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Tyler Grant Releases New Album ‘Flatpicker’ Celebrating Bluegrass and Storytelling

Eric Alper
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Tyler Grant Releases New Album ‘Flatpicker’ Celebrating Bluegrass and Storytelling

Celebrated guitarist and songwriter Tyler Grant proudly announces the release of his seventh album, aptly titled Flatpicker, available today. Renowned for his extraordinary skill as one of bluegrass music’s finest guitar players, Grant showcases both his acclaimed guitar artistry and poignant lyrical storytelling throughout the album.

“His natural habitat is as one of our finest bluegrass guitar players…” says Craig Havighurst of WMOT, encapsulating Grant’s respected standing within the bluegrass community.

The album’s singles include the energetic bluegrass burner “Coming Home to Stay,” a spirited contemplation of whether life’s grass is genuinely greener elsewhere, and the compelling narrative-driven “Goat Canyon Trestle,” chronicling the largest wooden trestle ever constructed, still standing defiantly in the Mojave Desert of Eastern San Diego County.

Roots Music Rambler praises Grant, stating, “No one digs into a story as well as Grant does…” Highlighting the depth of storytelling, Grant shared with The Bluegrass Situation his inspiration for “Goat Canyon Trestle”: “It’s also about the ‘Impossible Railroad’ conceived by sugar and shipping magnate John D. Spreckels in 1906 and completed in 1919. History songs are tricky, and I am very proud of this one. The moral of the story is: If you take on the desert, it will always win.”

Grant, whose impressive career includes touring stints with Abigail Washburn, Adrienne Young & Little Sadie, and the Drew Emmitt Band—which evolved into the Emmitt-Nershi Band featuring Bill Nershi of The String Cheese Incident—was drawn to Colorado’s musical community and has made the Rocky Mountains his home since 2009. Fans can celebrate with Tyler at his local album release show on April 18 at eTown Hall in Boulder, CO.

Flatpicker vividly paints musical landscapes and narratives, with tracks like “Canyon Flatpicking,” “Where The Ocotillo Grows,” and “Sea Of Cortez” conjuring imagery of wild and natural beauty. Songs such as “Coming Home to Stay,” “The Beholder,” “Turn The Page,” “Waning Moon,” and “Orange Street” resonate deeply with themes of homecoming and human connection, while “The Tuk-Tuk,” “Depot Guitar,” and “Goat Canyon Trestle” adventure into narratives set amidst cultural and historical backdrops.

Music N Gear describes Grant’s new work as “Packed with nimble mandolin runs, banjo rolls, and Grant’s unmistakable guitar work, the track is a love letter to bluegrass tradition, carrying the energy of a train barreling toward the horizon.”

Jeremy Garrett Announces ‘Storm Mountain,’ His First Solo Album on Americana Vibes

Eric Alper
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Jeremy Garrett Announces ‘Storm Mountain,’ His First Solo Album on Americana Vibes

Jeremy Garrett, fiddle player & vocalist of The Infamous Stringdusters has announced the release of Storm Mountain, the seventh solo album of his career and first album release off of the band’s imprint Americana Vibes. With the release set for June 27th, Garrett gives listeners their first taste of the new album today with the release of the lead single “Fly Away to Your Love.” Listen to the new track HERE.

Storm Mountain follows Garrett’s well-received 2022 release River Wild and is an ode to his current life living “off the grid” in a cabin on 12 acres with his wife and eight-year-old daughter in a remote section of Theodore Roosevelt National Forest outside of Drake, Colorado. The collection of songs was inspired by the mountains he lives in and the idea that holds—whether it be living in joyous nature or the more pointed feeling one can have being surrounded by such intensity. Living in the mountains can be free and easy, yet an unforgiving place for those that aren’t prepared for the elements (and even if you are, it’s never completely easy). It was a metaphor he couldn’t resist when making the record.

“Fly Away to Your Love” sets the scene for Garrett’s new 10-song collection with its pulsating tempo and energetic picking. The song was co-written by one of Garrett’s longest writing partners, songwriter & journalist Jon Weisberger, adding to their expansive repertoire of over 100 songs. Expressed through four short verses in old time language, the track speaks to the idea of preserving a relationship when troubles may come and overcoming with grace.

