On January 10, 2024, lifelong bluegrass singer and bandleader Audie Blaylock passed away unexpectedly at his home in Auburn, Indiana, at just 61 years old. Blaylock’s final role was as lead singer and guitarist with his own band, Redline. On the first anniversary of Blaylock’s passing, a very special song will be released to fans and radio.

The Philly Specials—Jason, Lane, and Jordan—are excited to announce their global partners, including retailers and toy companies, who have donated 200,000 age-appropriate toys, apparel, cosmetics, and more to help achieve Operation Snowball. Operation Snowball is their ambitious goal of delivering a gift to every student in the School District of Philadelphia this December, in collaboration with The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia.

British songwriter Julian Gardner, alongside co-writers J.O.Y. and Paddy Hunt, has won the coveted Overall Grand Prize at the 29th Annual USA Songwriting Competition. Hailing from Wales, UK, Julian is the first British artist to achieve this remarkable honor, marking a historic moment for the competition. Previous winners have hailed from the USA, Canada, and Australia.

The Blues Foundation kicks off its 40th year by honoring the 2025 Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award recipients during International Blues Challenge (IBC) week, January 7–11, 2025.

The esteemed KBA Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to advancing the art and commerce of blues music. This year's honorees include:

Ramona and the Holy Smokes proudly announce the release of their debut EP, Til It’s Over, now available on all streaming platforms. Recorded at Richmond’s legendary Spacebomb Studio, this four-song collection highlights the band’s masterful take on pre-1964 country music, blending authenticity and innovation in equal measure.

Portland, Maine-based indie folk artist Matt Cascella, performing under the moniker Schmoon—his childhood nickname—is set to release his new album Pretty Darn Pretty on December 13, 2024. Brimming with playful whimsy and heartfelt nostalgia, the album explores the innocence of growing up and the poignant reflections of adulthood.

Keyboardist, producer, composer, and house musician for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s band, Corey Bernhard, releases “Vita Nuova,” the first single from his upcoming solo LP, A Blessed Leap into Eternity (Birdbrain Records), today. The suite's closing energetic prayer represents a new birth of hope, passion, and faith. Brazilian rhythms and melodies dance over contemporary harmonies as piano and saxophone trade solos.

Having just wrapped up an acoustic U.S. tour supporting multi-Platinum rockers Theory of a Deadman, CORY MARKS invites listeners to crank up the volume and join him for the release of his sophomore album, SORRY FOR NOTHING, out today, December 6, via Better Noise Music. The release is accompanied by the music video for its equally unapologetic title track. Watch it streaming below or via YouTube HERE.

Breakthrough singer, songwriter, and musician Willow Avalon is gearing up for an exciting 2025 with her highly anticipated debut U.K. and Ireland headline tour, set to kick off in March. Following a string of sold-out shows this fall, including a recent performance at Los Angeles' Roxy Theatre, Avalon will bring her dynamic live show to the U.K. and Ireland, with stops at Manchester’s YES (The Pink Room), London’s Colours, Glasgow’s Oran Mor, Dublin’s The Ambassador, and more.

After the up-tempo ’90s vibe of this summer’s Dwight Yoakam cover, “This Drinkin’ Will Kill Me,” Benson — the husband-and-wife duo of award-winning pickers Kristin Scott Benson (banjo) and Wayne Benson (mandolin) — downshifts to a subdued mood and distinctly contemporary sound with their latest single for Mountain Home Music Company, “Down That Road.”