of ‘Paper Airplane’ (Rounder Records, 2011), which was produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station, and included the following tracks:
‘Paper Airplane’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman) / this track was released, on Monday 28 March 2011, to country music radio and Adult album alternative radio in the United States, but it failed to chart
‘Dust Bowl Children’ (written by Peter Rowan)
‘Lie Awake’ (written by Angel Snow and Viktor Krauss)
‘Lay My Burden Down’ (written by Aoife O’Donovan)
‘My Love Follows You Where You Go’ (written by Lori McKenna, Barry Dean and Liz Rose)
‘Dimming of The Day’ (written by Richard Thompson) / the original version of this track was recorded by Richard Thompson & Linda Thompson, who included it on ‘Pour Down Like Silver’ (Island Records, 1975) / Richard Thompson recorded an acoustic version of the track and included it on ‘Acoustic Classics’ (US: Beeswing Records, 1996 / UK: Proper Records, 1996)
‘On The Outside Looking In’ (written by Tim O’Brien)
‘Miles To Go’ (written by Barry Bales and Chris Stapleton)
‘Sinking Stone’ (written by Jeremy Lister)
‘Bonita & Bill Butler’ (written by Sidney Cox)
‘My Opening Farewell’ (written by Jackson Browne) / the original version of this track was recorded by Jackson Browne, who included it on ‘Jackson Browne’ (Asylum Records, 1972)
Personnel involved in the recording of Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Paper Airplane’ (Rounder Records, 2011) included the following:
Alison Krauss (fiddles, lead vocals, harmony vocals, production)
Barry Bales (acoustic bass, harmony vocals, production)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel guitar, harmony vocals, production)
Ron Block (banjo, guitar, production)
Dan Tyminski (guitar, mandolin, lead vocals, harmony vocals, production)
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Paper Airplane’ (Rounder Records, 2011) reached the following chart positions in 2011:
Billboard Canadian Albums Chart: (No.23)
Danish Hit Listen Albums Chart: (No.39)
Dutch Top 100 Albums Chart: (No.49)
German Offizielle Top 100 Albums Chart: (No.51)
Irish Albums Chart: (No.28)
New Zealand RMNZ Albums Chart: (No.32)
Norwegian VG-lista Albums Chart: (No.4)
Scottish OCC Albums Chart: (No.7)
Swedish Sverigetopplistan Albums Chart: (No.10)
UK OCC Albums Chart: (No.11)
UK OCC Country Albums Chart: (No.1)
Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart: (No.3)
Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums Chart: (No.1)
Billboard Top Country Albums Chart: (No.1)
Billboard Americana/Folk Albums Chart: (No.1)
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Paper Airplane’ (Rounder Records, 2011) won Grammy Awards for ‘Best Bluegrass Album’ and ‘Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical’.
On Tuesday 30 July 2013, Ron Block saw the release of ‘Walking Song’ (Rounder Records, 2013), which was produced by Ron Block, and included the following tracks:
‘Walking Song’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘Devil In The Strawstack’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘Jordan, Carry Me’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘Ivy’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘Summers Lullaby’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘Nickel Tree Lane’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘Let There Be Beauty’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘What Wondrous Love Is This?’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘The Fields of Aidlewinn’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘Chase Me To The Ocean’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘Shortin’ Bread’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘Colors’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘Sunshine Billy’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
‘Rest My Soul’ (written by Rebecca Reynolds and Ron Block)
On Friday 25 September 2015, Ron Block saw the release of ‘Hogan’s House of Music’ (Hogan’s House of Music, 2015), which was Ron Block‘s first solo instrumental album, and included the following tracks:
‘Smartville’ (written by Ron Block)
‘Hogan’s House of Boogie’ (written by Ron Block)
‘Wolves A-Howling’ (traditional)
‘The Spotted Pony’ (traditional)
‘Clinch Mountain Backstep’, which was written by Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 – Thursday 23 June 2016)
‘Gentle Annie’, which was written by Stephen Foster (4 July 1826 – 13 January 1864)
‘Mooney Flat Road’ (written by Ron Block)
‘Mollie Catherine Carter’ (written by Ron Block)
‘Seneca Square Dance’ (traditional)
