Ella Jenkins was born on August 6th, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri, and will have her 100th birthday later this year. To honor her centennial, Smithsonian Folkways is planning reissues, tributes, and archival releases to celebrate her legacy as the “First lady of children’s music.” One of the most iconic folk musicians of the 20th century, in general, Ella pioneered the call-and-response, “first me and now you” style of singing that’s become a staple of children’s music and early childhood education overall.

The formidable duo - the indie rap legend Wax and modern funk guitar hero Eric Krasno, are set to release their epic collaborative album LIGHT YEARS this August. Today they are announcing the third single off the upcoming album, "Things Are Changin." The new song features NYC-based Rapper Marlon Craft who has quickly garnered critical accolades for his politically conscious lyricism and killer throwback beats infused with jazz inspired instrumentations.

Alan Walker (the former frontman of NYC’s The Brilliant Mistakes) writes melodies that stick in the head and heart. His second solo album, A Little Too Late, is out June 28 on his own label, Aunt Mimi’s Records. Laced with clever lyrics and harmonies, these songs feel fresh yet familiar, with nods to some of his favorite bands (The Beatles, Squeeze, and Joe Jackson).

Brew Ha Ha Productions has announced the first wave of bands for Punk In The Park Orlando, Saturday, September 14 at Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando, Florida. This marks the second stop for Punk In The Park – American Road Trip, originally known as Southern California’s favorite punk rock and craft beer tasting festival, following May's Road Trip debut at The Cow Palace in San Francisco.

Country music legend T.G. Sheppard and acclaimed singer-songwriter and author Kelly Lang are excited to release their latest duets album, Chemistry: The Duets Collection today! Sponsored by Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms, this release includes eleven love songs, several of which have never been recorded as duets. Classics such as “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing,” “More Today Than Yesterday,” and “It’s Too Late,” along with their recently released singles “You’re Still The One,” "Addicted to You" and “Because You Loved Me” help create this heartfelt collection that will continue to stand the test of time!

Lyons & Co., an emerging presence on the indie roots-rock scene, is kicking off Chicago Pride Weekend with a dance-worthy new single, “Look Like Now,” the first track off their forthcoming album, Southern Rock & Nicotine. Joined by Allie Kral (fiddle, Yonder Mountain String Band), Andrew Bair (keys, Paul Cauthen), Mark Lavengood (dobro, Billy Strings, Lindsay Lou), and Jake Lynn (drums, Wyatt Gomez), the sophomore album for Lyons & Co. will debut this July.

GERRY BECKLEY, the illustrious singer, songwriter, performer and co-founder of legendary band, America, releases his TENTH solo album, titled simply Gerry Beckley, TODAY!  For the album, Beckley says there was a pragmatic reason for putting his own name as the title for his 10th solo outing. "There wasn't an obvious title that was leaning in its favor, and I've never done a self-titled album, so it felt like, OK, this might be it," he says with a small chuckle.

Fans are clearly excited for the reunion many (including the band) said would never happen. After Soul Coughing announced a 17-date American tour, they have now introduced venue upgrades for certain shows, and are kicking off the tour earlier with an extra date in San Diego. The tour ends with a two-night celebration at Brooklyn Steel in Brooklyn, NY on October 4 and 5.

Tickets are on sale now. The complete updated tour itinerary is below.

SOUL COUGHING - TOUR 2024

SEPTEMBER

Acclaimed Southern Roots-Rock vocalist and percussionist Melody Trucks is staying busy into 2024, currently on tour with rising roots-rockers The Fitzkee Brothers, performing at Willie's Midnight Crazy Train Campout, 2270 Fair Rd., Friday, July 5 at 8:30pm. (the Campout lasts from July 4-July 7). Tickets/info: https://www.facebook.com/williesmidnightcrazytraincampout/.

Boulevards, the moniker of North Carolina’s esteemed cosmic soul artist Jamil Rashad, has released the highly anticipated new studio album, Carolina Funk: Barn Burner on Tobacco Road out today via the New West Records imprint Normaltown Records. The 10-track collection follows the 2022 release of Electric Cowboy: Born in Carolina Mud, which received critical acclaim by SPIN, No Depression, PopMatters, Bandcamp, FLOOD, and more.