Tag: Mark McCausland

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Larry Keel & Jon Stickley, Gwen Levey, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Our new music and premiere roundup is ready and waiting for you, ’cause You Gotta Hear This!

Bluegrass gospel group Eighteen Mile from upstate South Carolina have released their very first single, “Above The Clouds” today. Dripping with rich harmony vocals, the track offers encouragement to anyone experiencing doubt, anxiety, and pain. Supergroup neo-folk assemblage Geckøs – featuring Howe Gelb, Mark McCausland (AKA McKowski), and M. Ward – dropped a new single earlier this week, as well. “Lo Hice” started as an instrumental number, but morphed and changed when it reached the group, ending up as one of their favorite tracks on the upcoming album.

Guitar greats Larry Keel and Jon Stickley have joined forces on a new project; their self-titled EP will be available in just a week. To mark the occasion, we’ve got a sneak preview of one of the tracks from that collection, “Take the Air,” featuring just two guitars in an exciting and engaging instrumental dialogue. Singer-songwriter – and Sister Sadie band member – Jaelee Roberts has released her brand new solo album today, sharing its title track below. “Let Me Be Lonely” was written by Kelsi Harrigill (formerly of Flatt Lonesome) and hit country writer Wyatt McCubbin and it showcases Roberts’ love of traditional country sounds.

Don’t miss another country sensation, Gwen Levey, too, who shares a brand new music video for “Lighter,” the title track from her upcoming EP that is another excellent anthem for survivors of systems of violence. Beginning with subdued solo guitar and voice, the song soars into crisp modern country that will certainly have you feeling… lighter.

It’s all right here on BGS and You Gotta Hear This!

Eighteen Mile, “Above The Clouds”

Artist: Eighteen Mile
Hometown: Upstate South Carolina
Song: “Above The Clouds”
Release Date: August 29, 2025

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘Above The Clouds’ during a season when I was wrestling with uncertainty and learning to trust God more deeply. The song became a reminder to myself that no matter what we face – doubt, anxiety, or pain – God is steady and present above it all. I wanted the music to feel hopeful, something that lifts listeners up and reminds them that the sun still shines above every storm.” – Hallie Ritter

“We hope this song is an encouragement to listeners in all areas of life who may be dealing with clouds of doubt, pain, and anxieties. The sun will always shine above the clouds.” – Eighteen Mile

Track Credits:
Hallie Ritter – Upright bass, lead vocal, songwriter
Carson Aaron – Acoustic guitar, mandolin, harmony vocal
Emily Guy – Harmony vocal
Jack Ritter – Acoustic guitar
Savannah Aaron – Fiddle
Andy Leftwich – Mandolin

Geckøs, “Lo Hice”

Artist: Geckøs
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; and Omagh, Ireland
Song: “Lo Hice”
Album: Geckøs
Release Date: August 26, 2025 (single); September 26, 2025 (album)
Label: Org Music and PIAPTK Records

In Their Words: “‘Lo Hice’ is a song that started off in Ireland as an instrumental track. The bare bones was written specifically with Matt in mind to see if it perked his ears enough to finish it off. He picked it up and breathed brand new life into it. The song came alive with his voice and slide guitar and his Spanish lyrics took it to a whole new world. One of the beautiful things about Geckøs is I’m slowly learning how to speak the Spanish tongue, or at least I know how to say things like, ‘It’s fucking hot outside.’ We finished the song together in Bristol with John Parish driving the ship, and the puzzle was complete. It’s become one of my favourite tracks on the album. Definitely in the top eleven.” – Mark McCausland (AKA McKowski)

Larry Keel and Jon Stickley, “Take the Air”

Artist: Larry Keel and Jon Stickley
Hometown: Lexington, Virignia (Larry); Asheville, North Carolina (Jon)
Song: “Take the Air”
Album: Larry Keel and Jon Stickley (EP)
Release Date: September 5, 2025

In Their Words: “‘Take the Air’ is one of those musical ideas that came to me like a gift. It’s based on a happy riff that I would play every time I picked up my guitar during the height of COVID lockdown. It was such a time of stress and anxiety, yet I also experienced so much connection with the world around me. When life slowed down, the planes stopped flying overhead, and the wheels of the world stopped turning, suddenly everything in the natural world felt so much more alive. I posted a short video of myself playing it one day and got a text from Larry shortly after saying, ‘Hey man, let’s do some duo shows someday.’ It took about four years, but we’re finally making it happen. The arrangement of this tune purposely leaves some space to take a breath. I hope listeners find it as uplifting as I do.” – Jon Stickley

Track Credits:
Larry Keel – 2008 Andrew White handcrafted parlor style guitar
Jon Stickley – Preston Thompson D-EIA acoustic guitar

Gwen Levey, “Lighter”

Artist: Gwen Levey and The Breakdown
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Lighter”
Album: LIGHTER
Release Date: August 29, 2025 (single); October 24, 2025 (EP)
Label: GAL Productions

In Their Words: “If my previous EP, Not The Girl Next Door, was about all of the toxicity I was experiencing the first few decades of my life, ‘Lighter’ is about shedding all that sh*t and stepping into my healing era. The EP represents the light I’ve been able to find to carry me through some very dark days. The two-and-a-half minute song is an upbeat anthem as a survivor of not only an eating disorder, but of overcoming abuse and life’s tribulations, and my hope in writing it is that other survivors will also feel empowered.

