Release Radar & Most Anticipated Albums for 2023
Congratulations, you made it to 2023. And now it’s time to take a look forward at what country music may have in store for the new year.
If we’re being honest, the beginning of 2023 looks very thin when it comes to the amount of confirmed releases and big projects compared to what we’ve seen in years previous at this time. What’s the reason for this? 2022 had an insane amount of releases—so much so that we’re still trying to catch up. Perhaps that’s resulting in a slow start to 2023.
But don’t worry, the second half of 2023 could be very action packed. How do we know? Because the “Rumor Mill” with chatter about releases that might be coming up but are yet to be confirmed is very noisy at the moment (see bottom). That means that a slow winter 2023 might give way to a busier late spring and summer.
Nonetheless, there are still some stellar records to be released in the coming weeks and months, and you can find a list of top releases below, as well as a more detailed release radar of all confirmed releases in country and roots music below that.
Hint: Bookmark this page, and come back each Friday to stay up-to-date with releases. This list will be updated regularly under the “confirmed releases” heading as new albums are announced, though older albums won’t be removed from the list so people can look back at what they might have missed.
PLEASE NOTE: No artist or album was overlooked, snubbed, or disregarded here. If you know of an album to be released that you believe is of interest to country and roots music, please feel free to share the information below in the comments section for the benefit of everyone.
Whitehorse – I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying – January 13th
Canadian duo Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet have worked both inside and outside of country music in their acclaimed careers as they’ve racked up five JUNO nominations in three separate genres. But I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying unapologetically leans heavily on their classic country influences in new original songs.
Starting off to record an EP of 70s country songs as a way to pass time during the pandemic, the creativity started flowing, and all of a sudden they had written a full blown classic country album themselves. As can be heard in the debut single, “If The Loneliness Don’t Kill Me,” this will be a twangy record, and one not to miss.
Pony Bradshaw – North Georgia Rounder – January 27th
You will struggle to find a more thoughtful and literary songwriter than Pony Bradshaw, who impressed many with his previous album Calico Jim. A proud North Georgian who reminds us that Appalachia officially stretches into the Peach State, he will put his amalgam of literary influences into his new album North Georgia Rounder.
Though Georgia and Appalachia play a role in the new album, it also works as a travelogue in some respects, also making visits to Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as Louisiana and Arkansas in the 10-song album. As early tracks like “Kindly Turn the Bed Down, Drusilla” and “Notes on a River Town” prove, this will be an important singer/songwriter album for 2023.
JD Clayton – Long Way From Home – January 27th
Arkansas native JD Clayton is known as one of those “real deal” artists with authenticity behind the words he writes and delivers with conviction. After releasing an EP Side A in 2022, he’s now readying the release of his debut LP co-produced with Thomas Clayton, and recorded at The Planetarium in Nashville.
“When you’re from Fort Smith, Arkansas you’re expected to graduate high school and either start work for a manufacturing plant or move off to college with the hope that you’ll be back one day to work for the family business or get a desk job booking freight at Arc Best,” says JD Clayton. “It’s pretty hard to explain how a kid from Fort Smith could make it in music, but I tried my best with these songs.”
Brit Taylor – Kentucky Blue – February 3rd
From the Country Music Highway region of Kentucky, Brit Taylor’s new album was produced by Sturgill Simpson with David Ferguson, and recorded at “Cowboy” Jack Clement’s Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa in Nashville. Kentucky Blue is said to have a little bit of a funky attitude in spurts, but otherwise is pure country. Co-writers include Kimberly Kelly, Pat McLaughlin (known for writing with John Prine), and Adam Wright.
“Kentucky Blue—both the song and the album—is so indicative of love and life and Kentucky,” Taylor says. “Whether you are mourning the death of a relationship, of a dream, of a family member or even of a personal idol such as Loretta Lynn, ‘Kentucky Blue’ speaks to your heart in that unique musical language of Appalachia.” (read more)
Rob Ikes & Trey Hensley – Living In A Song – February 10th
Dobro player Rob Ikes and guitarist Trey Hensley are already revered worldwide within the bluegrass discipline as top-notch players, songwriters, and collaborators. Ikes has won the IBMA Dobro Player of the Year a whopping 15 times, and ever since Hensley debuted on the Grand Ole Opry at 11 years old with Earl Scruggs and Marty Stuart, he’s been shattering expectations.
