August 7, 2020
Luke Bryan -
Born Here, Live Here, Die Here
(Capitol Nashville)
July 31, 2020
Mac McAnally -
Once in a Lifetime
(Mailboat)
Mac McAnally, a songwriter and 10-time CMA Musician of the Year winner, is out with another solo album. He had a hand in writing every song except for his cover of Lennon and McCartney's "Norwegian Wood." McAnally wrote the title track and first single with Drake White.
July 24, 2020
Tawny Ellis -
Love Life
( Self-released)
Tawny Ellis is out with an 11-song disc. Ellis worked with musician/producer Jesse Siebenberg (Lukas Nelson- Promise Of The Real, A Star Is Born soundtrack "Shallow", Lissie), and Ted Russel Kamp (Shooter Jennings, Jamie Wyatt), and long time partner Gio Loria (Jack Johnson, Black Eyed Peas, Everlast).
Lori McKenna -
The Balladeer
(CN/Thirty Tigers)
Lori McKenna, best known for her songwriting, continues her recording career with "The Balladeer." Produced by Dave Cobb and recorded at Nashville's historic RCA Studio A, this is considered the Stoughton, Mass. native's most personal album to date featuring songs that reflect on her relationships with her children, husband and family. McKenna wrote the majority of the album alone except for three tracks written with Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose, a group collectively known as the Love Junkies.
July 10, 2020
The Jayhawks -
XOXO
(Sham/Thirty Tigers)
The Jayhawks release its 11th album, which was recorded in their home haunt of Minneapolis. For the first time, all four band members - Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Karen Grotberg and Tim O'Reagan - had a hand in writing songs and singing lead vocals as well.
June 26, 2020
Corb Lund -
Agricultural Traffic
(New West)
Canadian country singer Corb Lund is out with his first album of original material in five years and follows "Things That Can't Be Undone" (2015), and the "Cover Your Tracks" EP (2019), a collection of covers. The new disc contains a dozen songs with the lead-off songs, "90 Seconds of Your Time," the first single.
Tenille Townes -
The Lemonade Stand
(Sony Nashville)
Canadian singer Tenille Townes has parlayed an EP released in February to a full-length release. Townes gained traction with "Somebody's Daughter."
June 19, 2020
Gaby Barrett -
Goldmine
(Warner)
Gaby Barrett makes her debut, propelled by the hit single "I Hope."
Clint Black -
Out of Sane
(Black Top)
Clint Black releases his 23rd album. The 12-song offering features 11 new songs co-written by Black plus a cover of "Everybody's Talkin'." Black wrote most of the songs with long-time co-writer Hayden Nicholas and Steve Wariner. The lead single is "America (Still in Love With You)."
June 5, 2020
John Baumann -
Country Shade
( Self-released)
John Baumann is a member of The Panhandlers, which also includes William Clark Green, Josh Abbott and Cleto Cordero. This is Baumann's third solo effort. Justin Pollard produced the 12 songs. Baumann helped write all 12.
May 29, 2020
Chris Bandi -
Chris Bandi
(RECORDS)
St. Louis native Chris Bandi makes his debut with this seven-song EP. He had a hand in writing four of the songs.
Jaime Wyatt -
Neon Cross
(New West)
Jamie Wyatt makes her New West debut. The 11-song set was produced by the two-time Grammy Award winning producer Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker). The album features Jennings on the song "Hurt So Bad" and Neal Casal on guitar, harmonica, and Wurlitzer in one of his final recordings before his death in August 2019. "Neon Cross" is the follow up to Wyatt's 2017 "Felony Blues" EP. Jessi Colter sings on "Just a Woman."
Kip Moore -
Wild World
(Universal)
Kip Moore releases his fourth studio album, which is thought to be his most personal album. Moore had a hand in writing all but one of the 13 tracks. He also self-produced with help from David Garcia, Luke Dick and Blair Daly.
May 22, 2020
Florida Georgia Line -
6-Pack EP
(Big Machine)
Florida Georgia Line releases a short six-song, 17-minute EP. The set includes "I Love My Country." "Second Guessing" was FGL's song selection on the American television series "Songland."
Steve Earle & The Dukes -
Ghosts of West Virginia
(New West)
Steve Earle latest effort focuses on the death 29 miners in a West Virginia coal mining accident in 2010. Seven of the 10 songs were written for a theatrical release "Coal Country."
