Alabama native powerhouses Jamey Johnson and Riley Green showcase a massive creative collision on their new song “Smoke” which the pair co-wrote alongside Erik Dylan. This recording session marks the first time these two Jacksonville State alumni have officially captured their chemistry in the studio after years of shared stages and golf courses. The track arrived via sessions at The Cash Cabin and Big Gassed Studios with producers Kyle Lehning and Jim “Moose” Brown steering the ship. The lyrical content navigates various incarnations of the title subject including rising gravel dust, burning cigarettes, and the lingering heat of anger.
The musical architecture features a captivating arrangement where one instrumental part descends while another climbs. This specific sonic choice provides a sturdy foundation for the baritone grit these men bring to the microphone. A stellar lineup of musicians contributed to the recording including Bobby Terry on steel guitar, Shawn Camp on acoustic guitar, and Greg Marrow on drums. The sheer technical precision of this band creates a heavy, authentic country atmosphere that demands a high volume setting. This collaboration highlights a natural vocal blend that rings out with total authority.
Jamie O’Neal delivers a poignant look at the end of a relationship with her new single “All The Same,” written by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Dean Dillon and Scotty Emerick. This track serves as the third release from her forthcoming studio album titled ‘Gypsum’ which is scheduled for arrival on January 23. Produced alongside her husband Rodney Good, the song focuses on the difficult decision to walk away from a connection that has become mutually exhausting. The production utilizes traditional country instrumentation to ground O’Neal’s powerful vocal delivery in a landscape of authentic storytelling. This recording is a soulful and honest triumph that highlights her enduring ability to interpret complex emotional narratives with absolute clarity.
The ten-track ‘Gypsum’ project marks O’Neal’s first full-length studio collection since her 2020 release and features six songs co-written by the artist herself. This album honors her twenty-five-year legacy in the genre, which began with consecutive number-one hits like “When I Think About Angels.” To celebrate this milestone, she recently shared an updated version of “There Is No Arizona” featuring harmony vocals from The Isaacs. Every arrangement on the new record emphasizes a return to the melodic structures and soaring vocal parts that defined her platinum-selling early career. This music offers a direct and unfiltered connection to an artist who continues to shape the country music mainstream with technical precision and emotional depth.
Langhorne Slim has released the official music video for “Haunted Man,” a central track from his ninth studio album ‘The Dreamin’ Kind’ arriving January 16 via Dualtone Records. Directed by Jordan Noel, the video utilizes a fog-filled haunted house setting to explore themes of anxiety and self-consumption. The project features production from Sam F. Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet, who also performs on the record alongside his bandmate Daniel Wagner. This collaboration marks a sonic shift for the Nashville-based artist as he embraces an electric guitar-driven sound. The composition moves with a raw energy that captures the spirit of garage-punk rehearsals while maintaining Slim’s signature lyrical conviction.
The recording of ‘The Dreamin’ Kind’ provided a specific opportunity for Slim to move away from his typical acoustic arrangements toward a larger-than-life rock and roll aesthetic. This album is his first full-length collection in over four years, following the success of his previous debut on the Billboard 200. Kiszka and Wagner contribute to the thick, propulsive textures found on tracks like “Rock N Roll” and the roots-influenced “Dream Come True.” The synergy in the studio resulted in a set of songs that prioritize physical performance and high-volume riffs. This record is a thunderous testament to the power of creative evolution and collaborative trust.
The songwriting on ‘The Dreamin’ Kind’ draws from a life-changing period of personal growth and sobriety, resulting in a direct and unfiltered narrative voice. By plugging in and getting loud, Slim has channeled his internal experiences into a vibrant and outward-facing statement. The technical production by Kiszka ensures that the soul of the performance remains at the forefront of the mix. This music offers a clear view of an artist operating with total confidence and a renewed sense of creative freedom. Hearing these tracks reveals a musician who has successfully integrated his folk roots with the grit of a rock ensemble.
