Tag: Video premiere

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: Ricky Skaggs, Cameron Knowler, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Our weekly roundup of new roots music is here, get into it! You Gotta Hear This…

To begin, Georgia-raised singer-songwriter Sam Burchfield releases “One More Setting Sun” today. You might find this track at the intersection of indie rock and Americana twang, replete with fuzzy guitars and a certainly summery vibe. Burchfield rightly describes “One More Setting Sun” to BGS as a “summer bop.” Staying in Georgia, you’ll also find yourself bopping to the latest from Americana/country duo Surrender Hill. Infused with a touch of Southern rock and including delicious B3 organ, “Not Alone” reflects on the ups and downs of life and how, despite ourselves, those ups and downs can often lead us directly to the right people we need in our lives. The hope in the track oozes out in its tempo and forward-leaning energy.

From bluegrass, country and string band legend, Ricky Skaggs unveils his first new music in over 10 years. “Say A Prayer” isn’t a straight-up-and-down bluegrass number; instead it pulls equally from country and rock, bluegrass and gospel. It’s built on the intense conviction and spirituality for which Skaggs is known, driving his band to the soaring climax of the song’s final chorus and impressing upon his listeners the message of hope and faith in the track. You’ll get another dose of tasty organ with that one! Another set of bluegrass legends, Lonesome River Band, keep us in a seasonal frame of mind with “Summertime,” a new song that’s nostalgic in the way it text paints images of Southern summers. Get a sampling of the twanging electric guitar picking along with one of the most beloved bluegrass lineups in the genre.

LRB’s labelmates, Unspoken Tradition, have released a brand new album today, Heartwood. To celebrate the occasion, we’re offering a sampling of “All the Gold in California,” a bluegrassified cover of the Gatlin Brothers classic that’s properly barn-burning and energetic. The entire LP is great – we’ve premiered more a few numbers from the collection over the weeks and months leading up to release day – and this up-tempo cover song is an excellent addition to the new album. Elsewhere in our roundup, guitarist, archivist, and multimedia artist Cameron Knowler is giving us a sneak peek and early listen of his next single, “El Centro (Cassette Demo),” which releases next week. “I am consistently surprised by how ‘final’ demos sound on these machines,” Knowler tells BGS via email. “Oftentimes, I get so emotionally attached to a preliminary performance that I’ll scrap the idea of taking a given song to the studio.” You’ll get attached to the cozy, artful, and lovely demo, too.

For a Celtic flair, fiddler Maura Shawn Scanlin has brought us a new track, “The Good Ship,” from her upcoming album Rule of Three. Set for release in late July, the project includes Scanlin alongside fabled guitarist/instrumentalist John Doyle and engineer/instrumentalist Duncan Wickel. “The Good Ship” is a set of tunes – a medley – featuring a Scanlin original, “The Good Ship,” followed by familiar Irish favorites “The Dusty Miller” and “Cucanandy.” Get ready to dance to this one, too – that’s what a “hop jig” is made for, isn’t it?

Bluegrass, country, folk, Celtic – there’s something for everyone below. You Gotta Hear This!

Sam Burchfield, “One More Setting Sun”

Artist: Sam Burchfield
Hometown: Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia
Song: “One More Setting Sun”
Release Date: June 26, 2026
Label: Cloverdale Records

In Their Words: “We’re just little eternal beings trapped in bodies trying to love each other and navigate the cosmos. The world is beautiful, we are in it, and we are part of the beauty. I wanna love you forever – that’s what this song is. What else can I say? It’s a summer bop.” – Sam Burchfield

Cameron Knowler, “El Centro (Cassette Demo)”

Artist: Cameron Knowler
Hometown: Yuma, Arizona
Song: “El Centro (Cassette Demo)”
Release Date: July 3, 2026
Label: Castle Dome Records

In Their Words: “This is the newest track from my ongoing cassette demos series. These songs are either made on my Marantz single track field recorder or on one of my Tascam 4-track machines. ‘El Centro’ is one of those that was made on my 4-track, making use of electric guitar, electro-acoustic, and found objects for percussion. I am consistently surprised by how ‘final’ demos sound on these machines; oftentimes, I get so emotionally attached to a preliminary performance that I’ll scrap the idea of taking a given song to the studio. This is an example of that process in effect.” – Cameron Knowler

Video Credit: Cameron Knowler

Lonesome River Band, “Summertime”