But for their first album in nearly five years, the duo is distinctively exploring their classic country music roots in ten original compositions as well as a couple of covers. Co-writing some of the tracks with producer Brent Maher, this will be the bluegrass duo’s foray into country music, while also mixing in some bluegrass and Americana influences for good measure. If you’ve been waiting for a good opportunity to give this duo your undivided attention, this may be it.
The Shootouts – Stampede – February 24th
Ohio’s official throwback traditional country honky tonk band has a new album on the way, and it’s produced by Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel, and features appearances by Marty Stuart, Raul Malo of The Mavericks, and Jim Lauderdale. Sam Seifert also helped produce.
The Shootouts weren’t exactly planning on releasing a new album this year after releasing the Chuck Mead-produced Bullseye in 2021. But when Ray Benson agreed to produce a new album, they couldn’t help but oblige. Though Akron, Ohio isn’t exactly an epicenter of country music, that rust belt authenticity nonetheless makes a good backdrop for The Shootouts, and they’ve made a name for themselves in the Midwest and well beyond, getting nominated for Best Honky Tonk Group at the upcoming 2023 Ameripolitan Awards. (read more)
Matt Hillyer – Glorieta – February 24th
We knew the frontman from legendary local Dallas country band Eleven Hundred Springs wouldn’t be on the sidelines for too long after the band announced their retirement in 2021. Matt Hillyer had already done ample time as a solo artist, and now he’s readying his first post-Eleven Hundred release produced by John Pedigo of the O’s, who’s also worked recently with Joshua Ray Walker.
On his solo career, Matt Hillyer says, “To me they’re all just songs I had a hand in creating, whether it’s an Eleven Hundred Springs song or one of my solo songs and I’m really proud of them. Those songs have gone places and have taken me places. I’m also excited to see where the new music will take me, because I have no plans to stop doing this anytime soon.”
Lucero – Should’ve Learned by Now – February 24th
Alt-country rockers Lucero were mostly dark and broody on their last two albums Among the Ghosts (2018) and When You Found Me (2021). One of the reasons for this was a purposeful attempt to be more weighty and intense. As many Lucero fans will attest, they were successful in that attempt, no matter how you feel about the songs themselves.
But it wasn’t that they weren’t writing any lighter material, they were just holding it back. It’s those songs that will comprise the new album. “All that fun stuff has a home!” the band says. “It’s time to get these songs out into the world! That’s how we got to the appropriately-for-us-titled album ‘Should’ve Learned by Now.’ The album is basically about how we know we are fuckups and I guess we are ok with that.”
Michael Cleveland – Lovin’ Of The Game – March 3rd
Michael Cleveland continues to be a significant part of the resurgent swell we’ve seen in the popularity of bluegrass over the last few years. Both as a solo artist and as a collaborator, he’s brought such authority and passion to the fiddle discipline, it’s infectious with the audience. A 12-time IBMA winner, his last album Tall Fiddler won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.
Lovin’ Of The Game will feature appearances from Béla Fleck, Billy Strings, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke, Jeff White, The Travelin’ McCourys, and Vince Gill, perhaps making this album Michael Cleveland’s biggest breakout yet. “He plays fearless and it’s intoxicating to play with him because he makes you play fearless,” says Vince Gill. “He takes no prisoners but he plays with restraint and a soul. He plays without abandon.”
Nicholas Jamerson – Peace Mountain – May 19th
Not only is Nicholas Jamerson’s band Sundy Best releasing a new album Feel Good Country on February 3rd, Jamerson is also releasing a solo album, with the title track featuring Charles Wesley Godwin out now, along with two other tracks. It is the followup to Jamerson’s previous album The Wild Frontier.
“’The Wild Frontier’ was about finding faith; whereas ‘Peace Mountain’ is about practicing faith and making peace with life, trusting that the work has been done, and enjoying the process,” says Jamerson. Peace Mountain will be his 6th studio album overall.
