Page 576 – That Eric Alper

Allure of Megaways Slots

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 14, 2025

By Mitch Rice

Megaways slots have exploded in popularity over recent years, becoming some of the most-played games in online casinos. But what exactly are Megaways slots, and what is driving players to flock to these games in ever-greater numbers? Read more below.

Megaways Game Format

The key innovation that sets Megaways slots at Rocket Play Australia apart lies in their use of an expanding reel format, patented by software provider Big Time Gaming. Whereas a typical online slot has a fixed number of symbols per reel, usually 3 to 5, Megaways slots have a variable number of symbols on each reel. This allows for an exponentially higher number of payline combinations compared to fixed-reel slots.

Specifically, Megaways slots use the following reel format:

Reel 1: 2 to 7 symbols
Reel 2: 2 to 7 symbols
Reel 3: 2 to 7 symbols
Reel 4: 2 to 7 symbols
Reel 5: 2 to 7 symbols
Reel 6: 2 to 7 symbols

This adds up to a minimum of 64 paylines (when all reels show 2 symbols) up to an astonishing 117,649 ways to win (when all reels show 7 symbols). Every spin brings a different reel layout to create unique tension and anticipation.

Year	Megaways Slot Launches	Average Maximum Paylines
2016	1	117,649
2017	2	117,649
2018	5	117,649
2019	17	112,897
2020	32	111,042
2021	52	116,719
2022	~50	117,649
2023	~50	117,649
2025	~50	117,649

The table above tracks the rapid growth in Megaways slot game launches annually, alongside the huge payline advantage they retain over conventional slots.

Key Player Benefits Fuelling Popularity

So why has this innovative slot format struck such a chord with players worldwide? Several key factors underpin the appeal of Megaways slots:

Excitement and Suspense

The varying reels and massive number of paylines generate great anticipation with every spin. Players never know which symbols will land or how many paylines will form, keeping the experience fresh and exciting. This adds an engaging dynamism lacking in fixed payline slots.

Higher Win Potential

The sheer number of winning combinations feasible on any spin ratchets up the win potential substantially compared to conventional slots. Landing just 3 or 4 adjacent matching symbols can bring in big payouts thanks to thousands of paylines being triggered. This boosts the prospect of sizeable wins even from moderate stakes.

Adaptable Stakes

While some Megaways slots require minimum bets of $0.20 or more per spin, many implement a penny slot format with $0.01 minimum stakes. This positions them as a reasonably affordable game option for more budget-conscious players. Yet, they still offer the chance of outsized payouts due to the expanded paylines. Adaptable stakes widen their appeal across player profiles.

Enhanced Gameplay Variety

Top software houses like Big Time Gaming and Blueprint Gaming have expanded the Megaways format across diverse slot themes from sci-fi to Ancient Egypt. This underscores the versatility of Megaways as a gaming innovation that can be moulded to various game narratives. Players benefit from enjoying Megaways big-win potential in a range of imaginative new slots.

Outlook for Continued Growth

Megaways slots have carved out an increasingly prominent position in online casinos worldwide on the back of their innovations in reel mechanics and expanded ways to win. Their ability to deliver an immersive, exciting playing experience with each unique spin looks set to ensure Megaways remain a player favorite for years to come.

As developers cook up new varieties of Megaways titles spanning a multitude of themes, we can expect their popularity ascent to continue unabated. These games exemplify how fresh ideas in slots game design can still create compelling new experiences for players. Megaways show no signs of relinquishing their title as the hottest ticket in online slots any time soon.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

Roger Street Friedman Confronts Suburban Paranoia in New Video “The Land of the Leaf Blower and the Mighty SUV”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 13, 2025

0

Roger Street Friedman Confronts Suburban Paranoia in New Video “The Land of the Leaf Blower and the Mighty SUV”

Americana singer-songwriter Roger Street Friedman releases a topical new music video for his song “The Land Of The Leaf Blower And The Mighty SUV” from his recent LP Long Shadows. The video was directed by Ciro Ayala of Provoke Films, and it utilizes a surreal but grounded visual narrative to comment on the constant fear of imaginary threats that plagues our nation.

Holding up a mirror to predominately white American suburbs, Friedman comments: “We live in the safest communities in the country. Of course crime exists – I’m not pretending it doesn’t. But in places like this, it’s statistically very low. And yet, we’ve convinced ourselves we’re under constant threat. From what, exactly? From who? And what might happen if we finally stopped to answer?”

Long Shadows saw Friedman turning his eye towards past events, some close to home and others a world away, and in the tradition of the great storytellers before him, focusing on raw emotions – love, anger, dismay, fear, isolation and ultimately, hope – in ways that make his points relatable to any listener. The album was met with critical acclaim from No Depression, The Aquarian, Magnet Magazine, Glide Magazine and many more. For the record, Friedman enlisted some of his closest friends to help including drummer Justin Guip (Levon Helm Band), bassist Andy Hess (Gov’t Mule, The Black Crowes) and keyboardist Jeff Kazee (Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Bon Jovi).

