In celebration of the late Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter’s 80th birthday (June 23), two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning American music icon Jim Lauderdale today shares “Memory,” one of the last songs Lauderdale wrote with his decades-long songwriting collaborator; listen here.
Of the second single from his forthcoming 34th album Hope out July 30 via Yep Roc Records, Lauderdale says, “Losing Robert just before the pandemic was so hard, but he left the perfect lyric, to sum up my feelings about him and to honor all the people we’ve lost since.” The album’s cover and packaging feature paintings by Maureen Hunter, Robert’s wife.
After nearly 15 months off the road, Lauderdale will tour in support of the album, starting with an eight-date tour run that includes a July 30 album release show at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville and an appearance at Merlefest in September. A complete list of dates is below; ticket information can be found here.
The 13-track album features songs about hope, courage, and perseverance with wide-open arrangements reminiscent of 70s California folk-rock and is a joyous musical tribute to the spirit of overcoming and healing. “I wanted to get a musical message out there during this time of what we’ve all been going through, about the hope for better days ahead,” Lauderdale says. “If we can find any glimmers of hope, that really helps get you through another day.
Hope was co-produced by Lauderdale and his longtime collaborator Jay Weaver and recorded at the fabled Blackbird Studios In Nashville with many of the tracks engineered by Blackbird Academy students. “That was a learning experience for me, too,” says Lauderdale. “I love the energy of working with such talented people just at the start of their careers. These kids are the future of our business.” Lauderdale was joined in-studio by musicians Chris Scruggs and Kenny Vaughan, Russ Pahl, Craig Smith, Will Van Horn, Micah Hulscher, Dave Racine, Pat Bubert, Wes L’Annglois, and sibling harmonies from Lillie Mae and Frank Rische.
Jim Lauderdale Tour Dates
July 3 - Silverados - Black Mountain, NC
July 17 - Road To Bristol, The Sessions Hotel - Bristol, VA
July 21 - Louisiana Crossroads - Lafayette, LA
July 23 - Donna the Buffalo’s Grassroots Festival - Trumansburg, NY
July 30 - 3rd & Lindsley - Nashville, TN
August 20 - Get Off The Grid Fest - East Ridge, TN
September 10 - Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Bristol, TN
September 16 - Merlefest - Wilkesboro, NC