Hamburg power metal outfit Iron Savior has delivered a high-velocity rendition of the Irene Cara classic “Fame,” serving as the first single from their upcoming album ‘Awesome Anthems of the Galaxy’ arriving March 2026 via Reigning Phoenix Music. This project transforms a selection of 1980s pop hits into melodic metal epics, utilizing roaring guitars and the trademark precision of frontman Piet Sielck. The collection follows the success of previous covers like Seal’s “Crazy” and the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams,” responding to decades of requests for a dedicated full-length cover record. Every arrangement maintains the original melodic spirit while injecting the band’s signature cosmic energy and heavy rhythmic drive. This recording is a thunderous celebration of pop history reimagined through a lens of pure German metal fire.
The track list for ‘Awesome Anthems of the Galaxy’ includes a diverse array of cinematic hits, ranging from the dramatic pulse of Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds” to the adrenaline-fueled “Maniac” by Michael Sembello. The band also tackles the synth-pop brilliance of A-ha’s “Take On Me” and the theatrical “When The Rain Begins To Fall” originally by Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora. Sielck describes the outcome as a seamless fusion of nostalgia and futurism that remains entirely consistent with the Iron Savior sound. These tracks serve as a factual guide to the band’s ability to adapt external material into their own heroic, melodic framework. This album stands as a bold mission to prove the enduring power of classic hooks when backed by a wall of distorted sound and soaring vocals.
Soundgarden founding member and guitarist Kim Thayil has confirmed the release of his memoir titled ‘A Screaming Life: Into The Superunknown With Soundgarden And Beyond’ arriving May 19, 2026, via William Morrow. This book documents the band’s progression from the Seattle punk club circuit to their status as global rock icons. Thayil provides a factual account of how he and bandmates Hiro Yamamoto, Ben Shepherd, Matt Cameron, and Chris Cornell navigated the challenges of the nineties alternative rock era. The narrative specifically examines how his Indian heritage and Yamamoto’s Japanese background influenced the band’s identity and their experiences within the music industry. This work stands as a vital historical record of a group that redefined the boundaries of heavy music.
The memoir explores the creative process behind the band’s era-defining sound and their involvement with underground subcultures after Thayil and Yamamoto moved from Chicago to Seattle as idealistic youths. Thayil spent several years compiling these stories to offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on the formation of Soundgarden and their subsequent cultural impact. The text covers the technical aspects of their musicianship alongside the personal triumphs that defined their career. By detailing the evolution of their songwriting and stage presence, the book offers a concrete look at the transformation of a local scene into a worldwide phenomenon. This story is a powerful and essential document of a guitarist who helped shape the landscape of modern rock.
Following a record-breaking year featuring three #1 hits on the World Indie Top 100 Chart, acclaimed Canadian songwriter Stephen Dowd has returned with his most magnetic single yet: “Body”. Shifting from his recent holiday success—where “Play Me A Christmas Song” reached #16 on the Mediabase Top 40 Holiday chart—Dowd embraces a high-octane dance energy that is unapologetically gritty and provocative. This release marks a hungry return to the high-stakes dance pulse that defined his fastest-rising work.
“Body” is a relentless high-energy pulse designed for the modern dance floor, drawing heavy inspiration from the 80s provocation of Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” and the raw magnetism of early Madonna. The narrative serves as a direct nod to the iconic finale of Grease, specifically capturing the “hot-blooded” moment of being mesmerized when Sandy steps out in black leather. “I didn’t just want to write a song; I wanted to write a pulse,” Dowd shares. “’Body’ is that fast heartbeat that takes over the room”.
The release is accompanied by Dowd’s first-ever AI-generated music video, created by the original creative team behind his hit “Summertime”. This leap into the future allows the song’s concept to exist in a seamless blend of art and technology, creating characters that step straight from the cover art into a digital dreamscape. Dowd views the use of AI as a way to mirror the “newness” of the song’s energy, providing a visual frontier as fast-paced as the music itself.
