News Archives - STAGING Maverick

Paper Kites Announce New Album for January Release

Alternative folk favourites The Paper Kites have confirmed details of their seventh studio album If You Go There, I Hope You Find It, due for release on 23 January through Nettwerk Music Group. To mark the announcement, the band have shared a new single titled “Every Town”, a tender, wistful piece built on soft melodies and gentle lyricism. The track arrives with an official video, offering a first glimpse of the record’s tone — warm, melancholic, and quietly affecting. If You Go There, I Hope You Find It follows the same reflective spirit, featuring recent single “When The Lavender Blooms”, recorded at Melbourne’s Sing Sing Studios and mixed by multi-Grammy winner Jon Low. Early notes on the album describe it as intimate and healing-minded, shaped by themes of nature, hope and simplicity, with each song unfolding like a conversation rather than a performance. There is a sense of return threaded through it — of leaving, searching, and coming home changed. The band are currently back on the road in the United States, including their own headline dates alongside support slots for The Teskey Brothers. They are also scheduled to appear at Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville before heading to Richmond for Iron Blossom Music Festival later this month. Fans in the UK and Europe will have a longer wait — but not by much. The Paper Kites have announced an extensive 2026 headline tour across the region, with tickets on sale now. London is set for a show at the Roundhouse, following previous sold-out runs at Koko, Kentish Town Forum and a major summer performance at Somerset House. Additional stops include the O2 Ritz in Manchester and 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin. The Paper Kites now count more than two billion streams worldwide, their soft-spoken sound resonating far beyond folk circles. Their breakout track Bloom has gone multi-Platinum internationally and remains one of the most recognisable modern indie-folk singles of the past decade. It has since been covered on The Kelly Clarkson Show, while the band’s music continues to soundtrack television staples such as Grey’s Anatomy, This Is Us and Virgin River. Though their influence has grown, the group remain rooted in restraint and nuance — collaborators rather than chasers, working quietly alongside artists such as Lucy Rose, Nadia Reid and Rosie Carney. Their rise has been gradual, steady and built less on spectacle than on craft. It is that patience, along with harmony-rich songwriting, that has carried them to this seventh chapter. And if the new single is any indication, If You Go There, I Hope You Find It doesn’t mark a reinvention so much as a deepening — another page in a story written gently, thoroughly, and always in service of feeling.

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Big Valley Jamboree-Maverick-Country.com

Big Valley Jamboree Reveals 2026 Headliners

News / Editor

Big Valley Jamboree is gearing up for its 34th edition, returning to Camrose from 30 July to 2 August, and organisers have confirmed a powerhouse 2026 Chevrolet Main Stage line-up to match. This year’s festival places three major names at the top of the bill: eight-time ACM Group of the Year Old Dominion, multi-platinum hitmaker Riley Green, and four-time GRAMMY winner Keith Urban. ACM New Artist of the Year Nate Smith will open the weekend during Thursday’s Kickoff Party inside the Coors Original Saloon. “As we celebrate the incredible history of Big Valley Jamboree, this line-up feels like the perfect way to honour where we’ve been and where we’re headed,” said Troy Vollhoffer, CEO of Country Thunder. “Keith Urban, Old Dominion and Riley Green each bring something unique to the stage, and together they capture the spirit of what BVJ is all about: great music, great community and memories that last long after the weekend ends.” Urban, returning to BVJ after years away, brings more than two decades of chart success to the Alberta stage. The three-time Entertainer of the Year holds 20 number-one singles – including “Somebody Like You,” “Blue Ain’t Your Colour,” and “Long Hot Summer” – and remains one of the most recognisable live performers in modern country music. Old Dominion step into their headlining slot as one of the most decorated groups in the genre, with eight ACM Awards and seven CMA wins to their name. Their catalogue of fan favourites – “Break Up with Him,” “Written in the Sand,” “Make It Sweet” – has helped position them amongst country music’s most in-demand live acts. Riley Green will headline Big Valley Jamboree for the first time following his well-received Kickoff Party appearance in 2024. Known for hits like “There Was This Girl,” “I Wish Grandpa’s Never Died,” and “Worst Way,” Green arrives off the back of multiple ACM and CMA wins and continues to build momentum. More names join the 2026 roster, including Cameron Whitcomb, Noeline Hoffman, viral breakout Gavin Adcock and Chase Rice. The programme also features Robyn Ottolini, Sacha, Josh Stumpf, Morgan Klaiber, Travis Dolter, Sully Burrows, The Dead South, Mark Chesnutt, Billy Dean & Collin Raye and Logan Layman. Festival-goers can also expect two signature events: Thursday’s Kickoff Party led by Nate Smith, and the official BVJ After Party, complete with late-night surprise guests throughout the weekend. Further updates are expected in the months ahead. Tickets and camping packages are already on sale, with a new payment plan allowing visitors to secure their place for £20 down, followed by equal monthly instalments. A landmark summer for country fans is already on the horizon – and Big Valley Jamboree looks set to make 2026 one to remember.