Artist: Lonesome River Band
Hometown: Floyd, Virginia
Song: “Summertime”
Release Date: June 26, 2026
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘Summertime’ was sent to us by our good friend Sherrill Blackman, who has pitched us so many great songs from different writers. It reminded me of my summers as a child and all the things I did growing up during my school vacations in my hometown and spending summers with my grandparents. We hope it brings back memories for our fans!” – Sammy Shelor

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

Maura Shawn Scanlin, “The Good Ship”

Artist: Maura Shawn Scanlin
Hometown: Boone, North Carolina
Song: “The Good Ship”
Album: Rule of Three
Release Date: June 25, 2026 (single); July 22, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “‘The Good Ship’ is the second single out ahead of my new album Rule of Three, recorded during a rainy week last August in my West Asheville basement with John Doyle and Duncan Wickel. Duncan set up a DIY recording studio with baffles and quilts and all sorts of mics, and we sat down and played some music, tracking all together. It was fun to capture a pretty raw sound, blemishes and all – it was my intent to try to preserve the live feeling of playing music together in the same room. We hadn’t played as a trio all together prior to the session, so there was a spontaneous nature to the recordings that added some palpable energy to the music. ‘The Good Ship’ is a set of three tunes in the Irish style, one of my tunes called ‘The Good Ship’ followed by two traditional Irish tunes called ‘The Dusty Miller’ and ‘Cucanandy.’ I think of them as Hop Jigs, tunes that sit somewhere in the gray area between slip jigs and waltzes.” – Maura Shawn Scanlin

Track Credits:
Maura Shawn Scanlin – Fiddle
John Doyle – Bouzouki
Duncan Wickel – Cello

Ricky Skaggs, “Say A Prayer”

Artist: Ricky Skaggs
Hometown: Cordell, Kentucky
Song: “Say A Prayer”
Release Date: June 26, 2026
Label: Skaggs Family Records (distributed by Virgin Music Group)

In Their Own Words: “I’m incredibly excited to share my new single, ‘Say A Prayer.’ The song addresses a world carrying a lot of grief right now, serving as a universal call for everyone to stop and lean into faith. It’s got a chorus that resonates with faith, country, and rock audiences alike.” – Ricky Skaggs

Surrender Hill, “Not Alone”

Artist: Surrender Hill
Hometown: Ellijay, Georgia
Song: “Not Alone”
Release Date: July 10, 2026 (single); August 7, 2026 (album)
Label: Blue Betty Records

In Their Words: “This song sort of wrote itself; before I knew what it was about, it was done. It’s a reflection of my life and how through all the ups and downs I have somehow managed to hold onto faith that life would lead me to the right place and the right people. And, I think I found my people.” – Afton Seekins Salmon

“I had a pretty clear vision of the sound for this song. Having Dennis Parker in the studio was key. The mandolin and balance of his acoustic and mine was something I had floating around in my head. Matthew Von Doran did a fantastic job with the main solo. When he played that for me, I felt the immediate lift in the song and loved it. I had a hard time finding the right sound and feel for the electric guitar on the front end of the song, then I found a chorus sound that Nirvana used and that hit me right. That also felt appropriate as our son, Wren, has been listening to Nirvana nonstop for months. He even wants us to order him some Teen Spirit deodorant. Overall, the positive nature of this song is what made it a clear choice for the album and a single.” – Robin Dean Salmon

Track Credits:
Afton Seekins Salmon – Lead vocals, songwriter
Robin Dean Salmon – Bass, electric guitar, background vocals
Matt Crouse – Drums
Dennis Parker – Acoustic guitar, mandolin
Eric Fritsch – B3 organ
Matthew Von Doran – Lead guitar

Unspoken Tradition, “All the Gold in California”

Artist: Unspoken Tradition
Hometown: Western North Carolina
Song: “All The Gold In California”
Album: Heartwood
Release Date: June 26, 2026
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “For me this is an interesting song because prior to recording this, I was not familiar with the original version. We all have our knowledge gaps – even within the things we’re passionate about – and Larry Gatlin fell in that gap for me.

“Jeff Collins, who produced the Heartwood album, suggested this song to the band as we were gathering material. We were looking for something up-tempo with a drive to it. The original version isn’t that, so this song was a great candidate for reimagining and putting our creative spin on it. It was a fun track to record. I’m so glad Jeff put this one in our minds, it turned out great.

