Article Contributed by Sacks and Company
Published on 2026-05-15
photo credit: Bobbi Rich
Today, acclaimed singer, songwriter, and guitarist Duane Betts shares his new song, “Best Wishes.” Listen/share here.
Of the track, Betts shares, “Life is like this constant accumulation of experiences. Sometimes, they come so fast, they kind of pile up before we can fully appreciate them. The idea of ‘Best Wishes’ is a reminder to take some time to reflect and appreciate those experiences.”
“Best Wishes” is the latest track unveiled from Betts’ highly anticipated new album, Isle of Hope, out June 12 via Sun Records—his first project in partnership with the label. Pre-order/pre-save here.
Produced by Dave Cobb and recorded in just five days at Cobb’s studio in Savannah, GA, the album consists of ten tracks, including “Down to Houston,” which Guitar World calls “a thoroughly vintage rocker, full of whip-smart playing and soaring, colorful slide work,” as well as “Heartache,” the emotional centerpiece of the album. A poignant reflection on grief and loss, “Heartache” honors the two-year anniversary of the passing of Betts’ father, beloved singer and guitarist Dickey Betts.
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.
In addition to Betts and Cobb, the project also features Johnny Stachela on guitar, J.D. Simo on guitar, Brian Allen on bass, Philip Towns on keyboard, and Derrek Phillips on 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 for two nights, and Mill Valley’s Sweetwater Music Hall for two nights, among others. Full details can be found at www.duanebetts.com/tour.
Isle of Hope follows Betts’ 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.
About Sun Records: Established in 1952 by Sam Phillips, Sun Records is renowned for discovering music legends including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. The label moved to Nashville in 1969, where it continued cultivating acclaimed artists Jeannie C. Riley, The Dixie Cups, Linda Martell, and many others. Today, as part of the Sun Label Group under Primary Wave, Sun Records continues to foster musical innovation while honoring its rich legacy, with a frontline roster that includes Ruthie Foster, Robert Randolph, The SteelDrivers, and The Waterboys. Ruthie Foster’s 2025 Grammy win for Mileage marked the first in Sun Records history, followed by Robert Randolph’s 2026 win for Preacher Kids, the label’s second.
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
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 *
June 9 — New York, NY — Gramercy Theatre
Acoustic set at Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul world premiere
June 16 — Emigrant, MT — The Old Saloon #
June 17 — Cheyenne, WY — The Lincoln #
June 18 — Arvada, CO — Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities #
July 25 — Jay Peak, VT — Stateside Amphitheater *
July 29 — Fall River, MA — Narrows Center for the Arts +
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 3 — Eugene, OR — Hult Center for the Performing Arts +
September 4 — Vashon, WA — Vashon Center for the Arts +
September 6 — Boise, ID — Treefort Music Hall +
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 +
October 22 — Green Lake, WI — Thrasher Opera House +
October 23 — Green Lake, WI — Thrasher Opera House +
October 24 — Minneapolis, MN — Fine Line +
January 16 — Fort Lauderdale, FL — The Big Easy Cruise +
+ Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel show
* The Allman Betts Band show
# Supporting Blackberry Smoke
