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Avery Anna Releases Powerful Short Film With Sophomore Album ‘let go letters’

Eric Alper
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Avery Anna Releases Powerful Short Film With Sophomore Album ‘let go letters’

To accompany the release of her sophomore album let go letters, available now, singer-songwriter Avery Anna unveiled a short film that weaves together the official music videos for five featured tracks: “cheerios,” “Danny Don’t,” “depresion,” “GRAVE,” and “skinny.”

Directed by Avery, Ben Humphrey, Kate Bowling, and Tyler Shoemaker, the short film presents a powerful narrative by connecting five standalone but thematically connected music videos that bring the album to life. Interspersed between the videos are poignant moments of Avery engaging with letters from her “Let Go Letters” series, which has long been a safe place for her listener community to ‘let go’ of experiences that may be troubling them by writing them down and sending them off. These letters inspired the song and video concepts and explore deeply emotional topics such as body image struggles, depression, suicide, addiction, and domestic violence. The result is a raw and moving portrayal of resilience, connection, and healing through music and storytelling.

“I started asking people for their letters because I wanted to give them some kind of emotional outlet, but they ended up shifting my whole perspective on so many things in life,” says Avery. “After a while, it felt almost impossible not to write about the letters, and over time, this album became a way to thank everyone for being so vulnerable and sharing their lives with me.”

She adds, “This was a whole new world I stepped into for this album, trying to best portray the pains and struggles people have shared with me through their beautiful letters. I hope they feel seen when they watch this film.”

Thanks to her boundless empathy-as well as the subtle force and spellbinding power of her vocal work-Avery inhabits the album with a depth of emotion that makes every lyric feel undeniably lived-in. Featuring 14 tracks all penned or co-penned by Avery and produced by David Fanning, let go letters follows the singer-songwriter’s celebrated 2024 debut album, Breakup Over Breakfast. Entertainment Focus noted that the new project is “dedicated to letting pain breathe,” and that Avery “doesn’t just write back to her fans-she sings their stories back to them with grace, rage, vulnerability and compassion. It’s not just a concept album-it’s a lifeline that both entertains and impacts the listener with the juxtaposition of its heartbreaking subject matter, soaring melodies and ambitious instrumentation.” Holler raved, “Anna’s willingness to let go of any artistic ego in service of the songs is not only an impactful way to give back to these individuals but strategically marks the next phase of her career.”

 

Grant-Lee Phillips Announces Introspective New Album ‘In the Hour of Dust’ and 26-Date International Tour

Eric Alper
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Grant-Lee Phillips Announces Introspective New Album ‘In the Hour of Dust’ and 26-Date International Tour

Acclaimed Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and painter Grant-Lee Phillips announces the release of In the Hour of Dust, his 12th solo album, out September 5 on Yep Roc Records. Today, he unveils “Closer Tonight,” the first single available now.

Of “Closer Tonight,” Phillips offers: “A reflection of my uneasy feelings about this moment. On one hand, we’re living in an age of scientific advancement, an integration of technology that could vastly enhance life as we know it. On the other hand, we’re equally capable of barbaric cruelty, incapable of prioritizing life, neither our own nor that of the planet, all as we plot to plant our flag on Mars. We’re closer than ever to realizing our greatest potential and closer than ever to self-destruction.”

In celebration of the album, Phillips will embark on a 26-date U.S. and UK tour beginning with a run of Northeast dates in September, with a West Coast run in November, including a stop in Los Angeles, and dates in the UK, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Finland throughout the fall and winter.

Inspired by a painting from India discovered while wandering the Norton Simon Art Museum in Pasadena, CA, and the evocative Indian concept of ‘the hour of cow dust’–“It’s that moment of the day when the cows are led back home, they kick up the dust; that’s a cue to prepare the lamps. Night is about to fall,” says Phillips.

The self-produced album finds Phillips at his most introspective and poetic, channeling his visual and musical sensibilities into a striking mediation on disconnection and grace. “The mood on this album is contemplative,” says Phillips. “It’s about trying to find meaning in an age of confusion, feeling your way through the blinding dust of unreality.”

Known for his cinematic lyricism and atmospheric arrangements, In the Hour of Dust spans universal and personal themes. “Bullies,” co-written with pianist Jamie Edwards-the first co-write to appear on any Phillips’ albums-channels his experience as an outsider into a defiant anthem of resilience. “She Knows Me” offers a deeply personal testament to partnerships and vulnerability, while “Did You Make It Through the Night Okay” draws Phillips’ heritage as an Enrolled citizen of the Muskogee (Creek) Nation, reflecting on hardship and survival.