“This is one of those driving bluegrass songs that speaks about love in an intangible way, using old time language to describe a stormy scene and drama,” says Garrett delving into the lyrical content, “Love birds being lost and hopeless in the storm of life and tragic circumstances.”

While bluegrass is often associated with light-hearted festival sets and late night picking sessions, Garrett aims to dig deeper with more serious, introspective subject matters and musical stylings that veer back into his more traditional lineage in gospel, country, and roots, “This is not a light-hearted record,” he explains, “Bluegrass is a lonesome music. I wanted this album to be more sophisticated than songs about trains and biscuits, to bring out the deeper content.”

Storm Mountain deals with such serious topics as a fall from grace (“Son of Perdition”), the bitterness of fate (“The Cold Hard Truth”), lost love (“Fly Away”), the meaning of life (“Anchor in the Deep”) and hopes for his daughter (“You’re Gonna Fly”). In addition, there are playful stabs at modern phenomena from social conventions (“Don’t Ask’) to UFOs (“Rosewell”). “I love weird stuff like that,” he laughed. “I study quantum physics, too.”

Other highlights include surprising, idiosyncratic covers of songs by Mr. Mister’s Richard Page (“The Border”) and U.K. classic rock band Free (“Fire and Water”).

“I wanted to draw on something a little different than what I do with the ‘Dusters. These are songs that don’t quite fit in with the crowds we usually play for. When I go back to the band, I’m way better and more fulfilled for having done these solo records.”

Garrettt’s collaborators on the record include banjo player Ryan Cavanagh (“a picker’s picker”), guitarist Chris Luquette, singer Lindsay Lou (“The Border,” “You’re Gonna Fly,” “Son of Perdition”), songwriting partner Josh Shilling, fiddle players Luke Bulla and Casey Driessen (“Rosewell”), bassist Travis Anderson, tenor vocalist Ray Cardwell (“Slow Train”) and Stringdusters colleague Andy Hall on Resophonic guitar/dobro (“You’re Gonna Fly”). He recorded the album in a one-room studio outside of Fort Collins, CO, at the foothills of the mountains, before he added his parts at his own Storm Mountain home studio.

With groups like Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident and current phenom Billy Strings updating bluegrass for a new generation of listeners as “jamgrass,” the genre has exploded. Jeremy Garrett, known to the Infamous Stringdusters’ loyal fan base as either G-Grass or Freedom Cobra for his dynamic stage presence, has been at the forefront of the revival.

“Bluegrass is a durable music,” he said.” It’s been around for a long time. It’s down home and hardy and you can play it anywhere. You don’t even need electricity. The Dusters are a traditional bluegrass band that brought in the elements of extended soloing into the mix.”

At 48 years old, Garrett is relatively young for a bluegrass veteran and looks forward to performing his music live for audiences.  “When I write songs now, it’s from the standpoint of someone who’s been through some life experiences over the past 20 years. My goal is for this record to be uplifting at the same time as it’s more reflective in terms of healing.

“You need to have the music serve the song first and foremost, but I still throw down the fiddle because that’s what people expect.”

With the Dusters about to celebrate their 20th anniversary next year with a new album, Garrett looks forward to finding time for the occasional solo performance along with his “day job.” His ultimate inspiration are guys like Larry Sparks (“Slow Train” on the new album is a tribute to him), Del McCoury and the late Ralph Stanley, who have performed into their 70s, 80s and 90s.

“I want to play this music forever,” said Jeremy.  With Storm Mountain, he continues on that path.

TRACK LIST

1.) The Border

2.) Cold Hard Truth

3.) Roswell

4.) Slow Train

5.) You’re Gonna Fly

6.) Don’t Ask

7.) Fly Away To Your Love

8.) Fire and Water

9.) Son of Perdition

10.) Wishful Thinking

Ghost-Note Expands 2025 Tour With New Northeast and Canada Dates

Eric Alper
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Ghost-Note Expands 2025 Tour With New Northeast and Canada Dates

Continuing the promotion of their acclaimed release Mustard n’Onions on Mack Avenue Records, Ghost-Note has extended their 2025 tour with new dates in the Northeast and Canada in late June and early July. Led by Snarky Puppy’s multi-GRAMMY-winning duo of drummer-keyboardist Robert “Sput” Searight and percussionist Nate Werth, the band embarks on their tour starting today with a star-studded funk ensemble whose credits include work with Prince, Erykah Badu, Herbie Hancock, Kendrick Lamar, Marcus Miller, Toto, and more. Tickets to all shows can be found HERE.

