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Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers Deliver a Joyful Tribute to the Bittersweet Passage of Time with "Time Adds Up (If You're Lucky)"
By Charles Brady, 2025-05-09
NASHVILLE, Tn. (April 11, 2025) – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers (JMRR) announce the release of their first bluegrass single since 2023 with "Time Adds Up (If You're Lucky)" from their upcoming album, Lovin', Fightin', Losin' Sleep, slated for this summer on Billy Blue Records.
As the band eases into their milestone 20th anniversary, this new song offers a deeply relatable reflection on the passage of time. The track opens with a lively banjo riff followed by Mullins's lead tenor voice, full of warmth and character, singing the Latin phrase Tempus Fugit, which translates to “time flies”—a sentiment introduced by songwriters Tim Stafford and Missy Raines that strikes a chord with anyone who has ever looked back and marveled at how quickly life moves.
In the words of Mullins, “I’m rarely satisfied with the status quo. And I love roots music that is bona fide. Well, I’ve used up most of my Latin vocabulary very quickly.”
Mullins goes on to explain the story behind the song: “I didn’t know what Tempus Fugit meant until I got a wonderful new song from Tim Stafford and Missy Raines, both great artists, writers, and old friends. Missy and I were together with our bands at AmericanaFest in Nashville in 2024. I was chatting with her and said, ‘We’ve been doing this a long time,’ since we got acquainted in the 1980s, as we were both learning everything about the bluegrass community. Missy said, ‘Yes, but we have heard so much great music and met so many wonderful people. And getting older isn’t a bad thing!’ Then she told me she and Tim had a song about the subject. ‘Time Adds Up (If You’re Lucky).’ I had to hear it, and I loved it! The lyrics were SO relatable for me at this phase of life. I’ve been on stage with a banjo and on radio in some capacity since 1982. Now, over four decades later, I have my first grandchild, and she’s gorgeous, by the way!"
“Time Adds Up (If You’re Lucky)” is more than just a reflection on time; with a mix of nostalgia and optimism, it captures the essence of what it means to cherish every moment, knowing that the years we’re given are precious.
Time is slippery, you can't hold her
Good news is I'm gettin' older
Let me tell you buddy
Time adds up if you're lucky
Time Adds Up (If You’re Lucky)
© 2022, Missy Raines, Tim Stafford
Daniel House Music / BMI, Hankey Mountain Music / BMI
Joe Mullins - banjo, vocals
Adam McIntosh - guitar, vocals
Chris Davis - mandolin, vocals
Jason Barie - fiddle
Zach Collier - bass
Mike Rogers - percussion
ABOUT JOE MULLINS & THE RADIO RAMBLERS
Joe Mullins is a celebrated banjo player and radio broadcaster who has seamlessly combined his two passions for over 40 years. Leading his band, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, since 2006, they have graced stages worldwide, produced 12 acclaimed albums, and earned the title of Entertainers of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 2019.
Joe and The Radio Ramblers are chart-toppers in bluegrass and gospel music and have been regular performers on the Grand Ole Opry since 2013. As an award-winning broadcaster, Joe's voice reaches a global audience through Real Roots Radio, and he hosts the syndicated radio program Front Porch Fellowship, which airs on over 170 stations.
In addition to his broadcasting accolades, Joe produced the IBMA’s 2021 Album of the Year, Industrial Strength Bluegrass, and The Radio Ramblers host the award-winning Ohio bluegrass festivals of the same name. Renowned for their dynamic performances, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers continue to tour extensively, captivating audiences across the US, Canada, and Europe.
NASHVILLE, Tn. (August 16, 2024) – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers along with Billy Blue Records are pleased to announce the release of a new gospel song from the award-winning band. "One Breath Away," written by Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Paul Williams, is now available to radio programmers and on streaming services.
For nearly twenty years, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have consistently included gospel music in their recordings, a decision that has endeared them to fans and radio programmers alike. Their gospel tracks are among the most beloved by their audience, showcasing the band's commitment to preserving the rich, spiritual heritage of the genre. Citing two Gospel Recorded Performance awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association ("All Dressed Up" and "Sacred Memories"), a Gospel performance video with over three million views ("I Want To Know More About My Lord"), and a viral TikTok soundtrack ("Don't You Want To Go Home"), it's evident the band knows what resonates most with the hearts of their listeners.
"One Breath Away" is their latest release, penned by Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Paul Williams, and continues their tradition of delivering only the finest in Gospel music. "The Radio Ramblers were so fortunate to perform at the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in Owensboro, Kentucky, over Labor Day weekend in 2023," explains Mullins. "We hosted the first-ever Hall of Fame homecoming weekend and our guests were Del McCoury and Paul Williams. We were backstage preparing for a sound check with Paul, and he said 'I’ve written a new song for The Radio Ramblers.' He sang us 'One Breath Away' and we loved it! Of course we love Paul, just as everyone else in the bluegrass community does. He's such a special friend, blessing us with great music for over 70 years! Our arrangement features our quartet, guitar and mandolin. A few lines are even a quintet, with all five of us contributing to a great new song from one of our biggest influences."
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Joe Mullins is a celebrated banjo player and radio broadcaster who has seamlessly combined his two passions for over 40 years. Leading his band, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, since 2006, they have graced stages worldwide, produced 12 acclaimed albums, and earned the title of Entertainers of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 2019.
Joe and The Radio Ramblers are chart-toppers in bluegrass and gospel music and have been regular performers on the Grand Ole Opry since 2013. As an award-winning broadcaster, Joe's voice reaches a global audience through Real Roots Radio, and he hosts the syndicated radio program Front Porch Fellowship, which airs on over 170 stations.
In addition to his broadcasting accolades, Joe produced the IBMA’s 2021 Album of the Year, Industrial Strength Bluegrass, and The Radio Ramblers host the award-winning Ohio bluegrass festivals of the same name. Renowned for their dynamic performances, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers continue to tour extensively, captivating audiences across the US, Canada, and Europe.