OTHER ANTICIPATED/CONFIRMED RELEASES
January 10th – Juniper – She Steals Candy
January 13th
Whitehorse – I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying
Margo Price – Strays
The Bombadils – Dear Friend
Myron Elkins – Factories, Farms & Amphetamines
Laid Back Country Picker – Go West
Troublesome Hollow – The Sign Shop Project (string band)
January 20th
Peach & Quiet – Beautiful Thing
Erik Vincent Huey – Appalachian Gothic
Zach and Maggie – The Elephant in the Room
Brothers of the Heart – Listen to the Music (country Gospel)
Laura Zucker – Lifeline
Remi Mae – Self-Titled EP
Diane Hubka & The Sun Canyon Band – You Never Can Tell
January 23rd – Johnny Nicholas Presents Moon and the Stars: A Tribute to Moon Mullican
January 24th – Dust Bowl Faeries – Carnival Dust EP
January 26th
Erik Huey – Appalachian Gothic
January 27th
Elle King – Come Get Your Wife
Coleman Jennings and the Roaddogs – Know No Leash EP
JD Clayton – Long Way From Home
Gibson Brothers – Darkest Hour
Joe Henry – All The Eye Can See
Pony Bradshaw – North Georgia Rounder
Turn Turn Turn – New Ray from the Old Sun (70s folk rock)
Austin Mayse – Bridges and Kerosene
January 28th – Ralph Nix & the Guild Birds – Good Ingredients
February 1st – Simon Linsteadt – Mud Season
February 3rd
Jarrod Dickenson – Big Talk
Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams – Live at Levon’s!
Sunny War – Anarchist Gospel
Mile Twelve – Close Enough to Hear
Sundy Best – Feel Good Country
Tim Stafford & Thomm Jutz – Lost Voices
Helene Cronin – Landmarks
Brit Taylor – Kentucky Blue
Marty Metal (of the Supersuckers) – Marty Metal’s Greatest Hits
February 10th
Jill Barber – Homemaker (folk)
Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley – Living in a Song
The Runaway Grooms – This Road (Americana, roots rock)
Ashby Frank – Leaving Is Believing (bluegrass)
February 13th – The Bear and the Bison – Self-Titled
February 16th – Starling Arrow – Cradle
February 17th
Jaimee Harris – Boomerang Town
Alex Mabey – The Waiting Room
Tina Ross – While I’m Here (folk)
Izzy Miller – Izzy Miller Sings ‘Extra Bacon’ and Other Chart-Topping Hits
Craig Campbell – The Lost Files: Exhibit A
Tom Glynn – Skylight Intervention (acoustic guitar folk)
Buddy Mondlock – Filament (folk)
Charles Wesley Godwin – Live from the Church EP
February 24th
Matt Hillyer – Glorieta
Lucero – Should’ve Learned by Now
The Shootouts – Stampede
Muscadine Bloodline – Teenage Dixie
Andy Hedges- Roll On Cowboys (Cowboy, Western)
Iris Dement – Workin’ On a World
Dierks Bentley – Gravel and Gold
Volores – Ages (Dark Americana)
The Tender Things – That Texas Touch
Sawyer Fredericks – The Golden Tree
Rose’s Pawn Shop – Punch-Drunk Life
February 28th – Amanda Fields – What, When, and Without
March 1st – Reverend Horton Heat – Roots of the Rev. Vol. 1 (Rockabilly, cover songs)
March 2nd – H. Self – Country Songs
March 3rd
The National Parks – 8th Wonder
The Panhandlers – Tough Country
Karen Jonas – The Restless
Michael Cleveland – Lovin’ Of The Game
Chris Williams and Kid Reverie – Something From Nothing
Drayton Farley – Twenty On High
Slaid Cleaves – Together Through The Dark
New Earth Farmers – The Good Ones Got Away
National Park Radio – Canyons
Doolin – Circus Boy (French folk pop)
Willie Nelson – I Don’t Know a Thing About Love (Harlan Howard Tribute)
IVA – Nobody’s Woman EP (Americana)
Nate Fredrick and the Wholesome Boys – Self-Titled EP
Logan Springer & the Wonderfully Wild – Crow
Eli Buddy and Sweet Mesquite – Songs of Atascosa & South Central Texas
Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, And Barry Dean – The Songwriter Tapes Vol. 1
March 9th – D’Arc’s Family Jams
March 10th
Matt Andersen – The Big Bottle of Joy
Robert Jon and the Wreck – One Of A Kind EP (roots rock)