Craig Morgan -
God, Family, Country
(Broken Bow)
High Valley -
Grew Up on That EP
(Warner)
Canadian brothers duo High Valley are out with their second release.
Jarrod Dickenson -
Ready for the Horses
(Hooked)
Texas-born and Nashville-based Jarrod Dickenson's release finally sees the light of day three years after out abroad. Dickenson combines Americana, country, the blues and a bit more on the 10-song release.
Tessy Lou Williams -
Tessy Lou Williams
( Self-released)
After two albums with Tessy Lou and the Shotgun Star, Tessy Lou Williams is out with her solo debut. Raised in Montana, Williams has lived in Austin for about a decade, but recorded the 10-song album in Nashville. Williams' music is traditional and geared for the honky tonks. Luke Wooten produced the set.
Daryl Mosley -
The Secret of Life
(Pinecastle)
Daryl Mosley was a member of the bluegrass band New Tradition. He later formed The Farm hands in 2010. The disc, produced by Danny Roberts and Mosley, contains 11 songs, all of which were penned by Mosley.
May 15, 2020
Travis Denning -
Beer's Better Cold
(Mercury Nashville)
Travis Denning first gained some play with his single Top 40 debut single "David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs." This is a six-song EP, produced by Jeremy Stover, but that single is not on the release. Instead, it does include "After a Few" and a few songs about beer from the Warner Robins, Ga. native. Denning wrote five of the six songs. He has had cuts from Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, Michael Ray and Chase Rice along with Michael Ray's hit "Her World or Mine."
Special Consensus -
Chicago Barn Dance
(Compass)
Special Consensus celebrates 45 years as a bluegrass band with with this love letter to Chicago, hometown of band founder and banjo man Greg Cahill. The title track, penned by Becky Bulle, MIssy Raines and producer Alison Brown, tells the story of the WLS Barn Dance. Former band member Robbie Fulks wrote "East Chicago Blues" for the 11-song release.
Sara Evans -
Copy That
(Born to Fly)
Sara Evans takes the covers route on her latest. She recorded everything from "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" to "My Sharona." Old Crow Medicine Show kicks in backing vocals on the former.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit -
Reunions
(Southeastern/Thirty Tigers)
Jason Isbell releases his seventh album. Production was handled by Dave Cobb with guest vocals by and Jay Buchanan of Rival Sons and David Crosby. The release contains 10 songs with some of the songs released in recent months.
Marshall Chapman -
Songs I Can't Live Without
(TallGirl)
Marshall Chapman fulfills her bucket list of recording songs that made a difference to her. Chapman begins with Leonard Cohen's "Tower of Song," which she sings for the first time while recording it, and ends with "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," the first song she remembers singing as a child. In between are classics by Otis Blackwell, Goffin/King, J.J. Cale, Bob Seger, and even Chet Baker. Neilson Hubbard produced the nine-song release.
Chase Rice -
The Album Part II
(Broken Bow)
Chase Rice continues releasing EPs with his second one of the year. "Part II," which follows the January release of "Part I," contains four songs. Both EPs will be part of a full-length slated for later this year.
Gretchen Peters -
The Night You Wrote That Song: The Songs of Mickey Newbury
(Scarlet Letter)
Veteran songwriter Gretchen Peters gives Mickey Newbury the tribute treatment. Peters and husband and co-producer Barry Walsh recorded a few songs, as a sort of trial run, at Cinderella Studio, where Newbury recorded a trio of albums in the late '60s/early '70s. The disc contains a dozen songs. Guests include guitarist Buddy Miller harmonica player Charlie McCoy and Will Kimbrough.
May 8, 2020
Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen -
Hold My Beer, Vol. 2
( Self-released)
Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen release their second collaboration together with a generally good time feel.
May 1, 2020
CJ Solar -
Coming My Way
(Sony Music Nashville)
CJ Solar makes his label debut with a six-song EP, "Coming Your Way." He helped write "Up Down," a hit for Morgan Wallen. Jason Aldean and Justin Moore also have cut his songs.
Kenny Chesney -
Here and Now
(Warner)
Kenny Chesney makes his label debut. Again co-produced with longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon (Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, Merle Haggard), with additional production assistance from Ross Copperman, it balances sparse tracks featuring acoustic instruments with drum machines and phased vocals.
