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Country Outlaw Wheeler Walker Jr. Announces Retirement With Final Album ‘Pullin’ Out’ And Farewell Tour

Eric Alper
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Country Outlaw Wheeler Walker Jr. Announces Retirement With Final Album ‘Pullin’ Out’ And Farewell Tour

Country music’s self-proclaimed last real outlaw is riding off into the sunset. Wheeler Walker Jr. – the raunchy, satirical country music alter-ego of American comedian and writer Ben Hoffman – officially announced his retirement, flipping double birds at Music Row on his way out the door with one final album and a farewell tour. ‘Pullin’ Out’ arrives as a loud, bourbon-soaked send-off aimed squarely at the modern Nashville machine.

The album’s first single, “Fuck This Bar,” is available now, ahead of tickets going on sale Friday, June 12 at 10am local time. Walker didn’t mince words about his exit, saying he can’t do it anymore and griping that every song in Nashville seems written by a dozen guys named Chase about trucks they don’t own and farms they never worked.

‘Pullin’ Out’ marks the sixth Wheeler Walker Jr. record produced by Grammy winner Dave Cobb, the longest producing relationship of Cobb’s career. Already being touted as his strongest record since his debut, it serves as his final sermon from the barstool, and after a rock detour on his last album ‘Ram’, a return to the hard-core country he loves. The record packs savage commentary, heartbreak, hangovers, and at least three songs that might get banned before release day.

His track record is no joke. Over the last decade, Walker has released five albums that all hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Comedy chart, with two debuting in the Top 10 on the Country chart. He’s amassed more than one billion career streams and earned two platinum and gold-certified records, bursting onto the scene with ‘Redneck Shit’ as the first artist to simultaneously chart on Billboard’s Country Album chart at No. 9 and Comedy Album chart at No. 1.

The Pullin’ Out: The Farewell Tour kicks off this fall and runs through North America, hitting Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, Austin, Detroit, and multiple Canadian cities before his final show ever at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on May 15, 2027. It’s one last filthy, funny, defiant lap from one of country’s most singular characters.

Pullin’ Out: The Farewell Tour Dates:

Oct 15 – Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection

Oct 16 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theatre Presented by Citizens

Oct 17 – Beaver Dam, KY @ Beaver Dam Amphitheater

Oct 19 – Madison, WI @ The Sylvee

Oct 21 – Davenport, IA @ Capitol Theatre

Oct 22 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit

Oct 23 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s

Oct 24 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre

Nov 5 – Jordan, NY @ Kegs Canalside

Nov 6 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount in concert with Northwell

Nov 7 – New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place

Nov 8 – Boston, MA @ Citizens House of Blues

Nov 10 – Moncton, NB @ Casino New Brunswick

Nov 12 – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS

Nov 13 – Ottawa, ON @ HISTORY

Nov 14 – London, ON @ London Music Hall

Nov 15 – Toronto, ON @ HISTORY

Nov 17 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

Nov 19 – Columbus, OH @ The Bluestone

Nov 20 – Cleveland, OH @ The Agora

Nov 21 – Charles Town, WV @ Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

Feb 24 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave / Eagles Club

Feb 25 – St. Louis, MO @ The Factory

Feb 26 – Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater

Feb 27 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall

Feb 28 – La Vista, NE @ The Astro Theater

Mar 2 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom

Mar 4 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theater

Mar 5 – Dallas, TX @ The Bomb Factory

Mar 6 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues Houston

Mar 7 – Corpus Christi, TX @ Brewster Street Icehouse

Mar 9 – Odessa, TX @ Dos Amigos

Mar 11 – Albuquerque, NM @ Revel

Mar 12 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre

Mar 13 – Del Mar, CA @ The Sound

Mar 16 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour

Mar 18 – Napa, CA @ Uptown Theatre

Mar 19 – Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Resort

Mar 20 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

Mar 21 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Hall

Mar 23 – Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre

Mar 25 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

Mar 26 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo

Mar 27 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom

Mar 30 – Kelowna, BC @ Kelowna Community Theatre

Apr 1 – Calgary, AB @ Event Centre @ Grey Eagle Resort & Casino

Apr 2 – Edmonton, AB @ Midway Music Hall

Apr 3 – Saskatoon, SK @ Coors Event Centre

Apr 5 – Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre

Apr 7 – Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Event Center

Apr 8 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue

Apr 9 – West Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom

Apr 10 – Rosemont, IL @ Joe’s Live

Apr 22 – Richmond, VA @ The National

Apr 23 – Raleigh, NC @ Bowstring

Apr 24 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern

May 15 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium

Taylor Swift, Kiss And John Fogerty Headline A Star-Studded 2026 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction

Eric Alper
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Taylor Swift, Kiss And John Fogerty Headline A Star-Studded 2026 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction

One of the biggest nights in songwriting is about to fill a New York ballroom with legends. The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its 2026 performers and presenters for the Induction and Awards Dinner, slated for Thursday, June 11 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

The presenter and performer roster runs deep, with Dallas Austin, Tamar Braxton, Kylie Cantrall, Brandi Carlile, Billy Corgan, Madison Cunningham, Taylor Dayne, Gavin DeGraw, Steve Miller, Jeremy Renner, Nile Rodgers, Johnny Rzeznik, Sheléa, SistaStrings, and Sombr all set to take part.