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HuneyFire Release Festive Christmas Single

News / Editor

Afro/Latina country duo HuneyFire are embracing the holiday season with the release of their new single, “My Christmas Wish”, a warm and romantic track celebrating love in December. The song is described as a light-hearted tribute to spending the festive period with someone special, wrapped in harmonies and seasonal glow. “My Christmas Wish is a sweet and playful holiday single about the joy of being in love at Christmas and wanting nothing more than to spend the season with the one you love,” the duo said. HuneyFire added that the track captures “the simple and tender desire to make memories together under the glow of Christmas lights.” Written and produced by Cheaza Figueroa, the song features Figueroa and daughter Marri Nevarez-Barlow sharing lead vocals and harmonies, bringing a soft, familial touch to the arrangement. The recording also features Caitlin Evanson on fiddle, Eddie Dunlap on dobro, and Hugo Castillo contributing drums, bass guitar, organ, piano and synth. The single was recorded at Mir Records USA. “My Christmas Wish” adds a festive chapter to the duo’s catalogue, blending country instrumentation with soulful, honey-toned delivery, and positions HuneyFire as emerging seasonal voices within the genre. HuneyFire continue to build momentum as a mother-daughter pairing distinctly placed within country music – blending cultural heritage, harmony-led songwriting and a modern Americana sensibility. Their work has drawn attention for its warmth, sincerity and genre-spanning influences, marking them as artists to watch as they move into the new year.

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Tim Brink & The Rising Release ‘Dark City’

News / Editor

Tim Brink & The Rising have unveiled their debut album Dark City, a cinematic blend of Southern gothic storytelling, Americana grit and brooding blues. The release marks a defining moment for frontman Tim Brink, the Quebec-born vocalist and multi-instrumentalist whose career to date has included international touring with Pete Möss, a finalist position on La Voix IV, and even consideration as lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots. Dark City leans into the mythology of desolate highways, ghost-town silence and hard-earned redemption. While fans of Colter Wall, Chris Stapleton and Orville Peck may find familiar textures, Brink carves his own territory – darker, more atmospheric and rooted in the tone of series such as Yellowstone, True Detective and Justified. The album, co-written by Brink and guitarist Samuel Busque, unfolds like a film. Songs move with tension and release, borrowing the grit of Johnny Cash, the intensity of Rage Against the Machine and the dramatic flair of Tarantino. Produced by Busque alongside Michel Francoeur and mixed and mastered at Red Tubes Studio, the record explores themes of vengeance, forgiveness and the moral grey spaces that sit between. Brink’s vocal performance anchors the work – raw, soulful and weathered like a road map creased at the edges. The music shifts between thunderous instrumentation and quiet reflection, offering a listening experience that feels both widescreen and intimate. Dark City is now officially released, signalling a bold entry onto the North American roots-rock stage and marking the beginning of a chapter that is wholly Brink’s own – storm-charged, cinematic, and unafraid to stare directly into the dark.

