Tag: new music Friday

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From The Grascals, Mary Bragg, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

From stalwart bluegrass groups to stellar singer-songwriters, You Gotta Hear This!

To start us off in our weekly roundup of premieres and new music, singer-songwriter Mary Bragg is announcing a brand new upcoming album, Secrets To Strangers. Coming October 16, the project will be released by Single Lock Records; an apropos first single, “What Do I Do,” boasts a guest appearance from Single Lock’s John Paul White. Below, watch a brand new music video for the track, a passionate, soulful Americana song that’s existential, yes, but also aspirational. The production is a lovely vehicle for Bragg’s poetic and insightful lyric-smithing.

For a bit of country string band twang, check out a new song and video from the Talking Hearts, an absolutely stacked genre-blending group based in Boston. “You Didn’t Make Me Cry,” written and sung by fiddler Rachel Rosenberg, is a danceable ’90s-style track that turns a bad situation into a great song. Isn’t that what country does best? The Talking Hearts also include Dan Bui, Alex Formento, Mike Harmon, Zach Meyer, and Sophie Wellington filling out the rest of the band.

Two beloved veteran bluegrass groups unveil new music today, too. GRAMMY nominees the Grascals have a brand new album, Not That Gone, that’s available everywhere today. To celebrate, we’re sharing “Farmer’s Blues,” which features Marty Stuart guesting on the song contributing mandolin and vocals. It’s a track written by Stuart and the mighty, legendary Merle Haggard. Deliciously lonesome, it’s one perfect for taking your sweetie out to the dance floor for a waltz. Or, if you’re posted up at the bar alone, for a tear in your beer. Then, the iconic Lonesome River Band are launching a new single, “Walking Back to Bluefield.” Straight-ahead bluegrass kicked off by Sammy Shelor’s sparkling banjo, it’s a traveling song with just a bit of a crooked beat to keep you marching in time. Though it was written about Vermont, as Jesse Smathers explains to BGS, the Southeastern-based LRB plot the journey back to Bluefield through North Carolina and the Virginias for their rendition instead. (And yes, that’s bluegrass Telecaster shredding it up on there!)

Don’t miss Ella Hooper’s new single, too. Or shit might go down! “When The Shit Went Down” is Good Country all the way from Australia, where Hooper is a treasured musician, artist, and personality. With a splash of surf rock and a dash of Laurel Canyon, it’s a perfect song to queue up on your driving playlist next to “You Didn’t Make Me Cry” and “Walking Back to Bluefield.” Hooper’s upcoming album, Overnight Success, is a love letter by the singer-songwriter to country and Americana. You can hear the love, for sure. There’s also a honky-tonk tune from the Roseline, with “Tooth and Claw” adding an unexpected country texture to the Lawrence, Kansas-based band’s new album, 86 Gumption, released today. When you can drink a beer to a song that takes its title from a Tennyson poem, that’s reason enough to kick off the weekend early. There’s plenty to enjoy in our weekly roundup – You Gotta Hear This!

Mary Bragg, “What Do I Do” Feat. John Paul White

Artist: Mary Bragg
Hometown: Swainsboro, Georgia
Song: “What Do I Do” Featuring John Paul White
Album: Secrets To Strangers
Release Date: August 7, 2026 (single/video); October 16, 2026 (album)
Label: Single Lock Records

In Their Words: “This song comes from wrestling with uncertainty in those moments when you can’t tell what’s real anymore. When you don’t have the answer, so you let yourself sit in the question, reverberating like an existential broken record. How did we get here? What can I do about it? I wanted the song to feel like an honest conversation about the state of the world and an angsty call to action for all of us. Is our failure inevitable or can we change the narrative?” – Mary Bragg

Track Credits:
Chad Gamble – Drums
Zac Cockrell – Bass
John Paul White – Acoustic guitars, vocals
Jay Gonzalez – Electric guitar
Sol Philcox-Littlefield – Electric guitar
Ben Tanner – Organ
Mary Bragg – Vocals, songwriter

Video Credits:
Alex Berger – Producer
Jacob Anderson – Director of Photography, editor

The Grascals, “Farmer’s Blues” with Marty Stuart

Artist: The Grascals
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Farmer’s Blues” with Marty Stuart
Album: Not That Gone
Release Date: August 7, 2026 (album)
Label: Billy Blue Records

In Their Words: “I was scrolling on TikTok and a video of Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard singing the ‘Farmer’s Blues’ came on, and the song instantly grabbed me that it would be a perfect fit for the Grascals on our new album. Everyone in the band was on board with recording it, which got us thinking it would it be really cool to have Marty join us in the studio to be a special guest. We were thrilled when Marty agreed, and having him sing harmony and play mandolin makes this version even more special. He also shared a great story about writing and recording the song with Merle. Marty said Merle listened to it and told him, ‘This is a great song, but it would be better if that one word was changed to work instead of walk.’ They changed the lyric from ‘I walk the fields’ to ‘I work the fields,’ and it’s amazing how one simple word made such a meaningful difference. Knowing that story gave us an even greater appreciation for the song and its history. It’s a real honor to record a song from two legends like Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard, and to have Marty himself be part of our version of ‘Farmer’s Blues’ is something we’ll always be proud of.” – Jamie Johnson, The Grascals

Ella Hooper, “When The Shit Went Down”

Artist: Ella Hooper
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Song: “When The Shit Went Down”
Album: Overnight Success
Release Date: August 5, 2026 (single); October 2, 2026 (album)
Label: MGM

In Their Words: “This song is pretty truthful, pretty unvarnished, hence the use of my plain language in the chorus. I feel like I’m opening up my journal here, and most of my lyrics do start as a journaling practice – one the best things I’ve ever done for my mental health. When I showed this song to Clare, my producer who’s since become a good friend, it was a bonding moment. She got emotional and I got emotional. We both knew it would be tricky but worth it if we could find the right way to share this perspective. It was tricky because heavy subject matter can so easily get overcooked and feel heavy-handed; we wanted to capture the relentlessness, the motion of what I went through. A sonic version of ‘show me don’t tell me.’ The beautiful band on this track just got it, too—especially Jon Estes on bass and Lauren Horbal on drums. When they laid down the rhythm bed it unlocked the right amount of sway and bounce, which let me be more impassioned with the vocals, ’cause I knew it wouldn’t be ‘Too Much.’ My Dad was actually the most finely attuned listener and critic, and his voice is always in my head when I’m recording saying things like, ‘Don’t put a hat on a hat’ and ‘Trust the listener.’ Our love language was music so it feels pretty rewarding to incorporate and honor them in my music now.” – Ella Hooper

Track Credits:
Lauren Horbal – Drums, percussion
Jon Estes – Bass
Trevor Bahnson – Acoustic guitars, electric guitars
Jordie Lane – Electric guitar, organ
LOLLIES – Synths, background vocals
Ella Hooper – Vocals, songwriter

Lonesome River Band, “Walking Back to Bluefield”

Artist: Lonesome River Band
Hometown: Floyd, Virginia
Song: “Walking Back to Bluefield”
Release Date: August 7, 2026
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘Walking Back to Bluefield’ was penned by a favorite singer-songwriter of mine, Bob Amos. I’ve been a fan of Bob’s since his days with Front Range. I was listening through material for us to record and this immediately perked my ear up. Its ‘backstep’ and reel-like melody are as catchy as its lyric. It does stick with the classic bluegrass pattern of the happiest-sounding songs having a lonesome lyric. The fella in this song is down on his luck and has a long way back home to Bluefield after losing his job and love interest. However I can’t help but smile while singing about it.

“Being in Vermont, Bob wrote this song with different geography in mind. However, we had a neat discussion how the song could easily be referring to locations within a few hours from where Lonesome River Band is based in the Southeast. He’s losing his job at a Burlington, North Carolina, textile mill and making his way back home to Bluefield, West Virginia. I hope everyone gets a kick out of ‘Walking Back to Bluefield’!” – Jesse Smathers, lead vocalist, guitarist 

Track Credits:
Sammy Shelor – Banjo, harmony vocal
Jesse Smathers – Acoustic guitar, lead vocal
Mike Hartgrove – Fiddle
Adam Miller – Mandolin, harmony vocal
Kameron Keller – Upright bass
Rod Riley – Electric guitar

The Roseline, “Tooth and Claw”

Artist: The Roseline
Hometown: Lawrence, Kansas
Song: “Tooth and Claw”
Album: 86 Gumption
Release Date: August 7, 2026

In Their Words: “‘Tooth and Claw’ may be the most traditional country song we’ve ever recorded and is certainly a bit of an outlier on this album. I’ve always wanted to include a classic honky-tonk heater on an album but never quite had the… gumption hehe. The spritely arrangement is juxtaposed by the pure despondency of the lyrical content. Fun facts: The phrase ‘red of tooth and claw’ should actually be ‘red IN tooth and claw’ which appears in the famous Tennyson poem. I sang it wrong and that’s on me. Also, there’s a very special guest appearance on pedal steel – Mr. Lynn Piller, who is our drummer’s dad! Multi-generational jams!” – Colin Halliburton, The Roseline

Track Credits:
Colin Halliburton – Acoustic guitar, vocals
Bradley McKellip – Electric guitar
Heidi Gluck – Bass, keys, vocals
Jim Piller – Drums
Lynn Piller – Pedal steel

The Talking Hearts, “You Didn’t Make Me Cry”

Artist: The Talking Hearts
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Song: “You Didn’t Make Me Cry”
Album: Memory Lane
Release Date: August 4, 2026 (single); October 9, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “I always tell people going through a hard time that if they write a country song about it they’ll probably, even instantly, feel better. It’s the musical version of turning lemons into lemonade – you start out with a bad situation and end up with a great song. I wrote this one after a fateful weekend trip to NYC to visit someone who (surprise!) did not turn out to be who I thought. That’s the thing about romance from a distance. The distance can make it easy for someone to hide behind lies, but, once discovered, it’s also easy enough to leave ’em behind. At the time, I was just strumming it alone on guitar in my one-bedroom apartment, thinking things over. ‘You Didn’t Make Me Cry’ came to life as a ’90s country-style anthem when I brought it to this magical crew, my best buds and musical soulmates.” – Rachel Rosenberg

Track Credits:
Rachel Rosenberg – Fiddle, lead vocals
Zach Meyer – Mandolin, harmony vocals
Sophie Wellington – Guitar, harmony vocals
Alex Formento – Pedal steel
Dan Bui – Upright bass
Mike Harmon – Drums

Video Credits:
Pat Piasecki – Director, editor, camera
Chris Dempsey – Camera

Photo Credit: The Grascals by Laci Mack; Mary Bragg by Alex Berger.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Laurelyn Dossett, Ruthie Foster, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Another week, another round-up of fresh roots music! You Gotta Hear This…

Starting us off, North Carolina singer-songwriter Laurelyn Dossett has a new single out this week, “Glory Glory,” previewing a brand new album coming in August entitled How Many Moons?, produced by Hiss Golden Messenger’s M.C. Taylor. “Glory Glory” celebrates the beauty and community of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, where Dossett makes her home. She’s even joined by a choir of friends on the uplifting and inspiring song. Then, from Montreal via Nashville, we have more of Hiss Golden Messenger’s production work, as we share a track from Al Nicol’s deluxe version of Only Hoping, which is now available. “Blue Stained Glass,” which features lighthearted, is pristine and lush, indie-folk with a retro flavor that’s firmly grounded in the present. Both Dossett’s and Nicol’s numbers give a fascinating A/B of Taylor’s production style that we love to hear.

