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Record Store Day’s Black Friday 2017 – Americana and Roots Music Picks

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Record Store Day's Black Friday

To me the start of the holiday season comes on Record Store Day Black Friday event. Putting indy record stores on the forefront of holiday shopping by special, limited edition slabs of sweet, sweet vinyl itching to be added to your collection.

2017 is sure to be a dandy, offering selections from Steve Earle, Willie Nelson, ram Parsons with Emmylou Harris and others. Sure, the Record Store Day Black Friday selections are smaller than the usual offerings on include Record Store Day, but that doesn’t make them any less enticing.

Record Store Day’s Black Friday is November 24th, 2017. Check the full list and remember to tweet a pic of your bounty tomy twitter account and I’ll share it with those foolish enough to stay home.

Steve Earle – El Corazon
Format: LP
Label: Warner Bros.
Quantity: 2500
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release
This 1997 Steve Earle album is released on vinyl for the frst time, and comes with a lithograph exclusive to this Record Store Day Black Friday edition.

Christmas In Washington, Taneytown, If You Fall, I Still Carry You Around (with the Del McCoury Band), Telephone Road (with the Fairfield Four), Somewhere Out There, You Know The Rest,, N.Y.C. (with The Supersuckers), Poison Lovers (with Siobhan Kennedy), The Other Side Of Town, Here I Am, Ft. Worth Blues

Willie Nelson – Spirit
Format: LP
Label: Modern Classic Recordings
Quantity: 2200
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release
Few country artists have had a bigger influence on the musical landscape than Wille Nelson. Born in 1933 in Abbott, TX, Ol’ Willie is still going strong at the young age of 84! For RSD Black Friday, Modern Classics is re-releasing Spirit, Willie Nelson’s forty-ninth studio album, originally released in 1996. The album differs from Nelson’s other work because his band used fewer instruments on the recording (two guitars, piano, fiddle) and it has a more classical/Spanish influence. Spirit reached the US Country top 20 when it was released, and David Fricke from Rolling Stone describes it as “low-key, acoustic, stripped to the rugged fundamentals of a good song and a superior voice.” Spirit is an emotional concept album illustrating the forlorn tale of a man abandoned by the great love of his life. We follow him down the path of loss as he confronts grief, gets back on his feet, and eventually finds solace in acceptance. Beloved by those familiar with Nelson’s deep catalog, Spirit remains highly revered amongst critics and fans alike. Likened to Bob Dylan’s Time Out Of Mind or Waylon Jennings’ Right For the Time, Spirit sees Nelson maturing most gracefully. Originally released in 1996, Spirit is issued here for the first time on colored vinyl as a special Record Store Day Black Friday release. It comes newly remastered with a deluxe, gatefold, ‘tip-on’ uncoated jacket, this is a chance to own this unique album in its most beautifully presented form.

1 Matador 2 She Is Gone 3 Your Memory Won’t Die In My Grave 4 I’m Not Trying To Forget You Anymore 5 Too Sick To Pray 6 Mariachi 7 I’m Waiting Forever 8 We Don’t Run 9 I Guess I’ve Come To Live Here In Your Eyes 10 It’s A Dream Come True 11 I Thought About You, Lord 12 Spirit Of E9 13 Matador

Willie Nelson – Yesterdays Wine
Format: LP
Label: Friday Music
Quantity: 1500
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release
in 1973’s Yesterday’s Wine LP, Willie Nelson crafted one of the most artistically acclaimed albums in his huge catalog of recorded music. The LP is an insightful look into the the wrtiing and musicianship of this legendary artist at a time when he and friends like Waylon Jennings were considered too hip and outlaw for the confines of Nashville radio acceptance. It contains songs like the autobiographical “Me & Paul”, the stellar title track and an incredible trove of balladry including “December Day,” “It’s Not For Me To Understand,” and the gospel hits “In God’s Eyes” and “Family Bible.” Yesterday’s Wine has been long out of print on vinyl and is coming to record stores as part of the Friday Music 180g Audiophile Vinyl Series on burgundy vinyl, in a gatefold sleeve and with a poster depicting the cover art included.

