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. King, Rosanne Cash), bassist Byron House (Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton), violinist/fiddler/vocalist Erin Slaver (Martina McBride, Rod Stewart), drummer/percussionist Shawn Pelton (Sheryl Crow, Levon Helm, Saturday Night Live band), and guitarist/vocalist Carolyn Dawn Johnson (Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney) – is recording The Great Divide at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville with Marc Copely (Toby Lightman, Owen Danoff, Upright Man) once again producing.
“I Should’ve Known” features layers of beautiful harmonies of Jim and Marc singing in tandem, and Erin and Carolyn together on backing vocals that was influenced by Simon & Garfunkel’s iconic folk-rock hit “The Boxer.” The song speaks to the abuse by men in power. The lyrics emphasize the importance of defending victims when they speak out and the need to be more vigilant in noticing of the signs of abuse. The track is currently in rotation on Sirius XM stations: The Coffee House, The Loft, The Village and North Americana, and JD & The Straight Shot is set to perform “I Should’ve Known” on Good Day New York on August 9th.
The Great Divide follows JD & The Straight Shot’s highly acclaimed 2017 album Good Luck And & Good Night that roots music authority No Depression raves boasts “Exhilarating performances and “Luxurious blends of instrumentation,” and Madness To Creation gushes “Is a masterful blend of songwriting, arrangements, musicianship, and harmony."
Inspired by artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Civil Wars, Jefferson Airplane, The Turtles, Three Dog Night and The Yardbirds, JD & The Straight Shot delivers a sweet sound and strong songwriting mixed with the swagger of rock n’ roll.
JD & The Straight Shot will play new songs from The Great Divide along with favorite tunes from previous albums at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s “Rock Hall Live” series in Cleveland on August 16th. JD & The Straight Shot has toured alongside musical luminaries like The Doobie Brothers, Chicago, the Eagles, Keith Urban, Don Henley, Dixie Chicks, Jewel, Joe Walsh, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and more. Icon Vs. Icon declares, “The band is an absolute powerhouse” that “continues to dazzle crowds.”