The 15 tracks on Mustard n’Onions — the band’s third LP, first new album in six years and debut for Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Music Group — further Ghost-Note’s mission to provide rhythm-hungry crowds with, per Sput, “a mind-blowing healing sensation.” From the Soul Brother No. 1 tribute “JB’s Out! (Do It Babay),” through the masterfully funky “Bad Knees,” a co-write by the group’s former bass player, MonoNeon, the psychedelic-soul-tinged “Grandma’s Curtains,” and “Nard’s Right,” one of R&B/jazz hero Bernard Wright’s final recorded appearances, Mustard n’Onions delivers Ghost-Note’s supremely danceable goods. The 10-piece band’s performances are bracing in their virtuosity, affecting in their soulfulness and inspired in their sonic choices.

But the album also presents a story of an ensemble maturing and solidifying and finding an identity. On the band’s freewheeling 2018 release, Swagism, the lineup was still developing and, as Sput explains, “We didn’t have a sound; we didn’t know what we were gonna sound like.” The music on Mustard n’Onions, he says, reflects the firmed-up character of a unit whose “camaraderie and chemistry” have accrued over countless gigs. What’s more, nearly every band member has at least one writing credit on Mustard n’Onions. Sput remains Ghost-Note’s primary writer and de facto musical director, but he’s now shaping his music for and with his bandmates.

With its more focused approach to funk and vocal performances like those on “JB’s Out!,” featuring current lead singer Mackenzie, and “Grandma’s Curtains,” showcasing Sput and Dominique Xavier Taplin, Mustard n’Onions can also be heard as a “sign of what’s to come” for Ghost-Note: more vocal-led tunes, a greater emphasis on songwriting. This is, after all, a band that simply cannot stop evolving, that seems to grow and learn with every year, every tour, every gig.

Still, you can be sure that whatever the next phase brings will remain, as Sput puts it, “positively, unapologetically funky.”

The tour begins tonight at The Venice West in Venice, CA and continues through New Mexico and Arizona before a string of dates throughout Colorado including a headlining show at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom as part of the inaugural Denver Jazz Fest. The group makes their way up to the Pacific Northwest before engagements at Chickie Wah Wah and Music Box Village for shows during the second weekend of New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Today’s announcement includes shows at Stephen’s Talkhouse in Amagansett, NY; Vogel Theater in Red Bank, NJ; Off the Rails in Worcester, MA; Jimmy’s Jazz in Portsmouth, NH, and more. Rising Australian singer, producer, and keyboardist Allysha Joy will support on select dates.

The band’s schedule also boasts a handful of festival plays including Mill Valley Music Festival, Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival, and a newly added play at The Rex Hotel during Toronto Jazz Festival. Ghost-Note is also slated to play the esteemed North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam Netherlands and San Jose Summer Fest in San Jose, California.

Full Tour Dates:
3/25/2025 Venice West – Los Angeles, CA
3/26/2025 MIM Theater – Phoenix, AZ
3/28/2025 Meow Wolf -Santa Fe, NM
3/29/2025 Public House – Crested Butte, CO
4/1/2025 Animas City Theatre – Durango, CO
4/2/2025 10 Mile Music Hall – Frisco, CO
4/3/2025 Aggie Theater – Fort Collins, CO
4/4/2025 The Fox – Boulder, CO
4/5/2025 Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom – Denver, CO
4/6/2025 Schmiggity’s – Steamboat Springs, CO
4/8/2025 Commonwealth – Salt Lake City, UT
4/9/2025 Shrine – Boise, ID
4/10/2025 The Get Down – Portland, OR
4/11/2025 Nectars – Seattle, WA
4/12/2025 Wild Buffalo – Bellingham, WA
6/21/2025 Stephens Talkhouse – Amagansett, NY
6/22/2025 Vogel Theater – Red Bank, NJ *
6/24/2025 Off The Rails – Worcester, MA *
6/25/2025 Levitate Backyard – Marshfield, MA *
6/26/2025 Jimmy’s Jazz – Portsmouth, NH *
6/27/2025 Ottawa Jazz Festival – Ottawa, ON
6/28/2025 Toronto Jazz Festival – The Rex Hotel – Toronto, ON
6/29/2025 Montreal Jazz Festival – Montreal, QC
7/1/2025 – Stage One – Fairfield, CT *
7/2/2025 Stone Church – Brattleboro, VT *
7/3/2025 Heuser Park King of Prussia, PA
7/5/2025 Colony – Woodstock, NY *
7/6/2025 Longs Park Summer Series – Lancaster, PA
* with support from Allysha Joy

