For a man about to put out his 37th album, Jim Lauderdale still has the glimmer in his eye of the young man who first made his way to Nashville back in 1979. Actively writing and recording music for the past four-plus decades, Mr. Americana—as Lauderdale has grown to be known around town—has fine-tuned his brand of country music, taking influences from his upbringing in the Carolinas, the bluegrass and string music of surrounding Appalachia, the folk and Grateful Dead catalog of the 60s and beyond, and the twanging, honky tonk of the town he’s long called home and distilling them into a sound distinctively his own. The second you hear it, you know it’s Jim.
Today, Lauderdale announced his upcoming LP, My Favorite Place—out June 21st. Continuing a string of stellar releases with his touring band, The Game Changers—Craig Smith (Guitar), Frank Rische (Guitar), Jay Weaver (Bass), Dave Racine (Drums), and the extraordinary Lille Mae Rische (Vocals)—along with some of Music City’s favorite ringers, My Favorite Place is pure Jim Lauderdale country; his legendary voice carrying a new batch of stories, all framed by pure pedal steel, fiddle, and the tightest rhythm section this side of the Grand Ole Opry.
“Mrs. Green” is the latest single released from My Favorite Place. Written with Bob Minner, “Mrs. Green” is a mid-tempo, finger-picked message of encouragement from a potential suitor to a woman hanging onto the end of another relationship. “Don’t be afraid to see the truth about the woman that you are,” Lauderdale sings in the song’s opening verse, but the line morphs and by the end of the song the narrator is reiterating, “Remember I’m here waiting and wanting all the woman that you are.” “I’m grateful to Bob Minner for our collaboration on 'Mrs Green' which tells the story of a woman in a situation she must get out of and the yearning and love of the one who wants to be with her and share a better life,” says Lauderdale. “This story, with these characters, is unlike anything I've been a part of before.”
Fans can stream or purchase “Mrs. Green” today at this link, hear Lauderdale’s previously released single, “You’ve Got A Shine,” right here, and pre-order or pre-save My Favorite Place, ahead of its June 21st release right here.
This weekend, Lauderdale and the Game Changers will hit the stage at the beloved MerleFest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, bringing a slew of new songs from My Favorite Place, to multiple stages over the course of April 26-28. Be sure to check out the merchandise tent for an early chance to pick up My Favorite Place in person. A full list of Lauderdale’s tour dates can be found below or at jimlauderdalemusic.com.
My Favorite Place Tracklist:
My Favorite Place
Mrs. Green
The Lightning Tree
You’ll Be Gone By Then
Sweethearts Remember
Don’t You Treat ‘Em That Way
Baby Steps
I’m A Lucky Loser
We Ought To Celebrate
You’ve Got A Shine
What’s Important After All
Catch Jim Lauderdale On Tour:
April 25-28 - MerleFest - Wilkesboro, NC
May 3 - Barrel & Bond - Paducah, KY
May 4 - Yellow Cab Tavern - Dayton, OH
May 5 - The Backroom Lounge - Riverton, IL
May 10 - Albino Skunk Music festival - Greer, SC
May 19 - Chief’s on Broadway - Nashville, TN
May 25 - Rooster Walk - New Martinsville, WV
June 6 - The Redbird Listening Room - New Braunfels, TX
June 8 - McGonigel’s Mucky Duck - Houston, TX
June 9 - Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe - Galveston, TX
June 13 - The Colonial Theatre - Phoenixville, PA ^
June 14 - Ardmore Music Hall - Ardmore, PA ^
June 26 - ROMP - Owensboro, KY
July 30 - Pickin’ in Parsons Bluegrass Festival - Parsons, WV
Aug. 31 - Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival - Brunswick, ME *
Sept. 13 - Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Bristol, TN
Sept. 27 - IBMA Bluegrass Live - Raleigh, NC
Sept. 28 - IBMA Bluegrass Live - Raleigh, NC
Oct. 10 - Eddie’s Attic - Decatur, GA !
Oct. 13 - CaveFest - Pelham, TN
^ With Los Lobos
* With The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
! With Lillie Mae
More About Jim Lauderdale:
Jim Lauderdale is the Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and performer known as one of Americana’s most steadfast champions.
