Molly Tuttle Announces New Album, New Direction
Molly Tuttle will no longer be a bluegrass performer, at least not for this next season of her career.
Her new album called So Long Little Miss Sunshine will be released on August 15th. It is being sold as a departure from her bluegrass past, and an exploration of more pop, rock, and country influences. Tuttle also covers Icona Pop and Charli XCX’s “I Love It” on the album. It’s produced by Jay Joyce, who also performs on the album, while Molly Tuttle love interest Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show co-writes many of the songs.
We all pretty much knew where Molly Tuttle was headed when she announced a few weeks ago that she was dissolving her Grammy-winning bluegrass band Golden Highway, and retooling with a band that included electric guitar and drums. Though Molly Tuttle might be one of the most important bluegrass flatpickers of our era—and has the IBMA Awards to prove it—she’s always seemed a little bored with bluegrass, which can happen when you master the genre at such a young age like Molly did.
Some might forget (or never knew) that when Tuttle started her solo career, it wasn’t in bluegrass, but in more moody, indie folk music that was mostly centered around songwriting. This sound comprised her first three albums on Compass Records from 2017 to 2020. And she was really good at it, earning critical acclaim, even if her output went mostly under-the-radar. Even at that time there was some frustration that Molly just wouldn’t pursue bluegrass.
That is what was so great about Tuttle’s Golden Highway era. It was bluegrass, but it was young and cool. And most importantly, the Golden Highway era was both commercially successful and critically-acclaimed. Tuttle released two albums Crooked Tree (2022) and City of Gold (2023), and both won Grammy Awards in the bluegrass realm. She also was nominated for the Grammy’s all-genre New Artist of the Year in 2023, which was an incredible feat for someone from bluegrass.
Everyone had a sense that “Golden Highway” would be an era for Molly, not her forever endeavor. But what’s disappointing for many is how short-lived that era was, especially seeing how successful and resonant it ended up being. Just a few weeks ago, Billboard published an article proclaiming how bluegrass was in a boom and going mainstream thanks to Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, and Zach Top. Molly leaves bluegrass right as interest in the genre is surging.
Imposing our desires upon Molly Tuttle’s music and career does feel unfair. Molly Tuttle should make whatever music is in her heart, and follow her own path wherever it leads. But leaving when she’s in the midst of dominating bluegrass and a roots resurgence is taking place means this decision carries significant risk. Tuttle could very quickly become a small fish in a big sea.
We also need to wait and see what exactly we get with her new album So Long Little Miss Sunshine. According to the publicity copy, there is significant flatpicking on the album, it includes some country influences, and Molly plays banjo on recorded tracks for the first time. Tuttle has earned the right for us to try and keep an open mind.
And even though Molly Tuttle has been wildly successful compared to most bluegrass artists, it’s hard not to notice how performers like Sarah Jarosz, Watchhouse, and others who started in bluegrass eventually branched out to more indie rock and pop influences, and garnered much bigger followings. Molly and Golden Highway were great. But they were still performing in opening slots on tours and trying to get greater traction.
Molly Tuttle says, “Part of me was scared to do such a big departure, and that went into the album title.” But ultimately she overcame her fear and said, “‘You know what? I’m just not going to care what people think. I’m going to do what I want.’”
But as a fan, it’s also okay to be heartbroken when you fall in love with a style or approach from an artist, and then they completely switch things up on you. Artists have a right to pursue their creative muse. But music fans have the right to not like it if it doesn’t fit their sensibilities.
Of all the news and information coming out of the Molly Tuttle camp about the new direction, the new song “That’s Gonna Leave a Mark” is probably one of the least concerning things, despite the super cringey and cliché line, “Ooh you got a certain je ne sais quoi,” and the fact that it’s basic fluff pop. But Tuttle’s guitar is in there, and if they’d embedded this song into one of her bluegrass albums, it would be a departure, but not entirely unusual.
But seeing that Molly Tuttle is working with Jay Joyce as producer is perhaps the most bitter pill to swallow. Jay Joyce is the new Country Music Antichrist. He’s the destroyer of country music worlds, with all the dubious distinctions thereof.
After Joyce wrecked the recent album of Lainey Wilson, eviscerated neotraditionalist Jon Pardi, and whatever the hell Eric Church just turned in via Evangeline vs. The Machine, you couldn’t have a more stomach churning experience than seeing that he’s now working with Molly Tuttle. How and why this guy has become the producer du jour is beyond perplexing, and even the assessment that he can confer commercial success is extremely circumspect.