Terrified of failure, Friedman put aside music for 25 years. However, a series of extremely emotional events, including the death of both his parents, getting married, and the birth of his daughter all in the span of two years, led him back to songwriting, culminating in his 2014 debut, The Waiting Sky. Since returning to music, he has released four full-length albums, garnering praise from No Depression, Goldmine, and more. His most recent release, LOVE HOPE TRUST, impressed the likes of Relix and American Songwriter, who wrote ” With LOVE HOPE TRUST, [Friedman] finds all the attributes and emotions expressed in the title, and far more.”

C.J. Lewandowski and Bobby Osborne’s Final Recordings Shine on Upcoming Album ‘Keep On Keepin’ On’

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 13, 2025

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C.J. Lewandowski and Bobby Osborne’s Final Recordings Shine on Upcoming Album ‘Keep On Keepin’ On’

“When Bobby passed, I was at a loss,” says C.J. Lewandowski, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys’ mandolinist and mentee to the late, great bluegrass legend Bobby Osborne. Lewandowski wasn’t just mourning the loss of a dear friend, he was unsure of what to do with the album he’d begun recording with Osborne just months before his passing. “I wanted to give up on what we had accomplished in the studio,” Lewandowski remembers. “I didn’t want to hear his voice. I was contemplating quitting music altogether.” One night sitting alone on his porch in the Smokey Mountains, Lewandowski felt as if Osborne was sitting next to him. He claims that his old friend told him, “I gave you something, now do what you want with it.”

Over the coming weeks, those words wouldn’t leave Lewandowski’s mind. After chewing on the meaning behind it all, things began to come into focus. While he couldn’t make this album with Osborne anymore, he could finish it for him. And so became the upcoming LP, Bobby Osborne, C.J. Lewandowski, & Friends’ Keep On Keepin’ On. Featuring the last few tracks ever recorded by the 91-year-old member of The Osborne Brothers and later, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Keep On Keepin’ On finds a whole host of folks who loved Osborne—both personally and musically—paying their respects in a way that adds one more jewel to Osborne’s Bluegrass crown. For the remaining songs featuring Osborne only in inspiration, the all-star cast includes members of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame, stars of Osborne’s beloved Grand Ole Opry, Grammy award-winners, members of The Rocky Top X-Press, Osborne’s sons, and many other friends and fans of Bobby Osborne. A testament to Osborne’s continuing influence on bluegrass, at least a dozen of the performers on Keep On Keepin’ On are under the age of forty (including Lewandowski), underscoring the resounding impact Bobby Osborne’s music has made on the current crop of roots music makers—nearly eighty years since he was first discovered as a teenage talent.

This past week, the fourth single from Keep On Keepin’ On was released: “She’s No Angel” by C.J. Lewandowski & Del McCoury (featuring Ronnie McCoury). In the midst of dealing with the loss of Osborne, Lewandowski was asked to participate in a tribute to his hero at the 2023 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards Show. “I was not as excited as I should’ve been,” Lewandowski remembers. “But I knew I had to do it for my old friend.” The tribute ended up being the highlight of the evening, and later that night Lewandowski found Del, Ronnie, and Rob McCoury jamming with Bobby Osborne Jr. “I rounded the corner and here was Del singing ‘She’s No Angel.’ So, I hopped in and sang the low part while Bobby Jr. got his dad’s part. It was so inspiring and energizing to be a part of that. Bobby Jr. and I were walking out, and he mentioned the idea of asking Del and the boys to be on the project. That’s the point where I realized that I had something I needed to complete. I needed to do this project to help cope with the grief and depression I had locked up inside of me, holding on to the things Bobby and I would never get to do.” This studio version of “She’s No Angel” features Lewandowski on vocals, Del McCoury on guitar and vocals, Ronnie McCoury on mandolin, Bobby Osborne Jr. on bass, Wynn Osborne on banjo, and Aynsley Porchak on fiddle.

C.J. Lewandowski is a GRAMMY-nominated mandolin player and the founder of the bluegrass ensemble, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. Lewandowski’s contributions to bluegrass music were recently highlighted in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s “American Currents: State of the Music” exhibition in 2024, where his artifacts were displayed alongside those of his mentor, Bobby Osborne.

Fans can listen to “She’s No Angel” today at this link ahead of the August 22nd release of Keep On Keepin’ On via Turnberry Records.

Keep On Keepin’ On Tracklist:

“Keep On Keepin’ On” – Bobby Osborne & C.J. Lewandowski (feat. Sam Bush)

“Lonesome Feeling” – C.J. Lewandowski & Vince Gill (feat. A.J. Lee and The Rocky Top X-Press)

“Where The Soul Never Dies” – Bobby Osborne & C.J. Lewandowski

“Rosie Bokay” – C.J. Lewandowski & Paul Brewster (feat. Wyatt Ellis and John Meador)

“Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong” – Bobby Osborne & C.J. Lewandowski (feat. Molly Tuttle and The Osborne Boys)

“She’s No Angel” – C.J. Lewandowski & Del McCoury (feat. Ronnie McCoury)

“Don’t Know Why” – Bobby Osborne & C.J. Lewandowski (feat. Wyatt Ellis)

“Fern Branch” – C.J. Lewandowski & Wyatt Ellis (feat. Del McCoury and Ronnie McCoury)

“Cora Is Gone” – Bobby Osborne & C.J. Lewandowski (feat. Rob McCoury and Billy Strings)

