Jim Lauderdale’s album “The Birds Know,” his 39th, showcases ten captivating bluegrass songs in collaboration with the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. Rooted in Southern values and inspired by various artists, Lauderdale addresses themes of love, hope, and socio-political issues. The songs blend humor and heartfelt lyrics, embodying the essence of Americana.
Aaron Irwin’s “Spark,” featuring the Aaron Irwin Trio, showcases a blend of Americana, folk, and jazz through original compositions. With Irwin on saxophone and bass clarinet, supported by guitarist Mike Baggetta and drummer Bill Campbell, the album emphasizes improvisation and lyrical melodies, highlighting their long-standing camaraderie and musical chemistry.
Dave Vargo’s fourth album, “Ghost Towns,” showcases his roots rock style, blending Americana with catchy melodies. Notable tracks include the reflective “Anything at All” and the hopeful “New Life.” While Vargo excels with inventive guitar work and storytelling, he sometimes falls into overly poppy territory, maintaining an engaging yet complex outlook on life’s challenges.
Erik Brandt is the leader of the Urban Hillbilly Quartet, blending Americana music with strong storytelling and dynamic performances. A high school English teacher in St. Paul, he has released nine quartet albums and four solo records, showcasing versatility on multiple instruments. Brandt’s engaging live shows feature collaboration with guest musicians.
Nick Justice’s seventh album, “Rain Dancing,” features collaborations with familiar musicians and introduces new textures through instruments like fiddle and banjo. Addressing themes of patience, performance, and mortality, the album blends Southern California vibes with folk influences. With introspective lyrics, it showcases Justice’s talent and may mark his breakthrough.
Kim Moberg’s fourth album, “All That Really Matters,” showcases her soothing folk music and explores themes of love, betrayal, social justice, and healing. Featuring collaborations with other artists and rich instrumentation by Grammy-nominated producer Jon Evans, the album is both melodious and impactful, emphasizing poignant lyrics and human experiences.
Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon reunite for their album “Together Again,” expanding on their previous collaboration. Featuring fourteen tracks, the album mixes humor, nostalgia, and socially conscious themes, including gun violence. While the tone is lighter than their last effort, the duo delivers heartfelt storytelling and reflects on aging and friendship.
Diane Coll’s fifth album, Strangely in Tune, marks a sonic evolution in her intimate folk style, incorporating diverse musical influences. Inspired by Kintsugi, the album explores themes of resilience amidst life’s dualities. It features new musicians and highlights the interplay of grief and joy, culminating in a complex yet enriching listening experience.
Ed Harris is a renowned American musician dedicated to Celtic music for over 30 years. His latest album, “Echoes Through The Elderwoods,” features 14 captivating songs blending instrumental and vocal components. Harris’s mastery of multiple instruments enhances his artistry. Importantly, he donates all album proceeds to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Whitney Ross-Barris is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for her engaging pop melodies and strong lyrics. Her album features a mix of catchy tunes and emotional blues, showcasing her vocal range. Highlights include “Up in the Night” and “Only at Night.” The album also features various skilled musicians enhancing her pop sound.
Emmylou Harris’s live album Spyboy, originally performed with a slimmed-down band, showcases a harder edge compared to the ethereal Wrecking Ball. This reissue includes five unreleased tracks and highlights the dynamic performances of Harris and her band, emphasizing improvisation and emotion. Fans are encouraged to explore this remastered gem.
Tommy Talton’s album “Seven Levels” reflects his artistic journey, emotional depth, and the context of a fractured America. Collaborating with friends, he produced a rich sound, blending southern rock and blues. Despite health struggles, he completed this project before his passing on December 28, 2023, leaving behind a poignant legacy.
Greensky Bluegrass celebrates 25 years with their album XXV, showcasing their evolution through nine albums and extensive touring. The 75-minute record features 13 intricate songs, including collaborations with notable artists. Highlights include the energetic “Can’t Stop Now” and the epic “Last Winter in the Copper Country,” underscoring their unique jam-grass style.
Mark Miller’s album This Bridge showcases his talent as an Americana artist, featuring vivid narratives and poignant lyrics. Collaborating with renowned musicians, Miller explores themes of memory, heartbreak, and resilience. Notable tracks highlight personal experiences and evoke strong emotional imagery, affirming Miller’s status in contemporary music. This is a standout release of the year.
Joselyn Wilkinson and Don Barrozo return with “Lost & Found Highway,” their third album, reflecting their journey through memories, protests, and personal challenges. Collaborating with notable musicians, they combine powerful vocals and skilled guitar work while addressing themes of love, roots, and social issues, culminating in a message of resilience and affirmation.
Bill Scorzari’s double album, “Sidereal Days (Day 1),” showcases his literate songwriting and unique sound. Featuring personal and emotional tracks, it blends various musical elements with deeply reflective lyrics. Collaborating with top musicians, Scorzari’s distinctive voice enhances each piece, inviting listeners to engage fully with the music over multiple listens.
Euphoria Station is a Los Angeles progressive rock band formed in 2015 by Saskia Kraft van Ermel and Hoyt Binder. Their music blends Americana, rock, jazz, and folk, characterized by storytelling and emotive melodies. Their albums, including One Heart, The Reverie Suite, and Smoking Gun, showcase their evolving sound and commitment to heartfelt, complex music.
Richie Owens, raised in a musical family, navigates his artistic journey through rock, bluegrass, and country, producing for notable artists like Dolly Parton. His latest album, “Redemption,” reflects on personal losses and societal truths, blending powerful narratives and deep emotional insights, showcasing both sin and hope relevant to contemporary life.