This year’s inductees include songwriting icons Walter Afanasieff, the team of Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of Kiss, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissette, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, and Taylor Swift. Four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Raye will receive the Hal David Starlight Award, given to young songwriters making a significant impact, while John Fogerty takes home the esteemed Johnny Mercer Award.

The Class of 2026 represents a massive footprint on the Billboard charts and the cultural zeitgeist. To be eligible, a songwriter must have a notable catalog spanning at least 20 years from their first commercial release.

Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame serves as more than a museum of hits, acting as a bridge between the pioneers of the craft and the next generation. Through outreach and scholarship, it continues to groom the troubadours of tomorrow. It’s shaping up to be a remarkable celebration of the people behind the songs.

Katharine McPhee And The Late Dan Seals Unite For Posthumous Duet On “The Healing Kind”

Eric Alper
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Katharine McPhee And The Late Dan Seals Unite For Posthumous Duet On “The Healing Kind”

A voice from the past meets one of today’s most acclaimed singers on a deeply moving new recording. The late Dan Seals and singer and actress Katharine McPhee unite for a brand-new duet version of Ronnie Bowman’s beloved “The Healing Kind,” out now. Seals first covered the song in 1995, and it was later redone by Lee Ann Womack.

McPhee called the experience both emotional and beautiful, saying Seals’ voice and spirit are still so present in the music, and that she’s honored to help keep his legacy alive. His vocals on the track, like those across the full album, were extracted from his acclaimed solo projects.

The duet previews a larger tribute. ‘Dan Seals & Friends: The Last Duet’, dedicated to the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Famer, arrives August 28 on Melody Place Records. The collection pairs Seals’ most adored hits with today’s most dynamic artists, including Jamey Johnson, Luke Bryan, and Tanya Tucker, and is produced by his frequent collaborator, award-winning producer and engineer Kyle Lehning.

McPhee, meanwhile, continues to tour across the globe, with hits that have charted across pop, jazz, and adult contemporary. Beyond music, she’s acted in television series including Scorpion, SMASH, and Country Comfort following her breakout 2006 season on American Idol. She frequently performs with her husband, 16-time Grammy winner David Foster, and is currently in Nashville working on new music due in the coming months.

It’s a tender, beautifully rendered duet that lets one of country’s most cherished voices live on.

Video: Stereophonics Tear Through A Blistering 2005 Sydney Show In Stunning 4K

Eric Alper
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Video: Stereophonics Tear Through A Blistering 2005 Sydney Show In Stunning 4K

A no-frills rock and roll powerhouse caught at full throttle. This blistering 2005 performance, recorded at the Seymour Centre in Sydney, captures Welsh rock stalwarts Stereophonics on their global tour behind the acclaimed album ‘Language. Sex. Violence. Other?’, tearing through a setlist that blends new tracks with the anthems that built their reputation. Fronted by the unmistakable gravelly voice of Kelly Jones, the band pours its heart out with the kind of tight, high-octane energy that has kept its global fanbase loyal for decades. Remastered in stunning 4K, the footage offers a crystal-clear window into a band built on solid songwriting and the timeless power of guitar, bass, drums, and a voice that tells a story.


Yacht Rock Hitmaker Stephen Bishop Celebrates 50 Years Of His Debut ‘Careless’ With Anniversary Vinyl

Eric Alper
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Yacht Rock Hitmaker Stephen Bishop Celebrates 50 Years Of His Debut ‘Careless’ With Anniversary Vinyl

A cornerstone of the soft-rock era turns 50 and gets the vinyl treatment it deserves. Oscar and two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop announced the 50th anniversary limited edition vinyl release of his landmark debut album ‘Careless’, out August 14 on his own Life’s A Bish Records. Bernie Grundman, the legendary engineer who mastered the original 1976 release, returned to remaster this edition.

Originally released in 1976 via Universal Music Group, ‘Careless’ established Bishop as one of the most distinctive voices of his generation. It featured the Billboard Hot 100 hit “On and On,” covered on Keith Urban’s upcoming album ‘Flow State’, along with “Save It for a Rainy Day.” The album boasted an extraordinary lineup for a debut, with Eric Clapton on electric slide guitar for “Sinking in an Ocean of Tears” and the solo on “Save It for a Rainy Day,” plus Chaka Khan and Art Garfunkel.