Continuing, Americana and blues icon Ruthie Foster previews her August album, Just Say Yes, with its latest single, “Tangled.” “This song came from telling myself the truth,” Foster tells BGS via email. “Sometimes that’s where the untangling begins.” We’re gonna just say yes to that! Also from Texas, singer-songwriter Jordan Whitmore brings us “Me or Us,” plus a brand new music video for the heartbreaking yet hopeful track. A crisp and modern country number, it’s about a relationship’s existential crisis and reaching the point of no return on whether to rebuild or walk away.

Kelly Hunt has announced a new Compass Records release coming in September with “Clouds,” the lead single. It’s a soaring tribute to the wide open plains of the Midwest, text painting towering storm clouds. She leverages indie-Americana textures and tones to consider the gargantuan size of these floating clouds, with plenty of wisdom found in the song’s central metaphor. For some Good Country, a much-buzzed-about artist Leon Majcen offers “Don’t You Cry” from his upcoming September release. With a plodding, marching beat and gritty acoustic guitar picking, it’s a tender song despite the patina on Majcen’s voice and the melancholic vibe. While it could be taken for a love song of the romantic sort, the singer-songwriter shares that the idea for the song is really that he’s speaking to and reassuring his mother.

Finally, you won’t want to miss the latest from Amy Speace. Today we’re sharing a video for her new single, “The Reckoning,” a devastating song written in the immediate aftermath of Renee Goode’s tragic murder at the hands of ICE in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. “I wrote this song in 30 minutes,” Speace shares, “quickly after hearing about Renee Goode’s murder – in rage, horror, and shock. It came out unfiltered.” It’s a stunning song of justice, pain, grief, and – truly – reckoning. Essential listening in this day and age.

There’s plenty to listen to, enjoy, and be impacted by in this week’s round-up. You Gotta Hear This!

Laurelyn Dossett, “Glory Glory”

Artist: Laurelyn Dossett
Hometown: Currently Stokes County, North Carolina. Born in Birmingham, Alabama.
Song: “Glory Glory”
Album: How Many Moons?
Release Date: July 29, 2026 (single); August 28, 2026 (album)
Label: Sycamore Road

In Their Words: “I live in a magical little corner of North Carolina, in Stokes County between Hanging Rock and the Blue Ridge Parkway. I knew when I found this place that it needed to be shared with others – it has become a gathering place for friends and family, for music and art, for wandering the woods and wading the waters. ‘Glory Glory’ is kind of my ‘welcome to the wilderland’ song.” – Laurelyn Dossett

Track Credits:
Laurelyn Dossett – Vocals, guitar
M.C. Taylor – Acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin
Sam Fribush – Hammond B3
Jason Sypher – Bass
Nicholas Falk – Drums, percussion
“Glory Glory” Chorus – Emilia, Rosalie, and Sophia Catanoso; Sydney, Samantha, Ellen and Rebecca Dossett; Stephanie Parent; Lori Aument, Emmy and Ann Wade.

Ruthie Foster, “Tangled”

Artist: Ruthie Foster
Hometown: Gause, Texas
Song: “Tangled”
Album: Just Say Yes
Release Date: July 29, 2026 (single); August 28, 2026 (album)
Label: Sun Records

In Their Words: “This song came from telling myself the truth. Sometimes that’s where the untangling begins.” – Ruthie Foster

Track Credits:
Ruthie Foster – Vocals, background vocals
Tyler Bryant – Guitar, bass, keys, percussion
Ben Satterlee – Drums, percussion

Kelly Hunt, “Clouds”

Artist: Kelly Hunt
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Song: “Clouds”
Album: Requiem for a Sleepless Night
Release Date: July 31, 2026 (single); September 18, 2026 (album)
Label: Compass Records

In Their Words: “I crave long drives through the plains, the infinity of sky unfolding as far as eye can see. I do my best thinking on long, uncomplicated country roads where my mind has the chance to straighten out and run free. I wrote ‘Clouds’ on one such dead-ahead drive through the Midwest – late summer afternoon, storm brewing. I’d been driving for hours, lost in thought, when my eyes suddenly focused on what looked like mountains rising in the distance. I quickly realized they were only clouds, a string of thunderheads weighing heavily on the horizon with all the seeming concreteness of a mountain range. The fleeting shock of this moment got me thinking about the power of illusions, how real illusory things can feel at times, and of our capacity to both create and dismantle stumbling blocks in our own minds.” – Kelly Hunt

Leon Majcen, “Don’t You Cry”

Artist: Leon Majcen
Hometown: Safety Harbor, Florida / Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Don’t You Cry”
Album: The Leaving Kind
Release Date: July 31, 2026 (single); September 4, 2026 (album)
Label: Cloverdale Records

In Their Words: “This one’s a bit of me just talking to my mom. She always wanted me to be a doctor. I don’t think she thought the road-dog bug would get me like it did, but here we are. She’s just happy I’m hanging in there and getting after it.” – Leon Majcen

Al Nicol, “Blue Stained Glass”

Artist: Al Nicol
Hometown: Montreal, Québec, Canada / Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Blue Stained Glass” with lighthearted
Album: Only Hoping Deluxe
Release Date: July 29, 2026

In Their Words: “I wanted to write a song that told the story of someone who knew deep down their person would enter their life soon, even in their moment of deepest struggle. It’s a song about the strength of hope in the face of loneliness – finding and nurturing a belief and vision within oneself that things will work out. To see the world through a blue stained glass is to be optimistic, hopeful, aspirational.” – Al Nicol

Amy Speace, “The Reckoning”

Artist: Amy Speace
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “The Reckoning”
Release Date: August 7, 2026
Label: WindBone Records

In Their Words: “I wrote this song in 30 minutes – quickly after hearing about Renee Goode’s murder – in rage, horror, and shock. It came out unfiltered. Stream-of-consciousness. Literal ‘it’s the 10th of January…’ I felt like I was just dictating in my notebook exactly what was going on as it happened. I put my son to bed and grabbed the guitar and found that first chord and just started moving my hands up and down the guitar in patterns. I wasn’t thinking too hard as I wrote, just crying my way through the song, honestly.” – Amy Speace

Video Credits: Neighborhoods Apart, Neilson Hubbard and Joshua Britt.

Jordan Whitmore, “Me or Us”

Artist: Jordan Whitmore
Hometown: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Song: “Me or Us”
Album: Me or Us (EP)
Release Date: August 7, 2026 (single); October 16, 2026 (EP)

In Their Words: “This song was sparked by hearing one of my favorite songs, ‘Slow Dancing in a Burning Room,’ for what felt like the millionth time. Except that time, it hit differently. My marriage was in the aftermath of betrayal and we were trying to rebuild. Suddenly that song carried a weight I hadn’t felt before. I remember thinking, ‘Is that us? Is the end inevitable?’ Next thing I knew, I had my guitar in my hands and I was writing the question that would become the title track of the EP. ‘Me or Us’ is a song about wanting us to make it, hoping that we would, but fearing that we wouldn’t.” – Jordan Whitmore

Track Credits:
Jordan Whitmore – Lead vocal, background vocals
Brian Douglas Phillips – Acoustic guitars, pedal steel, background vocals
Jacob Hildebrand – Electric guitars
Z Lynch – Bass
Fred Mandujano – Drums, percussion

Video Credit: Shot and edited by Ben Danaher.

Photo Credit: Laurelyn Dossett by Matthew Chenet; Ruthie Foster by Jody Domingue.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Katie Cole, Bella Lam, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

From Australia to Alaska and back again, You Gotta Hear This! It’s our weekly roundup of brand new roots music.

To get us started, husband-and-wife duo Benson return with a new single, out today, “First and Forevers.” Written by bluegrass songwriter, radio host, and personality Terry Herd, it’s a song about parenthood and the special relationship between a dad and his daughter. Benson yet again rally an all-star band, with Heath Williams singing lead vocal on the track. Their labelmates, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, have a brand new album out today. To celebrate Chalk Lines and Dust we’re sharing “Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine” below. Listen to hear Jones and longtime friend Jim Lauderdale offer their rendition of the song popularized in bluegrass by the Stanley Brothers. Night Driver Grace van’t Hof also joins in on the simple trio number.

We’ve got our old friend Katie Cole back on the site today, too, with a brand new music video for “Saturn,” the singer-songwriter’s most recent single. Now living in Nashville but born and raised in Australia, we’ve featured and collaborated with Cole several times in the past – including this charming Yamaha Session from 2021. The new single is tantalizingly rootsy with folk and Americana instrumentation and lush strings. It’s celestial and dreamy.

If you’re in the mood for Good Country, watch Bella Lam’s new music video for “Bootfirst,” a perfectly poppy country track that’s suited up to make a summer splash. Lam released the single last month and the video followed earlier this week. Quippy and cute, the song’s on-the-nose hook doesn’t diminish the track’s message of agency and trusting in oneself – on the contrary, it drives the genuine message home. Put it on the poolside playlist. Also check out a brand new single from Kentucky alt-bluegrass sensations the Creekers – who earlier this week were announced as IBMA Momentum Award nominees for Band of the Year. “Follow The Sound” is an instant classic, a driving almost-MASH track about the tempting sounds of banjo, bluegrass, and festivals. It reminds of early-era SteelDrivers, but with plenty of their own signature Creekers personality. The band oozes gritty string band charm, and have quickly amassed quite the audience behind that charm and personality – and their powerful vocals, archetypical songs, and jubilant live shows, too.

For a live performance video, enjoy “Break & Mend” from Alaskan duo the Heists. Equally inspired by the land of their harsh and beautiful homeplace and by veterans who’ve found peace in such wild places, the song is bluegrassy and folky. With its intentional message and timeless vibe, it reminds of duos like Dave and Gil in this simple live performance context. The studio version, out earlier this week, includes a full band and was produced by Patrick M’Gonigle (who plays fiddle on the track.)

