WILLIS, Va. (March 1, 2016) – Mountain Fever Records is proud to announce the release of brand new music from the Wyatt Rice & Dan Menzone Alliance. Something Out Of The Blue will be released March 18th but is available for preorder now! Fans of acoustic guitar music should be well acquainted with the name Wyatt Rice. He was first spotlighted as an original member of the Tony Rice Unit. He has been featured on numerous recordings and videos, including his solo album "Newmarket Gap" and "Picture In a Tear" with his own band, Wyatt Rice & Santa Cruz; and despite being an adventurous banjoist, a composer, and a recording artist (he can claim four albums with his former group Traver Hollow and two solo albums), Dan Menzone remains unfamiliar to most bluegrass fans. As Dr. Ted Olson states in the liner notes of the duo's new album, "By combining the individual and collective strengths of two musicians who have never sought the limelight—musicians who for years have been quietly yet resolutely dedicated to their separate visions of the possibilities for bluegrass music—the Rice-Menzone Alliance is truly greater than the sum of its parts. And on Something Out Of The Blue they truly merge their visions. The music on this album is at the same time workmanlike and magical—it is painstakingly crafted and yet offers much that is truly surprising, something out of the blue." Something Out Of The Blue is chock-full of expert musicianship from Rice who plays guitar and Menzone who plays banjo on the entire project. The duo have brought together elite musicians to round out the band — Fred Carpenter on fiddle, Rob Ickes on Dobro, Adam Steffey on mandolin, Ron Rice and Eric Seay on bass — and together, this group of masterful virtuosos are allowed to creatively interpret seven instrumentals on the album. The remaining five songs on the 12-track project are perfectly sung by the likes of Richard Bennett, Russell Moore, and Don Rigsby, with support vocals from Dale Ann Bradley and Dan Boner.  ”

— Mountain Fever Records

Dan Menzone of Charlton, left, and collaborator Lee Marcus, who won the instrumental category of the 2010 International Songwriting Competition. Enlarge photo Prize-winning song Congratulations to Dan Menzone of Charlton, who along with collaborator Lee Marcus won first place in the instrumental category of the 2010 International Songwriting Competition for the song "Gone Beserk" off his latest album, "Frostbite." The International Songwriting Competition is a global songwriting event. Called "the songwriting competition to take note of" by The New York Times, ISC was established in 2002 and awards more than $150,000 in cash and prizes to amateur and professional songwriters around the globe. Winners were selected from over 15,000 songs submitted from 115 countries worldwide. Judges include iconic artists Peter Gabriel, Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, Jeff Beck, Robbie Williams, McCoy Tyner, Kelly Clarkson, Train, Michael W. Smith, Robert Smith (The Cure) and Wynonna. In addition, ISC boasts five record label judges as presidents as well as other industry leaders, offering songwriters the unprecedented opportunity to have their music heard by influential decision-makers. You can listen to his winning song, along with other winners, at http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.” - Pop Culture Notebook

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Candace Avery International Songwriting Competition 615.251.4441 cavery@songwritingcompetition.com www.songwritingcompetition.com The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) Announces 2010 Winners ISC First Place Instrumental Prize Is Awarded To Dan Menzone & Lee Marcus For The Song “Gone Beserk” May 12, 2011 -- The International Songwriting Competition (ISC), the world's preeminent global songwriting event, is pleased to announce its 2010 winners. Called “the songwriting competition to take note of,” by the New York Times, ISC was established in 2002 and awards more than $150,000 in cash and prizes to amateur and professional songwriters around the globe. Winners are selected from over 15,000 songs submitted from 115 countries worldwide. Judges include iconic artists Peter Gabriel, Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, Jeff Beck, Robbie Williams, McCoy Tyner, Kelly Clarkson, Train, Michael W. Smith, Robert Smith (The Cure), Wynonna,and many more. In addition to the high-profile artists included in the roster of judges for 2010, ISC boasts five record label presidents as well as other industry leaders, offering songwriters the unprecedented opportunity to have their music heard by influential decision-makers. See below for the complete list of judges. For a complete list of 2010 ISC winners and to hear the winning songs, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners” - Candace Avery

— ISC - International Songwriting Competition

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is the #1 song contest for songwriters. ISC is a great opportunity for songwriters, musicians, and performers to further their music careers and gain recognition and exposure in the music industry. Dan Menzone and Lee Marcus captured the Instrumental category championship with "Gone Beserk," a happy banjo and bluegrass music piece...This is a fantastic achievement for both Dan & Lee” - Bob Cherry

— Cybergrass

This CD is a powerhouse! Dan is a creative and powerful banjo player. Song choice, originality, and overall musicianship make this an amazing project.” - Tony Rice
Dan's picking is fast, clean, and inventive. He's what the rest of us banjo pickers want to sound like.” - Joe Wills, Burlington County Bluegrass

— Z889 - WBCZ

Dan Menzone is one of the great new-generation banjo players. His original tunes are inventive and have melodies that grab you from the start. He has a mixture of timing, taste and tone that reflects a lot of experience. He also knows how to pick a rhythm section.” - Sammy Shelor

— Lonesom River Band

I listened to it several times and enjoyed it...Musically, the project is very strong....” - Gary Reid
HOLY SMOKES, Dan; I'm just blown away by your CD! That's some of the best banjo playing I've ever heard. You're right up there with the top names IMHO. You have some terrific line-up of musicians on the project; that's impressive enough, but you are certainly their peer...OK, time to pop my eyes back in their sockets, stop drooling, and get to work!” - Joe Wills, DJ

— Z889