Nashville, Tenn. – Since the launch of the band Merle Monroe 2 ½ years ago, lead singer Tim Raybon’s music career has resurged in a big way. The singer/songwriter got his start in the 90s performing in the duo Raybon Brothers, alongside his sibling Marty Raybon (lead singer of the band Shenandoah). During their time together in the mid 90s, the pair would go on to release a certified Gold record “Butterfly Kisses,” while signed to MCA Nashville.
“It is absolutely true, ‘Timing is everything,’” says Tim. “However, never in a million years did I think or could have planned for Merle Monroe to have a #1 song ‘Leaving Town Tonight’ that I was fortunate to write and then the following week have a different #1 song I wrote with a different artist who happens to be my brother Marty Raybon. Life is stranger than fiction!”
Tim’s career recently came full circle. After taking a several year hiatus from music to focus on his real estate career, the Back To The Country hitmaker has experienced a renaissance since teaming up with Merle Monroe co-founder Daniel Grindstaff to launch the group. Raybon most recently penned Merle Monroe’s chart-topper “I’m Leaving Town Tonight,” which has spent a total of four weeks in the top spot of the Bluegrass radio charts (as recently as this month). Interestingly, another track written by Tim called “Walking The Floor” (recorded by Marty Raybon) would hit No. 1 the following week (where it currently sits).
“In my 30 plus years in the music business, I have been very fortunate to have many hit records. This was also a MAJOR thrill to have “Walking The Floor” hit number one,” exclaimed Marty Raybon. “Tim sent me the song and said he believed it would fit me to a tee! Man, was he right. But then to have it follow his number one song ‘Leaving Town Tonight’ that he also wrote with Merle Monroe. That was a mind blowing experience!”
So what is next for Tim Raybon? The Tennessean is gearing up for the sophomore Merle Monroe record, Songs of a Simple Life. The collection is set for release on June 4th via Pinecastle Records, and will include 12 new recordings, with Raybon penning/co-penning an impressive seven cuts. Included on the project are the multi-week No. 1 hits “Hello Sunshine” and “God’s Still In Control.” The band also recently teamed up with Country singer Mo Pitney for a song called “Suzanne” which is featured on Industrial Strength Bluegrass, released by the Smithsonian.