“Even though it sounds like a fast-paced, trad-leaning song, ‘All the Gold in California’ bears a serious message worth heeding. To me, this song warns of being misled by money and fame. That world is heavily guarded, they don’t let just anybody in the club, so the idea of showing up and immediately making it big isn’t likely. So it’s best to stick to your identity, values, traditions, and work ethic to get where you want to be.” – Audie McGinnis

Track Credits:
Audie McGinnis – Acoustic guitar, lead vocal
Sav Sankaran – Upright bass, harmony vocal
Tim Gardner – Fiddle, harmony vocal
Ty Gilpin – Mandolin
Zane McGinnis – Banjo

Photo Credit: Ricky Skaggs courtesy of Skaggs Family Records; Cameron Knowler by Steven Perlin.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Swamp Dogg, Allison Russell, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Another week, another batch of excellent new roots music! You Gotta Hear This…

There’s plenty of Good Country to enjoy below, as we kick things off with Dallas Burrow’s brand new track, “Underdog.” In his heart of hearts, Burrow has always considered himself something of an outsider. He channels the angst and emotion of being an underdog through the rocking, passionate crescendo of the gritty country track. Then we immediately follow that up with more from similar sonic territory, as Whey Jennings and Karen Waldrup join forces on a song they co-wrote, “Damned If I Stay.” We’re sharing the new video for the number, a thoughtful Outlaw-steeped ballad that was begging for the duet treatment – which Jennings and Waldrup execute very well. It’s as relatable as it is personal.

In bluegrass (or from nearby!), banjoist Max Wareham launches his new album, If The Cosmos Were Whiskey…, today. To celebrate, we’re sharing the music video for “Closer To You,” as cosmic and enchanting as the record title. It’s experimental string band music that falls somewhere in the nebulous territory between neo-folk, indie, and trance. The psychedelia of jamgrass, but more deliberate and “slowed down.” When you read Wareham’s inspiration behind the track, these connections make even more sense.

Also arriving directly from the magical musical cosmos is a new track from the ethereal Allison Russell. Timed for release on Juneteenth, “Black Lavender” features Brittney Spencer and is a song about extending grace, comfort, and care – and the importance of community to lift each other up. “We saved this song for Juneteenth for a reason,” she explains. “Black women have been showing up for each other in this way as long as we’ve been here, and we can’t stop, won’t stop now!” Listen to the timely track below.

You’ll also want to hear new music from an Americana legend Swamp Dogg. His new album, Swamp Dogg Contemplates The Afterlife, is out today. But the Dogg doesn’t want you to be too concerned that our roundup selection, “Final Approach” is about mortality. “‘Final Approach’ uses an airliner metaphor, but it’s more about a homecoming than dealing with the end of life,” he explains via email. “[But], I’m OK with this ‘final approach,'” he continues. “I’ve been blessed and that’s something to sing about.” The song is smooth, grooving, and dripping with Swamp Dogg’s personality.

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

Dallas Burrow, “Underdog”

Artist: Dallas Burrow
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Song: “Underdog”
Album: Modern Day Vagabond
Release Date: June 17, 2026 (single); September 25, 2026 (album)
Label: 40 Below Records

In Their Words: “Like the character Dally from The Outsiders – a rebel through and through – in my heart of hearts, I’ve always felt like a little bit of an outsider, an outlier, an underdog, but I always found that, on some level, to be a point of pride. It gives you a unique perspective when you’re on the outside looking in. That’s the basic spirit of this song, though it was also inspired somewhat by my own experiences within the music business, where so many people are telling you who they think you are and how things ought to be done. Usually in some attempt to conform you to their vision of who you ought to be, when each of us, ultimately, has our own path.

“I grew up listening to hard rock and metal as a kid, before I got into the more restrained approach of the singer-songwriters who I have come to love and admire. But there’s always something in me that, at some point, wants to dig in, let loose, and rock out, so it was very liberating for me to lay this track down. It gave me a chance to scream my heart out a little bit in the song’s crescendo; a guttural catharsis that is hard to achieve through any other means except rock ‘n’ roll.