“Blue Heartache” – C.J. Lewandowski & Jaelee Roberts (feat. The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys)

“Rank Stranger” – Bobby Osborne & C.J. Lewandowski (feat. Wyatt Ellis)

“Rocky Top” – Bobby Osborne & C.J. Lewandowski (feat. Wyatt Ellis and The Osborne Boys)

“Too Old to Die Young” – Bobby Osborne & C.J.Lewandowski

The Last Revel Unleash Fast-Grass Fury With “Go On” From Upcoming Album ‘Gone for Good’

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 13, 2025

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The Last Revel Unleash Fast-Grass Fury With “Go On” From Upcoming Album ‘Gone for Good’

Sometimes songwriters find inspiration in the most unexpected ways, or the case of The Last Revel’s Ryan Acker, unexpected places. While on a solo mule deer hunting trip, the roots of the band’s new single, “Go On,” began to grow. “A particularly long and cold day of backcountry hiking in the Absaroka Mountains near Livingston, Montana, led me to a mule deer buck with one side of his antlers broken off,” Acker remembers of the encounter, “I assume of which he lost fighting another buck for their territory.” He nicknamed the deer the “twilight fighter” and daydreamed comparisons between the battle-worn buck and how sometimes people can be driven blind by love, greed, anger, and pride.

Musically, “Go On” feels a little like the chaos of a territorial mule deer encounter. That, and a jubilant, weight-of-the-shoulders relief. “My bandmate, Lee Henke, helped me steer the lyrics in this songs towards narrations of a failed relationship,” says Acker. “The chorus feels great to yell, and the absolutely breakneck speed that we played it in the studio helps the song reflect the lyrical sentiment.” With the energy of one of The Last Revel’s lauded live performances, the group romps through the two-and-a-half-minute tune, leaving not an ounce of gas in the tank: “With or without you, go on.”

“The Last Revel’s fast-grass new single, ‘Go On,’ is a must-hear,” wrote Whiskey Riff.

“Go On” is the latest single from The Last Revel’s upcoming album, Gone for Good. “This is a step in our careers that feels like there’s no going back. There’s a level of commitment now that, just a couple of years ago, we didn’t fathom we could take on,” says Acker, and this new release reflects that sentiment in a sure-footed and career-defining way. Produced by Trampled by Turtles’ Dave Simonett, the ten-track LP shines with The Last Revel’s commitment to never give up, signed in blood by musical brothers Acker, Henke, and Donatelle. A multilayered ode to the life of an artist, life on the road, and what it means to be a human being in uncertain times, Gone for Good finds the Americana/indie-folk outfit exploring the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of what it means to pursue your dreams in real time, and doing so with their hard-won and road-honed delivery.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=MK43Kk726kU%3Fsi%3D525asO5ZFtcPKPgW

Fans can stream or purchase “Go On” today at this link, check out The Last Revel’s previously-released single, “Solid Gone,” here, and pre-order or pre-save Gone for Good ahead of its July 18th release on Thirty Tigers right here. The Last Revel return to the road on June 21st at Abayance Bay Marina in Rexford, Montana. A full list of tour dates can be found below or at thelastrevel.com/tour.

Gone for Good Tracklist:

Solid Gone

Static

Go On

Jealousy

Wait Up

Simple Wheel

Holy Moly

Tall Grass

Until Death

Porcelain

Catch The Last Revel On Tour:

June 21 – Abayance Bay Marina – Rexford, MT

June 26 – The Racoon Motel – Davenport, IA #

June 27 – Blue Ox Music Festival – Eau Claire, WI

June 29 – Thesis Beer Project – Rochester, MN &

July 17 – Lander Presents: Summer Concert Series – Lander, WY

July 19 – Pine Creek Lodge – Livingston, MT

July 25 – FloydFest – Floyd, VA

Aug. 2 – Red Lodge Summer Fest – Red Lodge, MT

Aug. 3 – Bluegrass and Beer Festival – Keystone, CO

Aug. 7 – Cedar Lounge – Superior, WI

Aug. 8 – Ledgestone Vineyards – Greenleaf, WI

Aug. 9 – Whey Pit at Seven Acre Dairy – Belleville, WI

Aug. 29-31 – Rhythm & Roots Festival – Charlestown, RI

Sept. 10-13 – Bender Jamboree – Las Vegas, NV

Sept. 18 – Red Room at Cafe 939 – Boston, MA

Sept. 19 – 118 North – Wayne, PA

Sept. 20-21 – Annapolis Baygrass Festival – Annapolis, MD

Sept. 20 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY

Sept. 24 – Shitty Barn – Spring Green, WI

Sept. 25 – Garcia’s – Chicago, IL

Oct. 8 – Gothic Theater – Englewood, CO +

Oct. 9 – Aggie Theatre – Fort Collins, CO +

Oct. 10 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT +

Oct. 11 – Shrine Social Club – Boise, ID +

Oct. 15 – The Crocodile – Seattle, WA +

Oct. 16 – Aladdin Theater – Portland, OR +

Oct. 18 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA +

Oct. 19 – Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA +

Oct. 20 – Music Box – San Diego, CA +

Oct. 22 – Meow Wolf – Sante Fe, NM +

Oct. 24 – Parish – Austin, TX +

Oct. 25 – The Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX +

Nov. 6 – The Burl – Lexington, KY +

Nov. 7 – HI-FI – Indianapolis, IN +

Nov. 8 – The Basement East – Nashville, TN +

# = With Lena Marie Schiffer

& = With Clay Fulton & The Lost 40

+ = With Oliver Hazard

Bourbon & Beyond Returns With Phish, Pat Benatar, and a Full Pour of Culinary Firepower

