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Needtobreathe and The Red Clay Strays Unite on Soulful New Song “Momma Loves Me” Produced by Dave Cobb

Eric Alper
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Needtobreathe and The Red Clay Strays Unite on Soulful New Song “Momma Loves Me” Produced by Dave Cobb

No matter what you’ve been through, or even what you’ve done, rest assured that everything is going to turn out all right in the end. That’s the message behind Grammy-nominated multi-platinum arena-selling Needtobreathe’s heartfelt new song, “Momma Loves Me,” featuring acclaimed Southern rock band The Red Clay Strays. The song was recorded at Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb’s studio in Savannah, Georgia.

This release is part of a special collaboration with MCA, where the band and label are working together on select music and projects.

Written by Needtobreathe’s Bear Rinehart, “Momma Loves Me” brings together two generations of Southern musicians. The Red Clay Strays—who cite the pop group as a major influence on their meteoric rise—join Rinehart in a heartfelt duet. “I just knew Brandon and the band would relate to this song, because they’ve stayed completely true to what they believe, and that is so refreshing to me,” Rinehart says of recruiting the Strays. “I don’t think I have ever seen somebody have the kind of success they’re having and also be exactly who they are all the time.”

The collaboration began backstage in Brooklyn when Rinehart shared the demo with Strays frontman Brandon Coleman. Coleman, who grew up listening to Needtobreathe with his mother, immediately connected with the track. “As soon as I heard the chorus, I was like, ‘Yes, we’ve got to do this,’” Coleman recalls. “I told him I would definitely love to sing on this song.”

“Momma Loves Me” is a song about reflection, redemption, and reassurance. With lyrics like “Take my scars, and take my troubles / spread my ashes in the wind / Momma loves me, I’m still born again.”

Rinehart and Coleman’s voices intertwine over harmonies, keys, slide guitar, and subtle percussion, producing a stripped-down but elegant prayerful track. “When you listen to the song, you can start reflecting on all the bad things that you’ve done, or get caught up in thoughts of how bad of a person you may have been,” Coleman explains. “But take a step back—remember that Momma loves you, you’re still born again—and everything’s going to be okay.”

Cobb oversaw the production, ensuring the song’s heartfelt message and authenticity remained intact. “The first thing Dave said to me was, ‘Man, I love this demo. We should make sure we do something close to that,’” Rinehart says.

Dave Cobb adds, “Working with Needtobreathe and The Red Clay Strays on ‘Momma Loves Me’ was incredibly powerful to witness the love and admiration the two bands had for each other while recording. It was a pleasure to hear the raw power and truth delivered in each word that was sung. It’s a record that gives you hope.”

With “Momma Loves Me,” Needtobreathe and The Red Clay Strays deliver a timeless reminder of hope, resilience, and the power of music to connect generations. The track also offers a tantalizing glimpse of new music to come from Needtobreathe, showcasing the band’s ongoing commitment to creating meaningful songs that resonate deeply with listeners. With more than two decades of chart-topping albums, billions of streams, and sold-out tours worldwide, Needtobreathe continues to cement their place as a defining force in modern Southern rock and Americana.

Kelsea Ballerini to Perform Exclusive SiriusXM and Pandora Concert at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre September 25

Eric Alper
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Kelsea Ballerini to Perform Exclusive SiriusXM and Pandora Concert at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre September 25

SiriusXM announces that Kelsea Ballerini will perform an exclusive concert for SiriusXM and Pandora at The Riviera Theatre in Chicago on Thursday, September 25th. The special performance will feature Kelsea Ballerini performing songs from her latest acclaimed album, Patterns, and other familiar hits and fan favorites.

The performance will air on SiriusXM’s The Highway (ch. 56) on Friday, October 3rd at 11 am ET and will also be available to stream anytime on the SiriusXM app.

The special concert will be open to SiriusXM subscribers and fans.

Sponsors of this exclusive show include Almond Joy, Celsius Energy, Firestone Complete Auto Care, Pantene, Paramount+, Purdue Global, Sonic Drive-In, and Southwest Airlines.