“The band really brings this one to life: Mark Tokach’s searing electric guitar, Larry Chaney’s booming distorted baritone, Kullen Fox’s fiery B3 organ track, Katie Shore providing her tastefully avant-garde harmony part in the chorus, legendary producer Mike McClure on second acoustic guitar, and Adam Odor on bass, and finally Cameron Martin from my touring band on drums, who comes from a rock ‘n’ roll background – and who were all chomping at the bit to rock this one out.” – Dallas Burrow

Whey Jennings & Karen Waldrup, “Damned If I Stay”

Artist: Whey Jennings
Hometown: West Texas
Song: “Damned If I Stay” with Karen Waldrup
Album: Baptized By Fire
Release Date: June 18, 2026 (video/single)
Label: Dirt Rock Empire

In Their Words: “‘Damned If I Stay’ is about being caught between staying and leaving when both choices hurt. It’s that tension a lot of people don’t talk about. This song called for a duet and Karen’s voice added the contrast that helped bring the full emotion of the story to life.” – Whey Jennings

“Writing this song with Whey Jennings was such a career highlight for me. He is such an emotional singer and that’s what this song needed. I have such a special friendship with Whey and it’s incredible to see that friendship spotlighted on such a personal song for both of us from our own life experiences.” – Karen Waldrup

Video Credits: Director/producer – Gio Gotay.

Allison Russell, “Black Lavender”

Artist: Allison Russell
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Song: “Black Lavender” with Brittney Spencer
Album: In The Hour of Chaos
Release Date: June 19, 2026 (single); July 10, 2026 (album)
Label: Fantasy Records

In Their Words: “We are swimming in rivers – flash floods! – of adrenaline right now. ‘Black Lavender’ is a song about extending grace and soothing comfort to a chosen sister… the kind I have trouble extending to myself. But the beautiful thing is, she’s the same way – and she gives it all back and some. Brittney Spencer is a voice for all the ages who we need right now. We saved this song for Juneteenth for a reason. Black women have been showing up for each other in this way as long as we’ve been here, and we can’t stop, won’t stop now! Incomparable . That’s what we all are, you know? Precious… magical.” – Allison Russell

Video Credit: Directed by Athena Kulb.

Swamp Dogg, “Final Approach”

Artist: Swamp Dogg
Hometown: Portsmouth, Virginia
Song: “Final Approach”
Album: Swamp Dogg Contemplates The Afterlife
Release Date: June 19, 2026
Label: S-Curve Records

In Their Words: “‘Final Approach’ uses an airliner metaphor, but it’s more about a homecoming than dealing with the end of life. That’s something that’s inevitable, but the life I’ve lived has been truly fulfilling and I remain both hopeful and thankful. I cite some of the music pioneers – Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Chuck Willis – who went before their time. While I’ve come as far as I have for as long as I have, and that’s something spiritually uplifting. The great work of those guys lives on and so do I, which is why I’m OK with this ‘final approach.’ I’ve been blessed and that’s something to sing about.” – Swamp Dogg

Max Wareham, “Closer To You”

Artist: Max Wareham
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Song: “Closer To You”
Album: If The Cosmos Were Whiskey…
Release Date: June 19, 2026

In Their Words: “I wrote this one thinking about 8th-century Chinese mountain poets and Milarepa, the Tibetan yogi who sang his way to enlightenment in a cave, which is either the most pretentious thing you’ll read this week or the most honest. There’s a figure wandering through it, searching for something that keeps shape-shifting: person, place, idea. The song refuses to say, and that refusal is the whole point. To me, it has the patience of something that’s been waiting a long time.

“Chris Sartori, formerly of Twisted Pine, plays an inspired bass part like he’s keen on the trail of this ghost. Give it a listen and see what you think you’re looking for.” – Max Wareham

Track Credits:
Max Wareham – Banjo, vocals
Jack Holland – Guitar
Chris Sartori – Bass
Karl Helander – Percussion
Lily Sexton – Harmony vocals

Video Credits: Grant Bouvier

Photo Credit: Swamp Dogg by Cooper Davidson; Allison Russell by Mason Poole.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Bronwyn, Sophie Wellington, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Welcome to our weekly collection of new music! You Gotta Hear This…

First thing today, you should know it’s a bluegrass-rich week in our roundup – which we love! The Binoculars start us off on a strong bluegrassy foot with their cover of “Lorene,” a Louvin Brothers song that will be included on the duo’s upcoming album, Double Whammy, out July 17. Like the Louvin Brothers themselves, the Binoculars do a great job of bridging rootsy sonic territories, country, bluegrass, old-time, and more. For a taste of bluegrass gospel, we’re celebrating the release of Eighteen Mile’s new album, Peace Be Still (out today), with the title track, written by vocalist and guitarist Jack Ritter. It’s fresh, modern bluegrass built on faith and tradition.