“Being a survivor has given me the voice I have today. I co-founded Rise Above Justice Movement, a coalition of survivors impacted by systems of violence. The theme song for RAJM is ‘Barefoot & Pregnant,’ my viral pro-choice country anthem that has amassed over 20 million views, won several awards, and will premiere on PBS this summer. To this day, RAJM has several notable followers, including Rosie O’Donnell, the founder of the MeToo movement Tarana Burke, Alanis Morissette, and many others. ‘Lighter’ will be another anthem for our survivor movement.” – Gwen Levey

Jaelee Roberts, “Let Me Be Lonely”

Artist: Jaelee Roberts
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Let Me Be Lonely”
Album: Let Me Be Lonely
Release Date: August 29, 2025

In Their Words: “‘Let Me Be Lonely’ is one of my favorite songs on the album for sure! I am such a huge lover of classic/traditional country music and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t listen to it. I am beyond excited that I got to record a song that allowed me to give a nod to that sound. My friend and mentor, Kelsi Harrigill, sent me the demo of ‘Let Me Be Lonely’ that she wrote with hit country songwriter Wyatt McCubbin, and I knew before I’d even gotten halfway through the first listen that I absolutely had to put it on my album. As I’ve mentioned several times, I love sad songs with my whole heart, and this song has all the ingredients that make the perfect sad country song – lyrically and melodically. Kelsi and Wyatt joined me on this recording singing harmony vocals, which just topped it off for me. There is steel and fiddle on this track (which are my favorite instruments), and I sure hope that y’all enjoy my little tip of the hat to the trad country music that I love so much!” – Jaelee Roberts

Track Credits:
Jaelee Roberts – Lead vocal
Kelsi Harrigill – Harmony vocal
Wyatt McCubbin – Harmony vocal
Byron House – Bass
Cody Kilby – Guitar
Andy Leftwich – Mandolin
Ron Block – Guitar
Stuart Duncan – Fiddle
Russ Pahl – Steel guitar
John Gardner – Percussion

Photo Credit: Larry Keel and Jon Stickley by Lexi Simcic; Gwen Levey by Meaghan Campbell.

BGS Wraps: Ruby Amanfu, Billy Strings, Old Crow Medicine Show, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Farewell 2023 and hello 2024! While we all relish the week that doesn’t exist – that delightful no-man’s-land between Christmas and New Year’s Day – there’s perhaps just one activity beyond abject laziness that’s appropriate for the turning of the year: Music! Whether you’re still in “pajamas hermit” mode or you’re antsy and ready to go back out into the world, we’ve got songs and shows to recommend for your New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day festivities in this special edition, final week of BGS Wraps.

Thank you for spending another stellar year with BGS! We can’t wait to enjoy all that 2024 has in store with all of you. Celebrate safely and enjoy the holiday, we’ll see you in the new year.

92Q & Analog Soul 2024 New Year Bash, Hutton Hotel, Nashville, TN, December 31

There are seemingly wall-to-wall parties, concerts, and happenings in Music City for NYE, and one certainly worth spotlighting is 92Q & Analog Soul’s 2024 New Year Bash, happening December 31 at Analog at the Hutton Hotel. From 8pm to 2am, guests will hear production, songwriting, and music-making duo Louis York, roots-tinged girl group The Shindellas, Shae Nycole, and more ring in the new year with performances, DJ sets, food and drink, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are available here.

Ruby Amanfu, “Winter”

A dreamy and gauzy neo-folk song from singer-songwriter Ruby Amanfu feels frosty and magical, but warm and enveloping, too. It finds joy in often gray and bleak winter landscapes and vignettes we all know so well. The pulsing piano gives the track a forward-leaning energy, even while it relaxes into its groove and builds to a tender, energetic and lush sound.

The Felice Brothers at Colony, Woodstock, NY December 30 & 31

Spending your New Year’s Eve in upstate New York? Don’t miss the Felice Brothers’ two year-end shows at Colony in Woodstock! Both dates appear to be sold out, but you can join the wait list here. Based in the Catskills – so this is something of a holiday homecoming for the group – the Felice Brothers put out a Bandcamp-exclusive album, Asylum on the Hill, earlier this month. Celebrate ushering out the old and in the new with the Felice Brothers in Woodstock.