All of this might be what Molly wants for Molly Tuttle. But will this be what the public wants from her? Time will tell. And again, we all owe it to Molly to be a little patient and see what she comes up with. But at a time when everything is heading towards country and bluegrass, Molly Tuttle is going in a more pop direction, and with that guy.
June 3, 2025 @ 10:58 am
Of all the things I expected the Taylor Swiftish turn was what I expected least. But I get the sense that Molly is doing it because she likes it. She also said that this is the the most pop song on it so the rest may be more rock. The sound of the band is not exactly standard pop particularly with her guitar work. Her playing does translate well to this kind of music.
June 3, 2025 @ 12:12 pm
“She also said that this is the the most pop song on it …”
Classic mainstream country/Jay Joyce move that can do a disservice to an artist and album by setting false impressions. Maybe Tuttle wanted to make a big splash and it’s her decision. But especially in this case, I would have released a song that best represents the overall work.
That said, I didn’t hate it as much as I feared I might. As I said in the article, my biggest fear is to see Jay Joyce involved.
June 3, 2025 @ 11:30 am
Flatt and Scruggs released The Ballad of Jef Clampett which was a TV hit songs, and arguably it made them ” popular ” in the day.
Keith Whitley and Ricky Skaggs both departed bluegrass to go commercial country. Though, Skaggs would later return to the bluegrass.
The Dillard’s departed bluegrass and went country- rock in the 70s.
Earl Scruggs formed the Earl Scruggs review with his sons and added drums.
Alison Krauss departed trad grass and morphed into adult contemporary light grass and country pop.
My point is, it’s not unheard of for a grass artist to change genres. Does this mean I’m aboard Tuttles new direction? Nope. But it happens.
June 3, 2025 @ 11:59 am
There does seem to be an understanding in the bluegrass community that an artist can go wander in other directions and then “c’mon back now, y’ hear?” Jerry Douglas is playing with an electric guitarist the last several years, Bela Fleck went 20 years between true bluegrass albums, etc. And none of those guys are getting pulled off the bluegrass festival circuit. I do think this is a bit much though; it does sound way too pop…I see where the first poster is coming from with the Taylor Swift comparison. I’ll give the other songs a chance, and I am sure we’ll hear her pick some grass again in the future, but this feels like a major wrong turn so far. It’s a shame too, because Golden Highway has absolutely been one of the greatest live bands in the world.
June 4, 2025 @ 12:07 pm
I understand what you are saying, although I don’t believe that Krauss has ever moved too far away from her bluegrass routes without and with Union Station. You give examples of artists changing direction over the years but nowadays artists seem to be completely switching styles in much more extreme ways. It would be fine for a one off experimental project but if Molly is truly bored with bluegrass, I can’t forgive her for that. Your heart is either in it or isn’t. I feel misled. I’m not too bothered about Golden Highway parting ways, as I can understand that, I can accept it was a project that’s run it’s course but for Molly to abandon bluegrass because she’s bored. I’m disappointed to say the least.
June 3, 2025 @ 11:56 am
The first track on Crooked Tree was “She’ll Change”, so she warned us all. I found her previous singer-songwriter stuff to be kind of dull overall, at least this doesn’t seem to be a return to that. We shall see.
June 3, 2025 @ 12:16 pm
Good point, and this was the point I made while reviewing “Crooked Tree.”
” don’t get stuck on the idea that all of Molly Tuttle’s albums henceforth will be bluegrass too. As she tells us in Crooked Tree, she’s not fit for the mill machine. She will follow her heart, not the herd, and you can be assured at some point that will steer away from bluegrass once more, whether it’s her next album, or seven albums down the road.”
https://savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-molly-tuttles-crooked-tree/
I think she was saying, “Fine, I’ll do your damn bluegrass albums, and knock them out of the park,” foreshadowing that she could justify it to herself knowing the direction wouldn’t be permanent.
She mastered bluegrass as a prodigy. Now she’s mastered bluegrass as an adult. Now she feels like she needs to move on to the next challenge.
June 4, 2025 @ 12:14 pm
“I’ll do your damn bluegrass albums”
How disrespectful can one be to a genre, heritage and community of music. If this is how she truly felt, why did she even bother with bluegrass in the first place?