We’ve got several great fiddlers represented in our list today, too. A huge – and still-growing name – on the current bluegrass and jamgrass scene, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, is dropping her surname for a new era under a mononym, Bronwyn. Today, Bronwyn announces her upcoming album Rattlin’ Bones, her first LP under the new name, which will release in August. We’re sharing the track from which the LP draws its title, “Sticks and Stones.” It showcases the growth in Bronwyn’s songwriting over time – and features Darrell Scott. Plus, if you’re familiar with fiddler Libby Weitnauer, she’s now releasing music under the artist name Libby Dale. “Empty Tank,” which came out yesterday, is indie Americana with a Gothic, Appalachian undertone and excellent rootsy touches. Dale’s songwriting is impeccable and the production is built on a fascinating blend of roots styles.

An old-time and Americana favorite, Sophie Wellington, has unveiled a new single and video, “Scolding Wife.” Wellington has a new album coming in early July. This track and video showcase her unique, multi-hyphenate approach to music-making; it’s a simple, stripped-down arrangement featuring only guitar and percussion – provided by dance. It’s lovely and entrancing, no matter how basic or elemental in its construction. Singer-songwriter Kate Waters has a new song out this week, too. “Words” arrived on June 10, juxtaposing steel guitar, mandolin, and acoustic guitar in a folk-meets-string band-meets-Americana sound. It’s a contemplative lyric that searches inward and outward for the right thing to say.

You’ll enjoy the music video for the title track of Dailey & Vincent’s album, A Beautiful Life, released today. This feel-good song is the duo’s special way of sharing what they’re grateful for. We’re also thankful that Bill Anderson and Jon Randall (who co-wrote “Whiskey Lullaby”) teamed with Carrie Underwood to write it. And our own Justin Hiltner (editor of BGS and Good Country) and Jon Weisberger (BGS contributor) are back on the site again – for the first time since 2022 – as musicians and artists, rather than writer or editor. Hiltner & Weisberger just announced they’ve signed with Mountain Home Music Company to release music as a duo again. “Marinda” is their first single with Mountain Home, a song about a woman in California built on low-tuned long-neck banjo and an all-star band – that includes Libby Dale (Weitnauer) on fiddle, by chance, as well. We hope you enjoy the track and don’t mind the BGS team’s bias, we think these guys are pretty okay and, yeah… maybe, just maybe, You Gotta Hear This, too!

There’s plenty of bluegrass, Americana, old-time, and more to enjoy. Get scrolling and get listening– You Gotta Hear This!

The Binoculars, “Lorene”

Artist: The Binoculars
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Song: “Lorene”
Album: Double Whammy
Release Date: July 17, 2026
Label: Jalopy Records

In Their Words: “As huge fans of the Louvin Brothers, it’s hard to resist covering all of their songs. ‘Lorene’ really stood out to us, as a secular number and with a letter-writing theme! We both frequent the postal service for transmitting love letters and postcards. There is a spirit in handwritten letters that just can’t be replicated in a text or in the vacuum of social media. We find the lyrics strike an even more dynamic chord in these modern times, where rejection can be felt in a single swipe, and the appetite for approval and response is insatiable and aggressive. This song transports us to a slower more ponderous time, when that ache of not knowing your lover’s position gnaws at your heart. You can feel those empty mailbox blues.” – The Binoculars

Bronwyn, “Sticks and Stones”

Artist: Bronwyn
Hometown: Charlottesville, Virginia
Song: “Sticks and Stones”
Album: Rattlin’ Bones
Release Date: June 12, 2026 (single); August 14, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “‘Sticks and Stones’ started coming to me a couple years ago as I was lying awake in the middle of the night, rolling down the road on the bus. It was a rough ride through the mountains, enough to rattle your bones, and some lines from the chorus started banging around in my head as I was drifting in and out of sleep. The chorus is the heart of this devil-may-care traveling song: ‘Sticks and stones/ Burning down the highway/ Rattling bones/ I don’t need no heartache/ I’ve been gathering a whole lotta sticks and stones…’

“‘Sticks and Stones’ has a hard-won swagger to it, a feeling borne out of years of being on the road as well as the requisite slight romanticism of it that keeps me going. That feeling is clearly heard in the last verse— ‘Heard a guy on a record singing walk that line/ He was saying what I’ve been thinking all my life/ Turned it up loud enough my truck began to shake.’ It’s self-sufficient, self-aware, and a little bit pissed off.” – Bronwyn