‘Calico’ (written by Ron Block)
‘You Are My Sunshine’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000) and Uless Charles Mitchell (1 April 1904 – Wednesday 27 December 1972)
‘Lonesome Road Blues’, which was written by Nathaniel Shilkret (25 December 1889 – Thursday 18 February 1982) and Lemeul Eugene Lucas (24 June 1900 – Monday 24 January 1972)
’65 Mustang Blues’ (written by Ron Block)
‘Brushy Fork of John’s Creek’ (traditional)
‘Carter’s Creek Pike’ (written by Ron Block)
‘Home Sweet Home’, which was written by John Howard Payne (9 June 1791 – 10 April 1852) and Sir Henry Rowley Bishop (18 November 1787 – 30 April 1856)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ron Block‘s ‘Hogan’s House of Music’ (Hogan’s House of Music, 2015), included the following:
Ron Block (banjo, rhythm guitar, lead guitar)
Barry Bales, Byron House and Mark Fain (bass)
Tim Crouch (fiddles, cello, bowed bass, Djembe, shaker)
Stuart Duncan and Alison Krauss (fiddle)
Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes (Dobro)
Clay Hess and Dan Tyminski (rhythm guitar)
Adam Steffey and Sam Bush (mandolin)
Lynn Williams (snare)
Sierra Hull (octave mandolin, mandolin)
Jeff Taylor (accordion)
On Friday 27 November 2015, Ron Block saw the release of ‘Carter’s Creek Christmas’ (Ron Block Independent Release, 2015), which included the following tracks:
‘O Holy Night’
‘What Child Is This?’
‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’
‘Angels We Have Heard On High’
‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’
‘Brightest & Best’
‘Cherry Tree Carol’
‘Sleigh Ride’
On Friday 28 March 2025, Alison Krauss & Union Station saw the release of ‘Arcadia’ (Down The Road Records, 2025), which was produced by Alison Krauss & Union Station, and included the following tracks:
‘Looks Like The End of The Road’ (written by Jeremy Lister) / this track, which was the album’s first second single,
‘The Hangman’ (written by Viktor Krauss and Maurice Ogden)
‘The Wrong Way’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman and Dan Tyminski)
‘Granite Mills’ (written by Tim Eriksen) / this track, which was the album’s second single, featured vocals from new member, Russell Moore
‘One Ray of Shine’ (written by Viktor Krauss and Sarah Siskind)
‘Richmond On The James’ (written by G.T. Burgess and Alison Krauss)
‘North Side Gal’ (written by JD McPherson)
‘Forever’ (written by Robert Lee Castleman)
‘Snow’ (written by Bob Lucas)
‘There’s A Light Up Ahead’ (written by Jeremy Lister)
Personnel involved in the recording of Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Arcadia’ (Down The Road Records, 2025) included the following:
Alison Krauss (lead vocals, fiddle, harmony vocals, strings, production)
Barry Bales (upright bass, production (all tracks); tenor vocals (tracks 1 – 6, 8 – 10), bass vocals (track 7)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel guitar, production)
Ron Block (acoustic guitar, banjo, production (all tracks); tenor vocals (track 7)
Russell Moore (lead vocals, baritone vocals, production)
Additional contributors to the recording of Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Arcadia’ (Down The Road Records, 2025) included the following:
Dan Tyminski (acoustic guitar (all tracks), mandolin (tracks 1 – 4, 7 – 10)
Viktor Krauss (piano)
Jeff Taylor (accordion) (track 1)
Adam Steffey (mandolin) (tracks 5 and 6)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle) (track 7)
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Arcadia’ (Down The Road Records, 2025) reached the following chart positions:
Dutch Top 100 Albums Chart (No.92)
German Offizielle Top 100 Albums Chart (No.56)
Scottish Albums Chart (No.13)
Schweizer Hitparade Swiss Albums Chart (No.41)
UK Album Downloads Chart (No.7)
UK Americana Albums Chart (No.4)
UK Country Albums Chart (No.1)
UK Independent Albums Chart (No.6)
Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart (No.156)
Billboard Independent Albums Chart (No.23)
Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums Chart (No.1)
Billboard Top Country Albums Chart (No.29)
Willie Watson was announced as support on all 73 dates of Alison Krauss & Union Station’s five-month 2025 North American tour, which kicked off on Friday 25 April 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia and concluded in Davie, Florida on Sunday 28 September 2025. Stuart Duncan also joined the band for their 2025 tour as a fiddle player.
Alison Krauss & Union Station’s ‘Arcadia’ (Down The Road Records, 2025) was the band’s final project to feature Dan Tyminski, and was their first to feature new member, Russell Moore.
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