June 4, 2025 @ 5:22 pm
For the record Craig, I don’t know that’s how she truly felt. I was being a bit hyperbolic there to make a point.
June 4, 2025 @ 12:22 pm
You don’t just master something, get bored of it and move on. No matter how talented one is it’s certainly impossible to outgrow it! You have a passion and devote your life to it. Although it’s typical from the younger generation! The pioneers of bluegrass would be turning in their graves with these disrespectful and nonchalant attitudes. Just like Mr Henson says about preserving the ‘Pastime of Country Music’, Molly and the younger generation should do the same for bluegrass.
June 4, 2025 @ 10:59 pm
I tend to agree. It rubs me the wrong way to see someone treat an art like bluegrass music as a “phase” you grow out of. You don’t just start turning in Grammy winning albums and then throw it all away
June 5, 2025 @ 1:38 pm
Neil Young made a career of doing just that. Played country-rock, straight ahead rock, rockabilly, strait country, metal (or at least heavy rock), then came back again while taking some other left and right turns. Waiting to hear more from Molly to see where this takes her.
June 3, 2025 @ 11:57 am
always gotta support an artist making what they want to make. Didn’t love the single here, but definitely have higher hopes for the rest of the album. Molly tuttle is a badass. hope they rock it out a bit on this record
Does trig or anyone have insight into how Jay Joyce became such a sought-after producer? Like what albums did he produce that were super commercially successful? Also, what albums (if any) did he produce that were good? Feel like I never heard of the guy a couple years ago and now every big artist is trying to work with him
do you know who rips its jeremy pinnell he rips
June 3, 2025 @ 12:18 pm
I think Jay Joyce is a great example of failing up in America. At least Joey Moi has a track record of making hits and launching artists. Jay Joyce just seems to be the hot hand because everybody thinks he is. Eric Church was about his only success, but that was over a decade ago now.
June 3, 2025 @ 1:07 pm
What’s crazy is this losing streak of his I’d argue is fairly recent. It’s undeniable he’s been the major reason for artists flops in terms of a records quality. But he’s had some stellar production work in my opinion not too long ago even. Port Saint Joe, Bronco, Desperate man are magnificent recording quality. Idk if he got hit in the head or something. But these past few records are a complete and utter nosedive.
June 4, 2025 @ 5:19 am
He’s taken every element that people who’ve “discovered” country music through lowest-common-denominator types like Billy Ray Cyrus and Florida Georgia Line think makes for a great country song. Unfortunately, a lot of mainstream country radio’s taste makers (and their puppeteers in Nashville) got interested in the genre that way, and that’s why most of the stuff you hear there these days sounds like this. (Minus the hip-hop and EDM crowd, who are in love with the beats and the processed vocals rather than the loud guitars and party-hardy lyrics. They’re the ones Joey Moi is usually catering to, although he’s capable of much better.)
It’s too bad there are nearly 2,500 stations out there, many topping the ratings in their markets, that have limitless appetites for this kind of country and only include the occasional Zach Top or Hailey Whitters on their airwaves as “variety” or “spice” tracks rather than the main course.
June 4, 2025 @ 11:01 pm
See this is the point people are missing with the idea that “traditional country” is popular in the mainstream again. You can’t really tell just looking at the airplay charts. Sure mainstream radio doesn’t really matter anymore but it’s still disappointing that people like Zach top and Cody Johnson are relegated to simply bringing the token country sound to the airwaves
June 6, 2025 @ 9:06 pm
I strongly dislike his recent production work but as for a good, and I think great, album that Jay Joyce produced, check out Patty Griffin’s Silver Bell, which included, among other great songs, the original versions of Truth No. 2 and Top of the World. Joyce also produced Griffin’s first album, Flaming Red, and Emmylou Harris’s album, Hard Bargain, both of which include some excellent tracks.
June 3, 2025 @ 12:04 pm
It’s not terrible, I suppose. Other than rhyming “Tennessee” with “bay-bee”…
June 3, 2025 @ 1:02 pm
The fine art of songwriting… long time dead and gone, in every genre.
AI does it better, these days.
June 3, 2025 @ 12:11 pm
She’s earned the right to make the music she wants to make, but I’ll miss the Golden Highway era. Crooked Tree is one of my favorite albums of the last 10 years.
June 3, 2025 @ 12:27 pm
So, Ketch is g.i.b. huh?
: D Well now …
This song is very easy, light, pure fluff, and is quick fun.