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 13, 2025

0

Bourbon & Beyond Returns With Phish, Pat Benatar, and a Full Pour of Culinary Firepower

Bourbon & Beyond, the World’s Largest Bourbon & Music Festival, is returning to Louisville, Kentucky, for its 7th year, and producers Danny Wimmer Presents have announced an exciting roster of culinary and spirits talent who will curate elevated food-and-beverage pairings on-site alongside the stacked music lineup slated for 2025. The event takes place September 11-14 at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville and will include multi-sensory opportunities and programming showcasing the country’s best chefs and rich bourbon culture. The four-day destination event has expanded to five music stages and more than 120 music artists, plus the festival’s culinary and bourbon experiences, following Bourbon & Beyond’s record-breaking year in 2024 and its win as Pollstar’s Global Festival of the Year 2025.

Leading the Fork & Flask curated by Kroger Stage culinary demonstrations at Bourbon & Beyond are hosts Chef Chris Santos (Chopped) and Chef Edward Lee (The Mind of a Chef). They will be joined by acclaimed chefs including Chef Claudette Zepeda (Top Chef Season 15; founder of Chispa Hospitality), Chef Esther Choi (Beat Bobby Flay and Chopped), local Louisville chef Anthony Lamas (Seviche: A Latin Restaurant; Bar Rescue), and Chef Lawrence Weeks (North of Bourbon).

The Fork & Flask curated by Kroger Stage will also feature bourbon expert Chris Blandford and Chef Amanda Freitag (Top Chef and Chopped) and showcase premium brands including Old Rip Van Winkle, Angel’s Envy, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Buffalo Trace, and more. This year’s programming will spotlight Kentucky Proud products, celebrating locally sourced ingredients and the farmers and producers who help make Kentucky a world-class culinary destination.

Programming highlights throughout the weekend include a taping of The Firkin Podcast with Redferrin and “Family Cookin’” with Terry Bradshaw and his son-in-law Chef Noah Hester, who have just announced their family cookbook. New panels such as “New School of American Whiskey” and “Buzzed About Bourbon” will bring together the voices that shape how we discover, discuss, and drink bourbon—from podcasts and social media to behind-the-scenes branding.

Join actress Elizabeth Banks (Archer Roose Wines) for Unscripted & Uncorked, a refreshingly unfiltered Q&A on how music, movies, and a good drink can bring people together. Beloved comedian and Fathertime founder Jim Gaffigan returns to Bourbon & Beyond for another round of laughs, stories, and bourbon-fueled insights. World-renowned bourbon expert Fred Minnick is back with his Blind Bourbon LIVE workshop, along with many more opportunities for fans to get up close and personal with bourbon experts.

Other special guests participating in the culinary and bourbon programming include 49 Winchester, Trombone Shorty, Kelly Hansen, Redferrin, Salt Hank, Katie Crutchfield, and more.

Attendees at Bourbon & Beyond can also enjoy a variety of onsite food and beverage offerings inspired by Kentucky’s explosion in the culinary world. Selections from local and regional restaurants are specially curated by Southern Hospitality Concessions LLC.

“Bourbon & Beyond is where the heart of music meets the soul of bourbon country and is hands down one of the most exhilarating festivals in the nation. I’m excited to crank up the heat on the stage, with chefs rocking out their best dishes alongside some of your favorite performers. We’re crafting a lineup of chefs that celebrate bourbon in the most delicious and daring way possible—where every sip feels like a high-five and every bite is a thrilling encore,” said Chris Santos, celebrity chef and judge on Food Network’s Chopped.

In addition to the culinary and bourbon experiences, Bourbon & Beyond offers incredible headlining music talent with something for everyone: The Lumineers, Benson Boone, and Alabama Shakes (reunion) on Thursday; Phish (playing two sets—their only festival appearance of 2025 and first Louisville show in three decades), Khruangbin, and Joe Bonamassa on Friday; Sturgill “Johnny Blue Skies” Simpson, Jack White, and Vance Joy on Saturday; and Noah Kahan, Goo Goo Dolls, and Megan Moroney on Sunday. Additional must-see sets during the four-day event include Cage The Elephant, TV On The Radio, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lake Street Dive, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Foreigner (in one of the final announced dates of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024 inductees’ Farewell Tour), Third Eye Blind, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, and many more.

The initial lineup of culinary talent and spirits panelists at Bourbon & Beyond includes (subject to change):

The Fork & Flask curated by Kroger Stage — Celebrity Chefs & Artist Pairings, hosted by Chris Santos & Edward Lee; Bourbon Experts & Celebrity Guests hosted by Amanda Freitag & Chris Blandford

Amanda Freitag

Barb Parish (Brown-Forman)

Brandon O’Daniel (Copper & Kings, Nelson’s Green Brier)

Brandon Smith (Bardstown Bourbon Co.)