American Aquarium -
Lamentations
(New West)
American Aquarium leader BJ Barham said, "Lamentations is a 10-song rumination on the current state of the world around me. I was raised in the faith, and the book of Lamentations was always one that caught my attention. A broken man crying out to the heavens, asking why God sat back and let his country fall apart. Questioning the sheer existence of a higher power in the lowest of times. How could an all loving God sit back and let an entire nation's cry for help go unanswered? I saw many parallels in that story and the current climate of this country in 2020. There are a large group of people who were promised something in 2016. They are still waiting for those promises to be fulfilled. This is a record about the things that break people. Religion, politics, addiction, love, money, family, history. I believe it is an empathetic look at the other side. A group of stories about losing everything and still finding the will to stand back up and fight for the things that matter the most." The disc contains 10 songs.
Hot Country Knights -
The K is Silent
(Capitol Nashville)
Hot Country Knights is the alter ego of Dierks Bentley, who assumes lead single in a band that is big on an '80 retros look. Others band members are from Bentley's band as well. Travis Tritt and Terri Clark help out on the CD, which offers a mix of ballads, tonkers and revved up country.
April 24, 2020
Lucinda Williams -
Good Souls Better Angels
(Highway 20)
Lucinda Williams get together with producer Ray Kennedy for the first time since her landmark album "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road." WIlliams' husband, Tom Overby, also helped produce. Williams tackles various social and political issues on the release.
Pam Tillis -
Looking for a Feeling
( Self-released)
Pam Tillis releases her first album of non-holiday music in 13 years on this introspective collection.
Ana Cristina Cash -
Shine
(Cash Cabin Enterprises)
If the last name is familiar, you'd be right in making the connection. Ana Cristina Cash is married to John Carter Cash, the son of Johnny. She wrote or co-wrote every song on the 14-track album, aside from her renditions of "Dream" by Roy Orbison and "Seminole Wind" by John Anderson. A special co-write to note is "Brand New Pair of Shoes," done with her father-in-law
Chatham County Line -
Strange Fascination
(Yep Roc)
Chatham County Line is making a change after two decades. "Strange Fascination" is the final release with co-founding banjo player Chandler Holt, the first line-up change since 2001, and the first to feature drums on every song. Dave Wilson (guitar/vocals/songwriter), John Teer (mandolin/fiddle/vocals), and Greg Readling (bass/pedal steel/piano) welcome percussion to its line-up with long time friend Dan Hall on drums. Produced by Dave Wilson and the band, 'Strange Fascination" was recorded at Mitch Easter's Fidelitorium Recordings in Kernersville, N.C. The band was joined in-studio by Yan Westerlund (Mipso, Phil Cook) on drums, and the album was mixed and engineered by Chris Boerner (Hiss Golden Messenger, The Foreign Exchange).
Whitney Rose -
We Still Go to Rodeos
(MCG)
Whitney Rose returns with a dozen-song disc recorded in Austin where the Canadian-born singer now lives. Payl Kolderie produced the set. Among those helping out Rose are drummer Lisa Pankratz, bassist Brad Fordham and guitarist Rich Brotherton.
April 17, 2020
Ben Bostick -
Among the Faceless Crowd
( Self-released)
Ben Bostick is a South Carolina-raised, Georgia-based country singer-songwriter and one man band. His influences range from Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen to Otis Redding and Tommy Emmanuel. This is his fourth release since 2016.
Colt Ford -
Chicken And Biscuits (Second Helping)
(Average Joe's)
"Chicken And Biscuits (Second Helping)" is an expanded version of Colt Ford's 2010 sophomore release, "Chicken And Biscuit." The 20-song collection contains six new tracks added along with remixes and live versions of familiar songs.
Adam Doleac -
Famous
(Sony/Arista)
Adam Doleac makes his label debut with a six-song EP. Doleac offers a more soulful/pop sound. He has previously released two EPs. Doleac, a Hattiesburg, Miss. native, has written songs with Darius Rucker ("Don't") and Kane Brown ("Pull It Off").
Bobby Bare -
Great American Saturday Night
(Sony Legacy)
Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare releases a live album of Shel Silverstein years, which never had previously seen the light of day. Recorded in 1978, the album focuses on real-life topics seen through the lens of the weekend party scene that America has become known for. The disc was recorded at RCA Studio B in Nashville and was the final album recorded on Bare's deal with RCA. Bare left RCA for Sony where he enjoyed success, but the album remained unreleased.