Ballerini was named a SiriusXM Highway Find in 2014 with her debut single “Love Me Like You Mean It.” SiriusXM’s The Highway was also the first to support Kelsea with airplay that same year.

Released earlier this year, Patterns (Deluxe) features five new songs, including the hooky and sleek “Future Tripping.”

Morgan Wade Shares Emotional “Hardwood Floor” Video from ‘The Party Is Over (Recovered)’

Eric Alper
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Morgan Wade Shares Emotional “Hardwood Floor” Video from ‘The Party Is Over (Recovered)’

Morgan Wade has released a powerful and moving music video for “Hardwood Floor,” one of the stand-out tracks off her recently released album The Party Is Over (Recovered). Through poignant imagery and storytelling, the video captures the grief of infertility and the often-difficult journey to motherhood.

A semi-autobiographical song, “Hardwood Floor,” was inspired by Wade’s own experience with IVF, as well as by people in her life who experienced loss or hardship on the road to pregnancy. The song has received significant attention on social media, resonating with listeners who have used the song to create videos opening up about their own stories. Credited as a director on the video herself, Wade teamed up with co-directors Nikhil Melnechuk and Melissa Jackson of Mystic Entertainment (who met Wade when they cast her to play a bull rider in their forthcoming rodeo feature film, “Daisy”) to bring the powerful and important story to the screen.

“’Cause I feel like less than a woman/And I pray every night like it’s all I ever wanted,” Wade sings over evocative visuals of negative pregnancy tests and empty cribs. “I wanna be quiet closing a nursery door/I wanna hear little feet on the hardwood floor.” With emotional affectation, the music video sees Wade at her most honest and vulnerable.

Earlier this month, Morgan Wade released The Party Is Over (Recovered) via Sony Music Nashville. The 11-track offering, which is comprised of a blend of newly-released as well as revisited songs from her catalog, sees Wade fuse her early artistry with her present musical journey.

The project has continued Wade’s exploration of her psyche’s recesses across 11 songs that she wrote solo. As the project’s title notes, a handful of the songs date back to before Wade signed her major-label deal and have been “recovered” with all-new versions. In a time of self-reflection, Wade revisited her earlier writing sessions to revitalize past songs that still speak to the person she is today. She has also been playing some of her most relatable tracks on the road to sold-out shows. These songs, which so many fans have gravitated to live, are now available for the first time.

Zara Larsson Unveils Bold New “Crush” Video Ahead of Upcoming Album ‘Midnight Sun’

Eric Alper
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Zara Larsson Unveils Bold New “Crush” Video Ahead of Upcoming Album ‘Midnight Sun’

Multi-platinum chart-topping global pop powerhouse Zara Larsson releases the music video for her new single “Crush.”

The video highlights Zara’s dynamic performance skills and personality, filled with fun and bold choreography. Directed by Grant James Thomas, the clip depicts the emotional turbulence that ensues when love is forbidden and unrequited, via a pesky creature. A personification of something elusive and unattainable, it is the exact thing that Zara fervently seeks to catch

“Crush” is the latest single taken from the Swedish star’s highly anticipated new album, Midnight Sun, which is set for release on September 26th via Sommer House/Epic Records.

Written by Zara with Helena Gao and producers Margo XS, MNEK, and Zhone, “Crush” serves up a masterclass in dancing through the pain while our heroine details the exquisite torture of catching feelings for someone while you’ve already got a good thing at home. Last week, “Crush” was the most-added song at Top 40/pop radio.

“Crush” follows the album’s transcendent title track, “Midnight Sun,” which has penetrated the culture with virality all summer thanks to the song’s Charlotte Rutherford-directed, Y2K-inspired music video and Zara’s own vocal prowess on the track. With cosigns and memes from everybody from Renee Rapp, Kylie Jenner, PinkPanthress, Ariana Grande and Halle Berry, creations on TikTok around the song have tripled in recent weeks. Recently, Zara released a two-track bundle comprising a remix by Chicago DJ Alex Chapman and a live version that came with a performance video shot in the gorgeous northern Swedish village of Björkliden during an actual midnight summer sun.