1. Medley 2. In God’s Eyes 3. Family Bible 4. It’s Not for Me to Understand 5. Medley 6. Summer of Roses 7. December Day 8. Yesterday’s Wine 9. Me and Paul 10. Goin’ Home

Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels – Live 1973 Featuring Emmylou Harris
Format: LP
Label: Sierra High Fidelity
Quantity: 2000
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release
Gram Parsons, an extremely revered and influential American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist, famously passed away on September 19, 1973, in Joshua Tree, CA of a drug overdose. Live 1973 Featuring Emmylou Harris is a live album by Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels, recorded at Sonic Studios in Hempstead, New York during a live radio broadcast from WLIR-FM. The recording came between Parsons’ only two solo studio albums, GP, and Grievous Angel, but it was not released until 1982. This re-issue of Live 1973 Featuring Emmylou Harris is pressed on audiophile 180gram vinyl, utilizing Sierra Records 1982 original half-speed metal master, and was processed by the late Richard “Slim” Doss at the legendary Sheffield Lab Matrix. This beautiful deluxe edition comes with the original LP artwork, in an enhanced presentation silver foil, limited numbered jacket. It is a must have for any fan of the talented and troubled musician.

A1 We’ll Sweep Out the Ashes A2 Big Mouth Blues A3 The New Soft Shoe A4 Streets Of Baltimore A5 Cry One More Time B1 California Cottonfields B2 Love Hurts B3 Country Baptizing B4 Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man B5 That’S All It Took B6 Six Days On The Road

Chet Atkins – Guitar Blues / Brown Eyes A Cryin’ In The Rain
Format: 7″ Vinyl
Label: Modern Harmonic
Quantity: 1000
Release type: RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release
Originally released on 78 in 1946 on Nashville’s Bullet Records, this is the first ever vinyl reissue of Chet’s very first release! Packaged in an envelope style picture sleeve with liner notes by Chet historian Pat Kirtley. Limited edition blue vinyl!

“Guitar Blues”/”Brown Eyes A Cryin’ In The Rain

Lou Reed and Kris Kristofferson – The Bottom Line Archive Series: In Their Own Words: With Vin Scelsa
Format: LP Picture Disc
Label: The Bottom Line Record Company
Quantity: 1000
Release type: RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release
An exclusive, limited 1000 quantity picture disc LP of select’ tracks from Lou Reed and Kris Kristofferson’s ‘In Their Own words with Vin Scelsa’ set from 1994 at the famed Bottom Line in NYC.

Side A: 1) “Introduction” 2) Vin Scelsa Introduces Lou Reed 3) “Betrayed” 4) Vin Scelsa introduces Kris Kristofferson 5) “Shipwrecked” 6) Lou Reed talks about songwriting 7) “Legendary Hearts” 8) Kris Kristofferson talks about his chiildhood and songwriting 9) “Sunday Morning Coming Down/The Pilgrim” Side B: 1) Lou Reed talks about The Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol 2) “Sweet Jane” 3) Kris talks about “Me and Bobby McGee” 4) “Me and Bobby McGee” 5) Kris talks about “Bird on a Wire” 6) “Bird on a Wire” 7) “Tracks of My Tears”

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Sixteen Tons
Format: 7″ Vinyl
Label: Family Owned/Thirty Tigers
Quantity: 500
Release type: RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release
Limited edition 7″ vinyl single featuring the Tennessee Ernie Ford classic “Sixteen Tons” b/w the Smokey Robinson & The Miracles classic “You Really Got A Hold On Me.

“Sixteen Tons”/”You Really Got A Hold On Me”

Various Artists – Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams
Format: LP
Label: Slatecreek Records
Quantity: 1000
Release type: RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release
Country Music Hall of Famer Don Williams announced his retirement from performing last year, concluding an impressive five-decade career that includes two CMA Awards, two ACM Awards and 17 No. 1 hits. Williams unfortunately passed away in September 2017. In honor of his legendary career, Williams’ longtime producer and friend Garth Fundis have produced a tribute album, Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams, featuring an all-star lineup of artists. Some of the artists on Gentle Giant include Jason Isbell, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Alison Krauss, John Prime and Garth Brooks. The 11-track album is being released on Slate Creek Records exclusively for RSD Black Friday 2017, and will serve as both a tribute and a memorial to a great man.

