The art of releasing a pair of singles simultaneously often risks pulling a band in two directions. But for Western North Carolina’s Nick Chandler and Delivered, this double drop feels more like a statement of identity than a split focus. With “Hazel Creek” and “Follow the Leader”, the quartet proves that the high-octane storytelling of Bluegrass and the heartfelt uplift of Gospel are not competing impulses, but interlocking gears in the same musical engine
URL: https://nickchandleranddelivered.com/
Let’s start with “Hazel Creek.” Written by Tom T. and Dixie Hall—giants in the songwriting canon—the track emerges here with the buoyant energy of a band breathing fresh air into well-worn hills. Chandler’s mandolin punches in sharp bursts, while Jake Burrows’ banjo rolls drive the rhythm forward like a freight train picking up speed. Spencer Atkinson’s guitar provides a bright percussive spine, and Gary Trivette’s bass anchors it all with precision. The lyrics themselves are quintessentially Bluegrass: a narrator trudging through the hills, daisy in hand, to profess his love. It’s old-fashioned, but therein lies its charm. In Chandler’s delivery, the romance doesn’t feel dusty—it feels alive, carried on the shoulders of melody and rhythm. The clawhammer banjo ending is a thoughtful wink to the past, grounding the track in tradition while offering just enough novelty to feel distinct.
By contrast, “Follow the Leader” shifts the mood into something more reverent and community-centered. Originally penned by Dottie Rambo and popularized by The Whites, the song has already proven itself timeless. What Chandler and Delivered bring to the table is a Bluegrass-meets-Gospel blend that feels at once earnest and celebratory. The arrangement leans into the band’s vocal strengths—harmonies that stack cleanly without crowding the message. At mid-tempo, the track avoids the runaway gallop of “Hazel Creek”, instead unfolding steadily, like a congregation rising to its feet. Lyrically, it is plainspoken in its faith: following God, reaching the other side, walking in the right path. That simplicity works in the band’s favor, making the song as approachable to new listeners as it is affirming for longtime Gospel fans.
What’s most impressive about this dual release is the intentionality. Rather than hiding behind crossover pretenses, Chandler and Delivered embrace both halves of their personality. They are equally committed to playing breakneck, mountain-born Bluegrass and to testifying through Gospel harmony. Many bands claim to do both; few manage to pull it off with this level of conviction.
Together, these tracks point toward an upcoming album that promises balance rather than compromise. If “Hazel Creek” is for the dance floor and “Follow the Leader” is for the pews, then Nick Chandler and Delivered are proving they have a song for every corner of their community. They aren’t dabbling—they’re defining themselves. And in an age when niche is often the safer play, their willingness to straddle two traditions feels like both a risk and a triumph.
Mindy McCall