Brent Elliott (Four Roses Distillery)

Bri Hlava (mixologist)

Brian Probus (Firkin Podcast)

Brooklyn Lytle (mixologist)

Bruce Russell (Wild Turkey)

Carrie Van Winkle (Pappy & Co.)

Chaz Fister (Maker’s Mark)

Chef Anthony Lamas

Chef Brian Landry

Chef Edward Lee

Chef Esther Choi

Chef Noah Hester (Bradshaw Bourbon; The Bradshaw Family Cookbook)

Chef Jackie Joseph

Chef Lawrence Weeks (North of Bourbon)

Chris Blandford (Kroger Wine & Spirits)

Chris Santos

Christian Huber (Starlight Distiller)

Claudette Zepeda

Dan Calloway (Bardstown Bourbon Co.)

Dr. Blake Layfield (Maker’s Mark)

Elizabeth Banks (actress, Archer Roose Wines)

Elizabeth McCall (Woodford Reserve)

Fred Minnick (bourbon expert)

Fred Booker Noe III (James B. Beam)

Freddie Noe (James B. Beam)

Greg Keely (Larrikin Bourbon)

Harlen Wheatley (Buffalo Trace)

Ian Sulkowski (Brown-Forman)

Jason Brauner (Watch Hill Proper)

Jim Gaffigan (Fathertime Bourbon)

John Waddell (Peerless Distilling Co.)

Kathryn Crutchfield

Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee)

Kelly Hansen (Foreigner)

Kenny Coleman (Pursuit Spirits)

Kyle Wallace (mixologist)

Lili Lambert (mixologist)

Melissa Rift (Old Forester)

Neil Alvarado (mixologist)

Neil Giraldo (artist, Three Chord Bourbon)

Owen Martin (Angel’s Envy)

Preston Van Winkle (Old Rip Van Winkle)

Redferrin (artist)

Ryan Cecil (Bourbon Pursuit)

Salt Hank (Henry Laporte)

Shaylyn Gammon (Blue Run Spirits)

Terry Bradshaw (football legend; Bradshaw Bourbon; The Bradshaw Family Cookbook)

Trey Zoeller (Jefferson’s Bourbon)

Trombone Shorty (artist)

Tyler Zoller (Louisville Bourbon Buzz)

Wes Henderson (True Story Whiskey)

49 Winchester (band)

Workshops will run from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily during the festival, and full details on demonstrations and tastings, along with a complete schedule, will be announced soon.

Another highlight of Bourbon & Beyond is the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar. Featuring the best bluegrass bands, line dancing, and expertly curated picks of Kentucky’s finest, it brings the bourbon trail right to Bourbon & Beyond. Bourbon lovers can also visit Chris Picks MiniBar for select single barrels curated especially for the festival; The Hunter’s Club for rare and vintage pours; and the Jack Daniel’s Sports Bar and Char House, the perfect oasis to complete the festival experience. Visit BourbonAndBeyond.com for a full description of festival experiences.

Having welcomed more than 210,000 fans in 2024, Bourbon & Beyond has become the premier destination event of the fall, combining incredible nonstop music with the best food and spirits Kentucky has to offer—with Forbes exclaiming, “Featuring some of America’s best chefs, the Louisville festival’s celebration of the culinary arts, spirits, live music and more makes it one of America’s most unique festival offerings.”

New for 2025:

Friday headliner Phish will play two sets, with Phish Phriday hotel packages at the Galt House available through Jampack.

Music artist Chance Peña has been added to Thursday’s lineup.

New RV camping is available at the University of Louisville.

A Bourbon & Beyond Student Offer is accessible with a .edu email address through FEVO.

Festival-grounds updates:

Expanded MINT VIP: three-story elevated structure with more space, shade, seating, restrooms, and bars

Dedicated towel-and-chair zones

Added picnic seating in GA

Improved stage layout to reduce sound bleed

New rideshare pickup for easier arrival and departure

Join us at The Fox Den in Louisville for the semifinals of the Battle of the Strings on June 14 and the finals on June 21, where unsigned bluegrass bands can compete for a chance to perform onstage at Bourbon & Beyond.

Fans can still join the fun at the World’s Largest Bourbon & Music Festival by securing passes at BourbonAndBeyond.com or via Shop Pay at dwpbourbon.com, which allows for a buy-now, pay-later installment plan. Four-day and single-day GA and Mint VIP, as well as four-day Angel’s Envy Beyond VIP passes, are still available. Hotel packages are also offered through Jampack.

Bourbon & Beyond 2025 gratefully acknowledges the support of its hospitality, government, and stage-programming partners: Crowne Plaza, Galt House Hotel, Kentucky Proud, Kentucky Venues, Kroger, Louisville Marriott Downtown, Louisville Metro, Louisville Tourism, Team Kentucky, Traeger, and YETI Coolers.

Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center is located at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville, Kentucky. Bourbon & Beyond is produced by Los Angeles-based Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America.

Award-winning festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) recently announced a long-term agreement with Kentucky Venues to host both Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life at the Highland Festival Grounds. The 10-year commitment, running from 2026-2035, underscores DWP’s and the city’s dedication to Louisville’s cultural and economic future. In 2024, the two festivals generated more than $33 million in total economic impact, according to Louisville Tourism.