Tulsa Time – Pistol Annies, I Believe In You – Brandy Clark,We’Ve Got A Good Fire Goin’ – Lady Antebellum,Some Broken Hearts Never Mend – Dierks Bentley,Amanda – Chris Stapleton Feat. Morgane Stapleton,Till The Rivers All Run Dry – Alison Krauss,Love Is On A Roll – John Prine Feat. Roger Cook,If I Needed You – Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires,Maggie’S Dream – Trisha Yearwood,Lord I Hope This Day Is Good – Keb’ Mo,Good Ole Boys Like Me – Garth Brooks

Waylon Jennings – New Stuff
Format: LP
Label: Black Country Rock
Quantity: 1500
Release type: ‘RSD First’ Release
In the late 90’s, Waylon Jennings was working on a batch of new material for a potential new album to be recorded. Unfortunately, that Jennings passed away before that album could be realized. While going through some of his fathers things, Shooter Jennings ran across a cassette tape labeled “New Stuff”. What was on that tape was a collection of new songs performed by just Waylon and his guitar. Shooter restored the tape and the result was an earnest collection of songs Waylon felt passionate and proud of. Black Country Rock proudly presents “New Stuff” on beautiful limited colored 12″ vinyl, a collection of songs that are a must-have for any die-hard Waylon fan.

Lydia Loveless – LIVE from the documentary Who Is Lydia Loveless?
Format: 12″ Vinyl
Label: What Were We Thinking Films
Quantity: 1400
Release type: ‘RSD First’ Release
A six-song vinyl-only Black Friday release of Lydia Loveless and her band performing a hometown show at Skully’s in Columbus, Ohio. Recorded by her longtime producer Joe Viers, the show was filmed for Gorman Bechard’s documentary Who Is Lydia Loveless’ which is included as a DVD in this package.

Side One: Out on Love, More Like Them, Desire. Side Two: Really Wanna See You Again, Heaven, Boy Crazy

Son Volt – Straightaways
Format: LP
Label: Rhino/WB
Quantity: 2500
Release type: ‘RSD First’ Release
20th Anniversary repressing of Son Volt’s second album.

Son Volt – Ballymena EP
Format: 10″ Vinyl
Label: Transmit Sound/Thirty Tigers
Quantity: 1500
Release type: ‘RSD First’ Release
This wonderful 10″ vinyl 45 rpm RSD Black Friday offering from Son Volt features 3 unreleased tracks that were left off of 2017’s Notes Of Blue, and 1 re-recording of a Son Volt classic “Sultana” from American Central Dust. These amazing songs are of stripped down acoustic in nature with some percussion elements and electric guitar.

1. “Ballymena” 2. “Dressed In White” 3. “Yellow Walls” 4. “Sultana”

Neil Young – Harvest Moon
Format: 2 x LP
Label: Warner Bros.
Quantity: 5000
Release type: ‘RSD First’ Release
This 25th Anniversary Edition of the Neil Young classic is newly remastered and presented for the first time on vinyl in North America, in case-wrapped gatefold jacket.

Miranda Lambert Announces ‘Livin’ Like Hippies’ Tour. invites Great Opening Acts.

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Miranda Lambert Announces 'Livin’ Like Hippies'

Miranda Lambert has announced her winter 2018 tour plans. With her latest release of the excellent ‘The Weight Of These Wings’ she stayed true to her MO she’s displayed throughout her career, straddling the line between Music Row glitz and Red Dirt grit.

Lambert is now showing her great taste in music and willingness to expose roots artists to a larger audience. The main opener, Jon Pardi, sounds like a hat act being groomed the Tim McGraw’s career path, but Charlie Worsham, Ashley McBryde, Sunny Sweeney, the Steel Woods, Lucie Silvas, Turnpike Troubadours and Brent Cobb filling in on select dates. C’mon!

That’s badass.

The tour begins on January 18th in Greenville, S.C., and ends March 24th in Winston Salem, N.C.