Zara kicked off this era with the confident and rowdy “Pretty Ugly” and its gloriously messy music video, also directed by Charlotte Rutherford and choreographed by Zoi Tatopoulos. Fittingly, the music video was just nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography. The song and video are both unapologetically unfiltered, just like Midnight Sun, the album. The ten-track set ripples with confidence as its storytelling bursts with truth and vulnerability, plumbing the depth and growth of Zara’s artistry and journey over nearly 20 years in the public eye. It is unafraid to show all sides of the 27-year-old: lovestruck, wistful, ambitious, cocky, flippant, and uncertain, often in the same breath.

The pop star recently kicked off a North American arena tour alongside Tate McRae, which is set to hit Boston, MA tonight (Wed, Aug 27th) at the TD Garden. With stops along the way, including New York, NY’s Madison Square Garden on September 2-3, and Los Angeles, CA’s The Forum on September 26-27, Zara has been teasing the new album by performing some of the unreleased music. On October 28th, she will kick off a European headlining tour, before hitting the road in February 2026 alongside OneRepublic in Australia and New Zealand.

Dua Lipa Launches Radical Optimism Pop-Up Stores in Six US Cities Ahead of Tour

Eric Alper
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Dua Lipa Launches Radical Optimism Pop-Up Stores in Six US Cities Ahead of Tour

In the lead-up to her highly anticipated North American leg of her Radical Optimism Tour, global pop powerhouse Dua Lipa has announced several Radical Optimism Pop-Up Stores presented by American Express that will open in multiple cities across the US, including Chicago, Atlanta, New York City, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

As with previous fan pop-ups in Australia and the UK, the pop-up will offer visitors an immersive retail experience with exclusive merch, unique photo opportunities, and a refreshment station serving one of Dua’s favorite drinks available for sale. Fans attending the NYC and LA pop-ups can also experience being inside the music of Radical Optimism, presented in L-ISA Immersive Sound, the ultra-high resolution spatial audio technology from L-Acoustics.

American Express Platinum Card members can gain early access to the pop-up from 10-11 am local time each day for themselves and one guest, a dedicated checkout lane, access to purchase an exclusive merch item, and one complimentary gift with any purchase made with an eligible Amex card, while supplies last.

The North American run kicks off on September 1st with two nights in Toronto before hitting the States through October 16th.

The global tour supports Dua’s third studio album, Radical Optimism, which was released on May 3rd via Warner Records. The album went straight to No. 1 in 11 countries, including the UK where it became the biggest album debut from a UK artist in 2024 and garnered the highest week-one sales from a UK female artist since 2021. In the US, the album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking Dua’s biggest sales week yet.

All stores will open to the public daily from 11 am until 6 pm local time.

Chicago, IL – September 6th-7th at Anthony Gallery (1360 W Lake St. Chicago, IL)
Atlanta, GA – September 12th-13th at Cam Kirk Studios (112 Krog St. NE, Atlanta, GA)
New York, NY – September 17th-21st at The Hole NYC (312 Bowery, New York, NY)
Dallas, TX – September 27th-28th at Kettle Art Gallery (2650 Main St, Dallas, TX)
Los Angeles, CA – October 3rd-6th at The Hole LA (844 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA)
Seattle, WA – October 11th-12th at The Jack (74 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA)

Robby Krieger to Honor 60 Years of The Doors with ‘Morrison Hotel’ Celebration at the Greek Theater

Eric Alper
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Robby Krieger to Honor 60 Years of The Doors with ‘Morrison Hotel’ Celebration at the Greek Theater

Robby Krieger, the legendary guitarist of The Doors, is gearing up for A 60th Anniversary Doors Celebration at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday, October 30th. This historic show will honor the pioneering Los Angeles band’s iconic 1970 Morrison Hotel album, which features the classics “Roadhouse Blues,” Waiting For The Sun,” and “Peace Frog,” along with all the Doors’ hits. The night will open with a performance from Tripform featuring Pablo Manzarek (son of original Doors member, the late Ray Manzarek) before Krieger and his band take the stage for an unforgettable night of Doors’ hits that will feature guest vocalists.