Based in Ottawa, Dowd has rapidly become a dominant force in the indie scene, amassing over 65,000 streams on “Anytime Anywhere With You” and over 57,000 on “Summertime”. His unprecedented 2025 run saw “(Ça S’en Vient) Can You Feel It,” “Freedom,” and “Summertime” all secure the #1 spot on the World Indie Top 100. With “Body”, Dowd bridges the gap between generations, delivering a high-stakes “Mutual Admiration Club” anthem built for late-night club sets and drive-time energy alike.
Pop-punk infused country artist Ritch Mitchell is set to break a twenty-year silence with the release of his driving new single, “Outrun Your Past,” out now. Hailing from Brooklin, Ontario, Mitchell re-emerges on the music scene with a sound that is wiser, louder, and more honest than ever before. The single serves as a powerful introduction to his upcoming album, Welcome To Music City.
“Outrun Your Past” is a high-energy track designed to capture the sensation of relentless motion. Mitchell describes the song as encapsulating “the feeling of running fast but never getting anywhere”. It targets listeners who are attempting to escape the parts of themselves they are reluctant to face, blending the storytelling of country music with the urgency of pop-punk.
The inspiration for the track stems from a specific cinematic visualization. Mitchell wrote the song while imagining “those late-night highway drives where you feel both free and trapped at the same time”. He aimed to challenge his own songwriting abilities by crafting a complete narrative filled with “hypnotic lyrics and visuals” while stepping out of his comfort zone to appeal to country fans.
Lyrically, the song paints a picture of a “desert ride with nowhere to go,” featuring imagery of neon lights and leather jackets. The chorus delivers a direct warning to the listener: “Hold on if you’re lookin’ back / The guilt will catch you if you ain’t on track”. The song concludes with the haunting line, “Ok cowboy, outrun your past,” cementing the theme that “chasin’ ghosts” is a futile game.
The single features a robust musical lineup led by Mitchell on vocals and guitar. He is joined by Tav Hotoyan on drums, Dann Feltrin on guitar, and Lula Barros on bass. The track was produced and composed by Mitchell, who also serves as the songwriter for the project. The release is being handled independently under the imprint Doggone Records.
Mitchell’s return to music comes after a significant and noble hiatus. In his early 20s, he stepped away from a rising musical career to aid his mother in her successful battle against cancer. Witnessing the care provided by the Ontario healthcare system during this difficult time inspired him to give back to his community in a direct way.
Following his departure from music, Mitchell became an Advanced Care Paramedic. His time in the healthcare field exposed him to people at their worst moments, reinforcing the realization that life is fragile and short. This perspective became the catalyst for his return, as he decided to turn his pain into purpose and resume the musical path he was meant to follow.
Now back in the spotlight, Mitchell is channeling his life experiences into his art. He views his new material as a way to engage with the stories he has lived and the lessons he has learned over the last two decades. “Outrun Your Past” stands as a testament to this new chapter, combining the grit of his personal journey with a polished, radio-ready sound.
Following a long-form FM radio residency, streak of television appearances, award nominations, major film cameo and a collaboration with a bona fide 1970s rock legend, Frederica, Delaware-based Dutchman reveal the centerpiece of their momentum: the release of their Double A side singles “Springfield 78” and “Papa Fronc.”
Dutchman’s momentum began the first week of January, appearing on “The Bertram Newton Show”. Broadcasted on ‘Cruisin’ 92.1 WVLT-NJFM’, a four-hour deep-dive conversation covering the band’s history, self-built production, and behind the scenes stories of the band were carried onto late night radio. Unbeknownst to them, the appearance would spark a 8-month long residency at the station. Within days, Dutchman was everywhere. They appeared on multiple podcasts, including ‘33/24’ and ‘Recall The Podcast’ as well as sat down with the ‘Delaware State News’ for a profile that helped introduce their story to an even wider audience.