The only bummer for me is there’s no North Texas stop. ‘Livin’ Like Hippies’ full dates below:

Jan. 18 — Greenville, S.C. @ Bon Secours Arena (Jon Pardi and Brent Cobb)
Jan. 19 — Orlando, Fla. @ Amway Center (Jon Pardi and Brent Cobb)
Jan. 20 — Atlanta, Ga. @ Infinite Energy Center (Jon Pardi and Brent Cobb)
Feb. 1 — Tacoma, Wash. @ TBA (Jon Pardi and Turnpike Troubadours)
Feb. 2 — Spokane, Wash. @ TBA (Jon Pardi and Turnpike Troubadours)
Feb. 3 — Eugene, Ore. @ Matthew Knight Arena (Jon Pardi and Turnpike Troubadours)
Feb. 8 — Sacramento, Calif. @ Golden 1 Center (Jon Pardi and Lucie Silvas)
Feb. 9 — Fresno, Calif. @ Save Mart Center (Jon Pardi and Lucie Silvas)
Feb. 10 — Los Angeles, Calif. @ the Forum (Jon Pardi and Lucie Silvas)
Feb. 15 — San Diego, Calif. @ Viejas Arena (Jon Pardi and Lucie Silvas)
Feb. 17 — Phoenix, Ariz. @ Talking Stick Resort Arena (Jon Pardi and Lucie Silvas)
March 1 — Knoxville, Tenn. @ Thompson-Boling Arena (Jon Pardi and the Steel Woods)
March 2 — Lexington, Ky. @ Rupp Arena (Jon Pardi and the Steel Woods)
March 3 — Cleveland, Ohio @ Wolstein Center (Jon Pardi and the Steel Woods)
March 8 — Omaha, Neb. @ CenturyLink Center (Jon Pardi and Sunny Sweeney)
March 9 — Oklahoma City, Okla. @ Chesapeake Energy Arena (Jon Pardi and Sunny Sweeney)
March 10 — Little Rock, Ariz. @ Verizon Arena (Jon Pardi and Sunny Sweeney)
March 15 — Des Moines, Iowa @ Wells Fargo Arena (Jon Pardi and Ashley McBryde)
March 16 — St. Louis, Mo. @ ScotTrade Center (Jon Pardi and Ashley McBryde)
March 17 — Kansas City, Mo. @ Sprint Center (Jon Pardi and Ashley McBryde)
March 22 — Newark, N.J. @ Prudential Center (Jon Pardi and Charlie Worsham)
March 23 — State College, Pa. @ Bryce Jordan Center (Jon Pardi and Charlie Worsham)
March 24 — Winston Salem, N.C. @ Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Arena (Jon Pardi and Charlie Worsham)

Star-Studded Concert Film & Recording “The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson” Premiering October 27, 2017

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'The Life & Songs Of Kris Kristofferson.'

On March 16th, 2016 many esteemed artists across roots music came together at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to pay tribute to songwriting icon Kris Kristofferson.

If you weren’t able to make that show relax, on Friday, October 27 Country Music Television will premiere the 90-minute broadcast entitled ‘The Life & Songs Of Kris Kristofferson.’ On that same day Blackbird Presents Records will release the full-length concert film as a CD/DVD combo features performances, in-depth interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage with Kris Kristofferson, Jessi Alexander, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Ryan Bingham, Rosanne Cash, Eric Church, Jessi Colter, Rodney Crowell, Larry Gatlin, Emmylou Harris, Jack Ingram, Shooter Jennings, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, The Travelin’ McCourys, Reba McEntire, Buddy Miller, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Jon Randall, Darius Rucker, Hank Williams Jr. and Lee Ann Womack.

Performances include a range of Kristofferson classics, like “Me And Bobby McGee” (performed by Reba McEntire), “Help Me Make It Through The Night” (Performed by Lady Antebellum), “To Beat The Devil” (Performed by Eric Church), a very special performance of “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” (performed by Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson), and an all-star grand finale performance of the classic “Why Me.”

The CD/DVD can be purchased with exclusive merchandise from PledgeMusic (http://pledgemusic.com/projects/songsofkristofferson) including a limited edition framed gig poster from the night of the show, color photo, and an Epiphone Ltd. Ed. 1963 J-45 guitar, all signed by Kris Kristofferson. Merchandise bundles which include the official concert t-shirt and hat.

‘The Life & Songs Of Kris Kristofferson’ CD/DVD combo is available for preorder at pledgemusic.

Jason Isbell Won’t Change Country Music, And That’s A Good Thing

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Jason isbell

It’s a new day in country music, that’s what some might have you believe.

The Country Music Association revealed its nominees for the 51st CMA Awards on Monday on, fittingly, a morning variety show. I say fittingly because I’m certain that the CMA know full-well their demographic is shared by ABC’s Good Morning America. Soft news, fashion, food, and entertainment, in other words, lifestyle.