We hope you enjoy this week’s collection of new music and premieres! You Gotta Hear This…

Benson, “Firsts and Forevers”

Artist: Benson
Hometown: Boiling Springs, South Carolina
Song: “Firsts and Forevers”
Release Date: July 24, 2026
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “Every parental relationship is special, but I don’t think there’s anything sweeter than a daddy and daughter. The warmth and security that a father provides is unique. I was blessed with a dad who I knew was always on my side, no matter what. When I heard this song – especially knowing that Terry wrote it with his daughter in mind – I knew we had to record it. Heath Williams, as always, sang it to the moon and back.” – Kristin Scott Benson

“This one’s pretty special to me. I woke up one morning thinking about my daughter and a little slideshow started playing in my head – from the first time I held her to where she is today. It wasn’t long before this song was written. While it began as a tribute to her, it’s really for everyone who’s ever had the privilege of being called a parent. I’m especially grateful to Kristin and Wayne for bringing it to life with such a beautiful recording.” – Terry Herd, songwriter

Track Credits:
Heath Williams – Lead vocal
Wayne Benson – Mandolin
Kristin Scott Benson – Banjo
Cody Kilby – Acoustic
Kevin McKinnon – Bass
Zack Arnold – Harmony vocals

The Creekers, “Follow The Sound”

Artist: The Creekers
Hometown: Leslie County, Kentucky
Song: “Follow The Sound”
Release Date: July 24, 2026 (single)
Label: Warner Records Nashville

In Their Words: “‘Follow The Sound’ is a song written about a place back home we frequent called Ponderosa Pines. There is always some good pickin’ up there and we have been in our fair share of participating in the jam circle for hours on end. There is always a jar being passed around as well as some good smoke. You can always hear that banjo with your windows down driving in to the location. So we always say, ‘Follow the sound!'” – The Creekers

Katie Cole, “Saturn”

Artist: Katie Cole
Hometown: Born in Melbourne, Australia, but now living in Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Saturn”
Album: Forest
Release Date: July 16, 2026 (single); July 23, 2026 (video); September 24, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “‘Saturn’ is a song about the push and pull of relationships, and the strings really lean into the moodiness of the piece. I think it is really different kind of song from my upcoming album, Forest, as it takes you on a real journey. I had always dreamed of making a record that was infused with folk instruments like acoustic guitar and piano, but also adding timeless big string arrangements akin to artists like Dusty Springfield or Nat King Cole. This project was really born from that idea. When I had written the album I had some pretty heavy discussions with my producer Howard Willing about what direction to take with production. We both agreed that the songs I had written merited taking a big swing. From there, we worked closely with Tim Lauer who worked on the orchestra arrangements for the record and he did an amazing job. I hope you will love this song like I do.” – Katie Cole

Video Credits: Directed by Chelsea Thompson.
Hair and make up by Dire Image.
Edited by Katie Cole.

The Heists, “Break & Mend”

Artist: The Heists
Hometown: Juneau, Alaska
Song: “Break & Mend”
Album: Break & Mend (EP)
Release Date: July 21, 2026 (single/video); September 24, 2026 (EP)
Label: Muskeg Collective

In Their Words: “The longer you live in Alaska, and especially if you grew up here, you inevitably lose people to the land. A plane disappears. Someone has a terrible ski accident. Or the mental and emotional toll of the long, dark, cold, wet winters becomes too much. At the same time, the land is overwhelmingly beautiful, in a way that is almost too vast for our tiny brains to compute. I’ve always found something strangely comforting in this sense of a land that can both save you and break you without judgment. Over the last few years, we’ve spent time with several men in our lives who were deeply marked by war and have also found peace in wild spaces. ‘Break & Mend’ is the first song that Andrew and I have written together and recorded.” – Erin Heist

Track Credits:
Erin Heist – Vocals
Andrew Heist – Guitar, vocals

Video Credits: Filmed and recorded by Patrick Troll.

Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, “Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine”

Artist: Chris Jones & the Night Drivers
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine”
Album: Chalk Lines and Dust
Release Date: July 24, 2026 (album)
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine’ is a song I’ve been doing off and on for many years, sometimes just thrown in as a solo number in a set. I had never recorded it, though. I’ve also been friends with Jim Lauderdale for many years – we first met in Chicago in the mid-1980s – but until this album, we had never recorded together. For those reasons it was really fulfilling to bring those musical gaps in my life together. I first learned the song from the Stanley Brothers recording of it, but then went back and listened to Hank Williams’ solo version. This recording is a blend of the two, including Hank’s first verse, which the Stanley Brothers left out. Jim Lauderdale’s affinity for the Stanleys’ music and his friendship with Ralph Stanley made him the perfect duet partner for this song. I threw in an arrangement twist and made it a trio for the final verse, adding Grace van’t Hof’s voice. We decided to leave it instrumentally stripped down, with just me on guitar and Grace on ‘Myrtle’ (Grace’s baritone ukulele/tenor guitar hybrid).” – Chris Jones

Track Credits:
Chris Jones – Acoustic guitar, lead vocal
Jim Lauderdale – Harmony vocal
Grace van’t Hof – Harmony vocal, baritone ukulele/tenor guitar

Bella Lam, “Bootfirst”

Artist: Bella Lam
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Song: “Bootfirst”
Release Date: June 26, 2026 (single); July 23, 2026 (video)

In Their Words: “When I wrote ‘Bootfirst,’ I wanted it to be a reminder that life doesn’t always wait for you to feel ready. So many of the best opportunities come when you decide to leap before you have everything figured out. For me, ‘bootfirst’ is a mindset, choosing courage over fear and embracing the unknown with confidence. I hope the song encourages people to stop second-guessing themselves and trust that they’re capable of more than they realize. Bringing that message to life through the music video made it even more meaningful because we were able to tell that story visually. Whether it’s chasing a dream, starting over, or simply saying yes to something new, I hope this song gives people the confidence to jump in ‘bootfirst.’ More than anything, I hope listeners carry that sense of confidence and possibility with them long after the song ends.” – Bella Lam

Photo Credit: Katie Cole by Dire Image; Bella Lam by Joey Schrader.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Gary Stewart, Slater Nalley, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

It’s another New Music Friday – and You Gotta Hear This!

Starting us off this week is Western North Carolina singer-songwriter Aaron Burdett – whom you may recognize from the Steep Canyon Rangers. Burdett has a brand-new single out today, “Can’t Look Back,” a track that draws on his strengths as a storyteller and text painter. The bluegrassy song talks about little towns forgotten and left to fade from their former vitality. His labelmate, Ashby Frank, releases a brand new album today, Run This Town, so we’re sharing a track to celebrate release day. Frank always does excellent bluegrass covers of non-bluegrass songs and today’s selection is no exception. You may have never thought “Valerie” needed a string band treatment, but Frank and his group of friends/all-stars certainly sell this unexpected and delightful bluegrass cover.

American Idol alumnus Slater Nalley announced a new EP today. Hey Georgia will arrive next month, but you can hear a single from the project, “All Over Again,” below. Smooth and vibing Americana, Nalley’s charming twang delivers the love song tenderly and with plenty of passion bolstered by Hammond organ and lovely keys. You can sense every ounce of the raw emotion he channels. Also in Americana, Utah-based Wyatt Lowe shares a new music video for “Sundown.” Soulful and funky with a spaghetti western streak almost as wide as its Laurel Canyon throughline, just as you’re picturing tumbleweeds and saguaros the carnival-lit cactus enters the frame. Perfect timing.

Rounding out our collection this week is a special treat from the late Gary Stewart. Sixteen previously unheard recordings by Stewart have been released today on One Track Mind from Delmore Recording Society. To mark the release we’re sharing “Big Bad Train,” one of the earliest recordings from the new collection dating to 1967. As producer/archivist Mark Linn puts it to BGS via email, the song is “David and Goliath on wheels.” Listen to the track below and check out the full project wherever you listen to music.

Bluegrass, country, Americana, and more – there’s something for everyone to enjoy in our roundup. You Gotta Hear This…

Aaron Burdett, “Can’t Look Back”

Artist: Aaron Burdett
Hometown: Saluda, North Carolina
Song: “Can’t Look Back”
Release Date: July 17, 2026
Label: Organic Records

In Their Words: “I was performing at a municipal festival out west, in Montana I believe, and it was one of those towns where you could clearly see both the decay of the downtown area and also the vitality it once had, maybe not so long ago. One of those forgotten Main Street towns that atrophied after the interstate drew all the gas stations and fast food places a mile outside of the original community center. It’s a bit of history on display. I’d been working on a few lines of ‘Can’t Look Back’ already and the rest of the song seemed to write itself as I walked around and visited a couple of the stores that were still in operation.” – Aaron Burdett

Track Credits:
Aaron Burdett – Lead vocal, acoustic guitar
Kristin Scott Benson – Banjo
Carley Arrowood – Fiddle
Tristan Scroggins – Mandolin
Jon Weisberger – Upright bass
Wendy Hickman – Harmony vocal
Travis Book – Harmony vocal

Ashby Frank, “Valerie”

Artist: Ashby Frank
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Valerie”
Album: Run This Town
Release Date: July 17, 2026 (album)
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘Valerie’ was originally written and recorded by an English indie rock band called the Zutons, but I first heard it when Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse recorded their famous cover version. About a decade ago, I had to learn the song for a set that an artist I was working with had put together. During that process, I started thinking about recording a country/bluegrass version of it. It took a few years for that idea to come together, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the finished product. Matt Menefee (banjo), Steve Hinson (steel guitar), and Josh Shilling (keys) created a truly unique sounding texture for this track and their creative instrumentals combined with Seth Taylor (guitar) and Travis Anderson (bass) in the rhythm section really helped to make it special and incredibly fun. Two of my favorite singers on the planet, Jaelee Roberts and John Cowan, joined in for harmony vocals and I couldn’t have asked for anything more! I’m so incredibly proud of this one.” – Ashby Frank

Track Credits:
Ashby Frank – Mandolin, lead vocal
Seth Taylor – Guitars
Travis Anderson – Bass
Matt Menefee – Banjo
Tony Creasman – Drums
Jaelee Roberts – Harmony vocal
John Cowan – Harmony vocal
Josh Shilling – Piano, organ
Steve Hinson – Pedal steel guitar

Wyatt Lowe, “Sundown”

Artist: Wyatt Lowe
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Song: “Sundown”
Release Date: July 17, 2026
Label: Redline Records

In Their Words: “I’ve always been drawn to songs that reveal something new every time you hear them and ‘Sundown’ has always been one of those songs for me. Gordon Lightfoot had this incredible ability to say so much with restraint, and that’s what I wanted to honor. Rather than trying to recreate the original, I wanted to uncover another side of it.

“As we started working on the arrangement, we leaned into the tension that was already living inside the song. There are these beautiful melodies, but underneath them is this feeling that something isn’t quite settled. We pulled that to the surface with a swampy groove, guitar-driven textures, and soulful harmonies that gave the song a darker, more cinematic feel while still respecting what made the original so timeless.