“Sixty years or so ago, when The Doors were happening, I had no idea that in the next century, we would still be talking about and playing The Doors records, Krieger says. “I feel so blessed that just about every day someone stops me and recognizes me and wants to talk about The Doors and to thank me for making the music that they love still today. The people that recognize me seem to be getting nicer all the time…I like to say that it’s a good problem to have.”

“I love seeing people at the Greek even though I’ve never played there myself,” Krieger adds. “I have seen many shows there and the sound is great, and it has a magical feel being out under the stars; like a more intimate Hollywood Bowl.”

The Greek Theater show will cap off A Doors’ 60th Anniversary celebration, which Krieger kickstarted earlier this year by performing five sold-out shows at the Whisky A Go Go, the legendary venue where it truly started for The Doors.

Bon Jovi Unites with Bruce Springsteen, Jelly Roll, Avril Lavigne and More on ‘Forever (Legendary Edition)’ Out October 24

Eric Alper
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Bon Jovi Unites with Bruce Springsteen, Jelly Roll, Avril Lavigne and More on ‘Forever (Legendary Edition)’ Out October 24

Bon Jovi will release its long-awaited Forever duets project on October 24th via Island Records. Forever (Legendary Edition) features the 2024 LP with some of music’s biggest stars. Bruce Springsteen, Jelly Roll, James Bay, Robbie Williams, Jason Isbell, Ryan Tedder, The War and Treaty, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, Lainey Wilson, Avril Lavigne, and Marcus King are among the guest artists.

The new song, “Red, White and Jersey,” and “Hollow Man” with Springsteen will be released on Friday, August 29th.

“This album is more than just a collection of collaborations; it is an album borne out of necessity. My vocal cord rehab was a well-documented journey that played out while releasing Forever in 2024. I was singing well in the studio for recording, but the vocal demands and rigors of touring were still slightly out of reach for me. Without an ability to tour at that time, I continued working in the studio and called on some friends, great singers, artists, musicians and also just great people,” Jon Bon Jovi says in a statement.

He continues, “The result is an album with a new viewpoint and new spirit – a collaboration album that proves we all get by in this world with a little help from our friends. I feel tremendous joy and gratitude in releasing this album, and I think it shows in the music. I can say with certainty that there is always something bigger than ME, and that’s WE.”

Last June, the band released Forever via Island Records. The album features the blockbuster single “Legendary” along with “Living Proof.” Upon its release in March 2024, “Legendary” vaulted to the top of the Billboard Digital Song Sales Chart and No. 2 on the Rock Digital Song Sales Chart, climbing to the Top 20 on the Adult Pop Airplay Chart. A duets edition is reportedly in the works.

In June, the band performed an intimate private Nashville show in conjunction with Jon Bon Jovi’s Runaway Tours. In its first show since April 2022, the band hosted a three-day, two-night luxury event in Music City, which featured admission to the private phone-free performance, a Bon Jovi Forever Party at JBJ’s Nashville, and more.

Last year saw the group let cameras inside their lives for the career-spanning four-part docuseries Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story on Hulu. The series was made with full cooperation from all past and present members of Bon Jovi. The docu-series is a ROS production, the banner of filmmaker Gotham Chopra.

