Jim Lauderdale News

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the next round of artist additions for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. Greensky Bluegrass, Mavis Staples, Paul Thorn, Cane Mill Road, Sweet Potato Pie, The Barefoot Movement, Nefesh Mountain, and Smitty and the Jumpstarters will be joining the annual homecoming of musicians and music fans on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, has announced Grammy-nominated musician Tab Benoit, gospel singer and pianist Oleta Adams, The Beach Boys founder Al Jardine and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Friday, January 31 at noon. Tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) is thrilled to announce that Greensky Bluegrass, Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, Sierra Hull, Ghost Light, and Jon Stickley Trio are added to The 4th Annual Suwannee Spring Reunion lineup along with a host of other acts. The festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, March 19-22 at SOSMP in Live Oak, FL.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Glimmer, Grammy-nominated Nashville-based singer/songwriter Kim Richey will release A Long Way Back: The Songs of Glimmer on CD and digital via Yep Roc Records on March 27. The album was previously a vinyl-only release.

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the next round of artist additions for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. Melissa Etheridge, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, The Marcus King Band, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and John Cowan will be joining the annual homecoming of musicians and music fans on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

On the heels of 2019's From Another World, the prolific, two-time GRAMMY Award-winning American music icon Jim Lauderdale will release his 33rd album, When Carolina Comes Homes Again,  March 6 on Yep Roc Records. The first single, “As A Sign,” co-written with Robert Hunter, is now available at all digital platforms.

MerleFest, presented by Window World®, is pleased to announce Trent Wagler (of The Steel Wheels), Darrell Scott, and David Holt as judges for the 28th Annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (CASC). 

City Winery Chicago has released its schedule (1200 W. Randolph St) for the month. All City Winery Chicago events are open to all ages and start at 8:00 p.m., unless noted.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 312-733-WINE (9463) or by visiting www.citywinery.com/chicago.

Known for their rowdy, energetic performances, Town Mountain has spent most of 2019 on the road, playing major festivals and venues across the country, including the legendary Grand Ole Opry. On September 30, the band made their debut at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, to a sold-out crowd alongside prolific singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen and Grammy-nominee Tyler Childers. Today, JamBase premiered the band's live performance of “Down Low” featuring Childers, who co-wrote the duet with banjo player and vocalist Jesse Langlais for Town Mountain's most recent album, New Freedom Blues. “It's always a pleasure to do shows with Tyler and The Food Stamps,” Langlais explains. “We love the guys and we love the music, brothers in arms! And it's always a highlight when Tyler comes up with us and performs 'Down Low'. Especially at a venue like Red Rocks where you can just feel the energy and magic in the air.”

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the next round of artist additions for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. John Prine, Billy Strings, Colin Hay, Kelsey Waldon, and Gangstagrass will be joining the annual homecoming of musicians and music fans on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Elle Varner, French-Dominican jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimée and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Friday, November 15 at noon. Tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the initial lineup for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “For over 30 years, one of the major factors that has built and sustained MerleFest has been the quality of the artists and performances that our guests see over the 4-day festival,” says Ted Hagaman, Festival Director. “People truly feel that the festival is a great value and that is why music fans and families return year after year. We feel that the 2020 lineup again reflects the diversity and quality of performers, and we look forward to another successful festival in April.” The complete lineup for MerleFest 2020 will be announced over the next few months. 

Robyn Hitchcock has unveiled a striking companion video for his recently released single, “Sunday Never Comes.” The clip – directed by award-winning Australian filmmaker Jeremy Dylan (Jim Lauderdale: The King of Broken Hearts) – is streaming now at Hitchcock's official YouTube channel.

Robyn Hitchcock has unveiled a striking companion video for his recently released single, “Sunday Never Comes.” The clip – directed by award-winning Australian filmmaker Jeremy Dylan (Jim Lauderdale: The King of Broken Hearts) – is streaming now at Hitchcock's official YouTube channel.

Nashville singer/songwriter Sam Williams has shared the video for his latest single 'Weatherman', a cover of his father Hank Williams Jr.'s 1981 hit. The visual, which features footage from Williams' show in London as direct support for country star Cam's OH, THE PLACES WE'LL GO Tour, premiered with CMT Music - who claimed the track just may evoke 'chills'.

Rain and sunlight are essential to life. True to that fact of nature, EmiSunshine and The Rain have been growing beautiful music since 2011.

Fresh off the heels of a fantastic Suwannee Roots Revival, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) is thrilled to announce the initial lineup and dates for its sister festival, The 4th Annual Suwannee Spring Reunion, set to take place Thursday through Sunday, March 19-22, 2020 at SOSMP in Live Oak, FL. 

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Glimmer, Grammy-nominated Nashville-based singer/songwriter Kim Richey will release A Long Way Back: The Songs of Glimmer on Yep Roc Records November 29. 

Steve Poltz has been described as a?oequite possibly the most talented and engaging solo performer on this planeta?? by Front Porch Music. The alternative folk singer, songwriter and all-around  free spirit has enjoyed a colorful career since striking out with San Diego cowpunk cult favorites the Rugburns in the early '90s. Along the way, the Canadian-American co-wrote Jewel's 1995 hit 'You Were Meant for Me,' and made a short major-label run of his own. Multi-platinum a?oemystery mana?? Jack Tempchin of Eagles songwriting fame, opens the show.  Poltz and company will take command of the Poway Stage on Saturday, November 2 starting at 8 p.m.

MerleFest, presented by Window World, will begin accepting entries for the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (CASC) on October 1. CASC is one of the most acclaimed songwriting contests in roots and Americana music and has a reputation for launching careers as well as drawing attention to important new talent. The contest is split into four genre-based categories including bluegrass, general, gospel, and country. First through third place winners will be chosen in each category at MerleFest 2020, set to take place on April 23 - 26, 2020. MerleFest is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C. First-tier tickets for MerleFest 2020 will go on sale on November 12th, with Tier 2 pricing beginning February 17th, 2020, and Tier 3 pricing beginning April 23rd, 2020.