Track Credits:
Bronwyn – Fiddle, lead vocal, songwriter
Darrell Scott – Harmony vocal
Harry Clark – Mandolin
Bryan Sutton – Guitar
Frank Evans – Banjo
Jeff Picker – Bass

Dailey & Vincent, “A Beautiful Life”

Artist: Dailey & Vincent
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “A Beautiful Life”
Album: A Beautiful Life
Release Date: June 12, 2026
Label: Pillar Stone Records

In Their Words: “There are songs you record because they’re great songs, and then there are songs that become part of your story. ‘A Beautiful Life’ became that song for us. It captures so much of what we believe – that even through life’s challenges, we have so much to be thankful for.” – Jamie Dailey

“This song became the title track because it perfectly reflects where Jamie and I are today. We’ve been blessed beyond measure, and this lyric serves as a reminder to never take those blessings for granted. It’s a celebration of faith, family, friendship, and the gift of life itself.” – Darrin Vincent

Track Credits:
Greg Morrow – Drums
Craig Young – Bass
Seth Taylor – Acoustic guitar
Andy Leftwich – Fiddle, mandolin
Michael Rojas – Piano
James Mitchell – Electric guitar
Jamie Dailey – Lead vocal
Jaelee Roberts – Harmony vocal
Darrin Vincent – Harmony vocal

Libby Dale, “Empty Tank”

Artist: Libby Dale
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Empty Tank”
Album: Freehand
Release Date: June 11, 2026 (single)

In Their Words: “‘Empty Tank’ was inspired by recordings like Lucinda Williams’ ‘Crescent City’ and Emmylou Harris’ ‘Leaving Louisiana’ – both twisted anthems for less-than-perfect places. It’s an airing of grievances and a love letter for my life in Nashville. Pothole-riddled streets, the music industry rat race, and summer heat are certainly prominent characters, but so are good dances and a great band. Producer Thomas Bryan Eaton helped me bring this track to life with a fantastic rhythm section (Chris Gelb and Jonathan Beam) and the GRAMMY-winning mixing chops of Justin Francis. All parties mentioned brought the relentless groove and thunk I had envisioned for the song. ‘Empty Tank’ is the second single off my debut LP, Freehand, due in October of this year.” – Libby Dale

Eighteen Mile, “Peace Be Still”

Artist: Eighteen Mile
Hometown: Upstate South Carolina
Song: “Peace Be Still”
Album: Peace Be Still
Release Date: June 12, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘Peace Be Still’ on the better side of a bad year. While the tune was there, I struggled to find words that could convey my testimony throughout the song. The more I thought about my testimony and walk with Christ, the words came quickly and became what you hear today. I wanted this song to not only be a personal testimony of God’s grace and mercy, but a message to those who are struggling that my Lord and Savior can provide peace that is beyond all understanding. I’m so honored and never would have thought that a song I wrote would become the title track of our first album with Mountain Home. I’m so thankful to my friends for choosing it.” – Jack Ritter, lead vocalist, guitarist, songwriter

Track Credits:
Jack Ritter – Acoustic guitar, lead vocal
Hallie Ritter – Upright bass, harmony vocal
Carson Aaron – Acoustic guitar, harmony vocal
Savannah Aaron – Fiddle
Steve Pettit – Mandolin
Rob Ickes – Resonator guitar

Justin Hiltner & Jon Weisberger, “Marinda”

Artist: Justin Hiltner & Jon Weisberger
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee & Brevard, North Carolina
Song: “Marinda”
Release Date: June 12, 2026
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “On a mountaintop in Western North Carolina I met a fabulous woman named Marinda. ‘Like Miranda, but with the letters swapped,’ I think she told me. She’s a great cook, made us a delicious lentil salad. Then she told me where she was from: Marin County, California. I couldn’t believe it. Marinda from Marin.

“There are so many bluegrass songs that take their titles from women’s names, I guess it was time Jon and I added such a track to our catalog of co-writes. I love how this one turned out, evoking iconic and familiar images of California and singing praises to a powerful, entrancing woman. She may be a fictionalized version of my friend Marinda, but her inspiration comes all the way through. I love the long-neck, low-tuned banjo here and the way the fiddle, banjo, and mandolin all join in together on the melodic hook. When I’m missing the Bay Area – or Marinda’s lentil salad – I play this tune.” – Justin Hiltner

Track Credits:
Justin Hiltner – Banjo, lead vocal, songwriter
Jon Weisberger – Upright bass, harmony vocal, songwriter
Seth Taylor – Acoustic guitar
Libby Weitnauer – Fiddle
Jenni Lyn Gardner – Mandolin
Wendy Hickman – Harmony vocal

(Editor’s Note: Justin Hiltner is the editor for BGS and Good Country, and Jon Weisberger is a former contributor to BGS.)

