Courtesy photo

Josh Shilling, playing with Mountain Heart at the Grand Ole Opry

Around Roanoke a couple of years back, it was hard to miss Josh Shilling. He seemed to be playing everywhere, seemingly with everyone around town.

But in February 2007, Shilling went nationwide with Mountain Heart, a pack of hot bluegrass players. Shilling, on lead vocal, guitar and piano, gave the band a funkier edge and a different approach to its style.

On Friday, Shilling and Mountain Heart play the Mariners Landing Summer Concert Series closer, opening for Diamond Rio.

Via e-mail, Shilling tells us what's been happening lately.

Q: Since joining the band, you've toured in Switzerland, played shows with Tony Rice and scheduled tour dates with Lynyrd Skynyrd. What have been the highlights for you?

A: It's pretty awesome to live the dream of a musician on stage and then during my down time, be able to explore whatever area we're in. We've jumped on a back road in southern Wyoming, hiked some in the Rockies and then fished for native trout in every stream from there down to Denver. We've watched the sun rise in Canada and dipped our feet in Lake Superior. In Switzerland ... we went into a music store, and they had our album ... and knew way more about our music than I'd ever dream.

The Tony Rice shows have been awesome! ... It's crazy to play guitar and piano beside him while singing the songs that he made famous.

I can't wait for the Lynyrd Skynyrd shows because I'm such a huge fan. Those guys are Southern rock icons and have influenced nearly every musician in some way. In Nashville, I hear little riffs or melodies all the time on country records that were without a doubt borrowed from a Skynyrd record.

Q: The band's first album with you, the live "The Road That Never Ends," remains in the Billboard chart. It seems like it's about time for that first studio record. What are you guys cooking up?

A: I've been writing stacks of songs ... but the only thing I can say with certainty at this point is that it's going to be something very special for music lovers and something huge for our careers!

Q: You said when we last spoke that you wanted to continue doing side projects and solo work. Are you finding time for that?

A: I haven’t had a lot of time for solo projects, but I do branch out often to sit in or record with other bands and artists. ... I still love to sit in with Cimmaron and The Domino Band every time I come back to VA. ... I write all the time at home in Nashville. ... I’m pursuing a songwriting deal for myself in Nashville, and I’ve been pitching and getting a lot of my songs recorded by other bands and friends in the music business. I’m always thinking about a solo record for myself, and I’ve got a lot of songs and ideas stored ... so check back to my Web site.

Q: The band has played and scheduled a few shows in the region. What has been the local audiences' reaction to the music?

A: Every time we've played in that area the people have been great. Since so many great bluegrass musicians came from that part of [Virginia], the audiences aren't strangers to what we're doing. Jason Moore, our bass player, and I are both from around Roanoke, Martinsville and Danville, so we have lots of friends and family in those areas. I'm sure both the Diamond Rio show Friday night and the Skynyrd show (Sept. 11 in Danville) are going to be awesome for us, and I can't wait to see and catch up with all of the familiar faces!

For show details, see Top Tickets. Read more about Shilling and other local musicians at blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch/musician_profiles/ | myspace.com/mountainheartofficial | joshshilling.com