Written and recorded between his home studio in Nashville and Lucy’s Meat Market in Eagle Rock, CA, In the Hour of Dust features intimate solo recordings and collaborative sessions with longtime friends and acclaimed musicians: Jay Bellerose (drums), Jennifer Condos (bass), and Patrick Warren (keyboards). “I don’t see songs of love and songs of protest as being so far apart, really,” Phillips reflects. “It’s all about recognizing the value of connection in a disconnected time.”

Since his early days as the frontman of Grant Lee Buffalo, through his role as the town troubadour on Gilmore Girls to his prolific solo career, Phillips has established himself as one of America’s most consistent and compelling songwriters. His distinctive voice, poetic lyrics, and masterful musicianship have earned him a dedicated following and critical praise across multiple decades.

Grant-Lee Phillips Tour Dates:
September 7 – Jammin’ Java – Vienna, VA
September 9 – City Winery – Philadelphia, PA
September 10 – City Winery – New York, NY
September 11 – City Winery – Boston, MA
October 10 – St. Michael-in-the-Hamlet Church – Liverpool, UK
October 11 – Halle at St Michael’s – Manchester, UK
October 12 – Portland Arms – Cambridge, UK
October 14 – Kitchen Garden – Birmingham, UK
October 15 – The Lower Third – London, UK
October 16 – Les Etoiles – Paris, France
October 17 – Reflektor – Liege, Belgium
October 18 – Ramblin’ Roots – Utrecht, The Netherlands
October 19 – Metropol – Hengelo, The Netherlands
October 21 – DR Koncerthuset – Copenhagen, Denmark
November 8 – McCabe’s Guitar Shop – Los Angeles, CA
November 9 – HopMonk Tavern – Novato, CA
January 14 – The Lantern – Bristol, UK
January 15 – The Trades Club – Hebden Bridge, UK
January 16 – Celtic Connections – Glasgow, UK
January 17 – The Common Room – Newcastle, UK
January 18 – Tithe Barn – Carlisle, UK
January 20 – Out to Lunch Festival – Belfast, UK
January 21 – Whelan’s – Dublin, Ireland
January 23-24 – G Livelab – Helsinki, Finland
January 25 – Yllas Jazz & Blues Festival – Lapland, Finland

Craig Campbell & Bradley Gaskin Lead Benefit Concert at Ryman with Tyler Farr, Michael Ray, Bryan White & Hailey Benedict

Eric Alper
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Craig Campbell & Bradley Gaskin Lead Benefit Concert at Ryman with Tyler Farr, Michael Ray, Bryan White & Hailey Benedict

Craig Campbell has announced the inaugural Kenny Campbell Foundation Presents a Benefit Concert Featuring Craig Campbell & Bradley Gaskin at the Ryman Auditorium on July 24, 2025. The exciting event will also include performances by Tyler Farr, Michael Ray, Bryan White, and Hailey Benedict. Tickets range from $65 to $175, plus fees, and will be available May 23.

Craig’s father died of colorectal cancer at age 36, and he started The Kenny Campbell Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, in his honor to raise money and awareness. The 11th Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge also benefits the Foundation and will be held at 6th & Peabody in Nashville on June 3, 2025.

“I was talking to Bradley (Gaskin) about my dad and The Kenny Campbell Foundation, and we decided to call some friends and host a concert at the Ryman,” said Craig. “There’s no better place for a concert in Nashville than at the Mother Church of Country Music. I think my dad would be proud.”

“When I hear ‘The Ryman,’ my honky-tonk bones rattle,” added Bradley Gaskin. “It’s such a great place to sing and perform my favorite kind of traditional country music in my most favorite city – Nashville. And, I hope we raise all kinds of money in honor of Craig’s dad! Good times with great country music and helping others – that’s what we do!”

Tickets for the concert, which are set at $65 and $75, will be on sale Friday, May 23 at https://www.ryman.com/. A limited number of VIP tickets will be available for $175 and include an exclusive two-song acoustic set performed by Campbell and Gaskin 30 minutes before doors open, a show poster and a photo with them on the famous Ryman stage. A guitar signed by all of the artists will be auctioned to the highest bidder during the concert.

