“It's a constant challenge to try to keep making better and better records, write better and better songs. I still always feel like I'm a developing artist,” says veteran songwriter and Americana renaissance man, Jim Lauderdale. This may be a surprising sentiment from a man who’s won two Grammys, released 34 full-length albums, and taken home the Americana Music Association’s coveted Wagonmaster Award. But his brand new album Game Changer is convincing evidence that the North Carolina native is only continuing to hone his craft.
From rollicking guitar riffs on “That Kind of Life (That Kind of Day)” to the slow, sweet harmonies of “I’ll Keep My Heart Open For You,” Game Changer shows off Lauderdale’s ingenuity as a singer, songwriter, and producer—while re-establishing him as one of Americana’s most steadfast champions. “Country music is constantly evolving, but I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for steel guitar and a Telecaster," he says. "I have done my job on this record if people who love classic country feel like they can put it on, or have it in their collection, and it would fit right in."
Fans can purchase or stream Game Changer in its entirety today at this link.
Tonight, Jim will be celebrating the release of his 35th album at the historic country music venue, The Grand Ole Opry, for a special performance that will give concertgoers a blend of classic country sounds with a modern country flair that is highlighted throughout Game Changer. Tickets for this event can be purchased here. The official album release show will take place at Nashville’s famed 3rd and Lindsley presented by WMOT on August 31st. Tickets for this event are available here. In addition, Jim will also be joining The Dustbowl Revival for select tour dates which can be found below.
More About Game Changer: Operating under his own label, Sky Crunch Records, for the first time since 2016, Lauderdale recorded Game Changer at the renowned Blackbird Studios in Nashville, co-producing the release with Jay Weaver and pulling from songs he’d written over the last several years. “There's a mixture on this record of uplifting songs and, at the same time, songs of heartbreak and despair—because that's part of life as well,” he says. “In the country song world especially, that's always been part of it. That’s real life.”
“We’re All We’ve Got,” a co-write with Mary Gauthier and Jaimee Harris, offers a timely message about healing torn relationships at home and across the world. And “Friends Again,” a grinning number about rekindling a friendship, is fresh and forward-looking. At every turn, Lauderdale’s collaborative spirit and genuine love for the creative process reveal themselves in thoughtful, well-crafted songs sure to stand the test of time. "When everything works right, it's just magical to be able to hear them back," he says. "You feel, at least for those three-and-a-half minutes, like life makes sense.”
Game Changer Tracklist:
That Kind Of Life (That Kind Of Day)
Friends Again
Keep It Real
Game Changer
Wishbone
Lightning Love
Our Happy Hour
We’re All We’ve Got
Let’s Make Some Memories
I’ve Heard Of That
You’re Hoggin’ My Mind
I’ll Keep My Heart Open For You
Catch Jim Lauderdale On Tour:
August 26 - Nashville, TN - Grand Ole Opry
August 31 - Nashville, TN - 3rd & Lindsley album release show
September 9 - Chico, CA - Laxson Auditorium California State University*
September 11 - Bristol, VA - Bristol Rhythm and Roots
September 13-17 - Nashville, TN - AmericanaFest
September 22 - Nashville, TN - Tommy Emmanuel’s Guitar Camp USA: Nashville Skyline II
September 24 - Nashville, TN - Tommy Emmanuel’s CMA Theatre
September 25 - Nashville, TN - Tommy Emmanuel’s Guitar Camp
October 6 - Nashville, TN - Grand Ole Opry
October 7 - Augusta, GA - Summer Series
October 8 - Pelham, TN - Cave Fest @ The Caverns
October 12 - Jacksonville Beach, FL - Blue Jay Listening Room
October 13 - Live Oak, FL - Suwanee Roots Revival 2022
October 21 - Pomeroy, OH - Songwriter Weekend Fur Peace Ranch
October 25 - Brooklyn, NY - Skinny Dennis
November 3 - Los Angeles, CA - Outlaw Country West 2022
November 12 - St. Viroqua, WI - The Historic Temple Theater*
*= w/ The Dustbowl Revival
For a full list of tour dates and ticket information, please visit jimlauderdalemusic.com.