“What I love most is that the song still feels alive more than 50 years later. That’s the mark of truly great songwriting. Hopefully this version introduces ‘Sundown’ to people hearing it for the first time while giving longtime Gordon Lightfoot fans a new way to experience a song they already know and love.” – Wyatt Lowe

Credits:
Wyatt Lowe – Vocals, guitar
Connor Mlynek – Rhythm guitar
Eric Stoye – Drums
Wally Barnum – Bass
Daniel Salini – Pedal steel, Dobro

Video Credits:
Will Floor – Director
Taylor Ballam – Producer
Caleb Youlton – Director of Photography
Derick Lott – Gaffer, grip
Nick Barney – Editor
MODO Studios – Production

Slater Nalley, “All Over Again”

Artist: Slater Nalley
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Song: “All Over Again”
Album: Hey Georgia (EP)
Release Date: July 17, 2026 (single); August 21, 2026 (EP)
Label: Warner Records/Warner Records Nashville

In Their Words: “‘All Over Again’ is a tale of heartbreak and second chances. It explores the irony of being let down and taken advantage of, yet still giving the person another chance. When we love something we try our best to preserve it, even if it’s not truly meant to last. That’s what this song is all about; the raw emotion that comes with taking another chance on someone. The risk, and the possible reward. I hope anyone who listens can relate and appreciate vulnerability of the lyrics, and the overall message.” – Slater Nalley

Track Credits:
Slater Nalley – Vocals
Darren Dodd – Drums, percussion
Greg Garner – Bass
Shaun Richardson – Acoustic guitar, mandolin
Philip Towns – Piano, Hammond organ
Melissa Fuller – Background vocals

Gary Stewart, “Big Bad Train”

Artist: Gary Stewart
Hometown: Dunham, Kentucky
Song: “Big Bad Train”
Album: One Track Mind
Release Date: July 17, 2026
Label: Delmore Recording Society

In Their Words: “What can you say about ‘Big Bad Train’? It’s David and Goliath on wheels. A raucous, rowdy, feel-good, spit-in-your-face anthem for the little guy who’s gotten pushed around for too long by big government. Gary’s high lonesome voice evokes the whistle of a train and his vibrato sounds like the shaking of the train coming down the tracks. And… it’s funny!

“‘Big Bad Train’ is one of the earliest recordings on One Track Mind, dating from 1967 when Gary first arrived in Nashville from Fort Pierce, Florida, on the advice of Mel Tillis and started writing songs with Billy Eldridge for Tillis’ Cedarwood Publishing Company.” – Mark Linn, producer/archivist, Delmore Recording Society

Photo Credit: Gary Stewart courtesy of Gina Stewart; Slater Nalley by Jesse DeFlorio.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Lindsay Lou, Rising Appalachia, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Another week, another roundup of excellent new roots music for you to enjoy! You Gotta Hear This…

To get us started, JM Clifford premieres a performance video for “Hard Luck Man,” a contemplative song inspired by his experiences walking the streets of New York City, encountering veterans panhandling and down on their luck. It’s a song of compassion built around his observations and the idea that no one should be invisible or alone. Then, we go to Chicago, where singer-songwriter Elizabeth Moen reckons with another kind of man, “Renaissance Man” – or, as she puts it, the proverbial “fuckboy.” Anger, justice, and comeuppance ooze out of the acoustic-yet-rockin’ track. You can watch a new music video for the song below.

In bluegrass, Lindsay Lou has announced a brand new album, Bluegrass Women, celebrating the vibrant and supremely talented community of women that surround her in music. The first single from the album (which will release next month) is “All I Ever Loved Was You,” a beloved song in the bluegrass canon written by Ricky Skaggs’ mother. Tatiana Hargreaves, Laurie Lewis, Maddie Witler, Alison Brown, and Hasee Ciaccio join Lou on the track; the album boasts a star-studded rotating lineup of incredible women. Plus, Jaelee Roberts of Middle Tennessee has a new bluegrass single out today, “Memories On The Moon.” She first heard the track at a song swap at a bluegrass songwriting camp. Immediately impressed, she knew she had to record it. You’ll also immediately see why.

Rounding us out, Asheville-based folk and Americana group Rising Appalachia unveil a new track and video, “Chance at Wholesome.” Picking up on the thread laid down by Elizabeth Moen, Rising Appalachia also take big-talking men to task. As Leah Song puts it for BGS, “This is for the man who shows up all talk and no action.” Watch the brand new video below as you look ahead to their fall album, Trade My Troubles, out in October.

It’s all right here on BGS, and we hope you enjoy. You Gotta Hear This!

JM Clifford, “Hard Luck Man”

Artist: J.M. Clifford
Hometown: Allendale, New Jersey
Song: “Hard Luck Man”
Album: Things That We Can’t Change
Release Date: July 10, 2026 (video); October 16, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “I’m an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn. I do a lot of my songwriting before my first class of the day. One morning I sat down to write and the lines, ‘Light a candle for the hard luck man/ Left his mind in the mountains of Afghanistan’ popped into my head. It felt like the rest of the song wrote itself. Living in New York City, I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen a person on the street holding up a sign that says, ‘Veteran. Please help.’ These days, it seems like we can’t agree on much, but taking care of our veterans should be something we can all get behind.” – JM Clifford

Lindsay Lou, “All I Ever Loved Was You”

Artist: Lindsay Lou
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “All I Ever Loved Was You”
Album: Bluegrass Women
Release Date: July 10, 2026 (single); August 14, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “Written by Dorothy Skaggs, mother of Ricky Skaggs. I’ll never forget hearing Ricky and Keith Whitley sing this duet while playing in Ralph Stanley’s band. The harmonies and tenderness of it blew me away. Like many of these songs, I sang it for years before I knew who wrote it. I recall one time in particular singing it with Billy [Strings] in the kitchen at a party. Neither of us had an instrument in hand and there weren’t any around, so we just sang it. It’s such a strong harmony song it stands on its own powerfully.

“There’s nothing lacking in the instrumentation though on the Bluegrass Women arrangement of this track! The twin fiddles and harmonies by Tatiana Hargreaves and Laurie Lewis (cross-generational iconic players and women in bluegrass) and a strong groove held down by Hasee Ciaccio on bass and Maddie Witler on mandolin, give it a feeling like being in an old-time honky-tonk dancing with your darlin’. Add Alison Brown on banjo for a classic, rolling, poppy bluegrass sound and I’m not sure what more a song like this could want. When I reached out to Ricky to comment on his mama as a songwriter, he clarified that his parents had a very loving relationship, but she hit on a real good one anyway when she came up with the lyrics for ‘All I Ever Loved Was You.'” – Lindsay Lou

Track Credits:
Lindsay Lou – Guitar, vocal
Tatiana Hargreaves – Fiddle, harmony vocals
Laurie Lewis – Fiddle, harmony vocals
Maddie Witler – Mandolin
Alison Brown – Banjo
Hasee Ciaccio – Bass

Elizabeth Moen, “Renaissance Man”

Artist: Elizabeth Moen
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Song: “Renaissance Man”
Album: Fields on Fire
Release Date: July 10, 2026 (video)

In Their Words: “I wanted to write something that I’d hope people would want to sing along to real loud in the car. It’s fun, cheeky, and a song to heed the warning of or find solace in after a bad situationship. Good luck out there this summer! It’s the Renaissance Man’s (or woman’s or person’s) prime season I fear!

“This character song is written in the perspective of the many individuals who inspired it. Though the epidemic of f*ckboy is not constricted to the confines of Chicago’s city limits, there seemed to be, especially in my 20s, a considerable amount of them in town. The one time they admitted the truth was when they’d say, ‘I’m a bad idea for you, really.’ Lesson learned that if someone says that to you, run.” – Elizabeth Moen

Track Credits:
Elizabeth Moen – Nylon-string guitar, lead vocal
Tristan Huygen – Electric guitar
Gus Martini – Bass
Spencer Tweedy – Drums
Gus Martini – Background vocal

Video Credits:
Alexa Viscius – Photographer
Grace Coudal – Assistant photographer
Anika Ladero – Stylist
Kelsey Denvir – Assistant stylist
Grace Makuch – Graphic design

Rising Appalachia, “Chance at Wholesome”

Artist: Rising Appalachia
Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina
Song: “Chance at Wholesome”
Album: Trade My Troubles
Release Date: July 10, 2026 (single/video); October 2, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “This is for the man who shows up all talk and no action. Says you are his queen and then buckles his knees once the chase is over. The one who speaks the game, but doesn’t have the backbone to show up and do the work. For the man that still sees a woman as a second-class citizen. For the narcissists, the broken poets, the dreary addicts who will gladly drag you down with them before they will lift you up and see you shine. Oh the wounded masculine (and thank God they aren’t all wounded). This one is for you.

“Heartbreak is timeless and we have all danced its messy dance. Shattered and stoic. Unkempt and wildly alive. The battered soul doing its best to revive after the storm comes through. I fell in love with a man who was a weathervane in a tornado – a broken man who toted his scars as trophies and would rather spin into patterns of harm than simply lean into care; a chaos worshipper at the altar; mercurial and magical in his fire and poetry. What else can we do but turn the page and sing?” – Leah Song

Video Credit: Earthbased Media

Jaelee Roberts, “Memories On The Moon”

Artist: Jaelee Roberts
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Memories On The Moon”
Label: Mountain Home Music Company
Release Date: July 10, 2026

In Their Words: “‘Memories On The Moon’ is honestly one of my favorite songs that I’ve ever recorded. Last year, I was at Donna Ulisse and Jerry Salley’s songwriters’ workshop – all of us sitting in a circle sharing songs – when ‘Memories On The Moon’ co-writers Keith Barncastle and Rebekah Speer played a song demo (sung by third co-writer, Billy Droze) through a little speaker in the room. From the very first listen, I knew I had to record it. I didn’t know when I’d get the chance, but I remember looking at them and saying, ‘I want this song.’

“The lyrics hit me immediately. What makes this song so special to me is how deeply personal, yet universal, it feels. It was originally written from the perspective of losing a partner and learning how to live with that kind of heartbreak and absence. But I think it can also speak to anyone who’s experienced loss in any form – a breakup, distance, change, or simply missing someone you love. To me, that’s what makes a truly great song: when people can hear it and find pieces of their own story inside of it.

“When we got into the studio, it honestly felt like magic. Tony Wray on acoustic guitar, Alan Bartram on bass, Justin Moses on mandolin and Dobro, and Ron Stewart on banjo brought so much heart and depth to the track. Zack Arnold added harmony vocals that elevated everything even further – his voice and ideas were truly the finishing touch. I have fallen completely in love with this recording, and I’m beyond grateful that I got to be the one to bring this song to life and share it with all of you. I truly hope that it touches your hearts the way that is has mine.” – Jaelee Roberts

Track Credits:
Jaelee Roberts – Lead vocal
Ron Stewart – Banjo
Tony Wray – Guitar
Alan Bartram – Upright bass
Justin Moses – Resonator guitar, mandolin
Zack Arnold – Harmony vocal

Photo Credit: Lindsay Lou by Sawyer Gieseke; Rising Appalachia courtesy of the artist.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Full Cord, the Arcadian Wild, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

It’s another excellent lineup for our weekly collection of premieres and just-released music! You Gotta Hear This…

Earlier this week, the Arcadian Wild announced their upcoming album, Make It Out Alive (set for release in August), with a brand new single “Cool To Know You.” Poppy and lush, its deep and vibey production style brings in varied roots influences reminding of Nickel Creek and indie-pop all at the same time, held together with a bluegrassy mandolin chop. Plus, watch a video from geologist-musician-songwriter Benny Bleu, who’s shared “March of the Mollusk” with us today. Old-time with plenty of modern twists, it’s an entrancing instrumental number inspired by the ceaseless march of time, the steady drip of existence spending or being spent. The melody – and rhythms – have that delicious “neverending song” feel, where each subsequent section of the tune has you craving to return back to the start and do it again.

