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One of the most significant groups in contemporary bluegrass, on the cutting edge of creativity.

Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, VA

• Jim Muller – guitar, lead vocals
• Sharon Horovitch – acoustic bass, harmony vocals
• Richard Stillman – banjo, harmony vocals
• John Tibert – mandolin, harmony vocals

Jim Muller was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia and is the band’s principal lead singer and songwriter. Jim’s rich, distinctive lead vocals and offbeat humor have become one of the group’s trademarks. A guitarist for over 40 years, he is also known for his polished flat-picking and rock-solid rhythm. Jim is also a respected staff-writer for Bluegrass Now Magazine from Rolla, MO. His regular feature on sound reinforcement, “Plugged In”, has received a great deal of international attention.

Jim Muller has one of the most distinctive voices in Bluegrass today. It is the type of voice from which bluegrass legends have been made.

Bluegrass Now, Rolla, MO

Aggressive, creative and irrepressible, Sharon Horovitch is known for her infectious smile, her limber bass work, and her tireless energy on stage and off. Sharon sings tenor and high-baritone harmonies. Sharon and Jim are co-founders of Southern Rail, and have worked on ten recording projects, eight of which are Southern Rail’s. Sharon also handles Southern Rail’s booking and publicity.

Richard (“Rich”) Stillman has been playing bluegrass banjo for over 30 years. He has founded or been involved with of a number of influential bluegrass bands, including the Jersey Travelers, a previous term with Southern Rail, Way Station, and Adam Dewey and Crazy Creek. He also has numerous studio recording credits with other New England folk artists. Rich was New Jersey banjo champion in 1983, and New England banjo champion in 2002 & 2003. He is a six-time winner of the annual banjo contest held at Lowell, Massachusetts (1985-1995), where he has presented a bluegrass banjo workshop every year since 1996. Rich has been a regular on the faculty of Banjo Camp North, has taught bluegrass banjo classes for Boston Bluegrass Union, and has taught banjo as an adjunct faculty member at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA.

Hailing from Northboro, MA, John Tibert started playing guitar at age 14. But once he heard Dave Grisman on “Old and in the Way”, his life was never the same and he’s been addicted to bluegrass ever since. He’s a prolific songwriter and also has taught mandolin for over a decade. John’s mandolin playing is fluid, lyrical and from the heart, and his superb bass vocals are a powerful addition to the group’s signature quartet harmonies.

The musicianship is superb, the vocals rich, and the energy fun. Excellent!

New England Performer Mag

Southern Rail celebrates over four decades of performing with the long-awaited release of their 12th recording, Voices in the Wind. And on April 6th, 2019, Sharon and Jim were inducted into the Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance’s Hall of Fame.

Over the years, Southern Rail’s recordings, featuring their prolific songwriting, have graced Bluegrass Unlimited’s Top Thirty Singles Chart for a combined total of 32 months, climbing to #11. One of Southern Rail’s earlier CD’s, a special Bluegrass Gospel compilation entitled Glory Train, was nominated for Best Gospel Recording of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Southern Rail has been selected by the New England Foundation for the Arts to be included in their prestigious Touring Roster.

More Praise for Southern Rail

First rate bluegrass…precise harmonies, sharp instrumental work…soaring and lush.

Boston Herald

Southern Rail brims with contemporary energy, harmonies and nuance while featuring lots of original material…A bluegrass band with the total package of style, material, vocals and picking. They stand ready for an international breakout.

Bluegrass Canada Magazine

Bluegrass Gospel at some of its most heartfelt emotion. Beautiful.

WTSR, NJ

There’s a renewed exuberance in Southern Rail’s harmonies and playing that seems to emanate from meticulous attention to composition and a sheer joy in picking.

Dirty Linen Magazine, Baltimore, MD

• Southern Rail’s website
• Southern Rail’s Induction into Bluegrass Hall of Fame