The nominee list for Album of the Year must have sent many GMA viewers to Google the name Jason Isbell. Just like the Grammy’s did by nominating Sturgill Simpson for Album of the Year alongside Adele and Beyoncé. The Country Music Association threw a seeming curveball to country music fans by looking outside the usually well-known names that comfortably rule the charts and mainstream country radio playlists.

Though Jason Isbell’s nomination for AOTY might have taken many by surprise fans were aware of the brilliance from the start. They have followed his troubled but brilliant career, through his time in the Alabama Southern Rock band The Drive-By Truckers through his early uneven solo output. But starting with 2013’s “Southeastern” up to his current nominated release “The Nashville Sound ” Isbell and crew have been on a charmed run of critical acclaim, chart runs, late-night TV appearances and multiple industry awards. Isbell’s always been a keen and genuine songwriter (as well as a badass and under-appreciated guitarist) To make this even more rewarding time Isbell enjoyed sobriety, married singer/songwriter Amanda Shires and started a family.

With a proven record of popular success the Country Music Association took notice. CMA is a trade group not known for taking chances with its award show, here they had an artist with critical acclaim, strong sales, and enough live cred to sell out a six-night stint at the Mother Church of country music, the Ryman Auditorium.

But Music Row Music Row adopted popular (pop) styles they believed kept the genre relevant and lucrative. Sinatra resulted in Eddie Arnold. Nickleback resulted Florida Georgia Line. This tactic has resulted in the genre becoming the #1 radio format in the country. Millions of album and ticket sales. Mainstream country has anticipated and met mass appeal as obsessively as McDonalds has tailored the McRib’s limited release model. This has resulted business success. Nothing is left to chance.

Not even Isbell’s nomination. Like nominee Chris Stapleton, Isbell is a low-risk way for Music Row to superficially address the recent bro-country backlash and give the impression to their customers that they’re new and improved. You know, like detergent.

But Isbell’s nomination, or even a win, will no more change the trajectory of Music Row than the nom/win would cause Isbell to start writing songs featuring dirt roads and girls in Daisey Dukes. Willie and Waylon didn’t change things. Neither did Dwight and Earle. Though I’m sure then, like now, there was self-satisfied chatter that Music Row finally changing for the better.

But better for who? I love the music of Americana and a recognize it’s richness, but I also recognize it’s not for everyone. Nor would I want it to be.

Much like the political landscape, there’s an element of one portion of the country wondering what the hell is wrong with the other portion. How could they possibly vote…er…listen to such garbage? There very little understanding of the fly-over states but plenty of tongue-clicking judgement. It’s the most vile form of arrogance, the kind disguised as empathy.

Music Row has taken Mark Twain’s statement about his own work, ‘My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. (Fortunately) everybody drinks water.’ as it’s guiding principle of its own output. Music Row has a laser-focused bead on the NASCAR masses and work tirelessly to meet their market-tested needs. The resulting music doesn’t appeal to snobs like myself, nor is it designed to. But it makes millions happy with it’s Friday Night Lights scenarios appealing to a folks yearning for wholesome simplicity in an ever more complex world.

It’s not just music, it’s a psychological backdrop of hope, nostalgia and a little fear of the unknown. Whatever you think of that concept there’s no denying that it’s worked as a potent brand to adhere those desires to their product.

Isbell and his band deserve all the success, awards and resulting revenue currently coming their way. They came to it the hard way, roadweary and hard pressed (remember when their equipment trailer was stolen after a gig in Dallas?) Music in it’s purist form.

Mainstream Country and Americana are first cousins that fight at family gatherings. Both share the same cultural, thematic and instrumentation roots but each have taken them in their own direction. In many ways each exists as a result of the other. Alt.country spawned as a Johnny Cash finger response to the gloss of 80’s country. Americana to Bro-country. If one were to cease to exist the other would suffer in it’s unique role.

Any Americana artist that can, just for a moment, pierce the veil of Music Row’s brand to remind the world how inspiring and challenging music can be has done something special and hopefully enriches the cultural landscape and gives hope to aspiring country music artists that there’s something more to sing about than old trucks (maybe just in a more poetic way.)

Let’s just try not to be arrogant music dicks while all that greatness happens.

The 51st CMA Awards Monday, Nov. 8 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and will be televised on ABC.