Molly’s voice is right for it.
June 4, 2025 @ 5:57 am
Well! I learn now at SCM that Molly’s preference has changed. I sympathize for those sisters who might feel their team lost a star. I learn from Di and urban Dictionary to “google it, brother”.
Best Wishes to Molly on her new directions!!!
June 3, 2025 @ 1:04 pm
MollyTuttle’s picking talent far outshines her ability in singing, so she needs to go the pop route, which invariably overproduces the vocals as the front and center. Even then, it is just to create ear candy, not anything special, lyrically or otherwise.
June 3, 2025 @ 1:22 pm
I actually like it, not sure its country, a complete left turn from the last two bluegrass albums but then they were a left term from where she started. However its a bit like what I was saying re Colter Wall your going into the studio and starting with a blank canvas and you arent necessary going to make the album your fans want you too make. We knew with the disbandment of the Golden Highway that she was probably embarking on something very different.
June 3, 2025 @ 1:26 pm
Song reminds me of my secret girl pop band crush – Haim. Don’t tell anyone please. It’s a secret.
June 4, 2025 @ 6:39 am
Your secret’s safe with me, Superman.
June 3, 2025 @ 1:47 pm
Now Billy Strings is the sole dominator of bluegrass modernization.
June 3, 2025 @ 2:05 pm
No real surprise. I will be interested to hear the other songs as I found this one rather bland. I have enjoyed her bluegrass albums, Very classy. Alison Krauss did the same and moved away from being solely bluegrass. Hopefully, she will return with some bluegrass in the future. Good luck to her.
June 3, 2025 @ 2:18 pm
The tree has straightened up a bit with this new release. It’s not bad. Not at all. But it lacks what I enjoyed the most about the previous two albums: great songs, great band interaction, great energy. It’s a shame.
June 3, 2025 @ 3:31 pm
The song is lame , generic chick pop . Her voice is not strong and if she want to sound like a Brittany Spears , Taylor Swift type that’s her prerogative. If the whole album is like this, her career is in the toilet. Her strength is her guitar playing. Is it her goal to have her poster on the walls of the 13 year olds of America?
June 3, 2025 @ 6:04 pm
The bald image is possibly her other meal ticket.
People with disabilities are go.
June 4, 2025 @ 4:52 am
…and the scm comment section hits another low. you are despicable hank 33.
almost even more sad is, that you guys let him get away with that undisputed.
June 4, 2025 @ 5:25 am
Can’t figure out which is more pathetic. The willful ignorance that leads you to basically say “people with disabilities have it made” or thinking that alopecia is a disability. Either way, thanks for adding nothing but stupidity to the convo Hank
June 4, 2025 @ 8:01 am
It is no secret the moral progressives exploit “disabilities” to sell product/raise funds, and to deflect criticism while doing it.
My take on Molly Tuttle’s latest move is that she is being ill-advised by shrewd marketeers to suddenly parade her condition front and center to coincide with her pop rebranding. It makes her album “strong” regardless of what a betrayal it is musically or culturally.
Now, don’t you dare criticize her “brave” move from folk to commercial pop music; she suffers from a condition. Besides, she is part of an all female band, you misogynist.
June 4, 2025 @ 8:16 am
Hank33,
Molly Tuttle has been talking about her alopecia for many years now, and taking her wigs off in videos, on stage, and in photos. I agree there was an effort to “center” that here, but let’s not degrade her advocacy as being opportunistic. These are the kinds of comments where people stretch to make a culture war point that I think are unhelpful, and cloud this whole comments section. Pick your battles. You want to criticize Molly, criticize her for going pop.
June 4, 2025 @ 9:25 am
You, yourself placed her “advocacy” image on your article and now want to tell me not to respond to it as part of a carefully created pop package.
It all about the music, you say.
Would George Jones have removed his toupee to sell a disco record in 1977?
Oh, I forgot; male pattern baldness doesn’t enjoy any advocacy support. It is simply mocked.
June 4, 2025 @ 10:21 am
you are such a little snowflake dude
June 4, 2025 @ 12:14 pm
You must be short as well… You are on a roll keep it up.
June 4, 2025 @ 12:27 pm
Short?
The correct term is “midget.” Thank you very much.
June 4, 2025 @ 12:29 pm
Exactly, there was a reason Tommy Emmanuel wanted her on his last Tour and it wasn’t anything to do with this shambles!
