Wanda Jackson, Simpson, McMurtry, Booth, Williams lead new releases
Sturgill Simpson continues his bluegrass explorations with a concept album, "The Ballad of Dood and Juanita." This is Simpson's third album in 12 months, having dropped "Cutting Grass Vol. 1: The Butcher Shoppe Sessions" in October 2020 and "Cutting Grass Vol. 2" in December 2020. Written and recorded in less than a week, the disc features the same musicians who played on the "Cuttin' Grass" albums.
James McMurtry's new effort, "The Horses and the Hounds," is the singer's first release in seven years. McMurtry recorded the new album with producer Ross Hogarth (Ozzy Osbourne, John Fogerty, Van Halen, Keb' Mo') at Jackson Browne's Groove Masters in Santa Monica, Cal. McMurtry and Hogarth first worked together 30 years ago, when Hogarth was a recording engineer in the employ of John Mellencamp at Mellencamp's own Belmont Studios near Bloomington, Ind. Hogarth recorded McMurtry's first two albums, "Too Long in the Wasteland" and "Candyland," for Columbia Records and later mixed McMurtry's first self-produced album, "Saint Mary of the Woods," for Sugar Hill Records.
Tyler Booth, a 24-year-old Kentucky native, is out with a six-song EP, "Grab the Reins." Booth has a more traditional approach that recalls Jamey Johnson. Booth gained some attention with his song "Hank Crankin' People." He released two singles on Sony in 2019 after self-releasing a self-titled EP in 2017.
Runaway June is out with a three-song EP, "backstory." Each song is a different type of break-up song. The group consists of Naomi Cooke, Natalie Stovall and Jennifer Wayne. Stovall joined the group last year following the departure of Hannah Mulholland. The set was produced by Dann Huff and Mark Trussell.
Sam Williams, a grandson of Hank Sr. and son of Hank JR., is out with "Glasshouse Children" on Mercury Nashville. The record includes co-writes with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, Sean McConnell and Jaren Johnston of The Cadillac Three. Dolly Parton helps out on "Happy All The Time" and Keith Urban on "Kids.
Country singer Sierra Ferrel makes her Rounder debut with "Long Time Coming." The West Virginia native was produced by Australian musician Stu Hibberd and 10-time Grammy-winner Gary Paczosa (Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, Sarah Jarosz) co-produced the album, which Ferrell recorded at Nashville's Southern Ground and Minutia studios. Sierra is also joined by Billy Strings, Sarah Jarosz, Dennis Crouch, Jerry Douglas, Tim O'Brien and Chris Scruggs.
More news
- 02/11/25: Del Rey, Hagar, Nelly, Ferrell play Stagecoach's Palomino Stage
- 01/31/25: Ferrell, Nefesh Mountain offer new music
- 01/03/25: Ferrell expands "Trail of Flowers"
- 11/29/24: For Runaway June, "He Ain't My Problem"
- 11/19/24: Post Malone goese on The BIG ASS Stadium Tour
- 09/19/24: Ferrell wins big at Americana awards
- 06/05/24: Simpson, aka Johnny Blue Skies, surfaces with new disc, tour
- 05/10/24: Kelley, McCreery, Peck release new music
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