Rhythm Track
Rhythm Track
About
History and goal…
Playhouse began with a dream—not just to make records, but to create a home for bluegrass music.
Founded by James Calvin “J.C.” Smith, Playhouse Records and Playhouse Productions became part of the Carolina bluegrass community during the 1970s. Operating from Monroe, North Carolina, J.C. wasn’t simply a record label owner. He was a promoter, producer, businessman, and passionate supporter of traditional bluegrass music.
Playhouse included:
Playhouse Records, an independent record label.
Playhouse Productions, which produced recordings and promoted artists.
A record shop in Monroe, NC known as the “New Record Shop and Playhouse.”
Later, the Sandhill Opry in Pageland, South Carolina, where musicians and fans gathered to celebrate bluegrass music.
Throughout the years, Playhouse helped preserve and promote regional bluegrass artists whose music might otherwise have gone unheard.
Today, that same passion continues through Playhouse Productions, carrying forward the family tradition of helping musicians create timeless recordings and beyond.
Jason Fraley-Owner(Grandson of J.C.)…
Born into music, his journey began literally from day one—coming home from the hospital to the sound of his dad’s band rehearsing in the house. A week later, he attended his first bluegrass festival, setting the tone for a lifelong passion. Traveling and performing alongside his late father, a major musical influence, he grew up immersed in the craft that would define his life. As he reflects, “in 1993 I met my guitar hero Tony Rice for the first time at Denton, NC as well as Bill Monroe the same year. Not only did that stem to us being lifelong pals but the festival in Denton was where I was saturated with learning my craft. From watching my heroes and meeting them to sharing venues and stages with them is indescribable.”
With over 35 years of experience, he has become a seasoned multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, audio engineer, and producer. Carrying on a family legacy, he owns Playhouse Records, originally founded by his grandfather. His extensive performance career includes longtime membership with Deeper Shade of Blue (1999–2022), along with Bluegrass 76, Remington Ride, No Other Name, Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa, Jerry Butler and the Bluejays, and Wilson Banjo Co.
Throughout the years, he has traveled nationwide, performing on some of the country’s most respected stages and sharing them with many notable artists. His honors include performing with The Army Band and The Marine Band. A talented musician beyond bluegrass, he was a trombone player and drum major in high school and continued into college, performing with jazz artist Bill Hannah’s big band.
He has also served as music director and lead guitarist for Lee Park Worship on Daywind Records. His accolades include the 2007 NC Bluegrass and Country Hall of Fame Mandolin Player of the Year, an IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year nomination, a Grammy nomination with Deeper Shade of Blue, and GMA and Dove Award nominations with Lee Park Worship.
In recent years, he has expanded his passion into the culinary world, launching Playhouse Cook Shed BBQ, where he enjoys cooking and catering when he’s not performing. Today, he continues his musical journey as guitarist and singer for Ashleigh Graham and Appalachian Highway, blending tradition, experience, and heart into everything he does.
About
History and goal…
Playhouse began with a dream—not just to make records, but to create a home for bluegrass music.
Founded by James Calvin “J.C.” Smith, Playhouse Records and Playhouse Productions became part of the Carolina bluegrass community during the 1970s. Operating from Monroe, North Carolina, J.C. wasn’t simply a record label owner. He was a promoter, producer, businessman, and passionate supporter of traditional bluegrass music.
Playhouse included:
Playhouse Records, an independent record label.
Playhouse Productions, which produced recordings and promoted artists.
A record shop in Monroe, NC known as the “New Record Shop and Playhouse.”
Later, the Sandhill Opry in Pageland, South Carolina, where musicians and fans gathered to celebrate bluegrass music.
Throughout the years, Playhouse helped preserve and promote regional bluegrass artists whose music might otherwise have gone unheard.
Today, that same passion continues through Playhouse Productions, carrying forward the family tradition of helping musicians create timeless recordings and beyond.
Jason Fraley-Owner(Grandson of J.C.)…
Born into music, his journey began literally from day one—coming home from the hospital to the sound of his dad’s band rehearsing in the house. A week later, he attended his first bluegrass festival, setting the tone for a lifelong passion. Traveling and performing alongside his late father, a major musical influence, he grew up immersed in the craft that would define his life. As he reflects, “in 1993 I met my guitar hero Tony Rice for the first time at Denton, NC as well as Bill Monroe the same year. Not only did that stem to us being lifelong pals but the festival in Denton was where I was saturated with learning my craft. From watching my heroes and meeting them to sharing venues and stages with them is indescribable.”
With over 35 years of experience, he has become a seasoned multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, audio engineer, and producer. Carrying on a family legacy, he owns Playhouse Records, originally founded by his grandfather. His extensive performance career includes longtime membership with Deeper Shade of Blue (1999–2022), along with Bluegrass 76, Remington Ride, No Other Name, Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa, Jerry Butler and the Bluejays, and Wilson Banjo Co.
Throughout the years, he has traveled nationwide, performing on some of the country’s most respected stages and sharing them with many notable artists. His honors include performing with The Army Band and The Marine Band. A talented musician beyond bluegrass, he was a trombone player and drum major in high school and continued into college, performing with jazz artist Bill Hannah’s big band.
He has also served as music director and lead guitarist for Lee Park Worship on Daywind Records. His accolades include the 2007 NC Bluegrass and Country Hall of Fame Mandolin Player of the Year, an IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year nomination, a Grammy nomination with Deeper Shade of Blue, and GMA and Dove Award nominations with Lee Park Worship.
In recent years, he has expanded his passion into the culinary world, launching Playhouse Cook Shed BBQ, where he enjoys cooking and catering when he’s not performing. Today, he continues his musical journey as guitarist and singer for Ashleigh Graham and Appalachian Highway, blending tradition, experience, and heart into everything he does.
Services
Services
01
Mix/Master
02
Tracks
03
Demo
Services
Services
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