FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Charlottesville, VA (June 6, 2025)—Rebel Records is thrilled to announce the release of Highfalutin Hillbilly, the brand-new album from award-winning bluegrass entertainers The Kody Norris Show, available now on CD and all digital and streaming platforms. The twelve-track collection blends newly written originals with fresh takes on classic country favorites. Singles from Highfalutin Hillbilly have been featured by Country Evolution, Think Country, The Bluegrass Situation, The Hollywood Times, My Kind of Country, and Cowboys & Indians.

Following a landmark year that included multiple appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and an impressive five SPBGMA Awards, The Kody Norris Show enters this release with momentum and musical confidence to spare. Their third album for Rebel Records is both a celebration of their roots and a showcase of the band’s evolution, with material that’s as entertaining as it is heartfelt.

Opening with a rapid-fire rendition of Leroy Van Dyke's “The Auctioneer,” Highfalutin Hillbilly sets the pace with Kody Norris’s signature fast-talking flair—honed as a student enrolled at auctioneer school during the COVID-19 pause and now delivered with razor-sharp precision. The album also finds space for heartfelt moments, like “In the Circle,” a moving tribute written for Kody by longtime friend and Grand Ole Opry Square Dancer Larry Chunn and inspired by the band’s emotional 2023 Grand Ole Opry debut. Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris steps into the spotlight with “Blue Ain’t the Word,” a hard-hitting heartbreak song that showcases her talents as both a vocalist and songwriter. She is joined by Sister Sadie’s Gena Britt, Jaelee Roberts, and Deanie Richardson on a lively take of “San Antonio Stroll,” adding rich harmony and drive to the Tanya Tucker classic.

Elsewhere, the band tips its hat to tradition with a rousing cover of Jimmy Martin’s “Tennessee,” featuring Charlie Lowman’s deep bass vocals and guest Ron Stewart on fiddle. Jason Barie lends his bow to several tracks, including “Ruby Jane,” Kody’s toe-tapping original featuring soaring twin fiddles with Mary Rachel. The group’s signature humor comes through on Josiah Tyree’s playful spin on Ray Stevens’ “Mississippi Squirrel Revival,” while Kody delivers a spirited performance of Boudleaux Bryant’s “Waitress, Waitress.” The album wraps with “Ramblin’ Around,” a hard-driving closer that puts every member’s talent on display. Highfalutin Hillbilly is a clear reflection of a band in full stride—rooted in tradition, rich in personality, and crafted with confidence.

ABOUT THE KODY NORRIS SHOW

While the reigning SPBGMA Entertainers of the Year are known for the rhinestones that shine from their lapels and the fringe that hangs from their collars that seems to conjure up memories of times gone by, The Kody Norris Show is very much directing their gaze forever forward. The four-piece bluegrass band is made up of front man Kody Norris on guitar, Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris playing both fiddle and mandolin, banjo ace Josiah Tyree, and Charlie Lowman on the bass. The Kody Norris Show’s album All Suited Up (2021) charted at #7 and Rhinestone Revival (2023) at #8 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart, and their trademarked high-energy style delivers an unrivaled live show experience. To date, The Kody Norris Show has performed at the Grand Ole Opry multiple times, leaving the stage with a standing auditorium. In addition, the band has played the Ryman Auditorium, SiriusXM, and other stages worldwide.  

ABOUT REBEL RECORDS

Rebel Records is the leading independent record label dedicated to promoting and preserving Traditional Bluegrass Music. Rebel’s current roster includes Larry Sparks, Peter Rowan, Big Country Bluegrass, High Fidelity, The Kody Norris Show, Starlett & Big John, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run and Rrinaco. Known for innovation and excellence since 1960, Rebel has introduced many of the most important artists of the genre, from the Country Gentlemen and Seldom Scene to Blue Highway, Lonesome River Band and IIIrd Tyme Out. In addition to its cutting edge presence in contemporary Bluegrass, the label has also been a home for legendary traditional artists like Ralph Stanley, Del McCoury, Rhonda Vincent and Dave Evans.