Article Contributed by Sacks and Company
Published on 2026-04-17
Photo: Courtesy of Bobbi Rich
Acclaimed singer, songwriter and guitarist Duane Betts shares his new song, “Heartache,” today. A poignant reflection on grief and loss, the track honors the two-year anniversary of the passing of his father, beloved singer and guitarist Dickey Betts. Listen/share HERE. In conjunction with the release, a powerful new video for the track is also out today, directed by Bobbi Rich (Elton John, Brittany Howard) and filmed in Malibu. Watch/share HERE.
“‘Heartache’ is my gift to anyone who has ever lost someone they love,” Betts shares. “It’s a song that came out of a time that was so painful yet so profound for my family and me. It’s been very cathartic. Through the whole process of writing it, recording it, and filming the video, I felt my dad right by my side. As an artist, but also as a son, this got me through my grief. I hope it can help others get through theirs.”
Additionally, Rich reflects, “Cathartic pieces like this remind us we’re not alone. I took it as an honor and a great responsibility to help Duane express this feeling visually, his process of grief. I really wanted to do the song justice and match what I was hearing. It’s delicate and beautiful, and so vulnerable to put your pain into your art like he did. The whole shoot felt exceptionally magical, like we were being told by Dickey we were doing it right. Like Dickey and everyone we’ve all loved and lost were cheering Duane on. That day at the beach we had whales, dolphins, sharks, hawks, pelicans, butterflies, perfect weather and a damn coastal super bloom of flowers putting on a show for us. It all felt really, really special. I’m very grateful to have been apart of it.”
“I felt like when we were recording ‘Heartache’ that I was lost in a dream,” producer Dave Cobb adds. “The song felt bigger than us and it guided us to where it should be. Duane poured his heart out and left it all on tape.”
“Heartache” is the centerpiece of Betts’ highly anticipated new album, Isle of Hope, which will be released June 12—his first project in partnership with Sun Records (pre-order/pre-save HERE). Produced by Cobb, Isle of Hope is Betts’ most unguarded and personal work to date and establishes him as one of music’s most compelling voices. The album was created during a transformative period for Betts: during a peak moment of his thriving, decades-long career as both a solo artist and founding member of The Allman Betts Band, he lost his father and mentor. Isle of Hope is a snapshot of this pivotal moment, as Betts was forced to confront the reality of time and mortality head on, which ultimately led him to a new sense of personal clarity and conviction.
Recorded in just five days at Cobb’s studio in Savannah, GA, Betts’ Isle of Hope consists of ten tracks written by Betts and his longtime collaborator Stoll Vaughan, including “Down to Houston,” of which Guitar World praises, “It’s a thoroughly vintage rocker, full of whip-smart playing and soaring, colorful slide work punctuated by Betts’ own Stones-y lead licks.”
In addition to Betts and Cobb, the project also features Johnny Stachela (guitar), J.D. Simo (guitar), Brian Allen (bass), Philip Towns (keyboard) and Derrek Phillips (drums).
A dynamic live performer, Betts and his band Palmetto Motel will continue to tour through the fall, including stops at New York’s Gramercy Theatre, West Hollywood’s Troubadour, Raleigh’s Lincoln Theatre, Madison’s Majestic Theatre, Evanston’s Space (two nights) and Mill Valley’s Sweetwater Music Hall (two nights), among others. See below for the complete tour itinerary. Full details can be found at www.duanebetts.com/tour.
Isle of Hope follows Betts’ long-awaited 2023 debut solo album, Wild & Precious Life, which featured Derek Trucks, Marcus King and Nicki Bluhm and received widespread acclaim, with Relix praising its “masterful guitar work,” while No Depression declared, “[it] secures Betts’ place in the pantheon of great Southern rockers” and Goldmine Magazine proclaimed, “While it’s taken 20 years for Betts to make his official debut, this record was worth the wait.”
Prior to starting his solo career, Betts founded The Allman Betts Band alongside Devon Allman. Since the band’s inception in 2018, they’ve released two studio albums (Down to the River and Bless Your Heart) and toured relentlessly, including their annual Allman Betts Family Revival. The event features the band alongside a variety of special guests, such as Jimmy Hall, Robert Randolph, Jason Isbell, Charlie Starr and Marcus King, and celebrates the music of The Allman Brothers Band.
ISLE OF HOPE TRACKLIST
1. Heartache
2. Reckless
3. Into The Void
4. Pills And Liquor
5. Silver Afternoon
6. Down To Houston
7. Best Wishes
8. Manatee River
9. Winners of War
10. Keep My Hands Clean
DUANE BETTS CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
April 17—Vienna, VA—The Barns at Wolf Trap+
April 18—Vienna, VA—The Barns at Wolf Trap+
April 19—Charleston, WV—Mountain Stage+
April 21—Annapolis, MD—Rams Head on Stage+
April 22—Red Bank, NJ—The Vogel at Count Basie+
April 23—Ardmore, PA—Ardmore Music Hall+
April 24—Homer, NY—Homer Center for the Arts+
April 25—Buffalo, NY—University at Buffalo Center for the Arts+
April 26—State College, PA—The State Theatre+
April 29—Albany, NY—Swyer Theatre at The Egg+
April 30—Manchester, NH—The Rex Theatre+
May 1—Westhampton Beach, NY—Westhampton Beach PAC+
May 2—East Greenwich, RI—The Greenwich Odeum+
May 3—Norfolk, CT—Infinity Hall Norfolk+
May 27—Ponte Vedra Beach, FL—Ponte Vedra Concert Hall+
May 28—Stuart, FL—Lyric Theatre+
May 29—Fort Lauderdale, FL—Amaturo Theater+
May 30—Bonita Springs, FL—Arts Bonita PAC+
May 31—Clearwater, FL—Capitol Theatre+
June 6—Vail, CO—Gerald Ford Amphitheater – Allman Betts Family Revival*
July 25—Jay Peak, VT—Stateside Amphitheater*
July 30—North Truro, MA—Payomet Performing Arts Center+
July 31—Springfield, MA—Hope Center for the Arts+
August 4—Richmond, VA—Tin Pan+
August 5—Raleigh, NC—Lincoln Theatre+
August 7—New York, NY—Gramercy Theatre+
August 8—Natick, MA—The Center for Arts in Natick+
August 10—Ocean City, NJ—Ocean City Music Pier+
August 19—San Diego, CA—Music Box+
August 20—San Juan Capistrano, CA—The Coach House+
August 21—West Hollywood, CA—Troubadour+
August 22—Ventura, CA—Ventura Music Hall+
August 26—Felton, CA—Felton Music Hall+
August 27—Felton, CA—Felton Music Hall+
August 28—Mill Valley, CA—Sweetwater Music Hall+
August 29—Mill Valley, CA—Sweetwater Music Hall+
September 4—Vashon, WA—Vashon Center for the Arts+
October 10—Kent, OH—The Kent Stage+
October 11—Cincinnati, OH—The Ludlow Garage+
October 13—Ann Arbor, MI—The Ark+
October 15—Madison, WI—Majestic Theatre+
October 16—Evanston, IL—Space+
October 17—Evanston, IL—Space+
October 19—Milwaukee, WI—Shank Hall+
January 16—Fort Lauderdale, FL—The Big Easy Cruise+
+Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel show
*The Allman Betts Band show
