2023

The Grand Ole Opry revealed the newest lineup of artists in its Opry NextStage program, which spotlights country music’s rising talent on the Opry stage and across Opry Entertainment Group platforms. The Opry NextStage Class of 2023 features eight acts: Ashley Cooke, Jackson Dean, ERNEST, Chapel Hart, Corey Kent, Kameron Marlowe, Megan Moroney and Ian Munsick. The Opry will officially introduce the new NextStage class with an “Opry NextStage Live” concert at Lava Cantina on May 10 at 2:30 p.m. in The Colony, Texas, preceding the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards on May 11 in neighboring Frisco, Texas. Tickets will be available through an exclusive pre-sale this Thursday, April 13 at 10 a.m. CT. General public on-sale will begin Friday, April 14 at 10 a.m. CT HERE. “Opry NextStage is a testament to the Grand Ole Opry’s longstanding reputation as a trusted curator in Country music and its commitment to nurturing and showcasing exceptional new talent, as it has done for almost a century” said Jordan Pettit, director of artist relations & programming strategy of Opry Entertainment Group. “This year’s new artist class, much like previous classes, showcases exceptional creativity across various musical styles, and we are excited to carry on the Opry tradition by introducing this exciting group of rising artists to fans.” For the remainder of the year, the new NextStage artists will receive dedicated support through featured original content, Opry performances and support across select Opry Entertainment platforms, including the Opry, WSM Radio and Circle Network. Since 2019, the NextStage program has introduced new talent to the country music fan base and featured artists such as Riley Green, Parker McCollum, Tenille Townes and Lainey Wilson, who all went on to earn ACM New Male and New Female Artist of the Year trophies the year following their NextStage inclusion. Other NextStage alumni include Priscilla Block, BRELAND, Callista Clark, Travis Denning, Tegan Marie, Niko Moon, Restless Road, Jameson Rodgers, Elvie Shane, Nate Smith, Morgan Wade, Hailey Whitters and Yola.

founding father of the alt-country scene and roots music icon, Robbie Fulks releases his new 12-track album, Bluegrass Vacation, via Compass Records. Arriving on a wave of praise from the likes of Bluegrass Today, Holler and No Depression, Fulks’s clever, insightful and irreverent musicianship is ever present on this record. While bluegrass music has always been a part of Fulks’s musical vision, Bluegrass Vacation marks his first full-length bluegrass endeavor. The album combines Fulk’s brilliance with some of bluegrass’ greatest names including Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, Ronnie McCoury, Tim O’Brien, Alison Brown, John Cowan, and Jerry Douglas resulting in one of the most remarkable bluegrass albums of the century. Bluegrass Vacation proves that this is much more than a musical detour for Fulks. Fulks gained immediate recognition from Bluegrass Today and No Depression for the upbeat lead single “One Glass Of Whiskey.” Driven by Wes Corbett’s banjo, powered by Ronnie McCoury’s mandolin, along with Chris Eldridge’s guitar—the track is worthy of becoming a standard in the bluegrass genre. Written shortly after his move to Los Angeles in 2019, the song is a “contradiction of the stereotypical view of LA,” says Fulks, ditching the common pre-conceived notion of palm trees, beaches, and traffic for Fulks’s more serene reality of porch side mornings, mountain vistas, and running horses. Robbie Fulks offers a witty and autobiographical take on the bluegrass festival scene of the mid 1970s with the second single from the record, “Longhair Bluegrass,” its release being spotlighted by Grateful Web. Reminiscing about the newgrass festivals of his youth, Fulks writes: “While Mom and Daddy were gettin’ fried, I was sittin’ there with my eyeballs wide,” describing the music as a “Hypno-ray, stealin’ my mind away.” Original Newgrass Revival members Sam Bush (mandolin/harmony vocals) and John Cowan (vocals) join Fulks on the track as well as banjoist Alison Brown who channels John Hartford for good measure. In the end, Fulks plants his flag firmly in the bluegrass tradition, a genre that built the stepping stones Fulks walks on today. He muses, “Electric guitars might give way to computers, as seems to be happening now, but the mountains will still be right there.” It’s abundantly clear that Bluegrass Vacation is more than just a musical dalliance for Fulks. He owns the music as much as it owns him and the listener is left hoping that this bluegrass vacation will end up becoming a staycation. TRACKLIST:1. One Glass Of Whiskey2. Molly And The Old Man 3. Lonely Ain’t Hardly Alive 4. Angels Carry Me5. Longhair Bluegrass6. Backwater Blues7. Sweet Li’l Cora Mae  8. Silverlake Reel9. Momma’s Eyes10. Nashville Blues11. Let The Old Dog In12. Old Time Music Is Here To Stay