Harrison Ford and Anthony Doerr Team Up for Powerful Biodiversity Plea

Eric Alper
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Harrison Ford and Anthony Doerr Team Up for Powerful Biodiversity Plea

Harrison Ford wants you to stop. Listen. And hear the quiet wonders of our planet before they’re gone. In a video essay written with Anthony Doerr for the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, he reminds us that protecting biodiversity isn’t just science—it’s poetry.

Beatbox Champion Wing Drops Jaw-Dropping Mouth-Only Single “Dopamine”

Eric Alper
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Beatbox Champion Wing Drops Jaw-Dropping Mouth-Only Single “Dopamine”

No instruments. No samples. Just a human beat machine. Beatbox champion Wing’s new single “Dopamine” is built entirely from sounds made with his mouth—and it’s absolutely hypnotic.

Nahre Sole Plays Rare Microtonal Piano at Czech Museum of Music

Eric Alper
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Nahre Sole Plays Rare Microtonal Piano at Czech Museum of Music

Imagine a piano so rare, only two exist in the world. Musician Nahre Sole played one of them—a microtonal grand piano with stacked keyboards tuned to quarter tones—at the Czech Museum of Music. Designed by Augustus Förster and Alois Hába, it’s as mind-bending as it is beautiful.

Anne Murray Announces ANNEversary Vinyl Reissues to Celebrate 80th Birthday

Eric Alper
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Anne Murray Announces ANNEversary Vinyl Reissues to Celebrate 80th Birthday

Today, Anne Murray announces the special re-issue of three classic albums, Let’s Keep It That Way, New Kind Of Feeling and Country. These ANNEversary editions, newly remastered for vinyl, will be available June 20 via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company. Fans can now revisit these timeless records with enhanced sound quality and special packaging, vinyl pre-orders are available now, see HERE.

Each ANNEversary edition is housed in a single jacket with a printed insert sleeve, staying true to the original release, and features newly created ANNEversary vinyl labels wrapped with a special colour matching OBI strip. The albums have been newly remastered for vinyl from the original tapes, delivering an upgraded sound that honours Murray’s unparalleled artistry and pressed on 140g Black vinyl.

The first re-issue, Let’s Keep It That Way, originally released February 1978, was Murray’s 14th studio album. The album topped both the Canadian Country and Pop charts and landed in the Top 10 on the US Country chart. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA and double Platinum in Canada, driven by the massive success of the single “You Needed Me” written by Randy Goodrum, remains one of the biggest hits of Murray’s career. The song reached No. 1 on the U.S. Pop charts, No. 4 on the Country charts, and No. 3 on the A/C charts and was also included in the UK issue of her next album, New Kind of Feeling. In 1979, Anne was awarded four Grammy Awards including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “You Needed Me”.

Following the massive success of Let’s Keep It That Way, Murray continued her chart domination with New Kind Of Feeling, initially released in 1979 on Capitol Records. In Canada, the album hit No.1 on the Country album charts, and No. 6 on the Pop album charts, while also reaching No. 2 on the U.S. Country charts and was certified Platinum in both Canada and the U.S. The album produced two major hits: “Shadows in the Moonlight” and “I Just Fall in Love Again”, both singles topped the U.S. Country and Adult Contemporary and Pop charts. “New Kind of Feeling” is a leading example of Murray’s ability to bridge pop and country music, showcasing her smooth vocals and emotional delivery.

The final re-issue, Country, was originally released in 1974 and became an RIAA Gold-certified compilation album. The album reached No. 6 on the Billboard Country albums chart and No. 32 on the Billboard Pop albums chart. The collection includes material from Murray’s earlier albums This Way Is My Way, Snowbird, Honey, Wheat and Laughter, Talk It Over in the Morning, Straight, Clean and Simple and Danny’s Song.