Jelly Ellington Shines Bright with New Album ‘Glow’—A Roots-Rock Tapestry of Family, Fire, and Finding Peace

Eric Alper
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Jelly Ellington Shines Bright with New Album ‘Glow’—A Roots-Rock Tapestry of Family, Fire, and Finding Peace

Austin-based artist Jelly Ellington channels his Americana, Texas-blues grit and Appalachian roots into his newest offering, Glow. At the heart of the new album is a blend of modern indie rock sensibility and classic American songwriting, with vibrant, analog-driven songs full of soaring riffs and introspective lyrics. The physical album is now available digitally across all streaming platforms.

The singer-songwriter, Jelly Ellington, wrote much of Glow in his hometown of Asheville, N.C., drawing on personal experiences and a deep connection to his family’s artistic legacy. Inspired by a visit to the local museum where the work of his great aunt, watercolorist Sallie Ellington Middleton, who was renowned for her botanical paintings, and “Boomtown” architect Douglas Ellington, who built most of Asheville’s iconic buildings in the 20s, were celebrated, he found renewed purpose. The homecoming was full circle for Jelly as the album marks a return to his roots and a moment of reflection, renewal and creative growth.

Jelly brought together a dream team of collaborators as Glow was created over nine days of live tracking with his full band. It was recorded at Orb Studios in Austin, Texas, and produced by Nick Perri (Silvertide, Nick Perri & the Underground Thieves) and engineered by Austin Asvanonda (The War on Drugs, Sam Fender).

The instrumental palette is broad and expressive with Les Pauls, Telecasters, Strats, and stereo-routed Marshall and Super Reverb amps; lush 12-string acoustics evoking Petty and Bryan Adams; vintage pedals from Perri’s own line; and rich textures from a Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Hammond B3, and grand piano, courtesy of keyboardist Cole Gramling, who had his own dedicated piano room in Studio A. The rhythm section was helmed by drummer Alex Geismar (with additional contributions from Alex Duck and Lessly Fisher Jr.) and bassist Stefan Ringer, whose distorted tones added grit and muscle to standout moments like “Sail On.”

Guest features also include John Trufant on vocals and mandola, Les Fisher (Jason Mraz) on the drums and bass, Nick Perri lead guitar solo, pedal steel guitarist Ryan “Stiggie” Stigmon (Zach Top), violinist Ryan Lorensen, background vocalist Candice Sanders and Curtis Lee, and Deshawn “D Vibes” Alexander (Kingfish, Marcus King’s band, Watermelon Funk) who delivered a blazing synth solo on “Somebody to Love.”

Jelly comments, “One of the main goals with this record was to produce one that was sonically sound, and I think we did a great job achieving that thanks to the help of everyone involved.”

Taking a “less is more” approach when recording the new album, Jelly and Perri kept the process honest and focused on the result vs individual parts. Sonically, the album is steeped in vintage textures, including an analog synth, Neumann mics, cranked vintage amps, and Juno pads.

But at Glow’s core, the songwriting shines. Lyrics explore themes of movement, acceptance, stillness, and emotional clarity. The result is a collection of 9 songs that radiate warmth and depth.

Songs like “Copperhead Blues,” recorded in a church chapel using just a laptop and a mic, was inspired by back-to-back copperhead encounters in WNC. The song is based on an incident with co-writer John Trufant’s dog Gumbeaux, who was nearly killed by a bite deep in the woods. Soon after, a copperhead showed up at Jelly’s doorstep, just inches from his dog, Bowie, who thankfully made it out unharmed. Jelly recalls, “The copperhead snake serves as a metaphor, as we are constantly facing temptation in our day to day lives. This song serves as an insight into the vicious cycle of never being satisfied and always needing more- that’s when you got those copperhead blues.”

The title track “Glow” is about saying goodbye to the bad times and hello, good times. It was created during sound check in San Francisco, Jelly recalls, “I think we were filled with so much excitement to be out on the road doing what we love that the song just fell from the sky.” But it also encapsulates the album’s overall vibe – a thrill of a ride from beginning to end.

“Irons in the Fire” was recorded in a home studio on the side of a mountain in Western North Carolina. It is a gentle reminder that being too obsessed with material things can lead to our demise, and the most important thing is loving others, and finding satisfaction with simply being engulfed in and by love.