Kate Waters, “Words”

Artist: Kate Waters
Hometown: Dallas and Houston, Texas, and Taos, New Mexico
Song: “Words”
Album: Some Comfort
Release Date: June 10, 2026 (single); August 21, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “This is the oldest song on the record, from my earliest stages of songwriting as an adult. I was wrestling with why I felt intimidated by writing lyrics, like words couldn’t ever fully capture what I wanted to say. I mean, that’s why I’m a musician, truly.

“The sentiment still holds true – words can do a lot, but they also fail a lot of the time. We see it so much these days, politically speaking – people talking past each other and never truly understanding one another. I’m a music therapist, and as someone who’s worked professionally with nonspeaking people for most of my professional life, I know how important it is to tune into other aspects of communication and human connection.” – Kate Waters

Sophie Wellington, “Scolding Wife”

Artist: Sophie Wellington
Hometown: Staunton, Virginia
Song: “Scolding Wife”
Album: Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still
Release Date: June 8, 2026 (single); July 10, 2026 (album)
Label: Adhyâropa Records

In Their Words: “This fiddle tune has complex phrasing and tells an intriguing melodic story. Marion Reece, the source fiddler for this tune, plays this in calico tuning (AEAC#) which give it haunting, suspended quality. While I can’t remember where I first learned this tune, I fell in love with it again in 2025 when playing it with Sally Jablonsky and Stefan Amidon at Cascade of Music and Dance, a social dance camp run by Country Dance & Song Society. We played this tune late into the night, locking in with one another and allowing the space to breathe and the notes to sing. For me, old-time music shines brightest in my friendships and shared memories of playing. I’m fascinated with how to best adapt this music for guitar, allowing it to feel fluid and free on that instrument.” – Sophie Wellington

Track Credits:
Sophie Wellington – Guitar, percussive dance

Video Credits: Pat Piasecki and Chris Dempsey, with special thanks to Barbara Hauser.

Photo Credit: Bronwyn by Alexa King Stone; Sophie Wellington by Pat Piasecki.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Wyatt Flores, Larry Keel, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

New Music Friday is here! And here’s what we’re listening to today. You Gotta Hear This:

Kicking us off, Western North Carolina’s premier bluegrass outfit Balsam Range bring us a bluegrass classic: a train song. “Life I Left Behind” is out today, the latest single from the IBMA Award-winning group is soulful and brooding, built on strong harmonies and the clean modern bluegrass sound the band has become known for. Below, bassist and singer Tim Surrett describes how the track is personal to him and his family.

From north of the NC border and a few steps towards jamgrass, guitarist and singer-songwriter Larry Keel has dropped a new, hilarious song this week entitled “Butt Dial.” Yep, it’s about exactly what you think it’s about – and it was co-written with bluegrass legend Peter Rowan. Keel and Rowan each tell us about the song and its inspirations and you can take a listen as well.

Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light share a new music video today for “Yodelay,” a cozy and vibrant song about the afterglow of good times and fellowship. Written by Sumner and Dinty Child of Session Americana, the group tracked the song at eTown in Colorado after winning studio time at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival band contest last year. An EP, also titled Yodelay, is on the way later this month.

Country star-on-the-rise Wyatt Flores has a new single out this week as well, as he looks ahead to his next album, Scared of Heights, coming in late July. “Half The Man” showcases the level of contemplation and introspection always evident in Flores’ writing and the grit and red dirt he brings to modern, mainstream country.

Rounding out our collection this time is Memphis-via-New York singer-songwriter Kate Prascher, whose new song “Jubilee” was inspired by a stroll across an old train trestle in the Hudson River Valley. Folky in a timeless fashion with a delicious and slow sonic build, “Jubilee” carries some of the eeriness Prascher felt when writing the song walking that train track.

Trains, butt dials, good times with good friends – exactly what we want in our weekly round-up! Enjoy, ’cause You Gotta Hear This!