Margo Price Announces New Album ‘All American Made,’ Hear First Single “A Little Pain”

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Margo Price Announces New Album 'All American Made,'

As reported in American Songwriter Margo Price will release her sophomore solo album All American Made on October 20 via Third Man Records.

The follow-up to the 2016 critically acclaimed breakout ‘Midwest Farmer’s Daughter’ and her recent EP ‘Weakness,’ the new record finds Price wrestling with ‘the travails of the road, sexism in the music industry, and the darker currents of the American political landscape.’

One track, “Learning To Lose,” features a guest vocal from none other than her friend and country music legend Willie Nelson.

Price recorded the album in Memphis at Sam Phillips Recording with her band – Kevin Black (bass), Jamie Davis (electric guitar), Micah Hulscher (piano), Jeremy Ivey (acoustic guitar/bass/harmonica), Dillon Napier (drums), and Luke Schneider (pedal steel). Matt Ross-Spang and Alex Munoz helmed the sessions, co-producing with Price and Ivey.

Check out the album’s first single, “A Little Pain,” plus the album’s track list and her newly announced tour dates below.

All American Made Track List:

1. Don’t Say It
2. Weakness
3. A Little Pain
4. Learning to Lose (featuring Willie Nelson)
5. Pay Gap
6. Nowhere Fast
7. Cocaine Cowboys
8. Wild Women
9. Heart of American
10. Do Right By Me
11. Loner
12. All American Made

Margo Price Tour Dates:

Nowhere Fast headline tour tickets on sale Friday, September 15 at 10am local time.

Sept 7 – Hopscotch Music Festival – Raleigh, NC
Sept 8 – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ**
Sept 9 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Jones Beach, NY**
Sept 10 – Hersheypark Stadium – Hershey, PA**
Sept 16 – Farm Aid 2017 – Burgettstown, PA
Sept 17 – CityFolk Festival – Ottawa, CA
Oct 1 – Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival – Columbia, MO
Oct 5 – iWireless Center – Moline, IL^
Oct 6 – Wells Fargo Arena – Des Moines, IA^
Oct 7 – Xcel Energy Center – St. Paul, MN^
Oct 26 – KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY^^
Oct 27 – Barclays Center – Brooklyn, NY^^
Jan 20 – Headliner’s Music Hall – Louisville, KY
Jan 21 – The Ready Room – St. Louis, MO
Jan 23 – Knucklehead’s – Kansas City, MO
Jan 24 – ACM@UCO – Oklahoma City, OK
Jan 26 – Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX
Jan 28 – Sam’s Burger Joint – San Antonio, TX
Jan 30 – Emo’s – Austin, TX
Feb 1 – Manship Theatre – Baton Rouge, LA
Feb 18 – The Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ
Feb 20 – Fox Theatre – Boulder, CO
Feb 21 – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO
Feb 23 – The State Room – Salt Lake City, UT
Feb 24 – The Olympic – Boise, ID
Feb 25 – Neptune – Seattle, WA
Feb 26 – Revolution Hall – Portland, OR
Feb 28 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA
Mar 1 – The Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
Mar 2 – Pappy & Harriet’s – Pioneertown, CA
Mar 3 – Belly Up – Solana Beach, CA

^ = w/ Chris Stapleton and Brent Cobb
** = Outlaw Music Festival Tour w/ Willie Nelson & Family
^^ = w/ Tim McGraw & Faith Hill Soul2Soul Tour

George Strait’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Concert Set for September

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Announced earlier this morning on Good Morning America, ‘Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Harvey Relief has been set to aid those affected by Hurricane Harvey on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The one-hour special will feature celebrity participants and performances including songs from Country Music icon and Texas native George Strait, live from his benefit concert at San Antonio’s Majestic Theatre. Joining him includes 6-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert, reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Chris Stapleton, 4x GRAMMY Award winner Lyle Lovett and Texas Heritage Songwriter Hall of Fame member Robert Earl Keen. Select performances from Majestic Theatre will air on ABC, CBS, CMT, Fox and NBC on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. EST on the East Coast and replay on the West Coast at 8 p.m. PST. The telethon broadcast as well as Strait’s Hand in Hand Texas show will also be available internationally via live stream on Facebook.

Strait, a Country Music Hall of Fame member, pledged to lead the country music world with this concert serving as the start of his ongoing relief efforts, with all proceeds from the show benefiting Rebuild Texas Fund thanks to event sponsor Cavender Auto Family and with assistance from the Majestic Theatre, Ticketmaster, VER, Bill Young Productions and the City of San Antonio.