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Julian Taylor Announces Return to the UK for 2026 Tour

News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Acclaimed 5x JUNO-Award and Polaris Music Prize–nominated singer-songwriter Julian Taylor is set to return to the UK in April 2026, bringing his soulful blend of folk, roots, and Americana back to UK audiences. Following widespread praise for his recent releases and a growing international fanbase, Taylor’s upcoming tour marks a highly anticipated moment for listeners eager to experience his storytelling and musicianship in an intimate live setting. Tickets are available to purchase now here. Joining him as a very special guest is celebrated artist Michele Stodart, known for her emotive songwriting and captivating stage presence. Together, the pair will deliver an unforgettable run of performances across England, showcasing their artistry in some of the country’s most beloved venues. Commenting on his return, Taylor shared, “Some of my greatest friends will be joining me on the road. My phenomenal band of soul sisters – the one and only Michele Stodart (The Magic Numbers) on bass and vocals. The brilliant Raevennan Husbandes on guitar and vocals. The powerhouse Siân Monaghan on drums. These women bring that organic, powerful groove to my Soulful Americana, Folk Rock, and Alt-Country sound, and there is nothing like playing this music live with them. And as a beautiful bonus, the incredibly talented Michele Stodart will open each night with a solo set of her own magnificent, critically acclaimed tunes before joining the headline show.” Taylor recently released ‘Don’t Let ’Em (Get Inside of Your Head)‘, a soulful new single that brings together alt-country grit and blues rock urgency with one of modern music’s most distinctive voices: Jim James of My Morning Jacket. The new track will appear on Taylor’s forthcoming album, Anthology II, which is set for release on January 23, 2026.

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Jesse Lynn Madera’s Speed of the Sound of Loneliness

News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Jesse Lynn Madera honours John Prine with this sweet, captivating cover for hit October Birthday. “To celebrate the late John Prine’s October 10th birthday, I wanted to honor him by recording one of my favorite songs, “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness”. I have always loved John’s “kitchen table” lyricism and delivery, and this one is a wonderful example of a Prine song that casually breaks a heart. It’s not dramatic; it’s not even really melancholy. He perfectly captured a slow motion disconnect. I love how well this song does that. “I’m drawn to songs that capture the quiet ache of human connection, and John Prine was a master at putting that into words with a relatable picnic table poet, family reunion philosopher type of delivery. Covering ‘Speed of the Sound of Loneliness’ is a way of honoring John’s brilliance. His writing has a timeless honesty, and I wanted to share that spirit with listeners. We all know what it feels like to be worlds apart from a loved one while in the same room, and this song captures that desperate urgent longing well.” said Jesse Lynn Madera. In its 2024 and 2022 wrap-ups, Music Connection featured her in its annual Hot 100 list of the Best Unsigned Artists. Jesse’s touring history includes sold out shows at New York’s Bitter End and The Cutting Room as well as notable appearances at festivals such as Mile 0, 30A, Annapolis Songwriters and Mile of Music. She has been a supporting act for acclaimed artists like The Zombies, Dan Navarro, Maddie Poppe, and Mary Fahl. Tour Dates: 11/5 – 118 North Main Stage – Wayne, PA 19087 (Support for Dan Navarro) 11/6 – Ramshead – Annapolis – (Support for Dan Navarro) 11/8 – Caffe Lena – Saratoga Springs, NY (Double bill w Dan Navarro) 1/16-18/26 – 30A Songwriter Festival – South Walton, FL 1/28-29/26 – Mile 0 Fest – Key West, FL 4/16/26 – McGonigel’s Mucky Duck – Houston, TX 4/18/26 – Opening Bell Coffeehouse – Dallas, TX 4/29/26 – Jammin Java – Vienna, VA 5/01/26 – The Cutting Room – New York, NY 5/06.26 – Gibson Community Music Hall – Appleton, WI 5/07/26 – Hey Nonny – Arlington Heights, IL Listen here .

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CMA Country Christmas

News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

The Country Music Association and ABC have revealed this year’s hosts and performers for the 16th annual holiday television special, “CMA Country Christmas.” Hosted by Lauren Daigle and Jordan Davis, “CMA Country Christmas” features performances by Daigle, Davis, Riley Green, Lady A, Little Big Town, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and BeBe Winans. Filmed in front of a live audience in Nashville, first-time co-hosts Daigle and Davis bring warmth, charm, and cheer to the stage as they guide viewers through a night of heartfelt music and holiday spirit. “CMA Country Christmas” airs Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 9/8c on ABC, with streaming available the next day on Hulu and Disney+. “CMA Country Christmas” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Milton Sneed is the Director and Jon Macks is the Writer. About “CMA Country Christmas” Starting in 2010, “CMA Country Christmas” rings in the holiday season annually with a show full of festive classics and one-of-a-kind musical performances. The event is filmed in Nashville and airs each holiday season on ABC. ABC is the network home to the CMA Awards and CMA’s summer concert TV special “CMA Fest.”