Paul Burch & WPA Ballclub -
Light Sensitive
(Plowboy)
Recorded in Nashville with his longtime band the WPA Ballclub along with guests Luther Dickinson, Robyn Hitchcock, Amy Rigby and Aaron Lee Tasjan, Paul Burch is out with an eclectic 12-song release. The album's spirit of dislocation and lost opportunities was inspired by a visit to Burch's one-time hometown of Oxford, Miss. The disc was co-produced by Burch and and T-Bone Burnett collaborator/bassist Dennis Crouch.
Shelby Lynne -
Shelby Lynne
(Thirty Tigers)
Shelby Lynne releases her first album since 2015's "I Can't Imagine." This is an album of mostly solo, spare music that digs deep. The emphasis is on Lynne's vocals. The recording proceeded from a collaboration between Lynne and lyricist/director /screenwriter Cynthia Mort that morphed into an unreleased, full-length feature film, "When We Kill the Creators," featuring several live recordings made right on the set of the production.
April 10, 2020
Watkins Family Hour -
Brother Sister
(Family Hour Records/Thirty Tigers)
Brother and sister duo Sara and Sean Watkins release this 10-track recording.
Webb Wilder -
Night Without Love
(Landslide)
Veteran singer Webb Wilder returns with his 11th album, recorded at George Bradfute's Tone Chapparal studio near Nashville. The Mississippi native combines outlaw country and rock. Wilder received help from Richard Bennett (Emmylou Harris, Mark Knopfler), harmony vocalist Rick Schell, and Bradfute. The disc includes "Tell Me What's Wrong," originally recorded by an English pub band, The Inmates, plus songs penned by R.S. Field, Russell Smith (of the Amazing Rhythm Aces), Chip Taylor ("Holdin' On To Myself," initially recorded by country artist Stoney Edwards), David Hidalgo and Louis Perez of Los Lobos ("Be Still"), and Tommy Tucker.
Steep Canyon Rangers -
North Carolina Songbook
(Yep Roc)
Steep Canyon Rangers pay homage to songs penned by North Carolina natives at the bluegrass band's MerleFest 2019 performance. Ola Belle Reed and Elizabeth Cotten, Thelonious Monk, Doc Watson, James Taylor and Ben E. King were among the artists honored.
Pokey LaFarge -
Rock Bottom Rhapsody
(New West)
Pokey LaFarge returns on a new label after spending time on Rounder Records. The St. Louis native also headed west to live in Los Angeles.
Maddie & Tae -
The Way It Feels
(Mercury Nashville)
Maddie & Tae release their second full-length disc after putting out an EP in the fall of 2019. In fact, the CD is comprised of songs from their two recent EPs plus five brand new tracks all co-written by Maddie & Tae. The 15-song set was produced by Jimmy Robbins and Derek Wells. Songs include "Tourist in This Town" and "Lay Here With Me" featuring Dierks Bentley.
John Anderson -
Years
( Self-released)
Traditional country singer John Anderson is out with his first release. Dan Auerbach of Black Keys produced the disc with the two writing all of the songs.
April 3, 2020
Eliza Gilkyson -
2020
(Red House)
Folk/rootsy singer Eliza Gilksyon returns with "2020." The 10-song set was produced by Cisco Ryder Gilliland and recorded in Austin. Bukka Allen, Warren Hood and Kym Warner, formerly with The Greencards, all helped out as did Betty Soo on harmony vocals.
Western Centuries -
Call the Captain
(Free Dirt)
Seattle-based roots band Western Centuries is out with its third album. The group consists of Cahalen Morrison, Ethan Lawton and Jim Miller. The dozen-song set was produced by Thomas Bryan Eaton and Bill Reynolds of Band of Horses fame. Jim Lauderdale sings harmony vocals on two tracks, as well as lead on the final verse of "Space Force." After meeting in Seattle in 2010, the three began collaborating. In 2016, Western Centuries released "Weight of the World," their first record featuring songs from all three writers and "Songs from the Deluge" in 2018. Miller co-founded and spent years playing with Donna the Buffalo. Morrison carved out a following with his folk duo with Eli West, and Lawton previously played with such outfits as Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers.
Ashley McBryde -
Never Will
(Warner Nashville)
Ashley McBryde releases her sophomore album. "Never Will," produced by Jay Joyce, contains 11 tracks including lead single "One Night Standards." McBryde had a hand in writing nine of the songs.