June 3, 2025 @ 3:32 pm
I’m afraid this does not end well for her. Ask The Band Perry. This new song is quite forgettable. But I’ve been wrong before… we shall see. I do wish the best for her though. She is remarkably talented and I’ve had a great time at the 3 concerts of hers that I attended. Kinda bummed to see the change in direction.
June 3, 2025 @ 3:50 pm
Well i wish her the best. Ive really enjoyed the last two albums. But my pop/rock listening days are pretty much over far as new stuff so i doubt ill listen much.
June 3, 2025 @ 4:07 pm
Molly Swift? Pass.
June 3, 2025 @ 4:41 pm
She’s already done a ton of pop and rock covers previously so it’s consistent with the trajectory or whatever you want to call it. Just follow the muse, why the hell not. If it tanks it’s not like she can’t go back to what works.
June 4, 2025 @ 12:31 pm
Why would the bluegrass community welcome her back if it’s true that she’s “bored” of it or her heart wasn’t truly in it….
June 5, 2025 @ 8:30 am
Because she is a hell of a picker.
June 3, 2025 @ 5:23 pm
If I didn’t know it was Molly I would have never kept listening, or watching. The visuals are just plain stupid, and the tune is fluff city. Hard to believe her heart is in this musically. Seems like a young mid-life crisis to me. Jealous that her virtuosity wasn’t enough for the masses? They never are Molly, because the masses are stupid and pretty much know nothing about music. But most folks end up following the money and the fame.
June 3, 2025 @ 5:31 pm
Kind of figured she would branch out, she’s young. I hope it works out for her. Alison Kraus has put Union Station back together recently, Tony Rice and Dave Grisman branched out and came back and who can say anything bad about Chris Stapletons move away from bluegrass. She has a chance now to make some real money, the kind that will allow her to do anything she wants.
June 3, 2025 @ 5:39 pm
I love a good indie pop/rock album. But this is sounding more like 90s Canadian country pop. I think she’s still finding her voice in this new direction she’s going.
June 3, 2025 @ 5:57 pm
Looking forward to the whole album. On its own this track is inoffensive if you weren’t hoping for bluegrass.
Looks like Kaitlin Butts is going to support her on the forthcoming tour. So that will be enough for me to get a ticket.
June 3, 2025 @ 6:59 pm
Honestly, she’s still young enough, and good enough, to reinvent herself multiple times before she hits 55.
So let’s give her a chance to break out a bit. Some of us may not like the new direction, but let’s see how it feels for her to leave the bluegrass typecasting I think she was worried about.
June 3, 2025 @ 7:48 pm
The good news is that Golden Highway created solo careers for Shelby Means and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes who have put out some quality bluegrass albums themselves.
June 3, 2025 @ 10:42 pm
Bronwyn was actually releasing solo albums before Golden Highway. But I agree the band raised the profile on ALL the players significantly, and I think they’re all grateful for that.
June 4, 2025 @ 2:40 pm
Yes Shelby Means is a talented artist, and in a just world would be a big star
June 3, 2025 @ 9:15 pm
Man people in the comments section are trying to be nice about this, which is kind of cute I guess. I can appreciate a good pop song, but WTF is this? Perplexing is right.
June 5, 2025 @ 3:52 am
Yes i was polite in my comment, as I respect an artists freedom creatively to do what they wish…but the music guy i am says this whole experiment blows. This could be the equivalent of Neil Youngs weird electronic albums. ” Trans” anyone?
Seriously, though how is Tuttle gonna do a live show now with this all new band? What’s the setlist? Entirely all new songs that the audience is not into? No grass at all? Does she rearrange her crowd pleasing songs as more rock or pop in sryle? Dooley’s Farm becomes pop? And does she expect the existing fan base she’s built will support this? Knowing hard-core grass people, i wouldn’t count on it. Risky, Risky, Risky.
June 5, 2025 @ 6:53 am
Molly was open and made sure to tell folks what to expect on the new tour. Doesn’t mean some still won’t show up expecting a bluegrass show, but she did give people fair warning. Not sure if she’ll play any of the bluegrass material, or in what style. We’ll have to see.
June 3, 2025 @ 9:46 pm
I’m hearing echoes of early John Mayer in this track.