The Daft Punk-tinged outro of “Somebody to Love,” “is def a fav, it just makes you feel good! I enjoyed every step of the process putting together the tune, especially having one of my best friends Deshawn D’ Vibes Alexander, playing the lead synth on the tune,” comments Jelly.

One standout studio moment came during the creation of “Goodbye Rain,” a song written as a cathartic farewell to the grief of losing a family home to fire. The album engineer, Austin Asvanonda, along with a tape loop machine, created intervals of chords, each placed on its own fader on the mixing console that allowed for dynamic, live manipulation. “It was straight wizardry,” Jelly recalls. The result is the perfect road trip song with a groove that strips away the worries of the world. Jelly describes the feeling as, “slide the sunroof down, put on your shades and kiss your worries goodbye.”

The new album is a masterclass on friendship and the creative process, it is a homage to home and family, and serves as a reminder that renewal isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s the glow of a slow burn.

Glow is out now and available on all streaming platforms, order and stream here.

Tracklisting for Glow:
01 – “Glow”
02 – “Sail On”
03 – “Somebody to Love”
04 – “The Night”
05 – “Goodbye Rain”
06 – “Thick and Thin”
07 – “Coyote”
08 – “Copperhead Blues”
09 – “Irons in the Fire”

Upcoming Shows:
May 29 – Antone’s Nightclub @ 7:00 PM, Austin, TX
Jun 4 – Geraldine’s (Live Acoustic) @ 8:00 PM, Austin, TX
Jun 15 – Main Street Crossing w/ Dancing Days: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin @ 8:00 PM, Tomball, TX
Aug 9 – Antone’s Nightclub w/ Dancing Days: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin @ 8:00 PM, Austin, TX
Nov 3 – BMI Acoustic Lounge Series @ Saxon Pub @ 6:00 PM, Austin, TX

Paul McDonald Finds Freedom and Feeling on New Single “Unwind” Ahead of Album ‘So Long To The Dark Side’

Eric Alper
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Paul McDonald Finds Freedom and Feeling on New Single “Unwind” Ahead of Album ‘So Long To The Dark Side’

Today, Nashville singer-songwriter Paul McDonald is thrilled to share “Unwind,” the third song to be released off his forthcoming studio album, So Long To The Dark Side.

“This song emerged spontaneously during a late-night jam session with my old bandmate from The Grand Magnolias, Jonathan Pears,” says McDonald. “We hadn’t written together in over a decade, but that night, we picked up our guitars and somehow the magic fell out of the sky. We finished up the song a few days later with our buddy Hailey Steele. The song is a simple feel-good track kind of born from a moment of nostalgia, but reflects on the free-spirited journey of my college band days. It eventually evolves into a reminder to slow down, let go, and be present.”

“Unwind” follows the releases of “Dark Side” and “What’s The Point?”

“This album took the long road home.”

That’s how Paul McDonald sums it up—and it’s the truth.

His last full-length release came in 2018. Since then, McDonald wrote and recorded multiple albums… and shelved them all. Burned out and broke after chasing an elusive sound through countless sessions, he hit pause on the studio grind and returned to the only place that ever felt right: the stage.

With a new band—The Mourning Doves—he hit every dive bar, burger joint, and juke hall that would have him. No pressure, no polish. Just songs, played loud and honest. That spirit came to life during a month-long residency at East Nashville’s The Underdog, where word of mouth turned into a groundswell. A local buzz grew. A community formed. And out of that energy, McDonald launched One Big Love, a grassroots festival that became a magnet for the city’s most vibrant players.

It was during this time that a friend and local producer, Bobby Holland, offered to record the band. At first, McDonald resisted—after five scrapped albums, he wasn’t eager to try again. But the band cut the record live, straight to tape, with no overthinking. And just like that, the sound he’d been chasing for years finally arrived.