Benson, husband-and-wife bluegrass and string duo Wayne and Kristin Benson, release their brand new album today, Double Dose. We’ve shared a few tracks from the project over the weeks and months in the run up to today; to celebrate release day, we’re shining a spotlight on “Banjo Radio Bounce,” a swingin’ bluegrass instrumental with a title paying tribute to bluegrass radio and streaming service BanjoRadio. Also in bluegrass, long-running Michigan band Full Cord release a new track today featuring their friend, peer, and fellow Michigander Billy Strings. The band tell us a bit about the inspirations behind “Hubris Comes to Town” below. Strings and the stalwart MI band sound great.

Jesse Smathers, who you may know from the Lonesome River Band, has more excellent solo music to share today. A new single, “Gambler’s Last Game,” is another truly timeless number from the young artist and picker. Smathers, born and raised in the old-time and bluegrass rich territory of Southwest Virginia, is one of the most compelling up-and-coming creators who can collapse time with his songs. And he can effortlessly code switch between bluegrass, old-time, string band, and more styles from the primordial ooze that birthed this genre. Not many can.

You’ll also want to watch and enjoy a new animated music video featuring a song by artist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Elena Moon Park and animation by Xuan. “Nothing Is Ordinary” is a song celebrating just how extraordinary every single little detail of life really is. It’s built on a prominent sense of gratitude wrapped with a bouncy, charming vibe – and paired with a music video that perfectly encapsulates its message. It’s beautiful and certainly captures “the grand and the mundane,” both of which are extraordinary in their ways.

We hope you enjoy these songs and videos. You Gotta Hear This!

The Arcadian Wild, “Cool To Know You”

Artist: The Arcadian Wild
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Cool To Know You”
Album: Make It Out Alive
Release Date: May 27, 2026 (single); August 14, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “I have known my best friend Carly since I was 3 months old. She is truly a sister that was gifted to me. She is the coolest girl I know, and she makes me cool just by knowing her. We live very far away from each other now and we have to work really hard to stay in touch and spend time together, but it is always worth the effort. This song came out of me after she was having a tough time and I couldn’t physically be there for her, so I wanted her to know that she is seen, she is loved, and I’m a better and cooler person for knowing her.” – Bailey Warren

“We’ve typically just captured intimate acoustic performances in our past work and it was fun to remove some limitations in the studio and really give it a full send approach. It felt like we gave ourselves permission to build an actual pop song from the ground up. Drums?! Electric guitar?! Mandolin overdubs?! What?! It was a delightful process of playful discovery, and we had a blast with our producer, Micah Tawlks, putting it all together.” – Lincoln Mick

Benson, “Banjo Radio Bounce”

Artist: Benson
Hometown: Boiling Springs, South Carolina
Song: “Banjo Radio Bounce”
Album: Double Dose
Release Date: May 29, 2026
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: Kristin: “‘Banjo Radio Bounce’ from our album, Double Dose, honors our good buddy Kyle Cantrell, who launched BanjoRadio around the time we recorded it. Obviously, if this is the title of the station, you know I’m gonna be a fan!” – Kristin Scott Benson

“‘Banjo Radio Bounce’ is a tune I wrote originally on electric mandolin. When Kristin heard the demo, she thought it would work well for banjo – and it did!” – Wayne Benson

Track Credits:
Wayne Benson – Mandolin
Kristin Scott Benson – Banjo
Jon Stickley – Acoustic guitar
Samantha Snyder – Fiddle
Jon Weisberger – Bass

Benny Bleu, “March of the Mollusk”

Artist: Benny Bleu
Hometown: Hemlock, New York
Song: “March of the Mollusk”
Album: When I Am a Fossil
Release Date: May 29, 2026 (video); June 5, 2026 (album)
Label: Circus Tent Records

In Their Words: “Even when I released this song as a solo banjo piece I had this drum groove in the back of my head. We all march forward whether we like it or not. Who sets our cadence? Climate change will march on whether we believe in it or not. Future generations on this planet will live simpler lives. With less stuff. They’ll live more local lives. Now that’s not necessarily all bad. To me, that sounds like the kinda place where folk and acoustic music will fit right in.” – Benny Bleu

Track Credits:
Benny Bleu – Banjo
Huck Tritsch – Drums
Eric Heveron-Smith – Bass
Gus Tritsch – Fiddle

Video Credits: Filmed at Ironwood Studio, Springwater, New York.
Filmed by Mike Martinez. Audio by Benny Bleu.

Full Cord, “Hubris Came to Town” Featuring Billy Strings

Artist: Full Cord
Hometown: Grand Haven, Michigan
Song: “Hubris Came to Town” (featuring Billy Strings)
Release Date: May 29, 2026

In Their Words: “‘Hubris Came to Town’ is a song that has many inspirations. Its structure and harmonic interest are similar to a song I wrote 11 years ago called ‘Downtown.’ The chorus has the vocal harmonies, chords, and darkness from the likeness of System of a Down, while the jam section is lightly inspired by Béla Fleck’s “Charm School.” Rhythmically inspired by the second movement of Shostakovich’s 10th string quartet. The lyric content could be construed as age-old rhetoric about anyone in your life that has these certain qualities. This is the kind of music I like to write for bluegrass, in an effort to put my own stamp on the genre with (primarily) harmonic interest and edgy lyrics. With Billy Strings and the band absolutely ripping throughout the entire song, it now has the aggressive demeanor I intended. All the guys in Full Cord made this version of the song what it is and I am very pleased with the track.” – Brian Oberlin

Track Credits:
Brian Oberlin – Mandolin, lead vocals, songwriter
Chase Potter – Fiddle, harmony vocals
Todd Kirchner – Bass
Eric Langejans – Guitar, harmony vocals
Max Allard – Banjo
Billy Strings – Guitar

Elena Moon Park, “Nothing Is Ordinary”


Artist: Elena Moon Park
Hometown: Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Song: “Nothing Is Ordinary”
Album: Nothing Is Ordinary
Release Date: May 29, 2026
Label: Adhyâropa Records

In Their Words: “This song, the title track of my new album, celebrates the idea that everything around us is magical, while also being oh-so common. We wake up and hear a bird song; in the evening stars appear in the sky. Nothing is ordinary, yet everything is ordinary. Or perhaps, everything is extraordinary. When I embrace this thought, I remember that my greatest joy is in noticing both the grand and the mundane, and listening to the stories around me. Inspired by a piece of art made by my friend Kristiana Pärn and accompanied by a truly magical video by Xuan, the song features an eclectic group of musical friends who encourage us to find our own stories and sing them out loud.” – Elena Moon Park

Track Credits:
Elena Moon Park – Vocals, jarana, Omnichord
Brett Parnell – Guitar, pedal steel
Nathan Koci – Horns, trumpet
Colin Brooks – Drums
Yoshi Waki – Bass
Michael Bellar – Synths
John Foti – Vocals
Sonia De Los Santos – Vocals
Devin Greenwood – Sounds
Chorus: Philippa, Roger and Marianna Thompson, Lyla, Ezra and Sruly Lazaros, Shai Fuller, Jay and Tearin Kim

Video Credits: Written, directed, and animated by Xuan.

Jesse Smathers, “Gambler’s Last Game”

Artist: Jesse Smathers
Hometown: Floyd, Virginia
Song: “Gambler’s Last Game”
Release Date: May 29, 2026
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘Gambler’s Last Game’ was written by my talented pal Mason Via and myself. The modern-day ballad tells of a traveling gambler whose true love won’t settle down with him, so he heartbreakingly stays on the go. This tune was stripped down to the instrumental accompaniment of only Hunter Berry’s fiddle and Corbin Hayslett’s banjo. They did a tremendous job, weaving in and out of each other’s waltzing rhythm with their note selections. Ballad singing and fiddle and banjo interplay is such an important part of string band music tradition. Though this is a new song, its story, form, and melody was approached the same way I tackle learning songs that are 200 years old. It truly transports me to another time. I hope everyone is similarly transported hearing ‘Gambler’s Last Game.'” – Jesse Smathers

Track Credits:
Jesse Smathers – Vocal
Hunter Berry – Fiddle
Corbin Hayslett – Low-tuned banjo

Photo Credit: Full Cord by Karuna Photo; the Arcadian Wild by Shelby Mick.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Danny Roberts, Midnight South, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Here’s your weekly dose of new roots music! You Gotta Hear This…

A perfect kick-off to the weekend comes from Dominique and the Diamonds, who are previewing their next single, “Cocaine,” ahead of its release next week. Perhaps frontwoman, singer-songwriter (and Honky Tonk Queen) Dominique Gomez, isn’t the “crazy party girl” she once was, but she channels fun rockin’ and rollin’ party energy in full force on the country-folk number.

Next up, Matt Jones and the Bobs share a video for “The Weight of the World,” out today. No matter the burdens we all carry, the song offers a message of hope and resilience. As Jones puts it in talking about the song with BGS, “The song looks at struggle not as defeat, but as a universal weight we all carry and the beauty of having someone there to help lighten the load.” It’s certainly a timely message.

For a little rockabilly-steeped Americana, Arkansas-based country group Midnight South give us an exclusive preview of their upcoming single, “Curves in a Square Body,” set for release next week. Dripping with nostalgia and built around a solid country hook, it’s a twang-ful number perfect for putting the pedal to the metal – even if you don’t happen to be lucky enough to be driving around in a square body. Add this one to the list of actually good country songs about trucks.

Capping off our roundup today is bluegrass mandolinist Danny Roberts, whom you may recognize from The Grascals. Roberts’ brand-new album The Winding Road Leads Home is out today, so we’re celebrating by sharing a lovely and sweet instrumental number – with a funny title, “Tologna Bologna.” (That’s pronounced “Tony Baloney,” per Danny.) If you’re more familiar with the mandolin as a barn-burning instrument, Roberts often shows the depth and breadth of the instrument, as he does on this track.

We’ll let you go so you can get to listening! You Gotta Hear This.