The anniversary edition presents the album as it’s never been experienced before. The original 1976 release came without a gatefold or booklet, while this expanded version adds a newly designed gatefold package and a 20-page booklet with rare and previously unseen photographs, archival material, and Bishop’s first-ever liner notes and personal reflections.

Reflecting on the milestone, Bishop said it feels like 1976 was just yesterday, recalling a time when you brought an album home and listened from start to finish, no streaming or distractions, just music in its purest form. He added that the songs which didn’t make the album the first time had waited long enough.

The album’s iconic black-and-white cover has been newly colorized for the occasion, pressed as a limited edition confetti splatter vinyl with each record uniquely finished. Two bonus tracks, “Back Again” and “I Don’t Know You Anymore,” both written during the original sessions, round out the set. Released under license from Universal Music Group as a vinyl-only pressing, with no digital or CD versions planned, it’s a true collector’s release built for fans and audiophiles alike.

‘Careless’ Track Listing:

  1. “On and On”
  2. “Never Letting Go”
  3. “Careless”
  4. “Sinking in an Ocean of Tears”
  5. “Madge”
  6. “Every Minute”
  7. “Little Italy”
  8. “One More Night”
  9. “Guitar Interlude”
  10. “Save It for a Rainy Day”
  11. “Rock and Roll Slave”
  12. “The Same Old Tears On a New Background”
  13. “Back Again” – Bonus Track
  14. “I Don’t Know You Anymore” – Bonus Track

Pioneering Jazz And Free Funk Guitarist James Blood Ulmer Dead At 86

Eric Alper
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Pioneering Jazz And Free Funk Guitarist James Blood Ulmer Dead At 86

James Blood Ulmer, the guitarist and singer who redefined what an electric guitar could do in jazz, has died at the age of 86. He passed away on June 3, 2026.

Born Willie James Ulmer in St. Matthews, South Carolina on February 8, 1940, he built a sound critics described as jagged and stinging, paired with a singing voice called raggedly soulful. He came up through soul jazz ensembles in Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio, before moving to New York in 1971 and playing with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Joe Henderson, Paul Bley, Rashied Ali, and Larry Young.

His defining partnership came in the early 1970s with Ornette Coleman. Ulmer became the first electric guitarist to record and tour extensively with Coleman, and he credited the saxophonist as a major influence, while Coleman’s fusion-oriented work owed its own debt to Ulmer’s playing. That harmolodic foundation ran through everything he touched.

Ulmer signed to Columbia after appearing on Arthur Blythe’s albums, releasing ‘Free Lancing’, ‘Black Rock’, and ‘Odyssey’, the last of which launched Odyssey The Band with drummer Warren Benbow and violinist Charles Burnham. He formed the Music Revelation Ensemble around 1980, co-led with David Murray, and later co-led the quartet Phalanx with saxophonist George Adams.

His later years leaned into the blues, with a run of acclaimed albums produced by Vernon Reid, including ‘Memphis Blood’, ‘No Escape from the Blues’, ‘Bad Blood in the City’, and ‘Birthright’. He even crossed into hip-hop, lending his guitar to The Roots’ ‘Phrenology’ in 2002, and started his own label, American Revelation, in 2009.

Ulmer leaves behind a singular catalog that bridged the Mississippi Delta and the avant-garde, a guitarist who never stopped pushing the instrument forward. He was 86.

Gospel Powerhouse Voices Of Fire And Pharrell Williams Set Hearts Ablaze In “The One” Video

Eric Alper
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Gospel Powerhouse Voices Of Fire And Pharrell Williams Set Hearts Ablaze In “The One” Video

An ordinary gathering space becomes sacred ground in the span of one song. Voices of Fire unveiled the official music video for “The One” featuring Pharrell Williams, the first video from their acclaimed studio album ‘Ophanim’, via Warner Records. Inspired by a modern-day revival, the clip embodies a deep sense of humanity and celebrates connection, unity, and the euphoric power of music at the heart of the project.

The video gathers friends, neighbors, and strangers alongside the collective to celebrate spirituality in everyday life. Pharrell arrives on his skateboard and joins in as a moved participant, in a moment that feels both intimate and universal, connecting generations, backgrounds, and beliefs.

Bishop Ezekiel Williams called it a heavenly view of a multi-generational, rhythmic, melodic declaration, urging listeners to feel the energy as the Spirit and Voices of Fire set hearts ablaze. Pharrell framed it just as plainly, saying you could watch it on mute and it would still be loud, because that’s what happens when the energy is real.