“This album helped me heal,” he says. “It brought me back to life. It’s not perfect, and that’s the point. It’s raw and human and alive. And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

Paul McDonald on Tour:
June 7 Cathead Jam 2025 – Jackson, MS
June 13 Grants Lounge – Macon, GA
June 14 – 185 King Street – Brevard, NC
June 26 – Songbirds – Chattanooga, TN
June 27 – Steel Hands Brewing – Cayce, SC
July 2 – Jammin Java – Vienna, VA
July 3 – American Music Festival 2025 – Berwyn, IL
July 5 – Turntable – Indianapolis, IN
July 17 – Skinny Dennis – Nashville, TN
July 24 – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom & Other Side – Denver, CO
Nov 9 – Venue Shrine – Tulsa, OK
Nov 30 – Nashbash – Miami Beach Bandshell – Miami Beach, FL

Buck Owens & His Buckaroos Light Up the Stage Again with 3-CD Live Anthology ‘Adios, Farewell, Goodbye, Good Luck, So Long’

Eric Alper
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Buck Owens & His Buckaroos Light Up the Stage Again with 3-CD Live Anthology ‘Adios, Farewell, Goodbye, Good Luck, So Long’

Omnivore Recordings has announced a new CD set of performances from Buck Owens And His Buckaroos titled Adios, Farewell, Goodbye, Good Luck, So Long: On Stage 1964-1974, to be released on June 27. The 3-CD set includes 78 live performances, 75 of which will appear on CD for the first time, plus 25 previously unissued tracks in the US, and 20 more previously unissued anywhere in the world. The packaging contains a 56-page book featuring photos and an extensive essay from Grammy-nominated writer/producer Scott B. Bomar.

There is no doubt Buck Owens and His Buckaroos were one of the biggest acts in the world from 1964–1974. Not only were they topping the music charts, they were filling concert halls worldwide. They were such a popular concert draw that many performances were recorded and released only in the corresponding foreign market. Unfortunately, much of that material never saw the light of day outside the country in which it was released. Until now.

Adios, Farwell, Goodbye, Good Luck, So Long: On Stage 1964–1974 is the first comprehensive look at Buck and the Buckaroos’ status as perhaps the greatest live country band during this revolutionary time in music. The collection features the recently discovered The Exciting Sounds Of Buck Owens And His Buckaroos Live From Richmond, Virginia, 1964 (on CD for the first time), plus tracks from the international releases Buck Owens’ Show In Japan, Live In New Zealand, and Buck Owens’ Show “Live” At The Sydney Opera House, as well as the US Top 10 albums The Buck Owens Show–Big In Vegas and Live At The Nugget.

What makes this chronological journey through Buck and his Buckaroos on stage even more essential is the addition of 20 performances available for the first time anywhere: sets from Macys 7th Avenue store from 1967, the 1973 Buck Owens Golf Tournament Dinner, and a 1973 Toys For Tots benefit at the Bakersfield Civic Auditorium.

With mastering and restoration from multiple Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves, Adios, Farwell, Goodbye, Good Luck, So Long: On Stage 1964–1974 is the definitive look at a catalog and career that remains untouched, unrivaled, and unbelievably important to popular music and culture.

Adios, Farewell, Goodbye, Good Luck, So Long: On Stage 1964-1974 Tracklist:

DISC 1
The Exciting Sounds Of Buck Owens And His Buckaroos Live From Richmond, Virginia, 1964
1. Intro
2. Act Naturally
3. Love’s Gonna Live Here
4. Together Again
5. My Heart Skips A Beat
6. Band intros
7. Orange Blossom Special
8. The Streets Of Laredo (The Young Cowboy)
9. I Don’t Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)
10. Close Up The Honky Tonks
11. Mexican Polka / Buck’s Polka
12. Truck Drivin’ Man
13. A-11
14. Release Me
15. Hello Trouble
16. I Don’t Hear You
17. Dang Me
18. Hello Walls No. 2
19. Long Tall Texan
20. Twist And Shout
Macy’s, 1967
21. Intro
22. Act Naturally
23. Buck talks to the audience
24. Together Again
25. Sam’s Place
26. Buck’s welcome & band intros
27. Orange Blossom Special
28. Leave Me Something To Remember You By
29. Round Hole Guitar
30. Tokyo Polka
31. Steel Guitar Polka
32. Medley: Crying Time/Don’t Let Her Know
33. Waitin’ In Your Welfare Line
34. Medley: My Heart Skips A Beat / I Don’t Care (Just As Long As You Love Me) / Love’s Gonna Live Here
35. Medley: Think Of Me / Where Does The Good Times Go
36. Medley: Tiger By The Tail / Open Up Your Heart
37. Medley: Under Your Spell Again / Above And Beyond / Excuse Me (I Think I’ve Got A Heartache) / Foolin’ Around / Hello Trouble / Truck Drivin’ Man