Dominique and the Diamonds, “Cocaine”

Artist: Dominique and the Diamonds
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Song: “Cocaine”
Album: Honky Tonk Queen
Release Date: May 29, 2026 (single); June 26, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “‘Cocaine’ is loosely based on a true story. I was a broke and debaucherous 20-year-old in San Francisco with a dealer who incessantly kept asking me out. I started to imagine how my life would have turned out if I did end up going on those dates with him. The song basically wrote itself from there. I’m nowhere near the crazy party girl I once was! But I wanted this song to be the perfect blend of country and rock ‘n’ roll as an ode to that era of my life. ‘Party girl Dom’ was a mess, but I don’t regret a single thing about her.” – Dominique Gomez

Matt Jones and the Bobs, “The Weight of the World”

Artist: Matt Jones and the Bobs
Hometown: Salem, Virginia
Song: “The Weight Of The World”
Release Date: May 22, 2026

In Their Words: “‘The Weight of the World’ reflects on life’s burdens and the quiet strength it takes to face them, while honoring the friends who help shoulder what we can’t. The song looks at struggle not as defeat, but as a universal weight we all carry and the beauty of having someone there to help lighten the load. It is a song about struggle, resilience, and the quiet beauty of friendship, sitting at the emotional center of everything the band has worked toward since their return. For the listeners who have been with them since college and those discovering them now, the message is the same: your story matters, even the hard parts. We have lived that truth, and we are finally ready to tell it in full.” – Matt Jones

Track Credits:
Matt Jones – Vocals, acoustic guitar
Pat Keefe – Electric guitar
Jonthan Crandall – Piano
Trevor Creany – Drums
Andrew Carper – Bass guitar

Video Credits: Matt Jones, Jonathan Crandall, Kevin McNeill

Midnight South, “Curves in a Square Body”

Artist: Midnight South
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
Song: “Curves in a Square Body”
Release Date: May 29, 2026
Label: Rock Ridge Music

In Their Words: “We started with this simple idea of contrast – curves set against a square body – and it just sparked something that felt bigger than the visual. Like a lot of our songs, it naturally drifted into something nostalgic and before we knew it, we were writing about that first truck and all the memories tied up in it.

“From the beginning, the energy of the track pushed us to keep things lively and fun and that really carried through the entire process. Working with Ben Jackson took it to another level – he helped us shape the sound and brought a clarity and punch to the production and mix that really made the song come alive. It’s one of those tracks where everything just clicked in the studio and you can hear that excitement in the final version. We chose it as a single because it feels like a perfect snapshot of who we are right now – high energy, rooted in storytelling, and not afraid to lean into a little nostalgia. At its core, it’s about holding onto those early moments that define you and realizing how much they still ride with you today.” – Darin Davis

Track Credits:
Ben Jackson – Percussion, producer, engineer
Darin Davis – Drums
JL Jones – Acoustic guitar, background vocals
Billy Lowe III – Electric guitar, background vocals
David Tidwell – Bass
Steve Hinson – Pedal steel guitar
Wil Houchens – Keyboards, Hammond B3 organ
Matt Sammons – Lead vocals

Danny Roberts, “Tologna Bologna”

Artist: Danny Roberts
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Tologna Bologna”
Album: The Winding Road Leads Home
Release Date: May 22, 2026
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “When I wrote this tune, I had my great friend Tony Wray in mind. He’s played on all of my records and has helped me arrange much of my music, so I wanted to name it for him. If you listen closely to the melody, you might catch a little nod to the old Oscar Mayer bologna TV commercial – which is where the spelling ‘Tologna Bologna’ comes from. (I say it ‘Tony Baloney,’ though.) I hope you enjoy ‘Tologna Bologna,’ and make sure to check out my new album The Winding Road Leads Home that’s out today!” – Danny Roberts

Track Credits:
Andrea Roberts – Bass
Tony Wray – Acoustic guitar, banjo
Danny Roberts – Mandolin
Adam Haynes – Fiddle

Photo Credit: Danny Roberts courtesy of the artist; Midnight South by RK Barger Photography.

You Gotta Hear This: Thomas Cassell, Greenwood Rye, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Another weekly roundup is here! You Gotta Hear This.

To get us started, Thomas Cassell reveals another track from his upcoming duo album. “Makin’ Some Noise” features his longtime friend and shredder Trey Hensley joining in on a Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers track with just enough of a Bill Monroe flair to excel with the bluegrass treatment. Plus, Colorado-based bluegrass band Jake Leg preview their new album with its title track, “No One Lives Here Anymore.” It’s an apt harbinger for the thoughtful, lonesome, and melancholic songs found on their upcoming collection – due to drop in June.

From elsewhere in bluegrass, the Lonesome River Band debut “Back When,” a song dripping with nostalgia that was co-written by LRB member Jesse Smathers with Nick Goad and Barry Hutchens. The track features a traditional instrument all too rare in bluegrass these days – the electric guitar! Nashville bluegrass outfit Greenwood Rye call on some mighty collaborators for their new song, too. “Ready to Burn” is indeed a barn burner, boasting features by Mason Via (who co-wrote the song with Greenwood’s Shawn Spencer), Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, and IBMA Award winner Vickie Vaughn. It’s jammin’, energetic, and certainly fiery.

Don’t miss folk and Americana duo Great Willow included below as well. Their new song, “Age of Reason,” speaks to these highly divided times we’re living through – and everyone is talking about. “[We] don’t remember a time when the America we love has felt quite this disconnected and hostile against itself,” the duo tells us via email. “Americans can be so sweet and generous – you’d see it in every region as a traveling musician. How did we all fall so far so fast?” Their indie-folk track – lush with sounds and styles of the ’60s, ’70s, and Laurel Canyon – is charming in its consideration of such an existential question.

Singer-songwriter Kyle LaLone encourages all of us to “Slow Down” on his new Americana track. Inspired by quite literally running on fumes, LaLone speaks to the need we all face on the day-to-day to be present, to take deep breaths, and more. Sometimes all you need is to slow down. And make sure to hear the latest from singer-songwriter Mia Kelly, as well. “Big Time Roller Coaster Feeling” is about the highs and lows of having an all-encompassing crush, leaning into that free-falling feeling – of love and rollercoasters, both. It’s vibing and modern indie/acoustic folk that really enables the lyric and stories Kelly tells to shine.

There’s plenty to enjoy! You know what we think – You Gotta Hear This…

Thomas Cassell, “Makin’ Some Noise” (Featuring Trey Hensley)

Artist: Thomas Cassell
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee via Norton, Virginia
Song: “Makin’ Some Noise” (featuring Trey Hensley)
Album: Guitar Collection
Release Date: May 18, 2026 (single); August 21, 2026 (album)
Label: Common Loon Records

In Their Words: “Trey Hensley has been a longtime favorite of mine and more recently a great friend that I’ve been fortunate to make lots of music with. When I started to plan this collaborative album, Trey was one of the first calls I made. We are both huge Tom Petty fans, so it was natural to choose something from his catalog. This 1990s Heartbreakers track was on my mind as there was something about Mike Campbell’s guitar riff that was so Bill Monroe. It was a pleasure to work with Trey on this track – he’s truly one of the best singers and guitar players to ever do it and every time I stand next to him, I realize that in a whole new way. Hopefully this track is as fun to listen to as it was to make!” – Thomas Cassell

Track Credits:
Thomas Cassell – Mandolin, lead vocal
Trey Hensley – Guitar, lead vocal
Jeff Picker – Bass

Great Willow, “Age of Reason”

Artist: Great Willow
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Song: “Age of Reason”
Release Date: May 22, 2026

In Their Words: “Erin and I don’t remember a time when the America we love has felt quite this disconnected and hostile against itself. Americans can be so sweet and generous – you’d see it in every region as a traveling musician. How did we all fall so far so fast? Our song is a lament for that lost open-heartedness and a call to hopefully return to it. Maybe reconnecting with the beautiful natural world is a start.” – James Combs

“We recorded ‘Age of Reason’ in producer Susan James’ home studio out in California horse country – with avocado trees and exotic chickens on the hill out back and her hairless Sphynx cat crawling through our cases and being hilarious inside. Susan is a preternaturally gifted artist, arranger and producer. We loved working with her. And we love the amazing Dobro and slide Ben Peeler (Mavericks, Wallflowers) played on our song. It’s the special sauce the puts it over the edge.” – Erin Hawkins

Track Credits: 
Erin Hawkins – Cello, vocal, songwriter
James Combs – Guitar, vocal, songwriter
Susan James – Organ, producer
Ben Peeler – Dobro, slide guitar

Greenwood Rye & Mason Via, “Ready to Burn”

Artist: Greenwood Rye, Mason Via, Vince Herman, Vickie Vaughn
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Ready to Burn”
Release Date: May 15, 2026

In Their Words: “‘Ready to Burn’ is a jammy bluegrass party song! When Mason Via and I got together to write it, we were both in a place where we had put a ton of effort into our respective albums and everything we were doing was very serious. So we wanted to shift gears a little bit and make something purely for fun. We wrote a song about getting together with our friends and preparing to have an epic barn burner. The recording of the song started as us wanting to get together to make some social media content. We ended up doing it at Parlor Studio where our friend Ethan Greek was working as an engineer. It snowballed into a full studio recording and then we thought, ‘Why stop there? Let’s get some features.’ So we called two of our favorite Nashville bluegrassers, who we love to jam with, Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon) and Vickie Vaughn (Della Mae), and asked them to join the party!” – Shawn Spencer

Track Credits:
Shawn Spencer – Guitar, vocals, songwriter, producer
Mason Via – Guitar, vocals, songwriter
Taylor Shuck – Banjo
Cat McDonald – Fiddle
David Freeman – Mandolin, BGVs
Larry Cook – Bass
Vince Herman – Vocals
Vickie Vaughn – Vocals
Sasha Ostrovsky – Dobro

Mia Kelly, “Big Time Roller Coaster Feeling”

Artist: Mia Kelly
Hometown: Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Song: “Big Time Roller Coaster Feeling”
Album: Big Time Roller Coaster Feeling
Release Date: May 22, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “‘Big Time Roller Coaster Feeling’ is a song that details all the instances in which I have fallen for someone. As playful as it is personal, each verse describes a crush. When it came the time to make the video we decided to depict each of these crushes as a classic date, with the date’s face obscured by something ludicrous. The chorus draws from that joyful free-fall, that tummy-flipping feeling you get when you’re in love.” – Mia Kelly

Track Credits:
Mia Kelly – Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Connor Seidel – Bass, piano, organ, slide guitar, percussion
Olivier Fairfield – Drums, percussion
Ben Plotnick – Fiddle
Aaron Collis – Mandolin, accordion
Adam Brisbin – Electric Guitar, slide

Video Credits: Randy Kelly – Videographer, director, editor

Kyle LaLone, “Slow Down”

Artist: Kyle LaLone
Hometown: Diamond Bar, California
Song: “Slow Down”
Album: Make My Own Way
Release Date: May 15, 2026 (single); June 12, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “Another song that started with the title and whose lyrics were sparked by a specific event. One morning I had to drive to catch a flight to an out-of-town gig after having played a gig the night before. Once I got in my car I realized I was really low on gas and wouldn’t have enough time to stop to fill up on my way there. Luckily I made it to the parking garage near the airport but knew I would be running on fumes to find a gas station before the drive home. That situation inspired the first verse and got me thinking about my tendency to just keep going until I’m out of gas figuratively and literally when what I really need to do sometimes is slow down.” – Kyle LaLone

Jake Leg, “No One Lives Here Anymore”