Tickets to Strait’s Hand in Hand Texas show at Majestic Theatre will go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017 at 10 a.m. CST at Ticketmaster.com. IT SOLD OUT IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.

Proceeds from the one-hour telethon will benefit United Way of Greater Houston, Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children, Direct Relief, Feeding Texas, The Mayor’s Fund for Hurricane Harvey Relief (administered by the Greater Houston Community Fund) and RebuildTx.org through the Hand in Hand Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund managed by Comic Relief Inc.

Phone lines, text messaging, and digital donations will be open at the beginning of the show and will conclude one-hour after the show ends. For more information, updates and a link to donate, please visit handinhand2017.com.

News Roundup – Jim Lauderdale, Sunny Sweeney, Jamie Lin Wilson, Courtney Patton, Brennen Leigh, Loretta Lynn

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Lynn’s original handwritten lyrics to “Coal Miner’s Daughter,”
Loretta Lynn’s original handwritten lyrics to “Coal Miner’s Daughter,”

– Sure it’s still Summer, but it’s not too soon to think about Christmas when you know that Sunny Sweeney, Jamie Lin Wilson, Courtney Patton and Brennen Leigh will be reuniting for their Hard Candy Christmas Tour for the 2017 season. Tickets for most of the shows are on sale now and the more will be on sale soon. Check out all the dates and tickets right here.

– Check out Mr. Americana Jim Lauderdale performing “You Came To Get Me” off his new album “London Southern” on the Conan O’Brien show.

– Rolling Stone premiered ”If I Could Make You My Own’,’ the new song off Dori Freeman’s sophomore album Teddy Thompson-produced “Letters Never Read’ which will be released October 20th.

– The Legendary Shack Shakers, the band Stephen King described as dynamite and guitar legend Jeff Beck called “a cross between the Yard Birds and the Sex Pistols,” release their new album, ‘After You’ve Gone,’ on Last Chance Records. AllMusic premieres the exclusive stream of ‘After You’ve Gone’ here.

– Loretta Lynn is being honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s newest exhibit, “Loretta Lynn: Blue Kentucky Girl,” which opens to the public Friday and is scheduled to run through Aug. 5, 2018. The Hall of Fame hosted an invitation-only preview of the new exhibit on Tuesday (Aug. 22) that was accompanied by dinner and acoustic performances by Margo Price, Brandy Clark, (“Fist City” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” respectively) and featuring remarks by Kacey Musgraves, museum director Kyle Young and Lynn’s daughter Patsy Lynn. Unfortunately Loretta Lynn did not attend the exhibit Opening, but her family assures fans she’s making a strong recovery after Stroke

Turnpike Troubadours Return With ‘A Long Way From Your Heart’ This Fall

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Red Dirt music is like other hard-to-define cultural artifacts, hard to describe but I know it when I hear it.

And if there’s one band that has ‘it’ it’s Oklahoma’s Turnpike Troubadours. This fall fans of the roots-rock band will have more of ‘it’ to enjoy. On October 2oth their highly-anticipated new album ‘A Long Way From Your Heart’ will be released on the band’s label, Bossier City in partnership with Nashville powerhouse label Thirty Tigers. Produced/engineered by Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers) ‘A Long Way From Your Heart’ is officially being called as their fourth album, due to their 2007 debut ‘Bossier City’ being out of print

From the press release – The theme running through ‘A Long Way From Your Heart’ is resilience during difficult circumstances, as in album opener, “The Housefire”. The subjects in Felker’s songs are composite characters based on real people. Some tracks feel deeply personal, such as the poignant but upbeat “Pay No Rent” or country/folk ditty “Oklahoma Stars”. Other observational songs like “Unrung” and the raucous rocker “The Winding Stair Mountain Blues” are proof that (songwriter Evan) Felker’s penchant for great storytelling in the tradition of his musical forbearers has become masterful.

Pre-orders start August 25th. See the tracklist from ”A Long Way From Your Heart’ below and be sure to catch the Turnpike Troubadours on the road in support of the album in one of their raucous live shows, as you can witness yourself in the video below taken at Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic in Austin last month.

