Antibalas have recorded six studio albums, performed over 2,000 shows across five continents -- they have accomplished many goals except for their biggest one. The Brooklyn based Afrobeat group is planning to bring the entire band to Lagos, Nigeria -- the cradle of Afrobeat music -- for their very first performance in Africa.

New York City/Nashville-based Americana band JD & The Straight Shot is prepping a new all-acoustic album called The Great Divide due out later this year, kicking off with the soaring, melody-filled lead single, “I Should’ve Known.” The band - comprised of vocalist/guitarist Jim Dolan, guitarist/vocalist/producer Marc Copely (B.B.

Becky Buller and the good folks at Dark Shadow Recording have announced the release of a music video featuring special guest artist, Sam Bush. “The Rebel And The Rose,” co-written by Buller, appears on her latest album, Crepe Paper Heart, which was produced by Stephen Mougin.
 

Shining Stone Records announces the signing of multi-Blues Music Award nominee Anthony Geraci, and will release the keyboardist’s new CD, Why Did You Have to Go, on September 21. Geraci has assembled an impressive cast of musicians to perform with him on the new disc, including guitar legend Ronnie Earl, as well as many Blues Music Award nominees/winners, such as Sugar Ray Norcia, Monster Mike Welch, Michael Mudcat Ward and Neil Gouvin (all fellow members with Geraci in Sugar Ray and the Bluetones).

Ronnie Penque of The New Riders of the Purple Sage brings us his new project Panama Dead. Panama Dead is a tribute to the music of the classic New Riders of the Purple Sage. Panama Dead plays all the classic NRPS songs like Henry, Last Lonely Eagle, Glendale Train, Panama Red and many more. The band is: Ronnie Penque on bass guitar and lead vocals, Mike Flynn on lead guitar and vocals, Wayne Wilson on pedal steel guitar, Kevin Johnson on drums and Jeff Pearlman on keyboards and vocals.

Hot Rize, one of the most respected and influential bands in bluegrass music, is pleased to announce the release of their aptly named new record Hot Rize 40th Anniversary Bash, recorded live at Boulder Theatre, over the course of three sold out shows in January of this year.

The #YES50: Celebrating 50 Years of YES tour wrapped triumphantly July 28 with two sold-out Florida plays and a sold-out show in Atlanta, and now the prog rock pioneers would like to thank all involved for making this summer's 35-date North American 50th Anniversary trek a big success, receiving high praise from critics and fans across the board.

Bob Weir and Wolf Bros featuring Weir, Don Was and Jay Lane performing songs of Grateful Dead among others will embark on a 19-stop tour this fall across North America. The tour kicks off October 16 and runs through November 18, hitting major markets across the US including New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Nashville, Denver, and Washington D.C. See the complete list of dates below.

The Nightowls have released a new single, “Everybody’s Dancing to the Music”, featuring Ivan Neville. Listen HERE. “Our producer Chris Bell is good friends with Ivan, and when we heard that he was going to be in Austin for a gig we jumped at the chance to work with him,” frontman Ryan Harkrider explains.

The California Mid State fair was in full swing Sunday, July 22nd featuring a concert by pop star Demi Lovato and Australian Hip Hop sensation, Iggy Azalea. Warm temperatures in the mid 90’s enveloped the packed fairgrounds, and copious amounts of alcohol as well as non-alcoholic beverages were being consumed along with all manner of good, fair food. While farmers displayed their prized domestic animals, screaming teens rode the carnival rides like the Zipper.