Authentic Unlimited Releases Brand-New Bluegrass Single “Before You Miss Me”

Band Announces Signing with Billy Blue Records

Two Full-Length Debut Albums Releasing Simultaneously on May 27th – Authentic Unlimited and The Gospel Sessions, Vol 1

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 25, 2022) – Newly-formed bluegrass group Authentic Unlimited is kicking things off by releasing its first bluegrass single “Before You Miss Me” out everywhere now. Along with the release of its debut bluegrass single, the group and its label Billy Blue Records announce the release of not one, but two, full-length studio albums both dropping May 27, 2022. The self-titled bluegrass album, Authentic Unlimited, pays homage to the “heart” of the group featuring the musical roots of its group members with 10 fantastic cuts, while the second album, The Gospel Sessions, Vol 1, features the group’s “soul,” with new and classic Gospel songs bathed in authentic bluegrass music effortlessly emulated by these fine musicians and singers. “Hold On,” the group’s first Gospel single, will release to radio at the beginning of April.
 
Authentic Unlimited emerged from three of its members’ involvement as part of the final configuration of the iconic Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver prior to Doyle retiring the group name at the end of 2021. Doyle Lawson himself added to the excitement surrounding the formation of Authentic Unlimited, saying, “The key to longevity for a band is creating a distinctive sound of music. Authentic Unlimited is doing just that, and with the wealth of talent among these five men, they are destined for a bright future!” 
 
Billy Blue’s Jerry Salley exclaimed, “As soon as I heard my dear friend Doyle Lawson was planning to stop touring, I started talking to his Quicksilver band members about the possibility of continuing as a new group. Lucky for me and Billy Blue Records, these dear friends are carrying on a tradition of authentic bluegrass and Gospel music while adding their unlimited talents to create a unique new sound of their own. With the addition of the impeccably talented Jesse Brock and John Meador to Quicksilver alumni Jerry Cole, Eli Johnston, and Stephen Burwell, we are very blessed indeed to get to represent Authentic Unlimited and its exciting and unique two-album debut!”  
 
“The two-album debut allows the band to make a definitive statement from the very start,” added group member Jerry Cole. “It is important to Authentic Unlimited that our audience knows we are embracing Gospel music’s close connection with bluegrass music. The Good Lord gave us the talent to do this, and we will do our part to share the Gospel through music with the opportunities we are given. We know who the Boss is, and we want to pay our respects to the Boss at every show we do.”
 
“Bookings for the group are off to a fast start,” said Eli Johnston, “with appearances planned for 2022, including the debut concert for the album releases at the Union County Opry on May 28, 2022, the MACC Festival, Silver Dollar City, Malpass Brothers Country and Bluegrass Festival, the inaugural Pigeon Forge Bluegrass Festival, and many more”
 
The albums will release to retail stores and be available on all streaming platforms on May 27, 2022, distributed through the Orchard (Sony) and New Day Christian Distributors.
 
ABOUT AUTHENTIC UNLIMITED
 
John Meador​​
Meet John Meador who is from East Tennessee. John is the son of Marty Meador and Jenice Harper. He plays guitar and is one of the lead and harmony vocalists. John says he began singing before he was walking. His father began teaching him to play the guitar when he was 12 years old. John joined his first band (Kentucky Just Us) at the age of 14, along with his younger brother. When he was 16, he was offered a scholarship in music that he completed while he was still in high school. John is married to wife Grace and they have a daughter, Bethany.
Jerry Cole
Jerry was born in 1974 and raised in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee. He has been around music his entire life. He is the son of Jerry Lee and Nancy Cole. He has two older siblings and two younger. At the age of 6, his father taught him to play guitar. Jerry Lee sang with The Betterway Quartet for nearly 30 years. During Jerry Lee’s practice sessions at home, young Jerry learned to sing lead and harmony. He began touring with Cody Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad, recording two albums with the band. He later joined Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out where he stayed for 3 years. In December 2018, Jerry joined Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver where he stayed until Lawson’s retirement in December, 2021.
Eli Johnston
Eli was born near Branson, Missouri to parents David and Alycia Johnston. He was raised in southeastern Kansas after his father had taken a job at the hospital there as a surgical nurse. He has two younger brothers, one a musician and the other a police officer. Eli’s grandfather, Joe Riker, bought his first guitar when he was 11. Seeing that his son had a love of music, David would drive Eli all over the country, attending festivals. Eli joined his first band, ‘Nothin’ Fancy’ while he was in high school. Later, he became a member of Pine Mountain Railroad. In 2013, Eli joined Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. During his time there, two of Eli’s songs were recorded by the band. Eli is married to wife Keasley and they have two children, 3 year old Huxley and a newborn named Boone.
Jesse Brock
Jesse is the son of C.W. and Starre Brock who hails from Kentucky. He grew up in a musically inclined family and began singing at the age of 7. At 8, he learned to play the fiddle but soon decided that he was better suited for the mandolin. His first experience as a band member was with his family. Since then, he has performed with some of the top acts in the industry. His efforts were recognized in 2009 and again in 2015 as he was awarded IBMA Mandolin Player of The Year. Jesse is married to wife Kristine.  

Stephen Burwell
Stephen is the son of Edwin and Cheryl Burwell of Lake Jackson, Texas. At age 4, the family moved to Washington. He learned to play fiddle when he was 8. In 2014, he moved to North Carolina where he auditioned for Doyle Lawson only a few days after the move. He was made part of Quicksilver on October 1, 2014. He describes Lawson as “the best boss ever” and contributes much of his dedication to the craft to the years spent in Quicksilver. Stephen is also a recording engineer and has a studio located at his home. Stephen is newlywed, married to wife Haley in September 2021.
 

Stephen Burwell

ABOUT BILLY BLUE RECORDS
Billy Blue Records is a boutique bluegrass label, home to an award-winning roster of artists, including Alan Bibey and Grasstowne, Appalachian Road Show, Barry Abernathy, Carolina Blue, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Donna Ulisse, Jason Barie, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Kristy Cox, Marty Raybon, Tennessee Bluegrass Band, and concept recordings like the Grammy-nominated “Gonna Sing Gonna Shout, and 2021’s star-studded “Country Faith Bluegrass.” Founded in 2018 by Jerry Salley, Ed Leonard, and Dottie Leonard Miller, Billy Blue is distributed to retail by the Orchard (Sony) and New Day Distribution.