Article Contributed by IVPR
Published on 2026-04-24
From the very first notes of Jim Lauderdale’s new album, The Birds Know, it’s obvious that he takes crossing over into the bluegrass world very seriously. So much so that he, for a second time, has teamed up with The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, one of the genre’s best and brightest modern ensembles, to make sure his take on the beloved artform is as grassy as can be. But don’t think that means the iconic Nashville songwriter and recording artist is a stranger to fiddles and banjos. A large portion of his now-39-album catalog is string-band centric, two of which won GRAMMY Awards for Best Bluegrass Album in 2003 and 2008.
With The Birds Know, Lauderdale wanted to once again pair up with the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, as the band did for 2023’s The Long and Lonesome Letting Go. “Since I first saw them at MerleFest several years ago, and after we did our first album together, I really wanted us to do a follow-up,” says Lauderdale of his The Birds Know album-mates. “These songs were all written just for this album. The Po' Ramblin' Boys keep the sound of traditional bluegrass alive, but they really bring it into the present day. I'm so happy with the way this record turned out, and I’m looking forward to performing with them in the coming years. I love working with them so much."
Fans can stream or purchase The Birds Know in its entirety at this link, and speaking of MerleFest, Lauderdale will take the stage today at the long-beloved North Carolina Festival. In May, Lauderdale is embarking on a European tour supporting Emmylou Harris. A full list of tour dates can be found below. For tickets, more information, and to stay up to date with all things Jim Lauderdale, please visit jimlauderdalemusic.com.
In true Jim Lauderdale fashion, he has also recently released another full-length album, this one a full-band, honky tonk heavy collection titled Country Super Hits Volume 2, an obvious successor to his 2006 album of a slightly different name. Make sure to check out CSH Vol. 2 right here.
Catch Jim Lauderdale On Tour:
April 24 - 26 - Wilkesboro, NC - MerleFest
May 2 - Pinewood, SC - Wildlife Education Center
May 4 - Nashville, TN - Skinny Dennis
May 11 - Liverpool, ENG - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic*
May 13 - Birmingham, ENG - Symphony Hall*
May 15 - Bristol, ENG - Bristol Beacon*
May 17 - London, ENG - Royal Albert Hall*
May 18 - Sunderland, ENG - Sunderland Empire*
May 20 - Rotterdam, NL - De Doelen*
May 21 - Eindhoven, NL - Muziekgebouw*
May 23 - Groningen, NL - De Oosterpoort*
May 24 - Amsterdam, NL - Het Concertgebouw*
June 1 - Nashville, TN - Skinny Dennis
June 13 - Broken Bow, OK - Beavers Bend State Park
July 6 - Nashville, TN - Skinny Dennis
August 3 - Nashville, TN - Skinny Dennis
August 21 - Oslo, NO - Oslo Konserthus*
August 22 - Oslo, NO - Oslo Konserthus*
August 24 - Helsinki, FI - Allas Live*
August 26 - Stockholm, SE - Avicii Arena*
September 3 - Bruxelles, BE - BOZAR*
September 4 - Antwerpen, BE - Stadsschouwburg Antwerp*
September 6 - Monheim Am Rhein, DE - Kulturraffinerie K714*
September 7 - Nashville, TN - Skinny Dennis
September 11 - Bristol, TN - Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
October 5 - Nashville, TN - Skinny Dennis
November 2 - Nashville, TN - Skinny Dennis
December 7 - Nashville, TN - Skinny Dennis
* with Emmylou Harris
More tour dates to be announced soon. For tickets, more information, and to stay up to date, please visit jimlauderdalemusic.com.
