Charlottesville, VA (October 24, 2025)—Rebel Records is thrilled to announce the release of Bluegrass Hall of Famer Larry Sparks 20th album for Rebel Records, Way Back When, an album of heartfelt originals, classic covers, and gospel favorites. Six decades into his career, Sparks continues to captivate audiences with his unmistakable voice and unique guitar work that have come to define his sound.

Following the 2023 release of It’s Just Me, a recording centered around his voice and guitar, Sparks returns with a full band on this new project. Backing him are Evan Wilson on mandolin and tenor harmonies, Tyler Mullins on banjo, Mike Feagan on fiddle and Sparks’ son Larry D. “Dee” Sparks on bass. In addition, the talented Ron Stewart plays fiddle and banjo on “Since I Met You Baby.”

“Way Back When is more than just another record to me. These songs have heart, truth, and soul, and that’s what I’ve always tried to give my audience. I’ve never been one to chase trends or change with the times. I just try to play what’s real, what feels honest. After all these years, I’m still Keepin’ It Real.” — Larry Sparks

Way Back When opens with the warm, nostalgic title track, one of two songs penned by longtime Sparks collaborator Gary Ferguson (co-written with Brent Moyer and Robert Tobin). Ferguson also co-authored the album’s fifth number, “The Fields of Gettysburg,” a moving ballad evoking the history and human cost of America’s Civil War. Sparks offers a spirited take on “Tennessee Border,” a song famously recorded by Hank Williams and Roy Acuff, and lends heartfelt intimacy to Fiddlin' Arthur Smith’s gentle “A Daddy’s Lullaby.” He brings a bluegrass edge to Ivory Joe Hunter’s soulful “Since I Met You Baby,” while his gospel roots shine brightly on the stirring “On the Battlefield for My Lord.”

The traditional instrumental “Sleepin’ Lula” bursts with playful drive, and Sparks channels classic country warmth in “Ages and Ages Ago,” penned by Gene Autry, Fred Rose, and Ray Whitley. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs’ “Come Back Darling” is rendered with heartfelt longing, and the album closes with a Hank Williams gospel gem, “How Can You Refuse Him Now?” performed with reverence and deep emotion. 

Together, these ten tracks showcase Larry Sparks’ unmatched ability to honor tradition while making every song distinctly his own.

ABOUT LARRY SPARKS

Larry Sparks is a bluegrass icon and one of the most soulful and respected singers in the genre’s history. A former guitarist and vocalist for the legendary Stanley Brothers, Sparks launched his own group, The Lonesome Ramblers, in 1969 and has since become a pillar of traditional bluegrass. Known for his emotive vocals and distinctive guitar style, he has released dozens of influential albums over five decades, earning multiple IBMA and SPBGMA awards along the way. In recognition of his lasting impact on the genre, Sparks was inducted into the IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2015. From classics like "John Deere Tractor" to "A Face in the Crowd," his music continues to inspire new generations with its heartfelt authenticity and timeless sound.

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.