DISC TWO
Big In Vegas, 1969
1. Intro
2. Big In Vegas
3. Las Vegas Lament
4. Together Again
5. I’m A Natural Loser
6. Catfish Capers
7. Rovin’ Gambler
8. Along Came Jones
9. We’re Gonna Let The Good Times Roll
Live At The Nugget, 1971
10. Intro
11. Good Ole Mountain Dew
12. Nugget Lament
13. Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms
14. Buck talks to the audience
15. Ruby (Are You Mad)
16. We’re Gonna Get Together
17. I’ll Still Be Waiting For You
18. Johnny B. Goode
Golf Tournament, 1973
19. Buckaroo
20. Buck Owens intro
21. Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms
22. Buck talks to the audience
23. Big Game Hunter
Toys For Tots, 1973
24. Y’all Come
25. Tall Dark Stranger
26. Together Again
27. Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms
28. Big Game Hunter
29. Johnny B. Goode

DISC THREE
The 1974 International Tour Highlights
1. Y’all Come
2. Your Daddy Was A Preacher (And Your Mama Was A Dancing Girl)
3. Big In Vegas
4. Roll Over Beethoven
5. Talk & jokes
6. Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms
7. Medley: Act Naturally / Together Again / Love’s Gonna Live Here / Waitin’ In Your Welfare Line / Sam’s Place / Cryin’ Time / I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail
8. Green Onions
9. Duelin’ Banjos
10. Orange Blossom Special
11. Cajun Fiddle
12. Medley: Diggy Liggy Lo / Louisiana Man
13. On The Cover Of The Music City News
14. Made In Japan
15. Georgia Pineywoods
16. Dust On Mother’s Bible
17. Jackson
18. Somewhere Between You And Me
19. Looking Back To See
20. You’re Gonna Love Yourself In The Morning
21. Johnny B. Goode
22. Good Ole Mountain Dew
23. Ruby (Are You Mad)

Maria Muldaur Channels Her Inner “One Hour Mama” in Sassy, Soulful Blues Tribute to Victoria Spivey

Eric Alper
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Maria Muldaur Channels Her Inner “One Hour Mama” in Sassy, Soulful Blues Tribute to Victoria Spivey

Six-time Grammy nominee Maria Muldaur, who’s been dubbed “The First Lady of Roots Music” for previous albums touching on her wide-ranging influences from blues, country, folk, jazz and even jug band music, continues her exploration of the great American roots music songbook with the July 11 release of One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey, from Nola Blue Records. She’s joined on the new disc for duets by special guests multi-Grammy winner Taj Mahal and legendary bluesman Elvin Bishop, plus sessions with acclaimed New Orleans band Tuba Skinny.

From her long-time San Francisco Bay Area base, on One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey, Maria Muldaur honors her mentor, Classic Blues Queen Victoria Spivey. Known for her sassy, spunky Blues delivery, Spivey had her first big hit in 1926 with the self-penned risqué “Black Snake Blues,” the first of many naughty, bawdy Blues she wrote and recorded in her long and prolific career. As a Blues singer, she worked with many of the greats of her day: Louis Armstrong, Lonnie Johnson, Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, Blind Lemon Jefferson, etc., but expanded her career to include acting in movies and Broadway musicals throughout the ‘30s and ‘40s. During the folk and blues revival of the 1960s, Spivey started her own label, Spivey Records, giving recording opportunities to many old blues veterans as well as encouragement and support to budding new artists. She was the first to record Bob Dylan and offered Maria Muldaur her first opportunity to record, taking her under her wing and mentoring her in the fine points of performing and singing the blues. Now, more than 60 years later, Maria Muldaur presents an anthology of Spivey’s blues, both well-known and obscure, in loving recognition of both her personal impact and her vast contributions to the genre.

“When I was a young aspiring singer in the early 1960s, one of the great Classic Blues Queens of the 1920s and ‘30s, Victoria Spivey, took me under her wing and mentored me,” Muldaur remembers in the album’s liner notes. “Although, of course, I appreciated it at the time, over the years I’ve come to realize just how important her encouragement and support were to me and so many other musicians!

