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He’s been a “music visionary” in Tex-Mex, Hawaiian, Reggae, Country, and more these past 50+ years, but he’s come back to his bluegrass roots on this new one. With talents like Billy Strings, Shawn Camp, Molly Tuttle, Lindsay Lou, and Mark Howard, the album also features Peter’s own band of extraordinary young players like Christopher Henry (mandolin), Max Wareham (banjo), Julian Pinelli (fiddle), and Eric Thorin (acoustic bass). “I’ve got a young band, it’s fabulous,” Peter has said. “They’re bursting with ideas. They’re in their years of inspiration.” Released June 24th.

They reunited at Levon’s beloved Woodstock barn studio in 2011, some 40 years after their collaboration for The Band’s The Last Waltz. They’d each had a year of redemption and renewal, in their careers and overall, and their faith and jubilation can be heard in these recordings, now finally released. You’ll likely recognize most of the songs, culled mainly from Gospel and the Civil Rights movement, with Levon mostly focusing on his trademark drumkit foundation, to let Mavis’ voice – and those of her sister Yvonne and Levon’s daughter Amy – guide their two respective bands here.

As the music journal No Depression writes, "Forbert’s genius lies in his artful way of telling funny and memorable stories about the hopes and dreams of ordinary folks across America. In that way, he continues to follow in the footsteps of his folk music hero and fellow Meridian, Mississippi, native Jimmie Rodgers.” He’s released 20 albums since his 1979 breakthrough Jackrabbit Slim with “Romeo’s Tune”, and this new one show’s the elder statesman of Americana music still has that knack for telling compelling stories of everyday people across America.

Nicki has collaborated with Oliver Wood, Karl Denson, Erin Rae, A.J. Croce and others on this self-reflective album about building back trust in one’s self, rather than being just some vessel for the expectations of others. “Writing songs is often a way for me to talk myself down when my ruminating mind won’t stop”, Bluhm says. “I have to remind myself that it’s important to sit with hard feelings, to know what I’m in control of and more importantly of what I’m not. To learn how to be comfortable within the discomfort.”

“Secular spiritual music” is what Charlie calls his work. He’s been crafting it for some 60 years now, and released nearly 40 albums on a variety of labels. Straight up blues for sure, but often mixing in elements of jazz, gospel, Tex-Mex, Cuban and other styles, too. He’s recently moved from Northern California back to Mississippi, and this new one definitely has a strong Clarksdale red-clay feel. “Blues tells the truth in a world that’s full of lies,” the master harmonica player says. The album will be released on Friday, June 3rd.

Lyle is back! It’s his first album in 10 years, with his excuse being -- among other things -- fatherhood for the first time, of twins who are now 5 years old. This new one features a mix of a few new originals, standards by Nat King Cole and Dave Frishberg, and a Horace Silver instrumental, representing Lovett’s dynamic live performances, all with his impressive Large Band. “Not many people in their lives get to do something their whole life that they love to do,” he says. “And I’m grateful for that.”

After a couple albums with the band Sons of Fathers, “Big Velvet” (a nickname courtesy of his deep, smooth baritone) is now releasing his third solo album. His love for outlaw country (Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, etc.) is still there, but this time he’s a little more adventurous with synthesizer, a bit of a funk and even disco groove, and a whole lot of sneering satire. A couple of the songs, we can’t even name on the radio. Count on us to turn it up for the others, though!

He achieved the rare distinction of ranking TWO albums in WNCW’s Top 100 last year. There’s no doubt his genuine reverence for that classic sound of Nashville’s golden era of Country music resonates, perhaps especially thanks to his “Gulf & Western” sound of blues, Cajun, and western swing from his Texas/Louisiana/Gulf Coast origins. Crockett shines once again with this fourth installment in his “Lil’ G.L. Presents” series, with renditions of Jerry Reed, George Jones, Tom T. Hall, and others.

Ketch Secor and company are back, with the vigor and passion that is certainly an Old Crow trademark! Appalachian stringband meets roots rock and even punk on this album that features a few new members, new production, and a new label (ATO). New songs address abolitionist John Brown, early-20th Century Black harmonica Country great DeFord Bailey, the new Mississippi flag, environmental desecration, and a lil’ “urban revitalization”. Also, an Asheville landmark graces the cover image!

We’re eager to introduce you to this new voice from the Midwest, a singer/songwriter whose heroes include Woody Guthrie and Utah Phillips, Walt Whitman and Carl Sundburg. This new album, produced by Cajun legend Joel Savoy, helps bridge the many divides plaguing us, thanks to Carlisle’s brilliant wit and poetry. By the way, he’ll be performing in Asheville on Tuesday July 5th, and Charlotte on Thursday the 7th.