No, The New Dixie Chicks & Willie Nelson Albums Aren’t Being Released
This story has been updated.
Friday, April 24th was supposed to be a big release day in country music, with the much-anticipated new record from Willie Nelson called First Rose of Spring leading a stacked day of new album releases. Now, it is one of numerous releases that won’t see the light of day due to delays tied to the Coronavirus quarantine.
It was announced in late March that Willie was moving the release date of First Rose of Spring to July 3rd. Then it was announced earlier this week that long-anticipated release of the first Dixie Chicks record in 14 years called Gaslighter originally scheduled for May 1st would also be delayed due to COVID-19, indefinitely.
These titles join a growing list of albums receiving delays during the Coronavirus shutdown. Canadian country artist Corb Lund was also supposed to release his latest record Agricultural Tragic on April 24th. It has now been moved to June 26th. Also from the roots world, Margo Price’s much-anticipated new album That’s How Rumors Get Started originally scheduled for May 8th has been pushed back indefinitely. Though we don’t have a new release date, Margo has said, “More realistically, it’s going to be this summer.”
One artist who has chosen to not delay his new release is Jason Isbell, whose Reunions record is still set for May 15th, but is now being moved up to May 8th for folks who want to buy physical copies from local record stores in and effort to support these local businesses, many of which that are offering curbside pickup or even delivery of certain purchases.
However all the delays in releases are exacerbating concerns that come the summer and fall seasons, certain Fridays will be glutted with releases, similar to what could happen with the festival and tour circuit. April 24th was already a glutted day on the release calendar. But it could be nothing compared to the prime real estate days in July, August, and September as titles keep getting pushed back.
At the same time, important records continue to be released, and it’s important both the industry and fans don’t overlook these releases among the onslaught of Coronavirus news and nightly streaming events.
Albums still scheduled to be released on April 24th:
Whitney Rose – We Still Go To Rodeos
Pam Tillis – Looking For a Feeling
Pete Bernhard (Devil Makes Three) – Harmony Ascension Division
Lucinda Williams – Good Souls/Better Angels
Drake White – Stars EP
Ben Bostick – Among The Faceless Crowd
Chatham County Line – Strange Fascination
Will Banister – Everything Burns
Ana Cristina Cash – Shine
Craig Gerdes – Tough As Nails
April 23, 2020 @ 11:49 am
Don’t forget the new Jeff Crosby, which is still coming out on Friday. Judging by the songs he’s released off of it so far, it is going to be damn good.
April 23, 2020 @ 12:17 pm
I’m conflicted because I was really looking forward to the Dixie Chicks album. I waited 14 years and now I have to wait some more.
April 23, 2020 @ 12:48 pm
Forgot Pam Tillis is releasing a new record. looking forward to that one
I was interested in new Dixie Chicks music but then I listened to their song, Gaslighter. That song is terrible and I am no longer really interested. I’m sure I will give the record a listen at some point once it’s released but I don’t have an expectation that I will like it. yeah, I know… that’s based on only one song. Whatever.
April 23, 2020 @ 12:50 pm
While this is frustrating, I am more bummed out about the disruption to the concert activity than delayed releases. Had great seats to see Willie in Milwaukee next week and I fear that concert will never happen. Many other shows were going to be enjoyed too (Black Crowes in August) and now will be delayed way beyond new music releases. Even worried about Mile O fest next January. Hang in there folks!
April 23, 2020 @ 1:32 pm
Don’t forget to include Craig Gerdes new album Tough As Nails coming out tomorrow!
April 23, 2020 @ 2:23 pm
For some reason I had that scheduled coming out April 3rd, and when it came, I wondered where it was. Not sure if it got moved back, or I just forgot the “2” on the list.
April 23, 2020 @ 1:30 pm
I wonder if some of the albums that have been delayed were running behind on finishing touches in production due to work restrictions. I can’t think of any other reason to delay album releases as many people get new music digitally these days
April 23, 2020 @ 1:47 pm
Christian, don’t think so. The Corb Lund has been on Bandcamp for weeks now. And has 3 singles as prereleases.
April 23, 2020 @ 2:26 pm
It may be a calculation from people working remotely, but I’m not sure it involves the music itself. Usually an album is well finished before a release date is announced.
I don’t recommend delaying records right now. People don’t have much else to do but listen to music, and all it’s going to do is make it that much more crowded to promote in the summer and fall.
April 23, 2020 @ 8:12 pm
Cord’s is certainly done as Paddy said. I’m sure New West pushed it back due to physical production delays. Same reason why Margo Price pushed hers back.
April 24, 2020 @ 9:09 pm
i’d wager reason they are holding back on releasing these albums is because they are unable to tour behind them as well as record plants, album distributors ,warehouses and shops being shuttered for the time being. COVID19 has derailed everything, i’m just glad for the new tv shows and films being released though god knows were about to hit a drought there as well since all production has come to a grinding halt
April 23, 2020 @ 1:33 pm
Very disappointed with Lund delay. Do you know if this applies to both physical and digital. I ask this cause Bandcamp still has release slated for 24th April. Glad I did not pre order.
