Album Review of
Losing Time

Written by Joe Ross
October 27, 2022 - 5:50pm EDT
Review Rating Star Review Rating Star Review Rating Star Review Rating Star

After appearing at a bluegrass festival in Conway, Missouri a few years ago, Route 3 was invited to perform at The Station Inn in Nashville. Now, the recipients of the 2020 Arkansas Country Music Awards “Bluegrass Artist of the Year” Award, the band is releasing its debut album Losing Time on the Pinecastle label. Jason Jordan (guitar), Doug Clifton (bass), Gaylon Harper (banjo) and Roy Bond (mandolin) are joined by guest fiddler Ron Stewart.

Prior to forming Route 3, Jason Jordan played with Just In Tyme and Brightwater Junction, and he won the 2012 National Single Mic Championship.  Doug Clifton performed with The Rickmans, New Reflections, The Messengers, Breakaway, The Signature Quartet, The Kellys, The Drifters, Roaring River Sound and New Road. He also filled in with National touring bands including New Tradition, Bradley Walker, Kenny & Amanda Smith, The Primitive Quartet, and The Isaacs. Banjo-player Gaylon Harper cut his teeth with Jim Orchard and The Bressler Brothers, and then with the Bob Lewis Family. He and his family then began full-time music ministry as The Harper Family, and today he continues to make solid music with his brothers in Christ. Roy Bond has performed on stage since he was 13, first with the Current River Opry, then with Jim Orchard & The Ozark Bluegrass Boys, as well as doing a considerable amount of fill in and part time work with many Ozark-based bands including The Bressler Brothers, The Baker Family, Kirby Clark, and others.

With the exception of Don Williams’ “Lay Down Beside Me,” the band’s repertoire is highly original with Jason Jordan being the primary songwriter of ten songs on their debut album. Songs like “Cartersville,” “Bullet Took Two,” “Mississippi Line” and “Jasper Beckett” offer a relaxed sparkle and sentimental glow that radiate with creativity and originality. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)