Artist: Jake Leg
Hometown: Lyons, Colorado
Song: “No One Lives Here Anymore”
Album: No One Lives Here Anymore
Release Date: May 15, 2026 (single); June 13, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “‘No One Lives Here Anymore’ is the first single and title track from our sophomore album coming out on June 13. It was probably one of the first songs written for this album and touches on the themes of sadness and isolation that show up throughout this collection of songs. I’ve always really loved and connected with sad songs so that tends to show in my writing fairly often. ‘No One Lives Here Anymore’ is sort of an ‘anti-story’ of someone who has lost connection with the aspects of life that make it fulfilling and has fallen into the pattern of observing life as it goes by rather than participating in it. Musically, the chord progression kind of folds around on itself and I think is representative of the cyclical nature of some of these feelings that we experience throughout life.” – Dylan McCarthy

Track Credits:
Eric Wiggs – Guitar, vocals
Dylan McCarthy – Mandolin, vocals, songwriter
Justin Hoffenberg – Fiddle
Aaron Hoffenberg – Bass

Lonesome River Band, “Back When”

Artist: Lonesome River Band
Hometown: Floyd, Virginia
Song: “Back When”
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “I’m so proud to have had a hand in writing ‘Back When’ with my pals Nick Goad and Barry Hutchens. As we had a conversation on Barry’s back porch we reminisced about our youth, the mischief we got into, and of course being musicians, our first chords, and songs we learned. Looking back, those moments are so sentimental and they made me into who I am today. It’s important to be aware of those subtle reminders that take us to our formative years way ‘back when.'” – Jesse Smathers, songwriter, guitarist

“The essence of ‘Back When’ is how the least little thing – a conversation with an old friend, a song, etc. – can cause memories to come flooding back. It was a real privilege for me to have the opportunity to write it with Jesse and Nick. They are both such talented writers and musicians. It’s one of those songs that came about simply by the three of us sitting around and reminiscing about when we were kids and growing up playing music.” – Barry Hutchens, songwriter

Track Credits:
Adam Miller – Mandolin, lead vocal
Sammy Shelor – Banjo, harmony vocal
Jesse Smathers – Acoustic guitar, harmony vocal
Mike Hartgrove – Fiddle
Kameron Keller – Upright bass
Rod Riley – Electric guitar

Photo Credit: Thomas Cassell by Scott Simontacchi; Greenwood Rye courtesy of the artist.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Courtney Hartman, Dee White, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

It’s another week where popcorn may be necessary to fully enjoy our weekly new music round-up, with all of the new music videos included below! You Gotta Hear This…

Our first screening is some cosmic California country from Mac Cornish, who’s sharing a music video for the title track of her upcoming album, Wayfaring Woman. The full LP will launch in September, so enjoy this early taste of the project, a song about finding, re-finding, and returning to oneself despite time, geography, and all that comes between.

We have a couple of fun and funny videos you’ll enjoy as well. Nashville-based husband-and-wife roots duo Zaggie (Zach & Maggie White) have a new single and video for “Parking Lot Vacation.” Sometimes a need to unplug, unwind, and relax can be satiated with a good ol’ fashioned sit in a parking lot. The video is witty and hilarious to match the flowing, island-getaway sonics of the song. Plus, Essence & Gold Country have a gut-busting video to tribute Mother’s Day and every “Good Mom” out there. As frontwoman Essence Goldman puts it, it’s all about “the beautiful chaos of motherhood and the truth that we don’t have to lose ourselves to be a good mom.” It’s bluegrassy country that will get your toe tapping while bringing a smile to your face.

Also just in time for Mother’s Day, our old friend Courtney Hartman shares an intimate and tender peformance video for “Honey, Honey,” a song she wrote dripping with love for her young daughter, describing the perfection of her child through her own eyes and building her up for a life built on love, confidence, and strength. It’s gut-wrenching and comforting at the same time, a deft balance that Hartman is well known for in her songwriting and guitar picking. It’s a lovely video for the occasion – and beyond – and announces her upcoming album, With You: From The Garden Shed, set for release June 12.

From bluegrass, Jaelee Roberts has a new single that was written by bluegrass radio personality and songwriter Terry Herd. “I’m Putting You Out of My Misery” pulls inspiration from traditional hard-driving bluegrass and contemporary sounds equally and boasts a stacked roster of pickers rounding out the band behind Jaelee’s gorgeous, crystalline vocals.

Country and Americana powerhouse Dee White has a new song as well, “Green River Rye,” which dropped earlier this week. Check it out below, it’s a pretty stripped-down recording made with just a simple acoustic trio – with Brian Murray and Jimmy Law – that lands somewhere between classic folk, country & western, and bluegrass, aesthetically. With whiskey as its centerpiece, it’s a lonesome and longing song that feels truly timeless – like you could sing along intuitively immediately, even on first listen. And don’t miss singer-songwriter Zach Seabaugh’s “Owes You Nothing,” a song about navigating Nashville, Music Row, and the music industry without losing your sense of self – or comparing yourself to everyone else you meet along the way. It’s a lovely track built on sensitive and brooding modern country sounds.

Celebrate your Mother’s Day weekend by calling your mama (who is definitely a good mom), sipping some Green River Rye, and taking a parking lot vacation – you’ve earned it. And, You Gotta Hear This!

Mac Cornish, “Wayfaring Woman”

Artist: Mac Cornish
Hometown: Raised Bay Area, California, based in Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Wayfaring Woman”
Album: Wayfaring Woman
Release Date: May 8, 2026 (single); September 25, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “‘Wayfaring Woman’ is a song about a girl who stays moving so her past won’t catch up to her – and so she won’t have to face herself. By the time I finished writing it I realized it was about myself. It was my way of telling myself, ‘It’s alright to cry, but it’s time to remember who you are and stop this cycle.’ So when I sing, ‘Even in yours lows, you can always go home,’ I mean the place and the state of mind.

“Making my way back to myself has always felt connected to the California home of my youth. Those canyon roads and golden hills remind me of who I am and who I always dreamed of being. I might not be able to access those places physically anymore, but the sense of self that I found there is within me and this song is a reminder to myself that I can always go back, I can always go home to myself. ‘Wayfaring Woman’ is the title track and first single off my second record, set to come out in September 25. It’s steeped in cosmic California twang, and I don’t think I’ve ever sounded more like myself.” – Mac Cornish

Track Credits:
Mac Cornish – Vocals, acoustic guitar, songwriter
Hillary Fretland – Harmony vocals
Charlie Fuertsch – Electric guitar
Cooper Dickerson – Steel guitar
Jack Lawrence – Bass
Dave Racine – Drums

Video Credit: Directed and filmed by Janaya Pardo.

Essence & Gold Country, “Good Mom”

Artist: Essence & Gold Country
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Song: “Good Mom”
Album: Father’s Daughter
Release Date: May 8, 2026 (video); September 26, 2025 (album)
Label: Blue Elan

In Their Words: “This ‘Good Mom’ video is about the beautiful chaos of motherhood and the truth that we don’t have to lose ourselves to be a good mom. It holds that tension between giving everything to our children and still claiming space for our own soul, and taking care of ourselves so we have more to give.

“This song gets the best reaction when I perform it live. I just watch the mothers start laughing and shaking their heads in agreement. It is hard for me not to laugh when I sing it. Any mom out there can relate. We thought it was fun to release this music video as as a gift to all the moms on Mother’s Day. Though in my opinion, every day should be Mother’s Day!” – Essence Goldman

Video Credits:
Laura Kudritzki – Director, cinematographer
Essence Goldman – Producer
Austin Grose – Executive producer
Craig Morton – Assistant producer
Margaret Bolton Grace – Stylist
Angela Shippen – Hair, makeup
Andres Campos – Hair, makeup
Elise Bigley – Hair, makeup
Keldon Duane-McGlashan – Editor

Courtney Hartman, “Honey, Honey”

Artist: Courtney Hartman
Hometown: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Song: “Honey, Honey”
Album: With You: From The Garden Shed
Release Date: May 8, 2026 (single); June 12, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “‘Honey, Honey’ is a love song to my daughter – a collage of daily imagery and truths I want her to hold onto. She has taught me about delight and even as I am the one cradling her and giving her comfort, it is often my own heart being mended by her.

“In the final verse I list a few things I want her to remember when I am not there to hold her, ‘quiet waters, soothe and sway, sunlight and kindness, the cradle of a day. You’re brave as an iris, a bright display, a trumpeter swan lifting up and away.’ Tift Merritt co-wrote this song with me, helping me clear away the debris and uncover within my own days the scenes I most wanted to sing.” – Courtney Hartman

Video Credits: Filmed by Kyle Lehman.
Edited by Erik Elstran.

Jaelee Roberts, “I’m Putting You Out of My Misery”

Artist: Jaelee Roberts
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “I’m Putting You Out of My Misery”
Label: Mountain Home Music Company
Release Date: May 8, 2026

In Their Words: “‘I’m Putting You Out of My Misery’ is one of those songs that stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it. Terry Herd wrote an incredible song and I fell in love with it right away. To me, it strikes the perfect balance between that hard-driving traditional sound and a touch of contemporary bluegrass. I absolutely love how everything came together in the studio. I’ve always enjoyed a song with a little bit of attitude and this one definitely delivers.

“I was also fortunate to have some amazing musicians join me on the recording. Alan Bartram on bass, Ron Stewart on banjo, Tony Wray on guitar, Michael Cleveland on fiddle, Justin Moses on mandolin and Dobro, and Zack Arnold adding harmony vocals. Getting to collaborate with such talented players made this project especially meaningful to me. I’m truly proud of how the track turned out, and I’m so thankful to each of them for being part of it. I hope you all enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed recording it.” – Jaelee Roberts

Track Credits:
Jaelee Roberts – Lead vocal
Alan Bartram – Bass
Ron Stewart – Banjo
Tony Wray – Guitar
Michael Cleveland – Fiddle
Justin Moses – Mandolin, resonator guitar
Zack Arnold – Harmony vocal

Zach Seabaugh, “Owes You Nothing”

Artist: Zach Seabaugh
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia & Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Owes You Nothing”
Release Date: May 8, 2026 (single)
Label: Cloverdale Records

In Their Words: “This song came at a time when I needed to check myself – on where I was in life – and on the people in my life I didn’t want to take for granted. I wrote it with Park Chisolm and Reid Haughton on Music Row. I was talking to them about how hard it is sometimes to show up in Nashville, to be creative for a living. You can fall into the comparison trap when so much of the industry around you is trying to set out for the same thing. But I don’t like feeling sorry for myself. I’m super grateful for what I have and who I get to live life with and at the end of the day, I guess this world owes you nothing. So you gotta make the most with what you got—that’s when you realize you got all you need.” – Zach Seabaugh

Dee White, “Green River Rye”

Artist: Dee White
Hometown: Slapout, Alabama
Song: “Green River Rye”
Release Date: May 6, 2026

In Their Words: “I first discovered Green River Rye Whiskey during a hunting trip to Kentucky. The bottle instantly caught my eye – it was the same one I remembered from an antique lithograph that hung in my childhood home. At the time, my girlfriend had just left me, and the chorus melody had already popped into my head. Later that night, I was hanging out with my buddies Jimmy and Brian and we finalized the music and lyrics. The very next evening, we went into the studio and recorded it as an acoustic trio in Nashville.” – Dee White

Zaggie, “Parking Lot Vacation”

Artist: Zaggie
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Parking Lot Vacation”
Album: Turpentine Mind
Release Date: May 6, 2026 (single); August 26, 2026 (album)
Label: Zaggie Records

In Their Words: “‘Parking Lot Vacation’ came from the exact mental-headspace-shift the song is about. I was supposed to be writing. Instead, I was staring at a blank page for long enough that it started staring back. Eventually I just… leaned back, let myself off the hook for a bit, and the song showed up. Turns out vacations are less about where you are and more about the moment you stop letting petty anxieties run the show. A good car seat, a warm breeze, a window cracked just right is sometimes all I need. We’ve seen a lot of beautiful places in the world and a parking lot on the right day is genuinely in the conversation.” – Zach White

Track Credits:
Zach White – Vocals, guitar, songwriter
Maggie White – Mandolin
Dan Needham – Drums
Byron House – Bass
Chris Walters – Piano

Video Credits:
Cast: Annabelle Fox-Tieman, Douglas Waterbury-Tieman, Ollie Fox-Tieman, Huck Fox-Tieman, Emily Rogers, Josée Klein.
Directed and edited by Zach White.
Location Videography by BAMM Productions.