Dallas Burrow The Way The West Was Won Forty Below Records Dallas Burrow is a singer-songwriter in the country tradition. Burrow has four previous EP’s, released between 2012 and 2016; and three studio albums on Subliminal Records recorded between 2019 and 2023. He is a great storyteller and thanks his songwriting heroes Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Willie […]
Wesley Hanna’s album “Magnolia,” self-released, reflects his Texas roots with authentic country music. Featuring 15 collaborators, it includes emotive tracks about youth and family. Highlights include “Gulf Prairie Blues,” “Life in Three Quarter Time,” and a cover of “Magnolia.” Hanna shows promise, echoing influences from renowned Texas songwriters.
Mary Strand, initially aspiring to various careers, discovered a passion for writing after practicing law. Her debut novel, “Cooper’s Folly,” won an award, prompting her to pursue writing further, alongside music. Living in Minneapolis with her family, Strand balances her creative pursuits with playful interests and an admiration for adventure.
Robert LaRoche, a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Holyoke, Ma, began his career at fifteen. He formed the band ‘The Sighs’ in 1982, achieving success with their debut CD in 1992. LaRoche’s solo work includes “Patient Man” and “Forevermore.” His upcoming album, “Sacred Vow,” releases in September 2025.
UK rock artist Slyder Smith releases his new single “Nobody’s Listening” on August 15, 2025, addressing the struggle for connection in a distracted world. Produced by Robin Wynn Evans, the track combines gritty rock with emotional depth. Slyder, known from Last Great Dreamers, is evolving as a solo artist with an upcoming album in 2026.
Stuart Blance is a Scottish singer-songwriter and photographer known for his acoustic music and uplifting lyrics. His new EP, “Fringe Benefits,” features songs like “Shine” and “As Scottish as Haggis,” celebrating themes of life, love, and self-belief. Blance’s work combines folk, Americana, pop, and rock influences, offering optimism and joy.
Remi Goode, a trained classical guitarist from Nashville, draws inspiration from artists like Suzanne Vega. Her debut album, “Things I’ve Said Before,” showcases a blend of folk and pop, featuring introspective lyrics and diverse instrumentation. The record hints at a promising future for Goode in the music industry.
Woody Guthrie, born July 14, 1912, in Oklahoma, revolutionized American folk music with over 3,000 songs, including “This Land Is Your Land.” His legacy, maintained by family members, remains influential in music and social justice. Recorded in 1950, his work highlights the enduring spirit of resilience and introspection among marginalized communities.
The Texas Headhunters, comprising Johnny Moeller, Jesse Dayton, and Ian Moore, released a self-titled debut album filled with energetic songs reflecting their Texas blues roots. Recorded in five days, the album showcases their diverse talents, blending elements of blues, rock, and a lively spirit, providing both depth and entertainment throughout.
Larry Keel and Jon Stickley, acclaimed flatpicking guitarists, celebrate acoustic music through dynamic harmonies in their new 5-track EP. Featuring lyrical tunes and cosmic instrumentals, the project showcases their skills and roots in bluegrass traditions. With influences from iconic musicians, their collaborative sound is both innovative and accessible.
Hayes Carll’s tenth album, “We’re Only Human,” combines country elegance with grit, focusing on self-forgiveness and positivity amidst imperfections. Collaborating with talented musicians, Carll delivers insightful songs that range from humorous critiques of societal issues to heartfelt reflections on life. The album embodies a refreshing outlook with strong storytelling and musical depth.
Stephen Jacques is an acclaimed alt-rock artist with ten albums and an upcoming eleventh. Influenced by a rich musical heritage, he writes and performs in Charlottesville, Virginia. His song “Send Them Love” is popular across over 300 radio stations. His next album, “Groove Atlantic-O,” releases in summer 2023.
East Nash Grass is a celebrated bluegrass band that achieved the title of “New Artist of the Year” at the 2024 International Bluegrass Music Association. Their debut album “Last Chance To Win” showcases their unique sound, featuring diverse vocal contributions from members and a mixture of original songs and covers.
Clarence Tilton, the Omaha band, returns with their new album Queen of the Brawl, showcasing rich harmonies and storytelling that reflects the American Midwest. Featuring guest appearances by Marty Stuart and Presley Tucker, the album blends alt-country with personal narratives, highlighting the band’s deep roots and musical influences.
Hush Money is an original band from Georgia, inspired by vintage rock, gritty blues, and outlaw country. Their dynamic lineup of four members enhances their musical versatility, delivering compelling performances. With a compelling discography, including the impactful albums Industry Standard and Go Back Home, they connect with audiences through universal themes and electrifying live shows.
Jason Ringenberg Stand Tall Courageous Chicken Music Punk-country icon Jason Ringenberg is back with his first solo album in 15 years. He is still touring with Jason & the Scorchers, but this is a special project inspired by nature and trees, in the biggest way possible. That’s because Ringenberg was commissioned as the artist-in-residence at […]
Outlaw Country Written by Brent Borman, Mark Anderson & Will Glass. 3 September 2014. Reprinted by Permission from https://sites.utexas.edu/countrymusic/the-history/outlaw-country/ During the 1950’s and 1960’s, country music experienced the commercial and artistic success known as the Nashville Sound. By the 1970’s, however, it was clear that the Nashville Sound was simply not working for many country artists. It was nearly […]
Waylon Jennings Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings Sagauro Road Records In 1958 Buddy Holly hired bassist Waylon Jennings. In Clear Lake, Iowa, Holly chartered a plane to take his band to their next venue. Jennings gave up his seat to J.P. Richardson a.k.a. the Big Bopper, who had a head cold. The plane carrying […]
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