Lonesome River Band puts a bluesy swing behind a bruised heart on “Hit the Nail on the Head,” available now through Mountain Home Music Company.

The song blends Sammy Shelor’s Scruggs-style banjo with electric guitar, extending the band’s self-described “Telegrass” approach to bluegrass tradition.

‘Hit the Nail on the Head’ Starts With Sammy Shelor’s Banjo

Mark Brinkman and Frank Poindexter wrote the song about a jilted man forced to admit that his former love correctly understood how miserable he would be without her.

Shelor opens the recording with a swinging banjo kickoff that recalls Earl Scruggs’ introductions to bluegrass standards such as “Don’t Get Above Your Raisin’.” Adam Miller then delivers the story with an understated lead vocal, while guitarist Jesse Smathers supplies the tenor harmony.

“We were looking for a different feeling song to complete the project,” Shelor said. “We put some swing to it, and I was so pleased with how it turned out.”

The arrangement leaves room for instrumental turns from Shelor, Miller and fiddler Mike Hartgrove. Telecaster player Rod Riley adds the electric-guitar element behind the band’s “Telegrass” description.

Lonesome River Band Continues Building Its Telegrass Sound

“Hit the Nail on the Head” follows “Walking Back to Bluefield,” the band’s August recording of a Bob Amos song. That track paired lively bluegrass with a hard-luck journey home.

The new single keeps the lonesome storytelling but changes the musical frame. Its bluesy swing and electric guitar point toward a larger collection that Lonesome River Band says is on the horizon. The band has not announced a title or release date for that project.

“Hit the Nail on the Head” is also available in Dolby Atmos through Apple Music, Amazon Music and TIDAL.

Stream or download Lonesome River Band’s “Hit the Nail on the Head.”