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Elles Bailey Releases New Single ‘Take A Step Back’

News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Following the announcement of her forthcoming album Can’t Take My Story Away, Elles Bailey has released new single ‘Take A Step Back’. The track is the second to be taken from Can’t Take My Story Away, which comes January 16th on Cooking Vinyl and Outlaw Music. “Sometimes relationships can be all fire, all pleasure and all pain simultaneously and you either have to embrace it – or take a step back,” Elles says of the single. “This truly is one of my favourite moments on the album. I love the sound we captured in the room. It’s so live, so full of swagger, so soulful and yet equally just as playful. It’s definitely the kind of song that puts a strut in your stride.” Listen to ‘Take A Step Back’ HERE. Produced by Luke Potashnick and recorded with a stellar lineup of musicians separate from her live band, the eleven tracks of Can’t Take My Story Away tie together to form the album Elles has been destined to make. An honest and vulnerable glimpse into Elles’ story, the record was created over a three year period, using songs whose origins can be traced back almost 10 years, Can’t Take My Story Away is Elles’ life placed carefully together to form a dazzling, kaleidoscopic story. “There’s definitely an empowerment to this record,” Elles says. “I feel like that has actually evolved since I first started making it – as though I was a different person.” She continues, “there is a quiet strength running through this album and a deep-rooted honesty and whilst there are some moments that reflect on some of the hardest chapters of my story, there’s a feeling of joy threaded through every note. It’s like a kind of light has found its way in, even in some of the darkest moments.” While this album marks a departure from Elles’ previous work and was recorded with new musicians, her long-standing touring band will return for all the live performances. They will head out on a run of UK and EU dates through February and March 2026 to support the record. Elles will also celebrate the release of the album with a run of stripped back, acoustic instores through January, as well as a very special evening, ‘The Story By Candlelight,’ diving deep into the record at Rough Trade in Bristol on November 24th. With Can’t Take My Story Away Elles cements herself as one of the most exciting talents in the UK. Picking up acclaim and accolades along the way, she was crowned Live Act of the Year at the UK Americana Awards 2024, as well as Album of the Year, Vocalist of the Year and Broadcaster Of The Year at the 2025 UK Blues Awards. With an already prolific career under her belt the story is far from over and we have many chapters to come.

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Jason Aldean announces ‘Songs About Us’ album

News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Reigning country powerhouse Jason Aldean today announced his new upcoming studio album, Songs About Us, with the release of three new surprise tracks: ‘Help You Remember’, ‘Hard To Love You’ and ‘Lovin’ Me Too Long’, available now. Songs About Us is the latest chapter in a career marked by numerous record-breaking moments for the ACM Artist of the Decade. A “trailblazer” (Nashville Insider) that is “among an elite class of consistent hitmakers” (Backstage Country) known for “songs of small-town living, love and loss that have resonated with a loyal fanbase” (Billboard), Aldean’s latest collection follows the historic milestone of achieving his 30th No. 1 hit on Country radio and the release of his 30 Number One Hits album. The project earned Aldean his 13th top 10 country album in 20 years with its #4 debut on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart (10/10) upon its digital release and is available now as a Walmart Exclusive Vinyl. Recently honored with a SoundExchange Hall Of Fame Award for being among the most streamed artists of all time, Aldean’s “Country superstar status” (Variety) has been solidified with “his own recipe…one that has vaulted him to the pinnacle of Country music success” (Atlanta Journal Constitution) and has “allowed him to usher in a new career chapter” (The Tennessean). “It means the world when one of my songs helps someone through a hard time—or celebrates their best moments,” says Aldean. “This album is about all of that—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Every track started with a real story or feeling, and together we turned those experiences into music. In the end, I realized this album is about all of us. These are songs about us.” In addition to his Top 20 current single, ‘How Far Does A Goodbye Go’, new tracks ‘Help You Remember’ joins ‘Hard To Love You’ and ‘Lovin’ Me Too Long’, and sets the tone for Songs About Us. an album that captures life’s defining moments through authentic storytelling and Aldean’s unmistakable sound. Inspired by his personal experience having family members going through dementia, new track ‘Help You Remember’ also shines a spotlight on the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and their mission that you don’t have to go through this alone. Adding a list of resources for caregivers and those currently struggling with the disease, join Aldean in supporting here. Along with the release of the three new tracks, Aldean also revealed the album’s full 20-song track list, giving fans a taste of additional collaborations to come with the release of the new record. Songs About Us Track Listing 1. Anytime Soon (Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan) 2. Drinking About You (Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan) 3. Don’t Tell On Me (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan) 4. How Far Does A Goodbye Go (Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan) 5. Songs About Us [Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan] (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Edwards, John Morgan) 6. Good Thing Going (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan) 7. She’s Why (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan) 8. Backroads Of My Memory (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan) 9. Dust on the Bottle [Jason Aldean & David Lee Murphy] (David Lee Murphy) 10. The High Road (Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Brandon Kinney, Josh Thompson) 11. Easier Gone [Jason Aldean & Brittany Aldean] (Charles Kelley, Josh Kerr, Dave Haywood, Jimmy Robbins) 12. Help You Remember (Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan) 13. Country Into Rock ‘n’ Roll (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan) 14. What’s A Little Heartache (Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan) 15. One Last Look (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan) 16. Fight A Fire (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan) 17. Hard To Love You (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan) 18. Little Hometown Left (Jordan Gray, Ben Hayslip, Danny Majic, Cole Taylor) 19. Her Favorite Color (Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Lee Thomas Miller, Neil Thrasher) 20. Lovin’ Me Too Long (Ben Hayslip, David Lee Murphy, Jacob Rice) In addition to a new album in 2026, Aldean previously announced the extension of his 2026 Full Throttle World Tour, a high-octane, “amazing show” (Parade) that continues its run domestically and internationally, including a first-ever headlining run in New Zealand and return to Australia after 10 years.