“The best part about Dutchman, is the energy in their craft. With so much going on, one episode of the podcast wasn’t enough. Dutchman was the first to ever have a back-to-back, two-episode interview on ‘Recall the Podcast’ in January and February. – Josh Kopelen
That momentum carried them into their first televised performances, beginning with ‘WBOC-CBS’s DelmarvaLife’, Dutchman delivered gripping renditions of their singles “I Need You Now” and fan-favorite “On the Run”. A second television appearance on ‘WRDE-NBC’s CoastlifeTV’ followed shortly after. This time premiering a new unreleased track “What She Never Wrote” performed live from the legendary studio “Midsouth Audio” located in Milton, Delaware. By February, Dutchman found themselves performing a blistering set at Dew Point Brewing’s “Cabin Fever” event, a performance that became a high point of the night reaching a record “112” on the venue’s decibel reader. As well as the crowd describing the rock group as one of the best and loudest bands to perform at the historical location. Following a trip through Pittsburgh, PA, scouting new venues and making new connections with their fan base, the month’s end brought a glowing review from Gable Music’s own Sug Daniel’s, revering the Delaware rock group for their “Warm and nostalgic sound”.
Gravatt adds, “We seem to have one speed and its “Go!”. Since the first album there’s always been something waiting right around the corner, every step so far has brought a new opportunity greater than the last. This year has proven that tenfold.”
March and April found Dutchman back to ‘MidSouth Audio’ finalizing the mix for “Springfield 78”. Working with engineer Ross Douglas, the track was originally developed from three separate compositions. Combining the strongest elements of each, Johnson, Gravatt, Solorzano and Fez got to work stitching them together into a sweeping 6-minute masterpiece. From strong soaring vocals to harmony rich guitars reminiscent of ‘The Eagles’ and’ The Allman Brothers’, the song is taken to a breathtaking finale grounded by Franco Solorzano’s expressive piano and Mitch Wiseman’s soaring saxophone. Written by Johnson, he proudly considers the finished track the finest example of musicianship the band has ever put on tape.
Engineer Ross Douglas mentions, “Working with Dutchman has been a highlight of my career thus far, with both new tracks marking the first time I’ve ever recorded on analog tape. The band really brings a sound, nostalgic, to 1960’s/70’s while keeping originality to the music. They’re a talented group of musicians and a riot to be around. There’s never a dull moment working with them, they’re always cracking jokes and bringing ease to the working atmosphere. All this to say, working with them has been a journey that I am excited to keep going down”
During these sessions the band received an unexpected message from the team behind the biopic, “I Got a Song: The Story of Sugarloaf”. Meeting with Executive Producer Stacy Raymond & Director Kyle Lamar. The filmmakers showed interest in Dutchman not only appearing in the movie but potentially collaborating with Sugarloaf’s legendary guitarist Bob Webber for the movie’s soundtrack.
Through Stacy, Dutchman was introduced to Webber and soon connected with the band on a musical level. Chatting about everything from recording technique to vintage equipment, Webber soon agreed to team up with the Delaware rock group to create a legendary bridge between the past and present Rock & Blues scene. The result is “Papa Fronc”. A funky, blues-infused, jazz-leaning track driven by rich organ textures, bold piano lines, and of course the unmistakable lead guitar flair Webber is known for. Written by band leader, Connor Johnson with the film in mind, the track features prominent moments from Webber, Johnson, Gravatt & the band’s legendary keyboardist Franco Solorzano on a howling B3 organ. With Fez topping it off with the distinctive pocket his drums are known for, we find the band tapping into the evident influence ‘Sugarloaf’ has made on the young musicians.
“Our Sugarloaf band members and the family of our bass player, who passed away in 2016, are working on a movie “I Got a Song – the Story of Sugarloaf.” Stacy Raymond, the screenwriter and executive producer of the film, connected me with ‘Dutchman’ to possibly collaborate on a tune. Dutchman has a track – Papa Fronc – that sounds like something that could have been on a Sugarloaf album. It’s funky, jazzy, bluesy, and something that I needed to play on. A great B3 organ sound sets up a tasty melody that lets me add my guitar style for a nice jazz-fusion flavor. Some fine piano work kicks off the track and really puts down a great foundation throughout the tune. Many thanks to the band! I am so humbled that they would want me to add some of my guitar work to their tune. The homage to “Green Eyed Lady” was deliberate and it was inspired by the vibe that Papa Fronc creates”
– Bob Webber of ‘Sugarloaf’
By June, Dutchman found themselves traveling west to Cripple Creek, Colorado. There, perched in a remote cabin at 10,500 feet called “The Fern House”, they recorded additional material in an environment Fez describes as “a place where the music could breathe.”
