Gone

Nashville, TN- On the heels of the chart-topping success of Blue Skies, Melton & Miller Music is
excited to announce the release of Gone, a new single from two-time IBMA Male Vocalist of
the Year, Buddy Melton. Written by the songwriting trio of Barry Bales, Lee Ann Womack,
and Adam Wright, the track gets a classic bluegrass treatment by an ace studio band and serves
as a showcase for Buddy's signature tenor voice.
In addition to Buddy (Lead Vocals / Upright Bass), the track features the legendary Jerry
Douglas (Dobro), Casey Driessen (Fiddle), Woody Platt (Acoustic Guitar / Harmony
Vocals), Daren Shumaker (Mandolin), and Bennett Sullivan (Banjo).
Top-tier festival goers and keen-eared fans may already recognize the refrain of Gone. Over the
past year, Buddy has been performing the song live with Woody Platt & the Bluegrass
Gentlemen, where it has become a staple of the band’s live set. That same chemistry and
energy carry into the recording, lifted to new heights by Douglas’s unmistakable dobro work.
During his eighteen-year tenure with Balsam Range, Buddy was the voice behind multiple #1
songs and performed on some of the most prestigious stages in the country, including the Grand
Ole Opry, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and Merlefest. The group received countless awards from
the IBMA, including multiple trophies for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Album
of the Year, and Song of the Year. On an individual level, Buddy was named Male Vocalist of the
Year by the IBMA in 2014 and 2018. In 2025, Buddy received the prestigious North Carolina
Governor’s Award for excellence and contributions in the fine arts, joining the ranks of James
Taylor, Doc Watson, Andy Griffith, and many other iconic entertainers.
One of the most prevalent aspects of Buddy’s musical artistry is his love of collaboration. His
recording credits cover a long list of bluegrass icons, including Sam Bush, Terry Baucom, Tony
Rice, Adam Steffey, Jerry Douglas, Sammy Shelor, Woody Platt and John Cowan, as well as folks
on the fringe of the bluegrass genre such as actor/comedian/banjoist Steve Martin, Chloe
Agnew of Celtic Woman fame, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Americana renaissance man Jim
Lauderdale, and the legendary Doc Watson. Over the past several years, Buddy has also
released a steady stream of duo recordings with old friend Milan Miller, yielding the popular
songs Adeline, Who Are You Redbird, Will I Want To, and The Last Moonshiner