‘This Wheel’s Still On Fire’ Exhibit Celebrates Levon Helm’s Enduring Legacy

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 13, 2025

0

‘This Wheel’s Still On Fire’ Exhibit Celebrates Levon Helm’s Enduring Legacy

The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame is honoring a rock-and-roll legend with its newest display, This Wheel’s Still On Fire: The Legacy of Levon Helm. The exhibit, curated by Museum Collective, will feature never-before-displayed items, including personal photographs, instruments from members of The Band, tour memorabilia, awards, and interviews with friends and fellow musicians including Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Max Weinberg, and more. This Wheel’s Still On Fire will also allow guests to follow in Helm’s footsteps and play the drums, as Ramble Band guest drummer and multi-instrumentalist Charley Dayton provides a video tutorial. The exhibit opens inside the lower lobby of the Boch Center Wang Theatre on August 15 and will be on public display during tours and on all show days. Tour tickets will be available for purchase later this month at FolkAmericanaRootsHallofFame.org.

“This exhibit gives audiences a rare, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unique and influential artists in American music history,” said Casey Soward, President and CEO of the Boch Center. “We’re thrilled to bring Levon Helm’s legacy to life for fans in Boston and beyond.”

To kick off the new exhibit, the Boch Center Wang Theatre is hosting a members-only VIP opening on August 14 that will include a question-and-answer session with Bob Santelli, founding executive director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University; Levon’s daughter, acclaimed musician Amy Helm; and other special guests. To learn about becoming a member, visit www.FARHOF.org/support/individual-giving.

This Wheel’s Still On Fire: The Legacy of Levon Helm explores the life, legacy, and continued influence of Levon Helm. From his earliest years growing up in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, Levon was surrounded by music and community. Helm began his music career in high school when Ronnie Hawkins invited him to join his band. By the early 1960s, Levon and Hawkins had recruited Canadian musicians Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson, and Robbie Robertson to form Levon and the Hawks, which later became Bob Dylan’s backing group, The Band.

After The Band’s 1976 performance in The Last Waltz, the original line-up parted ways, and Levon returned to Woodstock to build a home and studio. During this time, he focused on his solo music and acting career. The Band reunited in 1983 without Robbie Robertson and continued to record and tour. In 1998, Levon was diagnosed with throat cancer, which damaged his vocal cords. As a way of recovering from treatment and gathering musicians and community together, Levon opened his Barn to host Midnight Rambles—intimate concerts inspired by shows he had seen as a teen. Before his death in 2012, Levon instructed friends and family to “keep it going,” and the Midnight Rambles continue to keep Levon’s legacy alive, the community gathered, and the music flowing. This exhibit invites guests to join in the song as we celebrate an artistic life well lived, a connected community, and Levon’s enduring legacy.

The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame is a cultural and educational initiative of the Boch Center, located inside the Wang Theatre at 270 Tremont St., Boston, Massachusetts. Curated by the Museum Collective, FARHOF is geared to music lovers of all ages, providing educational offerings that ensure legacies are honored and new musical traditions are nurtured for generations to come. These genres of music have historically provided an outlet for individuals of all races and backgrounds, from every corner of the United States, to express their joys, sorrows, and experiences.

Recent and current exhibits include Joan Baez: A Life of Music, Art, and Activism; All Seeing Eye: Blue Note Records Through the Lens of Francis Wolff; Bruce Springsteen: Portraits of an American Music Icon; Legends of Folk, Americana, Roots Music; Arlo Guthrie: Native Son; Life in Six Strings; Don’t Think Twice: The Daniel Kramer Photographs of Bob Dylan, 1964-65; Boston: A Music Town; The Wang Theatre: A Century of Great Music; historic artifacts from David Bieber Archives; and the Cultural Heroes sculptures on loan from Alan LeQuire Galleries in Nashville, TN.

About the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame

In 2019, the Boch Center expanded its educational programming and launched the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame (FARHOF), Boston’s living music museum, which celebrates the lifeblood of America’s musical and cultural heritage. Folk music provides an outlet for individuals of all races and backgrounds to express their highest joys and deepest sorrows.

FARHOF is dedicated to honoring the past, celebrating the present, and nurturing the future of folk and Americana-roots musicians. By learning from the past, the Boch Center and FARHOF hope to influence meaningful conversations today.

Housed in the Wang Theatre, FARHOF celebrates folk, Americana, and roots music through displays, memorabilia, artifacts, events, lectures, exhibits, concerts, and educational programs.

Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Nettles Release “Our Highway” From ‘The Bondsman’

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 13, 2025

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Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Nettles Release “Our Highway” From ‘The Bondsman’

Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Nettles are excited to announce the release of their new video for “Our Highway.” The song is part of the musical accompaniment to the TV series The Bondsman, a supernatural horror series released in April 2025, currently streaming on Amazon Prime. The collection of songs inspired by the show, are almost all written and performed by Bacon and Nettles, with some of the tracks included in the series and on the record.