While in Colorado, the band spent 12 hours on set filming their cameo for the Sugarloaf biopic, inside Denver’s historic ‘Aztlan Theater’. While on set, they took the opportunity to meet the cast and crew as well as lend the production team some of their guitars for the film. While on set, the production team also allowed the band to shoot a live music video for their track “On the Run”. The video features Dutchman performing their fan favorite track on the famous Aztlan Theater stage with Colorado Actor “Sean Vadney” filling in Franco Solorzano’s spot on keys. Sean is starring in the forthcoming biopic as legendary singer/songwriter Jerry Corbetta.
Screenwriter and executive producer, Stacy Raymond, adds, “Their passion for Sugarloaf and genuine interest in our film project has added a new layer of authenticity in what we want to portray to our audience. We look forward to sharing Dutchman’s musical brilliance as well as their on-camera screen debut! Dutchman, in the flesh, coming to you live from backstage in “I Got a Song – The Story of Sugarloaf.”
July and August brought more television appearances and radio features. Returning to ‘WBOC-CBS’s DelmarvaLife’ with New Jersey Guitarist, Connor O’malley, The band performed fan favorites “Springfield 79” & “It’s a Wild Life,” as well as a heartfelt cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Sundown”. That same month found the group in Boston, Massachusetts for a live performance and interview with “Boston Wave Radio” on “Rick’s Rock Shop”. While in town, the boys took the opportunity for some equipment, expanding upon their vintage arsenal. They acquired a 1960’s Lowrey organ, a Fender Rhodes, and a 1973 Martin D-28 nicknamed “The Nun”. Fittingly, the Martin acoustic was owned by a local musician named “Dutch”. Upon their return to Delaware, Dutchman found themselves attending The 2025 “Hometown Hero Awards” garnering two nominations. Their single “In Your Heart” was nominated for “Best Country/Americana Song” as well as Fez, for “Best Drummer”.
2025 has been a whirlwind for the band. From multiple television appearances, FM radio residency, movie cameo and film soundtrack. Dutchman’s reach has spread far and wide. This hard work has earned them over 175,000 streams, 8,200 playlist adds, and 65,000 new listeners in just eight months. You can stream “Springfield 78” and their historical collaboration with the legendary Bob Webber on “Papa Fronc” anywhere you find music.
David Nyro (rhymes with hero), an award-winning “genre-chameleon” and confessional singer-songwriter, has officially released his latest single, ‘Ghosted’. Following a Golden Kayak award win, Nyro delivers a poignant Americana folk-rock reflection on the modern phenomenon of sudden, inexplicable silence. The track serves as a significant precursor to his ambitious upcoming album, ‘Rubicon’, scheduled for release on March 15, 2026, marking the beginning of a prolific new chapter for the Tacoma-based artist.
The inspiration for ‘Ghosted’ was born from a deeply personal experience—the sudden disappearance of a close associate Nyro had worked with for over five years. Nyro captures the jarring transition from normalcy to “nothingness” with evocative lyrics: “I call you on the phone, I text and email too; No one is ever home, I don’t know what to do. When I saw you that last time, everything seemed fine”. Reflecting on the track, Nyro notes that while the behavior has existed for centuries, it has found a new cultural label. “One thing for sure: this is something universal that’s happened to all of us, I suspect,” Nyro says of the experience.
