Hills of Home

Luke Shamblin Honors Fellow West Virginian Hazel Dickens with Soulful Rendition of “Hills of Home”
Release Date: November 28, 2025
Raleigh, NC — Bluegrass musician Luke Shamblin is set to release a heartfelt new recording of Hazel Dickens’ beloved classic “Hills of Home” on November 28, 2025. The single pays tribute to one of Appalachia’s most iconic songwriters while spotlighting a fresh, emotionally resonant interpretation led by a powerhouse lineup of Appalachian and Bluegrass-rooted artists.
Anchored by Shamblin’s moving lead vocal, the recording captures the longing and reverence at the heart of Dickens’ original, a timeless reflection on home, loss, and the enduring pull of the mountains. Lending their unmistakable harmonies are Suzanne Cox of the legendary Cox Family and acclaimed vocalist Corey Hensley, whose voices blend seamlessly to elevate the song’s plaintive emotion. Jason Barie provides haunting fiddle work that threads through the arrangement with warmth and restraint, echoing the spirit of classic mountain balladry.
“This song has always hit me in the heart and is the first song of Hazel’s I ever learned to sing,” Shamblin shares. “Hazel captured something that every Appalachian knows deep down—that no matter how far you go, those hills never really leave you. I wanted this version to feel like coming home.”
Produced with an emphasis on clarity, authenticity, and heart, “Hills of Home” feels both reverent and revitalized. Shamblin’s interpretation balances traditional bluegrass instrumentation with contemporary precision, allowing the vocals and lyrics to take center stage. The result is a sound that feels as rooted as it is current—a fitting homage to Hazel Dickens’ legacy and the Appalachian soul she so eloquently embodied.
“When I went into the studio, I knew I wanted to record one of Hazel’s songs as my next single, especially in the same year she would have turned 100. I immediately went through her catalog, but I knew right away that ‘Hills of Home’ had to be the one,” Shamblin stated. “When I started thinking about the arrangement, I wanted to keep it simple and let the lyrics and melody of this beautifully sad song stay front and center. I had to have my favorite singing partner and fellow West Virginian, Corey Hensley, join me—and when Suzanne Cox agreed to sing the high harmony above Corey, it was an absolute dream come true because Suzanne is one of my all-time favorite singers of ANY genre. I really hope people enjoy this one…I certainly enjoyed making it!”
“Hills of Home” will be available November 29 on all major streaming platforms with iTunes pre-orders available starting November 9th.
Luke Shamblin – lead vocals, guitar
Corey Hensley – harmony vocals, bass
Suzanne Cox – harmony vocals
Jason Barie – fiddle

Written by: Hazel Dickens – Happy Valley Music, Inc.

Executive Producer: Luke Shamblin
Engineer(s): Russell Johnson, Corey Hensley
Mixed by: Corey Hensley
Mastered by: Corey Hensley
Graphic Designer: Callie Thomas Photography