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Jessica Lynn Releases Brand-New Single and Video

News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Country music artist Jessica Lynn is back with a brand-new single, “Must’ve Been the Whiskey,” accompanied by a lively and fun music video that showcases a whole new side of the New York born artist. Known for her powerhouse performances and chart-topping hits, Lynn’s latest release takes a playful turn. Speaking about the track, Jessica Lynn says ‘Must’ve Been The Whiskey’ is my lighthearted take on those unforgettable girls’ nights out, the ones where the music’s loud, the drinks are flowing, and suddenly that guy at the bar looks way cuter than he actually is. It’s a fun, cheeky reminder that sometimes bad decisions make the best stories and laughs. We shot the video at The Outlaw Saloon in Chestnut Ridge, NY and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was the perfect set. One of my favorite parts of shooting the video was that the creepy guy at the bar is actually my husband Steve, who I had to coax into this role, which makes it all even more hilarious and personal. We had so much fun rehearsing and weren’t sure how we were going to control our laughter while filming. We definitely needed a few re-dos from us cracking up and it was the most fun we’ve had making a video which I think really comes across on the screen.” The video, directed and edited by Alex Kouvatsos of Blackwolf Imaging, marking a visually fresh and comedic turn from Lynn’s previous work. The single was recorded and produced by Aslan Freeman (Lainey Wilson’s Music Director) and mastered by Jesse Cannon at Found Soundation, Brooklyn, NY. Called a “powerhouse vocalist” by Taste of Country and recognized by American Songwriter for her bold “country arena rock” sound, Jessica Lynn brings her own brand of energy and authenticity to every song and stage she touches. 2025 has been a landmark year for Jessica Lynn. She recently celebrated touring her 20th country in Spain this past August, with performances spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia. Her sophomore album All I Own, released January 17, 2025, broke into the Top 5 in several countries and earned placements on key Sales and Billboard charts, including #13 on Top Current Country Albums, #17 on Top Current Independent Albums (all genre), and #74 on the Top Current Albums chart. Adding to her momentum, Jessica is nominated for two British Country Music Association (BCMA) Awards this year for International Album of the Year for “All I Own” and International Single of the Year for “16 Miles”. Jessica is looking forward to returning to the UK in 2026. With “Must’ve Been the Whiskey,” Jessica Lynn once again proves her versatility, effortlessly blending humour, honesty, and high-energy country sound into a release that’s as refreshing as it is unforgettable. OUT NOW on all digital platforms https://Ffm.to/thewhiskey

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