In The Bondsman, Kevin Bacon stars as Hub Halloran, a bounty hunter brought back to life by the Devil to capture escaped demons. With his estranged family, Hub confronts his past sins on this dangerous quest. Jennifer Nettles plays Maryanne Dice, Hub’s ex-wife and former country music partner who still dreams of becoming a recording artist in Nashville. The series combines horror, action, and heartfelt moments, highlighting Hub’s journey of redemption and unexpected opportunities for life, love, and country music.

Bacon states, “Our Highway is the second song that Jennifer and I wrote that is in the show, The Bondsman. Our characters are musicians. It was fun to go back and write songs from my character, Hub Halloran’s point of view when he was a young man. This would be a song that they had written together, when they were first going out. It’s a great driving tune about escaping with the one you love and sticking together. It was a great songwriting exercise but also a great acting exercise.”

Nettles weighs in: “Kevin Bacon is a dream collaborator. Everyone knows he’s an iconic storyteller, but his gifts extend far beyond the camera. He shines as a songwriter! We wrote these songs for The Bondsman, but quickly came to realize they stood firmly on their own as a studio project. We had a ball bringing these songs to life in the studio, in the way we heard them as musicians (to live outside of and beyond the show). “Our Highway” is the story of two people heading out on the road in search of a dream. And who knows? We just may head out on the road to share it!!”

Asleep At The Wheel Celebrates 50 Years in Texas With ‘Riding High In Texas’

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 13, 2025

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Asleep At The Wheel Celebrates 50 Years in Texas With ‘Riding High In Texas’

“It’s been fifty five years for Asleep At The Wheel as a band, and fifty of them have been spent in Texas,” says the incomparable band’s founder and fearless leader, Ray Benson. “We are known worldwide for being a Texas band and playing Texas and Western Swing music, and it gives us great pride to carry this torch and responsibility.” To honor the five decade mark in the Lonestar State, the Wheel had no choice but to dedicate their upcoming 32nd album—yes, you read that correctly—to the adopted home that made all of their dreams come true.

Out on August 22nd via Bismeaux Records and Signature Sounds Recordings, the record dubbed Riding High In Texas is a ten-song collection of some of the best songs about the 28th state from a wide range of songwriters like Jimmie Rogers, Guy Clark, and Charlie Daniels—with some A-list collaborations with Lyle Lovett and Billy Strings, to boot. And for a band whose lineup is ever-changing—since 1970, the Wheel has had over one hundred members come through—Riding High In Texas is also an opportunity to introduce a new face in the band with fiddler and vocalist Ian Stewart joining Benson and company. Suggested to Benson by long-time Asleep At The Wheel band member, Danny Levin, Stewart fit right into the ensemble. “Danny’s word was enough for me,” says Benson. “He knows the gig as much as anyone.”

Today, Asleep At The Wheel shared the first single from Riding High In Texas, “Texas In My Soul.” Written by Ernest Tubb and popularized by Willie Nelson, “Texas In My Soul” was chosen for the project because it resonated with, in Benson’s words, “How we felt in 1974 when the band moved to Texas.” Ripe with everything that makes the Wheel the Wheel, “Texas In My Soul” is full of tTwin fiddles, steel guitar licks, and a crispy, clean piano solo, all underpinning Benson’s smooth delivery of the song’s classic lyrics: “It is there I know my place is. I see only smiling faces.”

Fans can stream or purchase “Texas In My Soul” today at this link and pre-order or pre-save Riding High In Texas ahead of its August release right here. Asleep At The Wheel will take the stage at The Heights Theater in Houston tomorrow night, June 13th. A full list of tour dates can be found below or at asleepatthewheel.com/tour.

Riding High In Texas Tracklist:

Riding High In Texas

Texas In My Soul

Long Tall Texan

Texas

Texas Cookin’

Lonesome Pine Special

T for Texas (Blue Yodel #1)

All My Exes (Live in Texas)

There’s Still a Lot of Love in San Antone

Beaumont Rag

Catch Asleep At The Wheel On Tour:

June

Friday, June 13 – Houston, TX – Heights Theater

Saturday, June 14 – Menard, TX – River Rat Fest

Thursday, June 19 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theater

Friday, June 20 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom

Saturday, June 21 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads Saloon

Tuesday, June 24 – St. Louis, MO – City Winery St. Louis

Thursday, June 26 – Fish Creek, WI – Door Community Auditorium

Friday, June 27 – Bayfield, WI – Big Top Chautauqua

Saturday, June 28 – Menomonie, WI – The Mabel Tainter

Sunday, June 29 – Chicago, IL – City Winery Chicago

July

Friday, July 4 – Austin, TX – Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic

Saturday, July 5 – Junction, TX – Texclipse Music Festival

Friday, July 25 – Waco, TX – Waco Hippodrome Theatre

Saturday, July 26 – Gun Barrel City, TX – Julyfest

August

Sunday, August 3 – Winston-Salem, NC – Ramkat

Tuesday, August 5 – Elkton, MD – Elkton Music Hall

Wednesday, August 6 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater

Thursday, August 7 – Vienna, VA – Filene Center (with Lyle Lovett)

Saturday, August 9 – Carthage, TX – Texas Country Music Hall of Fame

Wednesday, August 13 – Homer, NY – Center for the Arts of Homer

Thursday, August 14 – Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall

Friday, August 15 – Newton, NJ – Newton Theatre

Saturday, August 16 – Peekskill, NY – Paramount Hudson Valley

Sunday, August 17 – New York, NY – City Winery New York City

Tuesday, August 19 – Kent, OH – Kent Stage

Wednesday, August 20 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark

Thursday, August 21 – Millvale, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre

Wednesday, August 27 – Bar Harbor, ME – 1932 Criterion Theatre

Thursday, August 28 – Brownfield, ME – Stone Mountain Arts Center

Friday, August 29 – Charleston, RI – Rhythm & Roots Festival

Saturday, August 30 – Plymouth, MA – Spire Center

Sunday, August 31 – North Truro, MA – Payomet

September

Saturday, September 20 – Fredericksburg, TX – Luckenbach

October

Friday, October 3 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Music Festival

Sunday, October 5 – Miramar Beach, FL – Moon Crush “Avett Moon”

January

Sunday, January 1 – Saturday, January 11 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Sandy Beaches Cruise

March

Friday, March 20 – Wednesday, March 25 – Miami, FL – Outlaw Country Cruise

Backline and Spotify Launch “Heart & Soul” Global Mental Health Hub for Music Creators

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 13, 2025

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Backline and Spotify Launch “Heart & Soul” Global Mental Health Hub for Music Creators

Backline, a nonprofit organization connecting music industry professionals and their family members with mental health and wellness resources, has partnered with Spotify to announce a groundbreaking global initiative, Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators. As part of the initiative, they are launching the first-ever Global Mental Health Resource Hub, a comprehensive support platform for music industry professionals around the world.

This collaboration marks a major milestone for Backline, as the organization expands its services beyond the United States for the first time. With the mental health crisis continuing to impact artists, touring crew, and industry professionals at every level, this initiative brings critical support to an international audience, removing barriers to care and meeting the global music community where they are.

“Backline is honored to serve as a steward of Spotify’s investment into the creative community, ” said Backline Executive Director & Co-Founder Hilary Gleason. “Bringing our work to scale is a meaningful way to uplift the well-being of artists all around the world. This collaboration is taking these invaluable mental health and wellness resources beyond borders. Music knows no bounds, and now people who make music happen have access to care and a compassionate community. Our work together will help ensure that artists have the resources, support, and stability they need to thrive both personally and professionally.”

A Global Expansion of Backline’s Resources: a first-of-its kind destination for mental health support. This international, multilingual database features trusted music industry and mental health support resources and crisis lines from around the world.
Concierge Support for the International Music Community: To provide more personalized pathways to care, Backline has also launched global@backline.care, a dedicated email concierge service that provides one-on-one support to help individuals navigate local care options and mental health systems in their countries.
Mental Health Matters: A Guide for the Music Industry: A free digital guide designed for every role in the music industry. Complete with tools to stay grounded on the road, this guide offers strategies that can be used in real time along with practical resources to help music industry professionals feel their best.
Therapy Access for Ambassadors: Free support for EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR ambassadors in the U.S. via Music’s Mental Health Fund, a joint program from Backline and Sweet Relief Musicians’ Fund that provides grants to cover the cost of therapy.
Support for Songwriters: Spaces for songwriters to discuss mental health and access support through studio residencies, dinners, panels, and more. May ‘25 Spotify Songwriting Studio residency program included: The Altons, Sinseers, and Iman Jordan.
Wellness Events: Backline and Spotify will be backstage at major festivals like All Things Go NYC, providing on-site wellness activations, self-care kits, and guided workshops.

For Spotify, this partnership underscores a long-standing commitment to mental health wellness and social impact within the music industry.

“It’s clear that the mental health challenges artists face are real, and that the current support systems often fall short. It’s on all of us in the industry to respond with action,” said Spotify Head of Artist & Label Partnerships, Monica Herrera Damashek. “That’s why Spotify is expanding its Heart & Soul for Creators initiative by helping Backline scale its Mental Health & Wellness Global Resource Hub internationally for the first time, and by offering 1:1 therapy access to EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR ambassadors in the US and UK. We know this is only one step but we look forward to building on this for a more supported, sustainable environment for the artists who shape culture every day.”

“Heart & Soul is our commitment to the creators behind the music. Artists and songwriters face immense pressure, and their mental health can’t be an afterthought,” said Lauren Siegal Wurgaft, Head of Social Impact, Spotify. “Supporting creators’ well-being is essential to sustaining a vibrant music ecosystem. By working closely with trusted partners like Backline, we’re not just offering resources, we’re helping drive lasting change in how the industry approaches mental health.”

This initiative is a statement of intent from both Backline and Spotify to build a healthier, more sustainable music industry for everyone.

To explore the Global Mental Health Resource Hub, visit: https://backline.care/global-resources/

Gallaudet University and Coca-Cola Recreate “Hilltop” in ASL

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 13, 2025

0

Gallaudet University and Coca-Cola Recreate “Hilltop” in ASL

Gallaudet University, the first school for the advanced education of the deaf and hard of hearing in the world and remains the only higher education institution in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students, released a video collaboration with The Coca-Cola Company, recreating the soft drink brand’s iconic “Hilltop” commercial from 1971 in American Sign Language (ASL).

The video wrapped up a project that gave four of their students the opportunity to work with one of the world’s most recognized brands. This is the story of how it happened.