1. Red, White & Jersey
2. Legendary featuring James Bay
3. We Made It Look Easy featuring Robbie Williams
4. Living Proof featuring Jelly Roll
5. Waves featuring Jason Isbell
6. Seeds featuring Ryan Tedder
7. Kiss The Bride featuring Billy Falcon
8. The People’s House featuring The War & Treaty
9. Walls Of Jericho featuring Joe Elliott
10. I Wrote You A Song featuring Lainey Wilson
11. Living In Paradise featuring Avril Lavigne
12. My First Guitar featuring Marcus King
13. Hollow Man featuring Bruce Springsteen
14. We Made It Look Easy/Hicimos Que Pareciera Fácil featuring Carin León

Ben Gallaher Announces Heartland-Rock Album ‘Time’ Out September 26 with New Single “Rearview”

Eric Alper
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Ben Gallaher Announces Heartland-Rock Album ‘Time’ Out September 26 with New Single “Rearview”

QHMG/Stone Country Records’ triple-threat singer, songwriter and guitarist, Ben Gallaher, will release a new 13-track high-octane, heartland-rock album, Time, on September 26th.

This Friday, August 29th, Gallaher will release album teaser track “Rearview,” a four-on-the-floor, windows-down singalong about makin’ memories with the one you love.

Produced by Neil Thrasher and Patrick Thrasher, Time is an arena-ready album stacked high with Telecaster twang and southern storytelling, delivering a next-level showcase for the melody-driven country-rock hybrid that’s become Gallaher’s calling card. The modern-day guitar hero plays every lead guitar solo on the album and co-wrote five of its thirteen songs, including the standout, melodic title track, on which Gallaher sings the universally relatable, heartbreaking line, I wish I could move on like time.

“When we were trying to figure out what I wanted to name the album, this idea came to me, because it’s much bigger than just the song ‘Time’ itself,” says Gallaher. “It’s about how every song and every guitar riff and every live show only come with time. And that’s exactly what went into making this record: time. These songs take me to different moments in my life and in my journey, all leading to finally making the record that I’ve always wanted to make.”

Unreleased album highlights include the focus track “I’ll Take You,” a nothing-beats-you love song originally written as a ballad but transformed in the studio by Gallaher and producers Neil and Patrick Thrasher into a radio-friendly tempo track centered around a driving guitar riff. Another rousing earworm, “Betcha Money,” rocks out what Gallaher describes as “a classic story of a girl falling for a country boy.” “Where Do You Go” lays down a softer, pulsing groove while Gallaher’s smoky vocals ask for direction because his girl is gone.

Previously released album highlights include the summer blockbuster, end-credit-worthy ballad “Bullet,” whose heart-stopping, high-stakes official music video catapulted into CMT Music’s 12 Pack Countdown. “Cuts Like a Knife” is a ripping, must-hear cover of Bryan Adams’ classic No. 1 smash, on which Gallaher plays every lead guitar part, including the song’s iconic Stratocaster solo. “Stomp” is a swampy, front-porch party song inspired by Gallaher’s guitar riff that became a viral sensation, generating more than 36 million organic social views and earning the rising star more than 400,000 social media followers.

Supporting Gallaher’s soaring lead-guitar work on Time are some of Nashville’s top session musicians on rhythm guitar. They include four-time Academy of Country Music Guitar Player of the Year Tom Bukovac, who has played on albums for more than 1,200 artists from Glen Campbell and Hank Williams, Jr. to Vince Gill and Morgan Wallen. Other notable guitarists playing rhythm on Gallaher’s album are Jedd Hughes (Brandy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Dierks Bentley), Justin Ostrander (Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Riley Green), Adam Shoenfeld (Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Alabama) and Ilya Toshinskiy (Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn).

To celebrate his album announcement, Gallaher will perform “Stomp” live in-studio on WGN-TV Chicago’s Midday News this Friday, August 29th, ahead of his headlining show that night at Carol’s Pub in Chicago as part of his 2025 Bullet Tour. Upcoming tour dates include Decatur, Georgia, on September 11th, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, on September 18th.