Multi-Platinum selling singer-songwriter, Chris Janson, is celebrating the ‘cold ones’ on National Beer Day with the release of his latest track, “Tap That,” available now. The song, written by Janson, Preston Brust, Brandon Kinney and Chris Lucas, is a love letter to everyone’s favorite summertime partner – beer! “This is a hard rockin, party driven, beer drinkin song! Always have loved it, and I hope the fans love it as much as I do. Crank it UP!”-Chris Janson

Shrewsbury Folk Festival has released its latest wave of artists for 2023 with a DJ set from The Dhol Foundation, a debut visit from Scottish indie folk band Elephant Sessions and California based roots band Dustbowl Revival among the new additions. Also just revealed are the Gigspanner Big Band, Show of Hands frontman Steve Knightley with a solo set, Baskery, global folk collective Mishra, Good Habits, True Foxes, The Honeybees, Rapsquillion and Howay The Lasses. They join Billy Bragg, Oysterband, Breabach, Jiggy, Spiers & Boden, Talisk, Daphne’s Flight, kora master N’Faly Kouyaté from Afro Celt Sound System, Maddy Prior & Forgotten Lands, Leveret, N’famady Kouyaté, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican, The Salts and Dana Immanuel & The Stolen Band on the line up of the festival that takes place from Friday August 25th to Monday August 28th with more headliners to be announced. Dance bands includes Lasair, Leveret performing a special 10th anniversary ceilidh, Melrose Ceilidh Band, Old Spot, Oscina, Peeping Tom, Topette!! and Whapweasel. Director of the award-winning festival, Sandra Surtees, said: “As we move into Spring, we’re already starting to get excited about what this year’s festival holds. As ever, our line up will bring a wide variety of music from folk and roots to world music to Shrewsbury and the chance to our festivalgoers to discover new artists and enjoy old favourites. “But the festival’s about much more than just the music though. The festival is renowned for its friendly vibe and it’s just such a brilliant way to spend a weekend or day with family and friends, enjoying great music and dance, good food and the chance to kick back and relax in a beautiful riverside setting.” The festival has four live music stages including open air and covered marquees, a dance tent for ceilidhs and dance shows and workshops, dedicated festivals for children and young people including music, dance, crafts and circus skills, workshops from yoga to crafting, singarounds and music sessions. There is also on-site camping and glamping, a food village and festival shop, craft fair and real ale, wine and cocktail bars. Day and weekend tickets are on sale at www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk, starting from just £43 (including booking fee).

