Ask any of their fans and the phrase you'll hear used most often to describe THE COUNTY
LINE REBELS is "unique-new-traditional" music. The group was founded in 1988 by band leader, Howard Bellinger,
to perform for a St. Jude's Telethon. Public response was so overwhelming that he decided to give it a serious try.
Their first album "Highway to the Heart" has received air play on radio stations
throughout the Northeast and other parts of the USA and Canada. The title song "Standin' By the Highway"
was chosen to be on the NorthEast CMA's compiliation CD. Three of Howard's original songs have been nominated
for Song of the Year by members of the NorthEast CMA. Howard has been nominated for Songwriter of the Year
11 times and had the distinction of being the NorthEast CMA's Songwriter of the Year for the new millennium (year 2000.)
Howard was also chosen to receive one of four "Pioneer Awards" to be given by the NorthEast CMA in October
2009.
The group has been nominated by members of the
NorthEast CMA for awards since 1989 in the following categories: Entertainer's of the Year, Vocal and Instrumental
Group of the Year and the Sunrise Award. Throughout the years, individual members of the group have also been
nominated for awards.
They are extremely proud of the Operation Desert
Storm Award they received in recognition of their performances of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" at each
of their shows during the Gulf War Crisis.
They have appeared on numerous
St. Jude's Telethon and at various fairs, festivals and other venues throughout New York, Vermont, and
Massachusetts. Capital Country Magazine called them "one of the highlights of the festival" after their
appearance at the Round Lake (NY) Country Music Festival.
They have had the privilege
of opening for Nashville Country Music Hall of Famer's Hank Thompson and Mr. "Easy Loving", Freddy Hart as well
as Grand Ole' Opry member, Charlie Louvin (of the Louvin Brother's.) They have made numerous appearances
at the NorthEast CMA Award Show(s) at The Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY and Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, NY.
In sum, THE COUNTY LINE REBELS are well seasoned professionals with experience and insight,
who have only the enjoyment of their audiences at heart. Having perused their credentials and accomplishments, they
hope you will allow them to introduce you to their original music and "reintroduce you to Classic and New Country
music, as well as some 50's and 60's Rock 'n Roll thrown in just for fun.
They are a group that performs with power, conviction and respect for their audiences and
are a musical experience you won't want to miss. If you're in need of entertainment, ask for Upstate New York's premier band,
THE COUNTY LINE REBELS.