A true Canadian music icon, Murray’s voice and timeless music have defined a career spanning over five decades. She is a trailblazer in pop, country, and adult contemporary music with her catalogue amassing over 1 billion global streams (and counting), and over 55 million albums sold worldwide. She paved the way for young Canadian artists such as Céline Dion, Shania Twain, kd lang, Alanis Morissette, and Sarah McLachlan amongst others.

Murray’s influence is undeniable, she was the first Canadian female solo artist to reach No.1 on the U.S. charts, the first Canadian female to earn a Gold record for “Snowbird” (1970) and the first woman to win ‘Album of the Year’ at the Country Music Awards in Nashville for A Little Good News. Over the course of her career, she has earned four Grammy Awards, a record-breaking 26 JUNO Awards (the most JUNO awarded artist in history), three American Music Awards, three Country Music Association Awards, and three Canadian Country Music Association Awards.

On March 30, Murray was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the JUNO Awards, presented by the National Arts Centre. Marking a significant moment as she is the first artist to receive this prestigious honour since Pierre Juneau, the namesake of the JUNO Awards, who received it in 1989.

These special ANNEversary editions celebrate Anne Murray’s remarkable legacy, offering fans a new vinyl experience. Their release on June 20, 2025 holds extra significance, as it also marks Murrays’ 80th birthday – making it a truly special milestone in her illustrious career for fans worldwide. More exciting ANNEversary releases are planned throughout 2025—stay tuned!

Anne Murray is a Canadian music icon whose signature voice and time-honoured music have defined a career spanning over five decades. A trailblazer in pop, country, and adult contemporary music, her catalogue globally has surpassed 1 billion streams (and counting), and she has sold over 55 million albums worldwide, paving the way for artists such as Céline Dion, Shania Twain, kd lang, Alanis Morissette, and Sarah McLachlan. Her music continues to resonate across generations, marking life’s most meaningful moments. During her illustrious career, Murray received four Grammys, a record-breaking 26 JUNOS (and still holds the title of most awarded artist in JUNOS history), newly honoured with JUNO Lifetime Achievement Award, three American Music Awards, three Country Music Association Awards, and three Canadian Country Music Association Awards. She is a Companion of the Order of Canada — the highest honour that can be awarded to a Canadian civilian — and in 2007, Canada Post issued a limited-edition Anne Murray Stamp. She has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame, and the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award from the American Songwriters Hall of Fame. Murray has a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Nashville’s Walkway of Stars. Musically and philanthropically, Anne Murray continues to be an industry ground breaker, cementing her legacy as one of Canada’s most celebrated and influential artists.

ANNEversary Editions Tracklisting:

Let’s Keep It That Way:
Side 1
1. Let’s Keep It That Way
2. Walk Right Back
3. Just To Feel This Love From You
4. We Don’t Make Love Anymore
5. I Still Wish The Very Best For You
Side 2
1. You Needed Me
2. You’re A Part Of Me
3. Hold Me Tight
4. Tennessee Waltz
5. There’s Always A Goodbye

New Kind Of Feeling:
Side 1
1. Shadows In The Moonlight
2. You’ve Got What It Takes
3. I Just Fall In Love Again
4. Take This Heart
5. Yucatan Café
Side 2
1. For No Reason At All
2. Rainin’ In My Heart
3. That’s Why I Love You
4. (He Can’t Help It If) He’s Not You
5. Heaven Is Here

Country:
Side 1
1. He Thinks I Still Care
2. Cotton Jenny
3. Break My Mind
4. A Stranger In My Place
5. Snowbird

Side 2
1. Son Of A Rotten Gambler
2. Danny’s Song
3. What About Me
4. Just Bidin’ My Time
5. Put Your Hand In The Hand

The Estate of Otis Redding Marks 60th Anniversary of ‘The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads’

Eric Alper
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The Estate of Otis Redding Marks 60th Anniversary of ‘The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads’

The Estate of Otis Redding marks a milestone as March comes to a close, with this month marking the 60th Anniversary of Otis Redding’s sophomore album “The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads.” Celebrating 60 years since its release in March 1965, Redding’s second studio album displays Redding’s soulful artistry that have been a hallmark of the enduring legacy of his career.