Here’s the track list for A Long Way From Your Heart:
1. “The Housefire”
2. “Something to Hold on To”
3. “The Winding Stair Mountain Blues”
4. “Unrung”
5. “A Tornado Warning”
6. “Pay No Rent”
7. “The Hard Way”
8. “Old Time Feeling (Like Before)”
9. “Pipe Bomb Dream”
10. “Oklahoma Stars”
11. “Sunday Morning Paper”

Listen Up! Willie Watson – “Samson and Delilah”

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Willie Watson

“Samson and Delilah” is a traditional song based on the Biblical parable of the seductress Delilah whom Samson loved, and who led to his downfall. The song has been covered by Blind Willie Johnson, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and many others the version of the song best known is by The Grateful Dead from their 1977 album ‘Terrapin Station.’

Neo folk interpreter Willie Watson infuses the work with fresh blood of reverence and stirring giving those others versions a worthy running. The song is given a Sunday morning gospel feel by the special guest vocals by The Fairfield Four.

Produced by David Rawlings and recorded on analog tape at Woodland Sound Studios in Nashville, TN, Watson’s anticipated new solo album, ‘Folksinger Vol. 2’ features eleven songs unearthed from the canon of American folk music including songs popularised by Leadbelly, Reverend Gary Davis, Furry Lewis and Bascom Lamar Lunsford. In addition to The Fairfield Four on three tracks, the album features Gillian Welch, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Morgan Jahnig and Punch Brothers’ Paul Kowert.

“I’m not trying to prove any point here,” Watson comments, “and I’m not trying to be a purist. There’s so much beauty in this old music, and it affects me on a deep level. It moves me and inspires me. I heard Leadbelly singing with the Golden Gate Quartet and it sounded fantastic, and I thought, ‘I want to do that.’ I heard the Grateful Dead doing their version of ‘On the Road Again,’ and it sounded like a dance party in 1926, and I wanted to do that, too. That’s the whole reason I ever played music in the first place—because it looked and sounded like it was going to be a lot of fun.”

The new album arrives three years after ‘Folk Singer Vol. 1,’ Watson’s first release since parting ways with Old Crow Medicine Show in 2011.

Based in Los Angeles, Watson is a member of the Dave Rawlings Machine and will soon make his acting debut in the Coen Brother’s latest project, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.”

FOLKSINGER VOL. 2 TRACK LIST
1. Samson And Delilah (feat. The Fairfield Four)
2. Gallows Pole
3. When My Baby Left Me
4. Dry Bones
5. Walking Boss
6. On The Road Again (feat. The Fairfield Four)
7. The Cuckoo Bird
8. Always Lift Him Up And Never Knock Him Down
9. John Henry
10. Leavin’ Blues
11. Take This Hammer (feat. The Fairfield Four)

Willie Watson’s ‘Folksinger Vol. 2 will be released September 15
via Acony Records

Pre-order here.

Musicians Come Together to Celebarate John Prine and Support Jessi “Zazu” Wariner

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On July 27th Americana and Music Row communities will join for a night to perform live John Prine covers to support Those Darlins member Jessi “Zazu” Wariner fight with cancer and to celebrate the master songwriter’s legacy.

 “The Songs of John Prine,” is a covers a show that will celebrates the re-release of the 2010 John Prine tribute record Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows, which includes Those Darlins’ rendition of “Let’s Talk Dirty in Hawaiian.”

Basement East in Nashville will host the event featuring artists all inspired by Prine’s storied classics, Alex Caress, Amanda Shires, Andrew Combs, Andrew Leahey, Brothers Osborne, Caitlin Rose, Caroline Rose, Colter Wall, Cory Branan, Darrin Bradbury, Elise Davis, Elizabeth Cook, Holly Williams, Jason Isbell, Jon Latham, Kelsey Waldon, Larissa Murphy, Levi Hummon, Lilly Hiatt, Muddy Magnolias, The Nicholson Brothers, Paul Cauthen, and The Whiskey Gentry (+ with more to be announce

Those Darlins straddled the territories of roots-rock and garage. The band’s final album Blur the Line was released in 2013, and closes with the cut “Ain’t Afraid,” the song that become Zazu’s slogan of perseverance in her fight against cancer.

Buy tickets to the event. sold out

To order a pressing of Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows, visit https://store.johnprine.com/. 

For more Information about Jessi Zazu and her fight with cancer, visit her youcaring page.