Lauderdale has "Hope"

"The Opportunity To Help Somebody Through It," the first single from the singer-songwriter's 34th album, is out.

The 13-track album features songs about hope, courage and perseverance with arrangements reminiscent of '70s California folk-rock. "I wanted to get a musical message out there during this time of what we've all been going through, about the hope for better days ahead," Lauderdale said. "If we can find any glimmers of hope, that really helps get you through another day."

The disc includes the song "Memory," one of the last songs Lauderdale wrote with his decades-long songwriting collaborator, the late Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. When he penned the lyrics, Hunter didn't know how the song would act as a tribute to both him and all those lost in the past year. "Losing Robert just before the pandemic was so hard," said Lauderdale, "but he left the perfect lyric, to sum up my feelings about him and to honor all the people we've lost since."

The album's cover and packaging feature paintings by Maureen Hunter, Robert's wife.

"Hope" was co-produced by Lauderdale and his longtime collaborator Jay Weaver and recorded at Blackbird Studios In Nashville with many of the tracks engineered by Blackbird Academy students. "That was a learning experience for me, too," said Lauderdale. "I love the energy of working with such talented people just at the start of their careers. These kids are the future of our business."

Lauderdale was joined in-studio by musicians Chris Scruggs and Kenny Vaughan, Russ Pahl, Craig Smith, Will Van Horn, Micah Hulscher, Dave Racine, Pat Hubert, Wes L'Annglois and harmonies from Lillie Mae and Frank Rische.

The track list is:
1. The Opportunity to Help Somebody Through It
2. Sister Horizon
3. The Brighter Side of Lonely
4. Mushrooms Are Growing After the Rain
5. Memory
6. Breathe Real Slow
7. Brave One
8. Don't You Dream Anymore?
9. We Fade in We Fade Out
10. It's Almost More Than All the Joy
11. Here's to Hoping
12. When Searching for Answers
13. Joyful Noise