Available via Warner Music’s Rhino Records on all major digital music providers, “The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads” is a 12-track soul classic. Originally released in 1965 on both Atlantic Records’ ATCO label and Volt, Redding’s second album was his first release for the newly formed Stax sublabel Volt. The album features original works written by Redding and others from the Stax roster, as well as Redding’s performances of some classic soul standards. Among these ballads are Redding’s first Top 10 single “Mr. Pitiful,” “I Want to Thank You,” “Come To Me,” Sam Cooke’s “Nothing Can Change This Love,” and more.

Called the King of Soul, Otis Redding’s thrilling performances and songs have continued to influence generations of listeners around the world, with a musical catalog of performances that includes “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “These Arms of Mine,” “Mr. Pitiful,” “Try a Little Tenderness,” “Respect,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” among many others. March also marked a milestone for “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” with March 16th marking 57 years when the song hit No. 1 on the charts and became the first posthumous No. 1 single in American music history. Also this March, the Otis Redding Foundation marked a milestone in continuing the work of Otis Redding, expanding upon his legacy of giving back with the grand opening of the long-awaited Otis Redding Center for the Arts (ORCA), with its official ribbon-cutting held on March 18th.

Serving students ages 5-18 in music and arts education, ORCA is a testament to the enduring legacy of Otis Redding, who was not only one of the greatest musical artists in the world, but was also a philanthropist committed to giving back to his community and enriching young people through the arts and education. The state-of-the-art facility in downtown Macon, GA has plans for programming that will also serve toddlers and senior citizens later this year. A bronze statue of Otis Redding, honoring “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” will be installed as part of the Zelma Redding Amphitheater on the Center campus later this spring.

Visit the Otis Redding site at https://otisredding.com/. For more details on the Otis Redding Foundation and the Otis Redding Center for the Arts, its team and upcoming programs such as the Otis Music Camp, visit https://www.otisreddingfoundation.org and www.orcamacon.org.

Spin Doctors Drop New Single “The Heart of the Highway” Ahead Of ‘Face Full of Cake’ Album

Eric Alper
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Spin Doctors Drop New Single “The Heart of the Highway” Ahead Of ‘Face Full of Cake’ Album

Today, ‘90s alt-rock icons the Spin Doctors released “The Heart of the Highway,” the third single from their upcoming LP Face Full of Cake, out April 11 via Capitol Records. Tackling the transient nature of life as an artist, the song is drenched in psychedelic guitars and zigzaging percussion – all tied together by Chris Barron’s unmistakable vocal delivery.

Next month, the band will play a special album release show at New York’s Brooklyn Bowl on April 12 followed by a four-night residency at Park City’s Egyptian Theatre in June and appearances at major festivals like Boston Calling, Bourbon & Beyond and Oceans Calling. This summer, they’ll also hit the road for a tour with Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms.

“One of the ongoing themes of this band is the juxtaposition of living your dream and doing what you love,” says Barron. “But paying the price of being away from home and the people that you love in order to do that. The song is a bit of a poem about how it feels to be far from home.”

From the album, the band has shared the nostalgic “Rock ‘N’ Roll Heaven,” which imagines an afterlife where the beer stays cold and the amps go up to 11, and “Still A Gorilla” which showcases a noisier, heavier sound and garnered praise from Rolling Stone who said the song is “genuinely surprising and fun, led by a marauding fuzzed-out riff.” The upcoming LP marks their debut on Capitol Records and the first Spin Doctors record with new bassist Jack Daley who joined the band full-time in 2021, rounding out the four-piece including Barron, guitarist Eric Schenkman and drummer Aaron Comess. Recorded at Daley’s Asbury Park, NJ studio, the album features a combination of the easy-going hook-forward songs and freewheeling jam sensibilities they’ve always exhibited with bluesy funk flavor and straightforward rock’n’roll.

“Spin Doctors fans are going to be knocked out by this new record,” shares Barron. “It’s got that vintage Spin Doctors sound of ear candy and denser material that harkens back to Pocket Full Of Kryptonite but with years of experience under our belts.”

Formed in 1988 in New York City, Spin Doctors’ full-length 1991 debut Pocket Full of Kryptonite sold over ten million copies across the world and spawned two massive singles: “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” which reached number two on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, and the now ubiquitous Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten hit “Two Princes,” which was the No. 1 Rock radio hit of 1993 and was nominated for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group at the GRAMMYs. They’ve appeared on SNL, played major festivals like Glastonbury and opened for The Rolling Stones. And after three decades and nearly two thousand shows, Spin Doctors remain as committed as ever.