Photo Credit: Courtney Hartman by Michelle Bennett; Dee White by John Peets.

You Gotta Hear This: Margo Price, Darren Nicholson, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

A fresh batch of roots music has arrived! You Gotta Hear This.

To kick off our weekly roundup of new music, singer-songwriter Jacob Augustine shares a music video for “Halfway to Harlem,” a jangling, twanging, and bluesy roots track with post-apocalyptic vibes – and the video to match. For how forbidding the video and lyrics are in their subject matter, the song is still charming and inviting. You’ll also enjoy a new song from Swedish roots duo Orange Oak. “well, well, well” is tender and contemplative and, as they put it themselves, it “explores the struggles of confronting yourself after a period of avoidance and inner conflict.” Still, there’s ample redemption to be found in the alt-folk track.

For a bit of troubadour storytelling, Pennsylvania’s Jeff Mamett unveils “Like Old Uncle Jim.” With a bit of dark country & western tinge, it’s a story song that pays tribute to larger-than-life figures and finds truth even in fiction and mythology. Mamett’s baritone vocal is rich and engaging. Plus, Irish artist Helen O’Shea, who’s now based in New Jersey, calls on her friends the Carlile Family Band for her new track and lyric video for “There Will Be Days.” It’s Americana with a party vibe, but the subject matter is much more deep and involved, passing on wisdom and considering the many cycles of living life. It’s ripe for a sing along!

In bluegrass, mandolinist and singer-songwriter Darren Nicholson launches his new album, Lonesome Trails and Tall Tales, today. To celebrate, we’re sharing “All Trains Must Come to Pass” for release day. It’s a barn-burning traditional bluegrass number that Nicholson co-wrote with Charles Humphrey III and Thomm Jutz. And don’t miss the latest duo recording from Bryan Sutton, this time featuring guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel alongside. “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down” is a common choice by Sutton, but in this arrangement with Emmanuel there are equal infusions of jazz and swing alongside bluegrass and flatpicking.

Also out today is a new tribute album to Guy Clark produced by Dan Knobler and released by Truly Handmade Records. Old No. 1 Revisited features performances by Jade Bird, Erin Rae, Brennen Leigh, Kelsey Waldon, Logan Ledger, and more. For our roundup, we’re sharing Margo Price’s rendition of “Rita Ballou.” Both Price and Knobler tell us their stories of how the track came to be below – it’s an absolutely lovely tribute to a songwriting and Americana legend.

There’s so much to enjoy! You Gotta Hear This…

Jacob Augustine, “Halfway to Harlem”

Artist: Jacob Augustine
Hometown: Portland, Maine
Song: “Halfway to Harlem”
Album: I Love You Forever
Release Date: April 29, 2026 (single); May 22, 2026 (album)
Label: Team Love Records

In Their Words: “Post-apocalyptic survivor studies. Car alarms serenading the cities of America to dead battery silence.

“What is it to fall in love, raise a child, and save the world all at the same time? This song explores these themes and questions. Questions I don’t really have the answers to. But questions that need to be asked I think.” – Jacob Augustine

Video Credits:
Directed by Jacob Augustine.
Co-directed, filmed, and edited by Joshua Powers, Wavin AM.
Starring Brandon Wardwell.
Produced by Wavin AM.

Jeff Mamett, “Like Old Uncle Jim”

Artist: Jeff Mamett
Hometown: Central Pennsylvania
Song: Like Old Uncle Jim
Album: Fortunate Son
Release Date: May 1, 2026 (single); August 21, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “I grew up around people like this – the kind of man whose stories don’t always land the same way depending on who’s listening. With Uncle Jim, I was interested in that gap between what people say about somebody and what you see for yourself. As a kid, you don’t question it the same way, you just take it in.

“The details were important to me – the cigarette, the pony ride, the way he carried himself. Those things felt more honest than trying to explain him. By the end, the truth is there if you’re paying attention, but it doesn’t come out and announce itself. It just sits in the room. I think that’s how a lot of people are. You don’t always know who they are unless you’re looking closely.” – Jeff Mamett

Darren Nicholson, “All Trains Come to Pass”

Artist: Darren Nicholson
Hometown: Canton, North Carolina
Song: “All Trains Come to Pass”
Album: Lonesome Trails and Tall Tales
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘All Trains Come to Pass’ is a barn-burner! It was written by Thomm Jutz, Charles Humphrey III, and myself. The song speaks metaphorically about the passing of time and how important it is to live in every moment. Breathe it in. The band is kicking on this one, and it was so much fun to record! We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did creating it.” – Darren Nicholson

Track Credits:
Darren Nicholson – Mandolin, lead vocal
Kristin Scott Benson – Banjo
Mark Fain – Upright bass
David Johnson – Acoustic guitar
Tony Creasman – Drums
Deanie Richardson – Fiddle
Kevin Sluder – Harmony vocal
Avery Welter – Harmony vocal
Jennifer Nicholson – Harmony vocal

Orange Oak, “well, well, well”

Artist: Orange Oak
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
Song: “well, well, well”
Album: almost, I thought to myself
Release Date: May 1, 2026 (song); September 11, 2026 (album)
Label: Nettwerk Music Group

In Their Words: “This song explores the struggles of confronting yourself after a period of avoidance and inner conflict. It moves between self-criticism and a quiet desire for change; realizing escape is no longer sustainable. There’s tension between wanting control and accepting vulnerability. There’s strain in letting go of anger and returning to life with a new sense of honesty. At its core, ‘well, well, well’ is about self-reflection, reconciliation, and finding the courage to begin again and again and again.” – Filippa Frisell and Erik Olsson, Orange Oak

Helen O’Shea, “There Will Be Days”

Artist: Helen O’Shea
Hometown: Born in Limerick, Ireland; living in Long Branch, New Jersey
Song: “There Will Be Days”
Album: Songs In The Key Of O
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Label: White Butterfly Music

In Their Words: “The song ‘There Will Be Days’ started out in a conversation between Caroline Carlile and myself. She was starting out as a young artist with tremendous potential and I was telling her that there will be days when she feels the world is against her, but that is exactly when she must let her starlight shine through. First this line became a poem and then Caroline and I decided to write a song about it together, with help from Jay Carlile and Marc Swersky. The result is this beautiful duet between Caroline and myself with Jay on harmonica and the Carlile Family Band on backing vocals against the music of Andrew Carillo (Joan Osborne), Rob Clores (Jesse Malin), and Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors).” – Helen O’Shea

Track Credits:
Helen O’Shea – Vocals, songwriter
Caroline Carlile – Vocals, songwriter
The Carlile Family Band – Background vocals
Marc Swersky – Producer, songwriter
Andrew Carillo – Guitars
Rob Clores – Keys
Aaron Comess – Drums
Jay Carlile – Harmonica, songwriter

Video Credits: Story & Bone

Margo Price, “Rita Ballou”

Artist: Margo Price
Song: “Rita Ballou”
Album: Old No. 1 Revisited
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Label: Truly Handmade Records

In Their Words: “Many years ago, I was lucky enough to find Guy’s Clark’s perfectly crafted album, Old No. 1, while shuffling through the jukebox at the Devil’s Backbone Tavern in Fischer, Texas. His fingerpicking and storytelling on ‘Rita Ballou’ pulled me in. And I was hooked.

“Guy’s a carpenter in every sense of the word and every song he builds is ornate, solid, and reliable. It’s an honor to interpret his songwriting for this tribute, alongside producer and guitar virtuoso Dan Knobler, harmonies by my talented bandmate Logan Ledger, and the incredible, top-tier musicians that played on this track.” – Margo Price

“Margo Price was the immediate and obvious choice to extol the charms of ‘Rita Ballou.’ These songs do the work, all we have to do is cast them appropriately. So in that spirit I appointed the tracking room at Good Wishes with a proverbial joy carnival of musicians: octopus double drums from Jamie Dick and Dom Billett, powerhouse Jen Gunderman at the keys, the legend Russ Pahl walking into the studio with his steel on his shoulder, Will Honaker holding it down on bass, me strumming and picking. Margo stood out on the floor with us and nailed the song to the wall. Logan Ledger and Nicki Bluhm provided the backup choruses and a good time was had by all.” – Dan Knobler, producer

Track Credits:
Margo Price – Vocals
Logan Ledger – Harmony vocal
Nicki Bluhm – Harmony vocal
Maya de Vitry – Additional harmony vocals
Rachael Davis – Additional harmony vocals
Dan Knobler – Acoustic guitars, electric guitar
Jen Gunderman – Piano, organ, Wurlitzer
Russ Pahl – Pedal steel
Will Honaker – Bass
Jamie Dick – Drums, percussion
Dom Billett – Drums, percussion

Bryan Sutton, “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down” with Tommy Emmanuel

Artist: Bryan Sutton with Tommy Emmanuel
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down”
Album: From Roots to Branches
Release Date: May 1, 2026 (single)
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “[Tommy is] another guy that’s just been gracious to me over the years… a big pal and he’s a big energy. Every time he sees me, you just get all of his attention … he’s a wonderful friend and a lovely dude. Certainly, the world knows how strong a musician he is, but you know, the choice for that song, something with energy, that sort of comes from more of a bluegrass background. Those chord changes lend a little more to the swing and jazz world, and that’s where he and I have spent a lot of time playing other songs together.

“I was a partner on his duet record some years ago. We did ‘C Jam Blues’ and some other swing music like that. Trying to choose songs that sort of honor a certain angle of our relationship, musically, so that mix of bluegrass and jazz and swing is where Tommy Emmanuel and I find some common ground.” – Bryan Sutton

Track Credits:
Bryan Sutton – Acoustic guitar, lead vocal
Tommy Emmanuel – Acoustic guitar, vocal

Photo Credit: Margo Price by Yana Yatsuk; Darren Nicholson by Jeff Smith.