Bad Realm Records/Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville PLATINUM artist BRELAND lit up the stage during the second annual “BRELAND & Friends” at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Tuesday night (4/4), performing alongside famous friends including Alana Springsteen, Ashley Cooke, Danielle Bradbery, Ingrid Andress, K. Michelle,  Lecrae, Nate Smith, Temecula Road, Tenille Townes, Tyler Hubbard, X Ambassadors, Sam Hunt and Keith Urban. BRELAND kicked off the SOLD-OUT show with a medley of three songs from his 2022 debut album, CROSS COUNTRY, before bringing Ingrid Andress to the stage to start a run of duets with Temecula Road, Lecrae, Danielle Bradbery and K. Michelle. During a pause in the music, BRELAND asked the crowd to participate in a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the tragedy at The Covenant School in Nashville last week, a poignant note amid the buoyant show. “For What It’s Worth,” BRELAND’s current single at Country radio, was recently remixed with Alana Springsteen, and the two teamed up to perform the track on the Ryman stage. X Ambassadors and Tenille Townes were next to join BRELAND before Ashley Cooke lent her voice to CROSS COUNTRY‘s title track and Nate Smith sang his own “Whiskey On You” with BRELAND. Tyler Hubbard got the crowd up on its feet when BRELAND joined him for his latest single, “Dancin’ In The Country,” and the night’s surprise performance came from Keith Urban and BRELAND who electrified the crowd with their GOLD-certified collaboration “Throw It Back.” Sam Hunt closed out the show with his and BRELAND’s viral PLATINUM smash “My Truck.” The star-studded concert benefited the Oasis Center, a Nashville-based youth service center that aids young people in crisis with over 20 programs and services covering a variety of needs. This year’s “BRELAND & Friends” raised over $140,000 in event proceeds for the organization. Mark Dunkerley, President and CEO of Oasis Center, addressed the crowd during the show, explaining the importance of the Oasis Center to young people in the Nashville community and thanking BRELAND for organizing the evening. Following Tuesday’s event, BRELAND will hit the road with Walker Hayes on his DUCK BUCK TOUR beginning April 13. BRELAND also has a slate of high-profile performances ahead including Stagecoach Country Music Festival on April 28, Gulf Coast Jam, Country Fest, and Boots and Hearts Music Festival as well as a supporting slot on Shania Twain’s QUEEN OF ME TOUR. See BRELAND’s full list of tour dates here.

An effortless blend of raw, soulful influence and gritty folk sensibilities serve as the backbone for ‘Dying To Let You Go’, the new single from rising singer-songwriter Mikhail Laxton, out March 31st via Acronym Records / Howling Turtle Inc. ‘Dying To Let You Go’ is a deeply vulnerable offering from Laxton; his own father’s heart-breaking battle with addiction central to the song’s theme and perspective; delivering tender and compassionate insight into the push and pull of the disease. The first release from his forthcoming debut full-length album, ‘Dying To Let You Go’ acts as a cathartic outlet for Laxton’s past and present, all anchored by his dynamic voice; mournful, yet mighty. Laying bare the irony of how he first coped with his father’s death, Laxton reflects, “After his passing I spent the next four weeks completely wasted. Ironically all I kept thinking was why he didn’t sort it out before it got too bad. I kept imagining him when he was younger, having a conversation with himself wishing that he would have realized what he was doing and stopped.” He adds “When I was finally able to write this song, it poured out of me and at first, I had no idea what it was even about. As I finished it, it was clear. ‘Dying To Let You Go’ is that conversation. This song is written from his perspective, it’s the fairy-tale of my dad slaying his addiction. It’s him realizing that if he couldn’t let it go in time, it would take him.” Hailing from the the KuKu Yalanji Tribe in Mossman, Far North Queensland, Australia, Laxton learned the meaning of hard work growing up on one of the few Indigenous-owned and operated farms in the region. That work ethic transferred to his passion and drive to pursue music as a career, moving to Canada to start from scratch though he already had deep roots in the Australian music scene. In 2021 he released his debut EP Real to critical acclaim, drawing primary inspiration from the power of love as an extension of who he is; honest, humble and soulful. Now, ‘Dying To Let You Go’ offers a first glimpse of his forthcoming self-titled debut full- length album Mikhail Laxton, a collection that carries the weight of the last seven years of trying to rebuild his career and life. The topics in the album range from loss, and longing, to missing home, the feeling of being broken and moments of love. Next up, Laxton will hit the road with contemporary folk singer-songwriter Marshall Veroni before taking the stage later this summer at Springtide Music Festival in Uxbridge and Ottawa’s RBC Bluesfest.