The Lil Smokies’ high-energy acoustic music has evolved into its own distinctive sound. Since their last album, Tornillo (2020), the band returns with two new members, bassist Jean Luc Davis and banjo player, Sam Armstrong-Zickefoose, adding to the core trio of dobro player Andy Dunnigan, lead guitarist the Reverend Matthew Rieger, and fiddler Jake Simpson. To showcase the new sound and augmented quintet lineup, the band has released a brand new album Break of the Tide, available now via Americana Vibes.

Elton John and Brandi Carlile release their acclaimed collaborative studio album, Who Believes In Angels?, out now via Interscope Records. Listen here. The highly anticipated album comes the week after Elton and Brandi debuted several tracks live during a magical evening of music and conversation at The London Palladium. The show, which received widespread 5-star reviews from critics, will air on CBS on Sunday, April 6 and ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player on Saturday, April 19.

In a mostly male genre still known as much for its reticence about contemporary subjects as for its powerful harmonies and virtuosic picking, bluegrass music’s Sister Sadie have stood out ever since the all-female group’s founding more than a dozen years ago.

ALO, once and sometimes still known as Animal Liberation Orchestra, released their latest album Frames (Brushfire Records) today, April 4. The 10-song collection is either the sixth or the ninth album by the NorCal quartet, depending on whether one counts three late-90s records that can’t be found anywhere on the internet.

The Marin Irish Festival returns to Lagoon Park at the Marin County Fairgrounds on May 3-4, 2025, bringing a lively celebration of Irish music, dance, and heritage. Hosted by Red Barn Productions, producers of The Great Dickens Christmas Fair and the original Renaissance Pleasure Faire, the festival (formerly Ceili On the Lake) promises a weekend of traditional entertainment, hands-on cultural experiences, and family-friendly fun.

Grammy Award-winning folk-rock duo Indigo Girls are one of the featured acts on the long-running PBS TV series Austin City Limits. The brightest stars in the show's history return to the ACL stage for a celebration a half-century in the making, including the Indigo Girls, Chris Stapleton, Gary Clark Jr., Lyle Lovett, Billy Strings, Rufus Wainwright, Indigo Girls, Brandy Clark, Cam and The Mavericks.

After much deliberation over the mystery act atop Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s 2025 bill, festival promoters Planet Bluegrass have put the rumors to rest, announcing the details behind the first-ever Toy Factory Project performance at this year’s Festivarian gathering. Helmed by Marshall Tucker Band drummer and co-founder Paul T. Riddle, the Toy Factory Project is a band created in memory of fellow Marshall Tucker Band co-founder Toy Caldwell and his legendary songs.

Building on its long-standing relationship with the Ray Charles Foundation, the GRAMMY Museum® announces the creation of the Ray Charles “Architect of Sound” Award, an annual honor presented at the Recording Academy® and GRAMMY Museum’s GRAMMY Hall Of Fame® Gala. The inaugural recipient, multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Jon Batiste, will receive the award at the 2025 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Gala on May 16, 2025, at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

Today, Steve Earle announces his Fifty Years of Songs and Stories, a solo acoustic tour sprawling journey across over 50 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Marking half a century since he began writing songs and stories, this solo acoustic tour will take fans on a chronological exploration of his extensive discography. Along the way, Earle will share personal anecdotes from his legendary career, offering an intimate look at the moments that shaped his music.

Today, Little Feat – criminally underrated pioneering rock band – announced the release of their grooving new single “Midnight Flight” featuring on forthcoming new album, Strike Up The Band, set for release May 9 via Hot Tomato. 

Listen to “Midnight Flight” HERE
Watch the “Midnight Flight” Music Video HERE