Elevating the single’s Americana sound is an elite roster of guest musicians. The track features esteemed bassist Andy Stoller, a longtime member of Tracy Chapman’s recording and touring band who played on the multi-platinum, Grammy-winning album ‘New Beginning’ and has performed with Heart. Joining him is legendary drummer Ben Smith, who spent over 25 years touring and recording with Heart and has worked extensively with Ann and Nancy Wilson’s side projects, including The Lovemongers. Together, they provide a world-class foundation for Nyro’s vulnerable exploration of an “inexplicable disgrace”.
“Ghosted” was recorded at the legendary London Bridge Studios (Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden) with Grammy-nominated Eric Lilavois co-producing with Nyro, and engineering.
Musically, Nyro draws from a vast well of influence, ranging from the folk-rock sensibilities of Jackson Browne and Joni Mitchell to the raw vulnerability of Elliott Smith and Leonard Cohen. ‘Ghosted’ balances this lineage with a sharp, contemporary edge, as the song’s bridge offers a chilling historical parallel, noting it “brings to mind that ‘ol Soviet Union, where people were erased… gone without a trace”. It is a track that explores the frustration of “leaving me twisting in the wind” without a chance for redemption or a final scene.
Nyro’s path to this release is as eclectic as his sound. Having lived in 12 states and worked as a TV news anchor, radio DJ, construction worker, factory worker, and even a census-taker, his writing is informed by a lifetime of diverse observations. He famously once almost joined the Clyde Beatty circus to care for elephants, only to be scared away by a “very tall, sinister clown” and a “strutting prima donna elephant prince” who reminded him of Joffrey from Game of Thrones. This unique perspective fuels a staggering creative output; Nyro estimates he has written nearly 3,000 songs, with only about ten and a half of them currently memorized.
Currently recording at Pacific Studios in Tacoma, WA, Nyro is working through a backlog of approximately 55 songs to be released in a series of upcoming albums. While ‘Ghosted’ serves as the current focus, Nyro continues to share music with a conscience, such as his song ‘Sunflowers’, dedicated to the brave people of Ukraine. As he prepares for the 2026 launch of ‘Rubicon’, he remains a quintessential storyteller who is “still trying to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up,” provided that he ever actually does.
Get ready for a powerful mix of intimacy, showmanship, and pure star power. Micah Barnes—the velvet-voiced former member of the world-renowned a cappella sensation The Nylons—is hitting the road with his most personal show to date: “Up On The Roof: An Evening with Micah Barnes”.
As a chart-topping Alma Records/Universal Music Canada artist and Vocal Coach for Canada’s Got Talent, Barnes is stepping away from the television cameras to bring his signature “Leonard Cohen meets Tony Bennett” sophistication to stages across the country.
More than just a concert; Micah is planning to take audiences on a musical journey through a career that has taken him from the Jazz & cabaret clubs of Toronto to the bright lights of New York and Los Angeles and beyond. Performing solo at the piano, Barnes will be mixing his personal original songs with the classic Jazz and Blues that topped charts on his acclaimed albums ‘New York Stories’ and ‘Vegas Breeze’.
“This kind of solo-at-the-piano concert allows me to meet audiences in the kind of intimate setting that creates a deeper conversation,” says Barnes. “Now that I am a ‘Solo Nylon,’ it is a chance for the fans to really get to know me—and yes, I’ll be performing your favorite Nylons song!”
When he isn’t dominating the Jazz charts, Barnes is the “Coach to the Stars,” serving as the secret weapon behind some of the industry’s biggest names. His client list includes Grammy nominee J.P. Saxe, Emmy winner Tatiana Maslany, and Juno Award-winners Monowhales.
“UP ON THE ROOF” 2026 TOUR & WORKSHOP DATES:
The Concert Series:
January 11: Frankie’s Jazz Club – Vancouver, BC.
January 17: Lynn Valley United Church – Vancouver, BC
March 8: Polaris Theatre – RockyView County (Calgary), AB
March 13: SING! Festival Headliner (Orange Hub Theatre) – Edmonton, AB
The Master Classes:
January 17: Vocal Master Class – Lynn Valley United Church, Vancouver
March 15: Indigenous Voices Master Class – Fringe Theatre Arts Barns, Edmonton
