Luke Bell’s time in the music world lasted just a few years, but he became a leader and inspiration in the country-western genre. He grew up on a Wyoming cattle ranch before heading off to Austin and then Nashville to pursue his true passion. “He was a wild man from the West, and he made country music through that lens,” said Stephen Daly, who played guitar in Bell’s band. “If you told him what to do, he would do the opposite. If you tried to rein him in, he’d push away. He always did what he wanted to do.”

This might be the most musically adventurous and ambitious album of the blues man’s long and storied career. The album contains thirteen original songs written by him or co-written with his Grammy-nominated producer Glen Scott, plus a cover of the title track, written by iconic singer-songwriter Janis Ian - whom Bibb has known since they were at high school together in New York in the ’60s - and Fred Koller. The album was recorded and mixed at Scott’s in Uppsala, Sweden, and features a stellar cast of musicians, including UK-based guitar virtuoso Robbie McIntosh (Paul McCartney, John Mayer). Eric Bibb has been nominated for a Grammy three times… Might this be the one that nets him a win? Released on January 30th.Listen on Apple Music

The second volume of the Red Album is a continuation of Carsie's effort to revive the proud American tradition of writing songs to inspire courage, defiance, and revolution with the power of short funny songs.

Langhorne Slim’s music has always been marked by diverse influences and unexpected turns. This time, he’s plugged in more than before: "I love acoustic music. I love folk music. But those aren't my only loves. Rock & roll has always tickled the same place in my soul as great singer-songwriter music, and I wanted to explore those influences. Raw songs that make you feel something: that's the stuff I'm after." His ninth album is scheduled for release on January 16th. He plays the Grey Eagle in Asheville on February 7th.

Mike Mattison is best known as a vocalist in the Tedeschi-Trucks Band and the Derek Trucks Band for over 23 years, though we also recall his cool work with the scrappy group Scrap-o-Matic, too. He has now released his third solo album, which he also produced. The album tells the story of Ted ‘n ‘Turk, a fictional 1930s Blues duo, who are “rediscovered” in the 1970s. It’s an intriguing story that uncovers a lot of the darker sides of the music industry, and Mattison says he’s also working on releasing this concept as a novella someday.

Having been friends and occasional touring partners for well over a decade, Asheville-based singer-songwriter-guitarist Tyler Ramsey and My Morning Jacket guitarist Carl Broemel have now made their full-length recorded debut with Celestun (out Jan. 15th). It is predominantly filled with lush, mostly acoustic instrumentals, although they each sing a song or two here as well.

Alexa is back living in the Asheville area, and has a new album out, following 2019’s Medicine For Living and 2021’s Headwaters.

On her new, 14th record, Mavis stands side by side with us in the face of dangers she knows all too well, at a time when more and more people have reason to wonder who and what could be lost. Produced by Brad Cook, it spans seven decades of the American songbook — a range nearly as vast as Mavis’ career — and includes reinventions of timeless songs as well as original music.

This Austin band features a triple-threat of songwriters in Marco Gutierrez, Daniel Davis, and Colin Gilmore (son of legendary Texas troubadour Jimmie Dale Gilmore), plus seasoned bassist/producer Eric Harrison and drummer Trinidad Leal.