Sam Hunt -
Southside
(MCA Nashville)
Sam Hunt releases his second album after a tremendously successful debut, which was not particularly country sounding. The disc contains songs released over the past several years including "Beauty Like a Back Road."
March 27, 2020
Kim Richey -
A Long Way Back: The Songs of Glimmer
(Yep Roc)
Veteran singer Kim Richey is back with a re-cutting of the songs from "Glimmer," release two decades ago. The new versions are stripped down efforts.
Mark Erelli -
Blindsided
( Self-released)
Mark Erelli, best known as the long running guitarist for Lori McKenna, releases a solo disc. Zach Hickman produced the 11-song set. Erelli had a hand in writing every song. The material takes on a rootsy/Americana sound.
Ingrid Andress -
Lady Like
(Warner Nashville)
Ingrid Andress releases her debut for the label.
Saints Eleven -
This Town
( Self-released)
Texas trio Saints Eleven returns with a six-song CD. Lead singer and guitarist Jeff Grossman wrote all of the material. Travis Udall is on bass and Alex Shepherd on drums.
Thomm Jutz -
To Live In Two Worlds Volume 1
(Mountain Home)
Thomm Jutz is a songwriter, producer and guitar player whose songs have been recorded by Balsam Range, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Terry Baucom, Nanci Griffith and Kim Richey. This is the first of two sets. He has previously released two bluegrass solo records, "Volunteer Trail" and "Crazy If You Let It." Jutz produced the 14-song set.
Jim Lauderdale -
When Carolina Comes Homes Again
(Yep Roc)
The prodigious Jim Lauderdale returns to bluegrass music with his latest effort. He also pays tribute to his home state of North Carolina, employing artists from the Tar Heel state including Steep Canyon Rangers and Balsam Range.
March 20, 2020
Kelsea Ballerini -
kelsea
(Black River)
Kelsea Ballerini releases her third CD, which contains the single "homecoming queen." The disc contains 13 songs. Ballerini has said this is her most personal release.
March 18, 2020
Nick Nace -
Wrestling With the Mystery
( Self-released)
Nick Nace is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter originally from Ontario. Nace, who has released two previous albums, recalls Justin Townes Earle vocally.
March 13, 2020
The Shires -
Good Years
(BMG)
The Shires, the duo of Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, are out with its fourth album. Lindsay Rimes (Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, LOCASH) produced the dozen-song set, 10 of which were written by Earle and Rhodes.
King James Boys -
Living On A Promise
(Morning Glory Music))
The King James Boys are a band out of South Carolina known for their uplifting music fueled by their vocals, musicianship and gospel message.
Dave Simonett -
Red Tail
(Thirty Tigers)
Trampled by Turtles Dave Simonett goes the solo route with this eight-song release. While Simonett previously recorded and performed as a solo artist under the Dead Man Winter moniker, "Red Tail" is something quite different. Simonett drew inspiration from the Northern woods in his home state of Minnesota. He recorded half of the album on his own in Minneapolis and the other half with friends at revered Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, Minn.
Caitlyn Smith -
Supernova
(Monument/Sony)
Caitlyn Smith returns with her sophomore effort.
March 8, 2020
The Mastersons -
No Time for Love Songs
(Red House)
The Masterons are husband-and-white Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore. Their regular gig consists of being members of Steve Earle's backing band The Dukes. On their own, they offer 10 songs that are on the softer side. Shooter Jennings produced the set, which was recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywod, Cal.
March 6, 2020
Steep Canyon Rangers -
Be Still Moses
(Yep Roc)
The Steep Canyon Rangers go the live route with help from the Asheville Symphony. The set also includes an appearance from Boyz II Men.
Lauren Alaina -
Getting Good
(Universal Nashville)
Lauren Alaina releases a six-song EP, her first release since "Road Less Traveled" from 2017.
The Panhandlers -
The Panhandlers
(Motel Time Music / The Next Waltz)
The Panhandlers are comprised of Texas musicians Josh Abbott, Cleto Cordero (Flatland Cavalry), John Baumann and William Clark Green. The set contains 10 songs.
Brandy Clark -
Your Life is a Record
(Warner)
Washington native Brandy Clark, who has enjoyed much success as a songwriter, is out with her third full-length and first since 2016's "Big Day in a Small Town." Jennifer Nettles and Kacey Musgraves have recorded many Clark songs.