Face Full of Cake Tracklist
1. Boombox
2. Rock ‘N’ Roll Heaven
3. Still A Gorilla
4. The Heart Of The Highway
5. Double Parked
6. I Liked You Better When Your Butt Was Big
7. The Buddha On The Lawn
8. She Don’t Love Me Anymore (Anymore)
9. I’m The Man (You Got)
10. While You’re Holding The Moon (Over Me)
11. She Stands Alone

Tour Dates:
April 8 – Green Cove Springs, FL – Clay County Fairgrounds %
April 11 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun %
April 12 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl %
April 18 – Niagara Falls, NY – Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino %
April 19 – Niagara Falls, NY – Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino %
May 17 – Richardson, TX – Wildflower Arts & Music Festival ^
May 23 – Boston, MA – Harvard Athletics %
May 23 – Moses Lake, WA – Moses Lake Spring Fest ^
May 25 – Allston, MA – Boston Calling Festival ^
May 31 – Baltimore, MD – Never Early Fest ^
June 5 – Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre %
June 6 – Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre %
June 7 – Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre %
June 8 – Park City, UT – Egyptian Theatre %
July 4 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre #
July 5 – Hays, KS – Wild West Festival ^
July 6 – Omaha, NE – The Astro Amphitheater #
July 7 – Cedar Rapids, IA – McGrath Amphitheatre #
July 11 – Rochester, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre #
July 12 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights #
July 13 – Creighton, PA – Iron City Stage #
July 18 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre #
July 19 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort – Ovation Hall #
July 21 – Harrington, DE – Delaware State Fair #
July 25 – Prior Lake, MN – Ribfest ^
July 26 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival #
July 27 – Green Bay, WI – Capital Credit Union Park #
August 7 – Chesterfield, MO – Chesterfield Amphitheater #
August 8 – Sedalia, MO – Missouri State Fair Campground #
August 9 – El Reno, OK – Lucky Star Amphitheater #
August 14 – Las Vegas, NV – Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa #
August 15 – Costa Mesa, CA – The Pacific Amphitheatre #
August 16 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square at Petco Park #
August 19 – Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery #
August 21 – Ridgefield, WA – Ilani Cowlitz Ballroom #
August 22 – Seattle, WA – TBA #
August 23 – Airway Heights, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest #
August 25 – Jacksonville, OR – Britt Pavilion #
August 26 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater #
August 30 – Scottsdale, AZ – Talking Stick Resort #
September 4 – Andover, KS – Capitol Federal Amphitheater #
September 5 – Thackerville, OK – Lucas Oil Live at WinStar World Casino and Resort #
September 6 – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheater #
September 12 – Albertville, AL – Sand Mountain Amphitheater #
September 13 – Peachtree City, GA – Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater #
September 14 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond Festival ^
September 26 – Ocean City, MD – Oceans Calling ^

% – Headline
# – with Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms
^ – Festival

Step-by-Step Guide to NIST 800-171 Compliance

Eric Alper
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By Mitch Rice

Did you know that small and mid-sized businesses comprising the government supply chain were hit by more than 70 percent of cyberattacks in 2024?

Thus, today, the security of sensitive data is not something optional; it’s a necessity. That said, if your organization has some responsibility to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) with U.S. federal agencies, you’re under a contractual obligation to comply with NIST Special Publication 800-171.

Whether you’re a defense contractor, IT vendor, or manufacturer, not complying is not just going to mean losing business or paying legal penalties; it is going to expose critical data to dangerous actors.

But the good news?

There’s no need to be overwhelmed by compliance, as we are here to help you.

This is a step-by-step guide to the NIST 800-171 framework for you to follow, which would help you protect your systems, meet federal regulations, and be ready for new cyber threats that can occur in 2025 and beyond.

What Is NIST 800-171?

NIST 800-171 sets forward a collection of security controls aimed at protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal information systems and organizations. Proper information handling was the aim behind its development, as sensitive government data should continue to remain secure in the hands of contractors and third-party organizations.

NIST 800-171 was originally mandated by the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and has turned into a standard for every organization doing business with federal or government agencies.

