Playing Time – 33:44 -- Together since 2002, The Linville Ridge Band takes their name from a significant geographic landmark near their western North Carolina home which is also known for a rich traditional and bluegrass music heritage. Preserving this heritage is one of the goals of  band members Aaron Ramsey (guitar, dobro), David Wiseman (mandolin), Perry Woodie (banjo, dobro), Michael Ramsey (bass). Three of the musicians had previously performed for a decade in the band, Damascus Road Acoustic Gospel. Playing his Lebeda mandolin, Aaron won the 2002 Merlefest mandolin contest.

All four are snazzy pickers who also share the lead vocal responsibilities on 2-3 songs apiece. While none of them have simply killing knockout voices, they capitalize on their individual vocal strengths to arrange each song for maximum benefit. Also, more emotion seems apparent when a songwriter sings his own compositions as Mike Ramsey does on “Life Him Up” and “When Uncle Came Home from the War.” The latter, sung with his son Aaron, is a hard-hitting ballad which tells the story of Mike’s great-uncle returning from World War II with some provocative questions about the sacrifices and value of war. Perry Woodie penned four originals for this project, and he sings lead on the opener “I’ve Lost the Will to Try” which is a good song with the potential to be covered by a national bluegrass act. Woodie’s “Time is a Healer” is a contemporary bluegrass composition with some good insight and advice when loves goes wrong. Woodie also wrote the flashy instrumental “Spanish Oak,” a high-test offering that allows the banjo, mandolin and guitar players plenty of room to demonstrate their adept, nimble-fingered skill. Some of the songs on “Hopes and Dreams” could’ve been embellished with a little hot fiddling, either by Wiseman or a guest artist. They take this approach on “Old Joe Clark” by featuring David’s fiddling, as well as enlisting the support of their friend and octogenarian Herb Lambert on mandolin.                   

The Linville Ridge Band performs primarily in North Carolina, but they also occasionally travel further afield to appear throughout adjacent southeastern states. With a variety of traditional, contemporary, and Gospel material in their repertoire, the group offers . The album also confirms that bluegrass is deep within their hearts. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)
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Over the past couple of years, the Linville Ridge Band has evolved into one of the most prolific bluegrass groups in the state of North Carolina, and "Hopes And Dreams" is clearly their best recording effort to date. The band's current lineup includes David Wiseman (mandolin and vocals), Mike Ramsey (bass and vocals), Perry Woodie (banjo, resonator guitar, and vocals), and Aaron Ramsey (guitar and vocals). The Linville Ridge Band has found a comfortable niche that balances both secular and gospel material. The majority of the dozen titles were composed by bandmembers Perry Woodie and Mike Ramsey, including "When Uncle Came Home From The War," "Lift Him Up," "I've Lost The Will To Try," and "Time Is A Healer." There are also impressive versions of Pete Goble's "Back To Dixie," "Never Again," and the instrumental "Old Joe Clark." From just about every aspect, "Hopes And Dreams" amply demonstrates that it could very well be the breakout project for the Linville Ridge Band.
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