Veteran Bluegrass Artist Donna Ulisse Releases New Single 'Gate City'

The song tells a fictional story inspired by a real-life road sign in the Clinch Mountains.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:35pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes in shades of blue, green, and white, conceptually representing the themes of bluegrass music, mountain landscapes, and the afterlife.Donna Ulisse's new bluegrass single 'Gate City' draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Clinch Mountains and the metaphorical 'town surrounding Heaven'.Gate City Today

Acclaimed bluegrass singer-songwriter Donna Ulisse has released a new single called 'Gate City' through Turnberry Records. The song, which she co-wrote with longtime collaborator Marc Rossi, is a fictional tale inspired by a road sign Ulisse would pass while visiting her in-laws in the Clinch Mountains. The story follows a mountain man reflecting on his life as he approaches the metaphorical 'Gate City' of heaven.

Why it matters

Ulisse is a respected figure in the bluegrass genre, known for her songwriting prowess and powerful vocals. 'Gate City' continues her tradition of crafting compelling narratives through her music, drawing inspiration from the natural landscapes of her home region in Virginia.

The details

Ulisse says she was repeatedly struck by a road sign for the town of Gate City during visits to the Clinch Mountains, and that the name sparked her imagination about a metaphorical 'Gate City' of heaven. She collaborated with co-writer Marc Rossi to develop a story about a mountain man nearing the end of his life and reflecting on his past. The track features Ulisse on lead vocals, with her husband Rick Stanley providing harmony vocals, and a backing band that includes Cody Kilby, Greg Davis, Nate Burie, Jason Carter, Evan Winsor, and Mark Beckett.

  • Ulisse co-wrote 'Gate City' with Marc Rossi years ago.
  • The new single was released on April 3, 2026 through Turnberry Records.

The players

Donna Ulisse

A veteran bluegrass artist and celebrated songwriter who has released the new single 'Gate City'.

Marc Rossi

Ulisse's longtime friend and co-writer, who collaborated with her on the song 'Gate City'.

Rick Stanley

Ulisse's husband, who provides harmony vocals on the 'Gate City' track.

Turnberry Records

The record label that has released Ulisse's new single 'Gate City'.

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What they’re saying

“I wrote Gate City with my longtime friend and co-writer Marc Rossi years ago. I had stayed contemplative on a sign I'd been passing for years, each time my husband would bring me to the Clinch Mountains to visit my in-laws. I kept admiring the town name of Gate City stamped on the green and white road sign.”

— Donna Ulisse, Artist

“In my writer's imagination I would picture this place as the bustling town surrounding Heaven. When I described it to Rossi we decided to make it about a mountain man who lived a sketchy life, and at the end of his journey he started worrying about how he would be judged in the town where The Gate stood.”

— Donna Ulisse, Artist

What’s next

Ulisse's new single 'Gate City' is available now on popular download and streaming services, as well as to radio programmers through the 'Get It Played' service.

The takeaway

Donna Ulisse's 'Gate City' showcases her talent for crafting compelling narratives through her bluegrass songwriting, drawing inspiration from the natural landscapes and small-town imagery of her Virginia home region. The song's metaphorical exploration of the afterlife and a man's reckoning with his past life adds emotional depth to Ulisse's latest musical offering.