Nevertheless, staying compliant is a challenging task as there are numerous technicalities involved. Hence, you need professionally created editable NIST 800-171 compliance policies for your organization. These editable policy templates save you a significant amount of time and labor costs.

Why Is Compliance Important?

Failure to comply with NIST 800-171 can result in:

  • Loss of government contracts
  • Legal liability for data breaches
  • Reputational damage
  • Disqualification from future bidding opportunities

In addition, compliance is usually a prerequisite for other frameworks, such as CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification), making compliance a foundational requirement for future security endeavors.

So, in order to start your NIST 800-171 compliance journey, proceed with the below-mentioned steps.

Step 1: Understand 14 Control Families

The NIST 800-171 framework consists of 14 families of security requirements. Each family covers a specific area of cybersecurity, including:

  1. Access Control
  2. Awareness and Training
  3. Audit and Accountability
  4. Configuration Management
  5. Identification and Authentication
  6. Incident Response
  7. Maintenance
  8. Media Protection
  9. Personnel Security
  10. Physical Protection
  11. Risk Assessment
  12. Security Assessment
  13. System and Communications Protection
  14. System and Information Integrity

Understanding these categories is a foundation for a compliance assessment of your organization’s current state.

Step 2: Conduct a Gap Analysis

Perform a gap analysis comparing your cybersecurity control to NIST 800 171 requirements. This process will help you:

  • Identify missing or inadequate controls
  • Prioritize remediation efforts
  • Understand the scope of necessary improvements

This step is often done by many organizations via automated tools or consultants so that the assessment is comprehensive and accurate.

Step 3: Develop a System Security Plan (SSP)

A System Security Plan (SSP) is a key requirement of NIST 800-171 compliance. This document outlines:

  • Your current security controls
  • How each control is implemented
  • Any deficiencies or areas for improvement
  • Planned mitigation strategies

The SSP should be detailed, kept up to date regularly, and aligned with the real IT environment. This should be understood as your cybersecurity playbook.

Step 4: Create a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)

Once you have cleared your gap analysis, you will find non-compliance areas and will need a POA&M (Plan of Action and Milestones). This document lays out:

  • Specific steps needed to address each deficiency
  • Responsible personnel
  • Target completion dates

Having a POA&M demonstrates to agencies that your organization is intentionally working towards full compliance.

Step 5: Implement Necessary Security Controls

After you have received your SSP and POA&M, start pushing or improving your security controls. Some common updates include:

  • Enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Encrypting sensitive data at rest and in transit
  • Enhancing access controls and audit logs
  • Providing regular security awareness training
  • Improving incident response protocols

System upgrades, process changes, and training employees to match the necessary standards may be involved in this stage.

Step 6: Monitor and Maintain Compliance

NIST 800-171 compliance is not a simple check to be completed once. It is critical for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to continue ongoing protection.

Best practices include:

  • Regular vulnerability scans and risk assessments
  • Updating the SSP and POA&M as systems evolve
  • Continuous training and education
  • Periodic internal audits

Establishing a compliance culture in your organization allows you to stay compliant, as threats and technologies are always changing.

Step 7: Be Audit-Ready

Government agencies or primes may conduct audits or request documentation to verify compliance. To be audit-ready, make sure:

  • Your SSP and POA&M are current and accurate
  • All implemented controls can be demonstrated
  • Logs and audit trails are preserved
  • Staff are prepared to answer compliance-related questions

Being prepared minimizes the risk of failed audits and contract disruptions.

Step 8: Prepare for CMMC

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is gradually replacing self-attestation with third-party audits. NIST 800-171 forms the foundation of CMMC Level 2, which is required for organizations handling CUI.

By fully implementing NIST 800-171, you position your organization to meet future CMMC requirements with minimal friction.

Final Thoughts

Achieving NIST 800-171 compliance is a crucial step for organizations that work with the federal government. It not only protects sensitive data but also ensures your business remains competitive and contract-eligible.

The process may seem complex, but by breaking it into clear, manageable steps—understanding control families, conducting a gap analysis, creating your SSP and POA&M, and implementing controls—you can navigate the path to compliance efficiently and effectively.

Cybersecurity is no longer optional. Start today, stay vigilant, and set your organization up for long-term success.

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

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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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