Dylan Earl – I Saw The Arkansas (old school country)
Rust Dust – Twere But It Were So Simple
Say ZuZu – No Time To Lose
Time Sawyer – Dig a Little Deeper
War and Treaty – Lover’s Game
Ritch Henderson – Fallacies and Four Letter Words
Joel Thetford – Battery Steele
March 14th – Billy Shaw Jr. – Self-Titled
March 17th
Doug Paisley – Say What You Like
Daddy Long Legs – Street Sermons (roots blues punk)
Lynn Myles – TumbleWeedyWorld (folk)
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy – Canvas (Celtic roots)
Kendall Lujan – Forget Me Knots EP
Various Artists – Stoned Cold Country (Rolling Stones tribute)
Leon Russell – Signature Songs (stripped down recordings)
Bo DePeña – Live at the El Camino Lounge
Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, And Barry Dean – The Songwriter Tapes Vol. 2
March 24th
Luke Combs – Gettin’ Old
Chancey Williams – One Of These Days
Dom Flemmons – Traveling Wildfire
Wilder Woods – Fever / Sky
Darling West – Cosmos (Nordicana)
Jessie Wilson – How ‘Bout We Find Out EP
Caroline Rose – The Art of Forgetting
Jesse Daniel – My Kind of Country: Live at the Catalyst
Nickel Creek – Celebrants
Michael Jonathan – Garden of Silence (folk)
Carly Pearce: 29: Written In Stone (Live From Music City)
Steve Dawson – Eyes Closed, Dreaming
Ellie Turner – The Trouble’s All Done
Andrew Gabbard – Cedar City Sweetheart
Jenna Torres – Heaven & Hurt
Two Runner – Modern Cowboy
Jay Carlis – Alive in the Radio Age
Boys Club for Girls – Self-Titled
Tipps and Obermiller – Love (and other mysteries)
April Verch & Cody Walters – Passages and Partings
Gloria Anderson – Households EP
The Burner Band – Age of the Liar
March 31st
Upstate – You Only Get a Few
Lauren Morrow – People Talk
Mighty Poplar – Self-Titled (bluegrass)
Ray Scott – Wrong Songs: Musings from the Shallow End EP
Larry Sparks – It’s Just Me (bluegrass)
Jono Manson – Stars Enough To Guide Me (country blues)
Kristin Scott Benson, Wayne Benson – Pick Your Poison (bluegrass)
City and Colour – The Love Still Held Me Near
Lance Roark – Better Man
The Okee Dokee Brothers – Brambletown (children’s folk)
The Chapin Sisters – Bergen Street (folk)
4Runner – Back Runnin’
April 7th
Ian Munsick – White Buffalo
Ruston Kelly – The Weakness
The Hackles – What A Beautiful Thing I Have Made
Oracle Sisters – Hydranism (folk)
Jill Rogers and Crying Time – Many Worlds Theory
Sami Braman – Riveter (fiddle tunes)
Ian Jones – Results Not Typical
Chickasaw Mudd Puppies – Fall Line
Carter Sampson – Gold
Cimarron 615 – Brand New Distance
David Childers & The Serpents – Melancholy Angel
Bring Prudence – Bonfire (progressive folk)
Matt Steinfeld – Used To Be EP
Robbie Fulks – Bluegrass Vacation
Jake Worthington – Self-Titled
Josie Toney – Extra
Dan Horne – Count The Clouds (60s-inspired country rock)
Charlie & Margot – Joyride (Americana)
Cam Allen – In A Hometown
April 13th – Mike Tod – Self-Titled (old-time)
April 14th
The Lucky Valentines – Losses
Ben Bostick – The Rascal Is Back
William Prince – Stand In The Joy
Cowboy Dave – Venture South
Caitlyn Smith – High & Low
Fruit Bats – A River Running To Your Heart (folk rock)
The Wood Brothers – Heart Is The Hero
Mike Miz – Only Human (rock Americana)
Craig Gould – Songs from the Campfire
Lauren Barth – Stormwaiting
Thomas Charlie Pedersen – Employees Must Wash Hands (folk)
Ann-Margret – Born To Be Wild
White Rose Motor Oil – The Gift of Poison
Warren Zeiders – Pretty Little Poison (Sampler) EP
Grace Morrison – Maybe Modern
Kelsey Waldon – No Regular Dog (Deluxe Edition)
Donice Morace – This Life I Love
Robert Earl Keen – Western Chill
April 15th –
Mary Lee Kortes – Will Anybody Know That I Was Here: The Songs of Beulah Rowley
Ben de la Cour – Sweet Anhedonia