“To my surprise, a music writer recently dubbed her ‘The Madonna of the Blues,’ but thinking about it, I know exactly what he meant!  Victoria was ambitious, tenacious, sassy, spunky, boldly & unabashedly expressing her sexuality, versatile and multitalented, singing  and writing not just Blues, but pop and novelty songs of the day, dancing, playing piano and other instruments, acting in movies and stage shows, … and entrepreneurial… publishing her own Blues newsletter and starting her own record label, Spivey Records, to give recording opportunities to both old Blues veterans and young hopefuls just starting out (like myself and Bob Dylan, to name a few!). I was so pleased to find and collaborate with so many fine young musicians who are embracing and carrying forward the rich legacy of this ‘vintage music.’ This album is a loving tribute to Victoria Spivey for all she brought to the Blues and for the great influence she was on my musical journey. ENJOY!”

“This project is both professionally and personally very significant to me,” says Nola Blue Records president Sallie Bengtson.  “Similar to the ways in which Victoria’s support and encouragement of Maria were so important, I feel much the same about an industry icon like Maria placing her confidence in Nola Blue for her ‘bucket list’ project. She and I were first introduced at the conclusion of our label’s tenth anniversary celebration year, and it felt like divine affirmation of our efforts to that point and encouragement to stay the course!”

Maria Muldaur is best known world-wide for her 1973 mega-hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” which received two Grammy nominations, and enshrined her forever in the hearts of Baby Boomers everywhere; but despite her considerable pop music success, her music career could best be described as a long and adventurous odyssey through the various forms of American Roots Music. In September, 2019, The Americana Music Association awarded Maria “The Lifetime Achievement Americana Trailblazer Award” for her lifelong work of covering the depth and breadth of American Roots music and for being one of the pioneers who laid the groundwork for what we’ve come to call ‘Americana Music’. She has recorded 43 solo albums covering all kinds of American Roots Music, including Blues, Gospel, R&B, Jug Band, Jazz and Big Band, but has now settled comfortably into her favorite idiom, the Blues. In recent years, often joining forces with some of the top names in the business, Maria has recorded and produced at least a dozen Blues albums, garnering multi-Grammy nominations and various Blues awards.

One Hour Mama – The Blues of Victoria Spivey Track Listing:
1    My Handy Man    Andy Razaf
2    What Makes You Act Like That?
(duet with Elvin Bishop)    Lonnie Johnson
3    Don’t Love No Married Man    Victoria Spivey
4    Dreaming of You    Victoria Spivey
5    Organ Grinder Blues    Clarence Williams
6    No, Papa, No!    Victoria Spivey
7    One Hour Mama    Porter Grainger
8    Funny Feathers    Reuben Floyd & Victoria Spivey
9    Gotta Have What It Takes
(duet with Taj Mahal)    Victoria Spivey & Harold Grey
10    Any-Kind-A-Man    Hattie McDaniel
11    Down Hill Pull    Victoria Spivey
12    T-B Blues    Victoria Spivey

Tom McGuire & The Brassholes Announce Bold New Album ‘A Name For Everything I’ll Ever Be’

Eric Alper
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Tom McGuire & The Brassholes Announce Bold New Album ‘A Name For Everything I’ll Ever Be’

Scotland’s irrepressible funk-soul powerhouse Tom McGuire & the Brassholes are back with their most honest and emotionally resonant work yet. Their third studio album, A Name For Everything I’ll Ever Be, lands on May 30, diving deep into themes of fatherhood, identity, and growth—without sacrificing a shred of the infectious groove that’s become their signature.

Born in the bars and on the streets of Glasgow, the band first blew up with their viral anthem “Ric Flair.” Since then, they’ve become one of the UK’s most captivating live acts, sharing stages with the likes of George Clinton and Craig Charles, and selling out venues from Barrowland Ballroom to St. Luke’s. Their latest singles have landed on top-tier Spotify playlists like All Funked Up and I Love My 10’s Funk, a testament to their continued momentum and magnetic appeal.

But beneath the funk-fueled exterior lies a deeply personal core. For frontman Tom McGuire, the birth of his daughter was a life-altering shift—one that sparked an introspective fire powering much of the new album. Songs wrestle with becoming a protector, seeing his own parents in a new light, and making peace with vulnerability. It’s that rare blend of sweat-soaked celebration and quiet reckoning—music that moves your feet and hits your heart.

“Life is confusing and hard, but music is fun and great, so let’s talk about it whilst at the same time, getting down,” says McGuire. That spirit—equal parts reflection and revelry—defines A Name For Everything I’ll Ever Be, and cements the band as not just one of the UK’s most exciting live acts, but one of its most meaningful.