The song has emerged as a fan favorite from ‘Ophanim’, the groundbreaking project executive produced and co-written by Pharrell. Released in March, the album fuses gospel, soul, hip-hop, R&B, and experimental vocal arrangements, with appearances from John Legend, Teddy Swims, Quavo, Tori Kelly, CeeLo Green, and Zacardi Cortez, bringing arena-sized ambition to personal themes of faith, resilience, and transformation.

The group’s reach keeps widening. They’ve performed “The One” during Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall-Winter 2026 in Paris, appeared with Clipse and Pharrell at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, and sung at the Vatican for Grace for the World before a global audience. It’s a stirring, joyous video that carries a message of unity across cultures, generations, and borders.

Country Trio Just Jayne Turn A Breakup Into A Victory Lap On New Single “What’s His Name?”

Eric Alper
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Country Trio Just Jayne Turn A Breakup Into A Victory Lap On New Single “What’s His Name?”

A forgotten ex never sounded so satisfying. All-female country trio Just Jayne shared their new single “What’s His Name?,” a witty, harmony-stacked anthem that flips a breakup into a victory lap. Playful and carefree, the track captures the sweet relief of realizing someone who once felt impossible to forget was never really worth remembering.

The song leans fully into the sharp humor, irresistible hooks, and three-part harmonies that have quickly made the group one of country’s most exciting new acts. Their crystal-clear vocals and sister-like chemistry pair playful lyrical bite with warm, rootsy musicianship. It opens with a tongue-in-cheek confession about a name on the tip of the tongue that maybe starts with J, capturing the exact moment heartbreak gives way to indifference.

The trio framed it with a wink, saying they wrote it for John, Jack, Josh, and Jake, all the boys they swore they’d never get over and now can barely name. They added that the early response had blown them away, and they can’t wait to scream it live with fans.

The release follows their recent single “Love A Loser,” and continues a strong run that includes “Death & Taxes,” “Breathe,” “The Way We Were,” and “Climate Change,” a standout from Nobody Wants This Season 2: The Soundtrack. Recently featured on Taste of Country’s RISERS: 2026 Artists to Watch roundup, the Nashville group keeps building momentum on the road.

After their international debut at London’s C2C Festival earlier this year, Just Jayne joined Nate Smith’s Long Live Country Rock and Roll Tour, with festival stops including CMA Fest and LASSO Montreal. It’s a sharp, funny, and freeing single from a group bringing three-part harmony back to the genre.

Just Jayne Tour Dates:

June 11 – Merced, CA – Merced County Fair

June 21 – Rockton, IL – Old Settlers Days

August 3 – Dillon, CO – Dillon Amphitheater

August 4 – Windsor, CO – Hoedown Hill Music Festival

August 16 – Montreal, QC – LASSO Montreal

October 8 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre (supporting Ashley Cooke)

October 9 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theatre (supporting Ashley Cooke)

October 10 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades (supporting Ashley Cooke)

November 12 – Pickering, ON – The Arena at Pickering Casino Resort (supporting Josh Ross)

November 13 – Rama, ON – Casino Rama Resort (supporting Josh Ross)

November 14 – Windsor, ON – The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor (supporting Josh Ross)

Video: Noel Gallagher Commands Electric Picnic With High Flying Birds And Oasis Anthems

Eric Alper
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0
Video: Noel Gallagher Commands Electric Picnic With High Flying Birds And Oasis Anthems

A field in County Laois roars back as one of rock’s most enduring voices takes the stage. Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds headlined Ireland’s Electric Picnic festival in 2016, blending his solo material with iconic Oasis classics for a Saturday set that shared the bill with LCD Soundsystem and Catfish & The Bottlemen. The High Flying Birds songs drew real enthusiasm, but the Oasis anthems sent the massive Stradbally crowd into a frenzy, with singalongs to “Wonderwall” and “Champagne Supernova” echoing across the grounds. Even a self-admitted technical hiccup during “Champagne Supernova” couldn’t dent the energy.

Organist Paul Fey Unleashes “He’s A Pirate” On The World’s Largest Pipe Organ In Atlantic City

Eric Alper
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0
Organist Paul Fey Unleashes “He’s A Pirate” On The World’s Largest Pipe Organ In Atlantic City

A blockbuster film theme meets a wall of thousands of pipes. Organist Paul Fey performs “He’s a Pirate” from Pirates of the Caribbean on the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Organ, the largest pipe organ in the world. Fey calls it one of the most overwhelming organ experiences he’s ever had, an enormous console and endless colors filling the huge hall with a sound that feels almost unreal. He folds in a bonus take on the mysterious “Davy Jones Theme,” and the result puts the full power of a gigantic instrument behind a theme fans know by heart.

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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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