1. I’ll Take You (Neil Thrasher, Wendell Mobley, Tony Martin)
2. Rearview (Chris DeStefano, Travis Wood, Casey Brown, Jordan Minton)
3. Bullet (Ben Gallaher, Chris August, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher)
4. Betcha Money (Neil Thrasher, Wendell Mobley, Lee Thomas Miller)
5. Where Do You Go (Neil Thrasher, Josh Thompson, Kelley Lovelace)
6. Dirt Ones (Tony Martin, Neil Thrasher)
7. Time (Ben Gallaher, Neil Thrasher, Tony Martin)
8. Mistakes (Ben Gallaher, Tony Martin, Neil Thrasher)
9. Kinda Can’t Say No (Lee Thomas Miller, Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher)
10. Love Is Hard (Neil Thrasher, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Tony Martin)
11. Cuts Like a Knife (Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance)
12. Whiskey on a Wound (Ben Gallaher, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher)
13. Stomp (Ben Gallaher, Neil Thrasher, Patrick Thrasher, Wendell Mobley)

Amanda Shires Unveils Rock-Driven “Piece of Mind” Ahead of New Album ‘Nobody’s Girl’

Eric Alper
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Amanda Shires Unveils Rock-Driven “Piece of Mind” Ahead of New Album ‘Nobody’s Girl’

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Amanda Shires has shared her latest single, “Piece of Mind.” The music video was directed by Taylor Kelly. “Piece of Mind” is the second track to be released ahead of her anticipated new album, Nobody’s Girl, out September 26th on ATO Records.

Written by Amanda and produced by Lawrence Rothman, “Piece of Mind” is a bold and emotionally charged, rock-driven anthem. Its raw energy is highlighted by Amanda’s signature fiddle playing, and themes of unapologetic liberation from the past, survival, and clarity in the face of feeling dismissed.

Shires says, “This one came when I was finally done being polite about pain. I wrote this song because I never got closure. Piece of Mind became the place I said everything I didn’t get to say. Writing it gave me an ending. Not tidy. Not bitter. Just mine.”

Produced by Lawrence Rothman, Nobody’s Girl is a meticulously crafted collection of songs spanning folk, rock, roots and country influences. A deeply personal body of work, its themes deal with heartbreak and loss, resilience, self-discovery and empowerment. The album was recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville and Rotham Recorders in Nashville.

This fall, Shires will be supporting Aly & AJ on an extensive North American tour kicking off September 19th in Los Angeles. She will also be performing at AmericanaFest in Nashville on September 11th at Exit/In, and making a guest appearance at Musicians Corner on September 12th. Later this fall, Amanda will also join the Allman Betts Family Revival Tour.

OMG Girlz Serve Confidence in Fierce New “Tea” Video and Announce First-Ever Headline Tour

Eric Alper
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OMG Girlz Serve Confidence in Fierce New “Tea” Video and Announce First-Ever Headline Tour

Powerhouse Atlanta female R&B trio OMG Girlz are owning who they are and what they’ve got in the new official music video for their latest single “Tea.” Blending dynamic dance sequences with head-turning choreography under the creative direction of Anthony Burrell, Zonnique “Star” Pullins, Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack are serving body “Tea” in the Vision Mob-directed clip out now.

Produced by Tommy Brown, Damare “Mob” Mobley, and Pacific-Joshua “Glitch” Zagabe, the track’s thick bassline thumps and wobbles while breathy vocals dip in and out of hypnotic claps. Once the beat kicks in, the ladies spit some game, “You can take a seat / And I’ll teach you a lesson.” Picking up the pace, they boost the bars with boasts à la “Know I’m hot across the States / From Atlanta to LA” and “I’m the baddest – The baddest in the room.” It all culminates in a chantable chorus punctuated by the trio’s charisma, attitude, and spirit. Meant to empower, “Tea” – written by Rodriguez, Womack, Pullins, Serrin Joy Scrutchings, and Alivia “Blue” Roberts – is a reminder to never stop celebrating who you are. As such, it also picks up a thread from their formative material, championing femininity and unapologetic confidence always.

Readying to next bring “Tea” to the stage, OMG Girlz launches the group’s first-ever headline run, The Name Stays Tour presented by Coca-Cola and Pretty Hustle, with a hometown kickoff at Vinyl in Atlanta on Saturday, August 30th. The limited trek hits major cities before wrapping on September 12th at The Echo Lounge & Music Hall in Dallas.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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