April 18th – Taj Mahal – Savoy
April 21st
Shawn Williams – Sulking In Love
Esther Rose – Safe To Run
The Infamous Stringdusters – A Tribute to Flatt & Scruggs
Alice Howe – Circumstance
Bonner Rhae – Forward Address
Joey Frendo – Bound for Heartache
Cinder Well – Cadence
Bella White – Among Other Things
Arkansauce – OK to Wonder (bluegrass)
Trapper Schoepp – Siren Songs
Robert Jon and the Wreck – Live At The Ancienne Belgique (DVD)
Southerland – Self-Titled EP
April 25 – Bryce Lewis – Saskatchewan Country Guitar
April 28th
One Night in Texas: The Next Waltz’s Tribute to the Red Headed Stranger (Live)
Raveis Kole – In The Moment
The Bootstrap Boys – Hungry and Sober
Davission Brothers Band – Home Is Where The Heart Is
Various Artists – I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson At 100 (tribute album)
Joy Oladokun – Proof of Life
Kip Moore – Damn Love
Run Katie Run – Cowboy Boots with Fishnet Tights
Tommy Emmanuel – Accomplice Two
Del Barber – Almanac
Ward Hayden and the Outliers – South Shore
The Rifters – The Enchanted World
Dan Whitaker – I Won’t Play By Your Rules
Jon Stickley Trio – Meantime’s Up
May 1st – Long Haul Paul – Legends of the Lost Highway
May 2nd
Pete Anderson – How To Produce a Record (book)
Taylor Hagood – Stringbean: The Life and Murder of a Country Music Legend (book)
May 5th
Justin Moore – Stray Dog
Angelica Rockne – The Rose Society
Rodney Crowell – The Chicago Sessions
Eilen Jewell – Get Behind The Wheel
Joseph Terrell – Good For Nothing Howl (Mipso member)
Vance Gilbert – The Mother of Trouble
Logan Halstead – Dark Black Coal
Alison Brown – On Banjo
The Golden Roses – Coverage from Signal Hill EP (classic covers)
Jericho Woods – Stop Signs and Fence Lines EP
Jax Hollow – Only The Wild Ones (country/folk rock)
Velvet Rodeo – Back in the Saddle
Sarah Morris – Here’s To You
May 11th – Graber Gryass – Waking Up (Jamgrass)
May 12th
Parker McCollum – Never Enough
Parker Millsap – Wilderness Within You
Stray Dogs – On The Creek (folk/Americana)
Dropkick Murphys – Okemah Rising (Vol. 2 of Woody Guthrie songs)
The Rough & Tumble – Only This Far
Bruce Cockburn – O Sun O Moon
The Malpass Brothers – Lonely Street
Cabin Dogs – On The Creek
The Rough & Tumble – Only This Far
Abe Partridge – Love In The Dark
Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders – Dreamers Like Me
Jeff Carson – 448
Various Artists – Pickin’ on Pearl Jam (bluegrass Pearl Jam covers)
Kevin Daniel – The Life and Adventures of Kevin Daniel
Tracy Lawrence – Live at Billy Bob’s Texas
Elijah Ocean – Rodeo Songs EP
Easy Dreams – Sunformer
May 19th
Nicholas Jamerson – Peace Mountain
Tucker Martine Jr. – Music Man (Layng Martine Jr. tribute)
Milk Carton Kids – I Only See The Moon
Robert Ellis – Yesterday’s News
Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton – Death Wish Blues
Ben Danaher – Resurrection
Rodney Rice – Self-Titled
Leftover Salmon – Grass Roots (jamgrass, covers)
Chapel Hart – Glory Days
Ward Davis – Sunday Morning EP
Jaye Madison – Mirror: Vision EP
May 26th
Robinson & Rohe – In The Night
Travis Tritt – Proud of the Country (reissue)
Kassi Valazza – Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing
Austin Gillam – I’m Sorry, I’m Fine
Melonie Cannon – A Tribute to Vern Gosdin
June 2nd
Dallas Moore – No God in Juarez
JD Darling – Looking Forward, Thinking Back
David G. Smith – Witness Trees
Jelly Roll – Whitsitt Chapel
June 7th
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors – Strangers
June 9th
Jason Isbell – Weathervanes
Laith – Lightning
Laura Cantrell – Just Like A Rose: The Anniversary Sessions
June 23rd
Cruz Contreras – Cosmico
THE RUMOR MILL
The Travelin’ McCoury’s were in the studio with Tyler Childers in late October. Stay tuned.