Balsam Range, “Life I Left Behind”

Artist: Balsam Range
Hometown: Haywood County, North Carolina
Song: “Life I Left Behind”
Release Date: June 5, 2026

In Their Words: “There has always been a connection between bluegrass and trains. It’s personal for me because my dad worked nights for 30 years on the Norfolk Southern Railroad. Sometimes he would take me to work with him so I could ride the trains all night. There is a mysterious romantic quality about the freedom of the rails, and I think this new song has a bit of that. There’s a conflict between the freedom of going and the life left behind.” – Tim Surrett

Track Credits:
Caleb Smith – Acoustic guitar, lead vocal
Tim Surrett – Upright bass, resonator guitar, harmony vocal
Marc Pruett – Banjo
Alan Bibey – Mandolin
Stephen Hudson – Fiddle, harmony vocal

Wyatt Flores, “Half The Man”

Artist: Wyatt Flores
Hometown: Stillwater, Oklahoma
Song: “Half The Man”
Album: Scared of Heights
Release Date: June 5, 2026 (single); July 31, 2026 (album)
Label: MCA/Island Records

In Their Words: “I finally feel like I know who I’m supposed to be, right here in this moment. I’m not second-guessing myself anymore on what the music’s supposed to be, what I’m supposed to be chasing, or who I’ve become. This is who I am now in 2026. Still figuring out my struggles and mental health but finally getting the confidence to step back into this and to believe in myself again.” – Wyatt Flores talking about his upcoming album, Scared of Heights.

Larry Keel, “Butt Dial”

Artist: Larry Keel
Hometown: Lexington, Virginia
Song: “Butt Dial”
Release Date: June 3, 2026

In Their Words: “‘Butt Dial’ is a real-life, happy accident story that led Peter and a friend to reconnect and have a fun, late-night phone conversation. The lyrics are mostly Peter’s and I tweaked some words and phrasing to sync with the music I wrote for the song. Collaborating with Peter is such an easy, natural process. Can’t wait for more!” – Larry Keel

“Butt dialing is one of those phenomena of the guess times we live in. Sometimes you are listening to a soundtrack of a friend’s life, like entering someone’s dream, you can only wonder what is going on! In the song the butt dialing friends finally connect! Writing with Larry Keel is like that, jumping into an unknown dream!” – Peter Rowan

Track Credits:
Larry Keel – Guitar, vocals
Winston Mitchell – Mandolin
Justin Doyle – Bass
Kyle Tuttle – Banjo

Kate Prascher, “Jubilee”

Artist: Kate Prascher
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Song: “Jubilee”
Album: Sunday Afternoon
Release Date: June 3, 2026 (single); August 28, 2026 (album)
Label: First City Artists

In Their Words: “‘Jubilee’ follows a ghost train. I wrote it while walking on an old train trestle in Rosendale, New York, a town ringing with the eerie history of a stone quarry, carrying memories of my hometown across it. By the time I climbed down from the track, the song was mostly written. It’s a lyrical exploration of the word ‘jubilee’ as both a signal of celebration and of forgiveness.” – Kate Prascher

Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light, “Yodelay”

Artist: Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Song: “Yodelay”
Album: Yodelay
Release Date: June 5, 2026 (single); June 19, 2026 (EP)
Label: Bridge & Key

In Their Words:  “‘Yodelay’ is about having such a good night out that you decide to dwell in that feeling a little longer. Instead of jumping right back into work or the next thing on the calendar, it’s about lingering in the glow of a great evening, sleeping in, and appreciating life, love, and light. Dinty Child (Session Americana) and I wrote the song together after the chorus came to me before a show we were playing. We ended up finishing it from separate songwriting retreats, sending ideas back and forth over text. The song felt playful from the beginning and I loved the way the title seemed to carry more than one meaning. I’ve always been drawn to songs that let sound and language blur together a little bit.

“After Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light won the Telluride Bluegrass Band Contest last year, part of our prize was studio time at eTown in Boulder, Colorado. We decided to use it to record a cowboy EP featuring a mix of old songs and new originals. ‘Yodelay’ became the title track because it captures the spirit of the record so well – inviting and fun on the surface, with a little more waiting for the listener underneath.” – Rachel Sumner

Track Credits:
Rachel Sumner – Guitar, vocals, songwriter
Kat Wallace – Fiddle, vocals
Mike Siegel – Upright bass, vocals
Dinty Child – Songwriter

Video Credits: Video by Dylan Ladds.
Title artwork by Dan Blakeslee.

Photo Credit: Wyatt Flores by Matt Paskert; Larry Keel 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.