June 4, 2025 @ 2:08 am
…it’s the mark of an artist to always keep striving for the next (new) thing. hence, good news from ms. tuttle. if the cover art of that new album is any indication, we’re in for one or the other twist, i guess/hope. again, positive news.
she may be lost to the bluegrass world for a period – or forever – but that’s often times the way it goes with artists that are larger than the place where they come from. what better choice than joyce for a bold move and if you have some appetite for risk. “that’s gonna leave a mark” is pretty and unexpected coming from her, but could do with some more dynamic in the delivery around the hook. after all she’s in a state of exitement about her situation there, isn’t she. on guitar she may be a beacon, vocally she’s never been. in the crafty bluegrass world that didn’t matter – in country and pop it’s everything to sound the part.
June 4, 2025 @ 3:46 am
disappointed but not entirely surprised.
i like her too much to say anything remotely negative but…jay joyce??
it feels like coming back early from work and discover your wife in bed with your worst enemy who also happens to be a brilliant soccer player but decide to start a carreer in tennis.
June 4, 2025 @ 5:08 am
I wouldn’t listen to this song twice, but it’s not horrible. Unlike the video. Yikes.
June 4, 2025 @ 7:57 am
I like how when Taylor Swift started marketing her music as pop everyone was like “she’s finally telling the truth,” and now when a country artist pivots to pop everyone says they’re “pulling a Taylor Swift.” It ain’t the same thing, y’all.
Song’s pretty catchy, I’ll probably come back to it.
June 4, 2025 @ 10:02 am
Super talented people make all kinds of music. If she’s self sufficient, even if it’s not my cup of tea, I’ll respect it.
June 4, 2025 @ 10:32 am
Another one bites the dust. All too common for females in the country genre.
June 4, 2025 @ 11:34 am
How can a musician get bored with Bluegrass? You are either in or you aren’t. You would never see Alison Krauss and many other young talented protégés get bored with this music. It is true that Bluegrass is in a Boom period you got Sister Sadie, Becky Buller, Vickie Vaughn (solo and other projects), Rick Faris, Alison & Union Station back with a super new album, Special Consensus celebrating their 50th Anniversary and so many more. I wouldn’t say I am “heartbroken” but I do recall seeing her performing on Tommy Emmanuel’s UK Tour last year, thinking I can’t wait to see and hear what more there is to come from Molly (this wasn’t even with her Golden Highway bandmates). So yes I am disappointed as I’m not interested in Jay Joyce related stuff, why does he have to get involved with so many artists nowadays? We’ve seen what chaos he brings to some tracks on Lainey Wilson’s and Jon Pardi’s recent albums! I like what Sarah Jarosz and Watchhouse do and they don’t have to go near JJ, you still get wonderful sounds through a variety of instruments. It’s still quality music but I fear Molly will not get close to what they are doing. I’ll wait to give the album a chance but the lead single is a complete let down and doesn’t fill me with confidence. If she is leaving bluegrass then I doubt the banjo will be that great on this new direction album. It’s one thing experimenting and it’s another alienating your Bluegrass fans and then leaving them behind (when they have invested so much into her and the music) to permanently pursue ventures new. I wish her the best doing what she wants and I’ll give the album a try, but I already feel it won’t be my Cup O’Joe (if I can use the name of another fine Bluegrass band).
June 4, 2025 @ 11:03 pm
I think it’s due time for an in depth article on the rise of Jay Joyce as a country music producer. The damage he has done to the genre is beyond measure.
June 5, 2025 @ 3:06 pm
That music video reminds me of the background visuals from a Puscifer or Primus or Tool concert.
June 5, 2025 @ 9:15 pm
One thing being overlooked was Molly’s lyrical edge, great storytelling and wordplay. This is Taylor Swift shallow cringy.
June 9, 2025 @ 10:05 am
Nugs.net had a stream of her first concert with the new band from Vail this weekend and it was encouraging that she was not going completely pop or pop country. She played 5-6 songs from the new album along with some covers and material from the Golden Highway albums. She still plays the hell out of her guitar and the band features a woman mainly on fiddle or mandolin (except for on That’s Gonna Leave a Mark where she played keyboard) and the bass player plays both electric and stand up bass. That’s Gonna Leave a Mark was the weakest song in the set, but the other songs are not a complete departure. I think that she will still be worth seeing in concert even if the production on the album makes the songs less interesting. It was just the first concert with the new band and maybe she will move more into pop side, but this concert did not have me concerned that we were into heavy pop country.
June 9, 2025 @ 11:28 am
Thanks for the report Kevin!