2025 UK Tour Dates:
September 5 – Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
September 6 – Beat Generator, Dundee
September 13 – Black Isle Calling, Munlochy
November 20 – The Brudenell, Leeds
November 21 – Manchester Academy 2, Manchester
November 22 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
November 27 – Islington Assembly Hall, London
November 28 – SWX, Bristol

Crow Black Chicken Return With Fiery New Album ‘Ghost Dance’

Eric Alper
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Crow Black Chicken Return With Fiery New Album ‘Ghost Dance’

After nearly a decade away from the studio, Ireland’s powerhouse blues rock trio Crow Black Chicken are back with Ghost Dance, their long-awaited fourth studio album and their first full-length release since 2016. The new record reaffirms their place at the gritty heart of modern blues rock—a genre they’ve been redefining since their formation in 2009.

Legendary roots artists have taken notice. Ray Wylie Hubbard praises their raw, dirty blues, while Alvin Youngblood Hart boldly declares, “CBC could save rock and roll.” Even Classic Rock Blues Magazine recognized their breakout potential from the beginning, noting the band’s refusal to be boxed in after their 2012 debut Electric Soup.

Ghost Dance was recorded at GAF Studios in County Tipperary with veteran producer Philip Magee, who also helmed their debut. The album’s lead single “Bottom Feeders” arrives with swagger and stomp, while “Make It Right” stretches into Americana territory with its textured guitars and rhythmic backbone. But it’s the blistering focus track, “Hot Molasses,” that fully captures the CBC essence: Christy O’Hanlon’s soulful vocals, Stephen McGrath’s steady basslines, and Gev Barrett’s percussive force, all working in lockstep.

Reflecting on the journey, the band said, “Ghost Dance is a really special album to us. It marks almost ten years from our last release—a decade spent rethinking, evolving, and focusing on the live end of things… It’s been a long road, but getting back into the studio and having the chance to work with Philip Magee again has all made it feel like the right time, almost full circle. We’re proud.”

From its whiskey-aged grit to its electrified soul, Ghost Dance is not a comeback—it’s a reaffirmation. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, it’s a chance to witness a band still burning with purpose and power.

The World’s Most Galactic Party: BigCityBeats WORLD CLUB DOME Launches Into the Moon Edition

Eric Alper
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The World’s Most Galactic Party: BigCityBeats WORLD CLUB DOME Launches Into the Moon Edition

What happens when you mix 50 Cent, TIËSTO, and astronauts? You get the most insane party on Earth—by way of the Moon. Germany’s premier club music festival, BigCityBeats WORLD CLUB DOME, already known for turning stadiums into interstellar raves, is literally shooting for the stars with its Moon Edition, taking over Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park from June 6–8, 2025.

Ranked #9 in the world by DJ Mag UK and powered by a production budget that could probably launch a real rocket, this festival isn’t just a weekend of music—it’s a three-day galactic odyssey. Picture 700,000 square meters of clubbing real estate, over 180 acts, a main stage inside a football stadium and outside it, pool sessions, forest stages, zombie zones, and yes—an actual Space Tech Hub.

Let’s talk about that lineup. Hip-hop royalty 50 Cent brings the swagger, Macklemore delivers the feels, and Rita Ora and John Newman soar with massive pop-soul vocals. Tiësto, the OG trance commander, returns to claim his throne, while Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike bring peak-hour firepower. Don Diablo warps time with future bass. Ben Böhmer and Folamour bring the vibe. Fisher brings the bounce. Angerfist brings the rage.

Techno-heads, rejoice. Boris Brejcha goes live in his signature masked glory. I Hate Models offers pure, cathartic chaos. Brennan Heart and the harder styles will shake your very atoms.

And just in case the beats weren’t enough, there’s the history. BigCityBeats once turned a plane into a party. They threw a zero-gravity rave with Steve Aoki. They streamed DJ sets from space. Now, with the Moon Edition, they’re not just celebrating club culture—they’re redefining it as an interplanetary experience.

This isn’t a festival. It’s a full-throttle sci-fi soundtrack with lasers, lights, and legends.

Final phase tickets are flying fast—€249 for the 3-day club ticket (plus fees). For liftoff details, visit moon.worldclubdome.com.

See you on the dancefloor… or the launchpad.

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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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