McKowski, “Auld Lang Syne”

Mark McCausland – AKA McKowski, also of The Lost Brothers and formerly of The Basement – released an album of ethereal and contemplative holiday instrumentals for guitar this month that features a gorgeous rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” that’s perfect for your NYE playlists. The album, Winter Guitar Hymnals from the Boneyard, certainly listens as a kind of guitar-centered ecclesiastical service, featuring a handful of Christmas carols alongside original arrangements and compositions, too. It’s a lovely collection, one we just had to spotlight for this final BGS Wraps.

Nashville’s Big Bash on CBS and Paramount+, Nashville, TN December 31

If you love big crowds, bright lights, and stunning pyrotechnics, Nashville’s Big Bash is for you! Or, stay home and avoid the crowds by streaming the show on CBS and Paramount+. See and hear Parker McCollum, Brothers Osborne with Trombone Shorty, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Kane Brown, and many more. Hosted by Elle King and Rachel Smith, the five-hour production will feature more than fifty artists, bands, and performances. Oh and of course there will be the music note drop – Nashville’s version of the famous ball drop – over the stage at the Bicentennial Mall at midnight! More info available here.

Nefesh Mountain, “More Love”

What better to take with us into the new year than “More Love”? A Tim O’Brien cover by Jewish bluegrass string band Nefesh Mountain, the track was released with a mission of supporting organizations working to end the violence and ongoing war in Israel, Gaza, and Palestine while supporting Palestinians and Israelis impacted by the conflict. In a press release, Nefesh Mountain made a commitment to “donate a quarter of proceeds from ‘More Love,’ the ‘Love and Light’ Tour, and their forthcoming EP to charities and foundations that are dedicated to promoting peace, coexistence, and a way forward for Israelis and Palestinians.”

With more than 20,000 killed in Gaza and hundreds and hundreds more killed in Israel, the West Bank, and the greater region, we certainly believe the world could use “More Love” – and far, far less war – in 2024.

The Nields, “New Year’s Day”

We’ve been “saving” “New Year’s Day” from the Nields’ new album, Circle of Days – which was released in June – for more than half a year, just for this moment! It’s a truly perfect song for this point of transition. The feeling of helplessness we all feel at the inevitable march of time is captured like lightning in a bottle, with feelings of regret, despair, and exhaustion. But ultimately, they find hope in these lyrics, even while they explore emotions often opposed to hope and its regeneration.

Old Crow Medicine Show at The Ryman, Nashville, TN December 30 & 31

It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve without Old Crow Medicine Show at the Ryman! It’s a long tradition, this year bolstered by supporting acts like former Old Crow member Willie Watson (30th & 31st) and Kasey Tyndall (30th) and Harper O’Neill (31st). Tickets are somehow still available – so grab yours while you can! You never know what special guests Old Crow will trot out at these rollicking, rowdy, joyous shows. Though it’s probably safe to bet there won’t be a Belle Meade Cockfight either night, don’t rule it out entirely.

Portland Cello Project, “What Are You Doing for New Years?”

The Portland Cello Project is joined by soloist, vocalist Saeeda Wright, for an epic, jazzy rendition of “What Are You Doing for New Years?”, perhaps the only generally accepted New Year’s “carol” besides “Auld Lang Syne.” (We’re open to argument on that point, of course.) The track is from their holiday EP, Under the Mistletoe, a collaboration with Wright and drummer Tyrone Hendrix. It certainly demonstrates the broad contexts in which chamber music such as this can thrive.

Amanda Stewart, “One Hell of a Year”

A thought we have had every year since 2020 – and, honestly, since long before, too – is this: That was one hell of a year. If you’re feeling that same exasperation, mixed with fatigue and pride and a sense of finality, as we turn the page on the calendar, Amanda Stewart has a bluegrassy send off to 2023 and the holiday season just for you.

Billy Strings at Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, LA December 29, 30, 31

 

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A New Orleans New Year’s extravaganza helmed by bluegrass shredder Billy Strings feels like an apropos way to ring out the old and ring in the new. For the past few years Strings has defined bluegrass music, with his skyrocketing fame, mass appeal, and ever-growing fan base. During that time, his shows around New Year’s Eve have been unparalleled. Now, they have grown into multi-night runs in arenas and stadiums – like the Big Easy’s Lakefront Arena. As is usual for Billy’s shows, there are no openers, so buckle up for nothing but rip-roarin’ Billy Strings each night as we say a final goodbye to 2023 and bid good morning and good day to 2024! Tickets here.

Photo Credit: Billy Strings by Christopher Morley; Ruby Amanfu courtesy of the artist; Old Crow Medicine Show by Joshua Black Wilkins.