April 23, 2020 @ 8:14 pm
Corb/New West Probably hasn’t updated their Bandcamp page to reflect the new date. Who knows, maybe they forgot about it and the album is set to automatically set to open on Friday.
April 23, 2020 @ 8:29 pm
Also it’s important to note that Corb is distributed by a different label in Canada. His New West deal is only for the United States. Not exactly sure how this factors in here, but my guess is the delay was not New West’s call. They have not delayed any of their other releases, so my guess is the choice to delay came from Corb or the Canadian label.
April 23, 2020 @ 1:34 pm
Other artists have kept their album release schedules to give their fans something new in this time of crisis. I guess these greedy fuckers are worried they won’t sell enough physical copies. Too bad about the Willie and Corb Lund albums. I could give a shit about the Chicks album.
April 23, 2020 @ 1:44 pm
Jimmy, you are a mind reader. The Whitney Rose, Chatham County Line and Lucinda Williams are still coming. I like Lund but will not now be buying it.
April 23, 2020 @ 6:52 pm
Maple Man Bad now, eh?
April 23, 2020 @ 2:30 pm
Also looking forward to the new Ruthie Collins!
April 23, 2020 @ 2:38 pm
(On vinyl I mean)
April 24, 2020 @ 1:31 am
It’s an excellent album, I’ve ordered it on CD.
April 23, 2020 @ 4:02 pm
Big labels will protect their artists in order to give them a bigger, broader, flashier album release. Smaller labels won’t be able to arrange a later date…
I assume Sam Hunt dismissed any possible delay for his release because he’s an introvert and doesn’t like promoting himself
April 23, 2020 @ 7:21 pm
Trigger,
What is the logic behind these damn release delays?? People want to listen to music and are dying for new albums. The virus isn’t stopping people from buying music or streaming music and this is just a crappy move to do to the fans. Do they think because they can’t go on Fallon or Kimmel to promote it that the sales will die? That’s b.s. Those late night shows get about million viewers a night. They can get that exposure very easily online.
What is the reason they are giving for the delay?
April 23, 2020 @ 8:25 pm
The reason they’re giving for the delays is the Coronavirus, with no real other specifics. I have no doubt that label people working remotely, and the strain on the companies that make and distribute physical music makes these releases less than ideal. But my personal opinion and what I’ve said in numerous articles is that I think the releases should go on as planned. As you said, people need new music right now, and if more and more people delay their releases, it’s only going to make future months more crowded. Over and over I’ve seen albums hit with endless delays (like the Maddie & Tae album I just reviewed) lose their momentum by the time they’re actually released.
April 24, 2020 @ 4:37 am
Could not agree more with you on these releases. Just got the new Lucinda, Whitney Rose and Chatham County Line. Nobody can call these artists small fry. But they can release on schedule. And your best buddy Jason Isbell has actually brought his release forward. I do not think it is the artists. More likely the music labels. And this is where we music lovers depend on you, and others like you, to make sure our views are known. As for Lund, I have made my view known directly to him. He has lost at least one fan.
April 24, 2020 @ 5:48 am
You’re sounding kinda thin-skinned for a Corb fan.
April 24, 2020 @ 6:50 am
I am not a fan. At least not any more.
April 24, 2020 @ 7:00 am
Really? In my mind I pictured Paddy going on his hunting trips, digging wells, etc.
April 24, 2020 @ 8:30 am
Paddy, you sure are whiny.
April 24, 2020 @ 10:25 am
It’s a bummer that the release date was pushed back, but at least I’ve known it for a while now (a few weeks or a month, maybe?). I’d be more annoyed if the news was spring on me last minute, like what seems to have happened with the Dixie Chicks album. But even so…
April 23, 2020 @ 9:27 pm
The reason behind this crap is Nashville. The Dicksy Chix can’t include a digital download with every concert ticket sold, thereby bumping up the numbers that “bought” their album. They can’t go on Kimmel and Fallon to fake country fans that enjoy Georgia County Line. Real fans of ANY music find the music and buy it. Cody Jinks literally had two #1 country albums in consecutive weeks this last year and I dare you to tell me what late night talk show he was on. He DID sell out Red Rocks a few weeks prior. I have no idea why Willie Nelson lets his label do this. He shouldn’t perform live anymore, but studio produced Willie is ok. Much better than the Dicksy Chix.
April 24, 2020 @ 7:05 am
Nelson’s delay is disappointing.
Hopefully, the Dixie Licks’ “album” stays forever delayed.
April 24, 2020 @ 8:11 am
CountryKnight,
I’m with you there.
April 24, 2020 @ 7:33 am
Meanwhile next week is still scheduled to have some significant releases, including Kenny Chesney, Hot Country Knights and American Aquarium.
April 24, 2020 @ 9:11 am
best (only?) thing I like about Chesney: he uses Kenny Greenberg on guitar.
April 24, 2020 @ 10:33 am
Thanks for reminding me about American Aquarium!