Dolly Parton is working on a rock album to go along with her recent induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Pistol Annies have been writing together, and with others like Lukas Nelson, likely for a new album.
Cody Jinks was in the studio in November of 2022, and is going back in January. Expect a new album in 2023.
Cody Jinks has signed Erin Viacourt to his Late August Records label, and she is finishing up an album as well (read more).
The Turnpike Troubadours were rumored to have been in FAME studios in Muscle Shoals in February of 2022, with some now linking Shooter Jennings to the project as producer. Bassist RC Edwards also confirmed the band has been in the studio and writing new songs. Evan Felker did play a new song in Houston on May 7th called “Cat In The Rain.” Expect news and/or a debut single in early 2023.
The Wood Brothers have a new album on the way in the spring called Heart Is The Hero. No specific release date yet.
Luke Grimes, aka Kayce Dutton from Yellowstone recorded a Dave Cobb-produced album in Nashville in the fall, and worked with Brent Cobb, Jamey Johnson, Jon Randall, Josh Osborn, Jessi Alexander, The Love Junkies (Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey) as songwriters. It will be released by UMG Nashville in 2023. (read more)
Zach Bryan will have a new album called Writers and Fighters, and probably, another two or three others.
Milk Carton Kids have released a new song called “When You’re Gone” ahead of a new album.
Canadian Gothic country artist Lindi Ortega says that she will be recording an album in 2023.
Kyle Nix of the Turnpike Troubadours says his second album is almost done and that the new one will be recorded with his backing band The 38’s.
The War & Treaty have signed to UMG Nashville, and have a Dave Cobb-produced album ready for release.
Ray Wylie Hubbard: “Warning: the new record is not the pretty girl singing Jolene at the national finals rodeo in Las Vegas..its the Huntsville prison rodeo when the death row clown gets gored distracting the bull away from the arsonist who got thrown.”
Dierks Bentley has new album on the way, and released a single with Billy Strings called “High Note.”
The Wilder Blue have been working at The Sonic Ranch in West Texas on a new album with Brent Cobb acting as producer.
Uncle Lucius has reunited, and is working on new music. (read more)
Colter Wall posted a photo of himself in the studio in September.
Former Saving Country Music Album of the Year winner Slackeye Slim has a new album called Scorched Earth, Black Heart coming out in the Spring. New song “Everything Follows This” out now.
Marty Stuart has signed with European label Snakefarm Records, and supposedly has THREE albums in the can ready to go. He recently released a single, “Country Star.”
British traditional country artist Ags Connolly had a Kickstarter campaign recently for a new album called Siempre.
Jake Worthington has signed to Big Loud. New album in the works.
Johnny Falstaff has moved back to Houston (from Germany) after kicking Cancer’s ass, and was spotted in Nashville recently recording a new album.
Dale Watson has recorded an acoustic album using a 1950s 12-string Stella with David “Fergie” Ferguson producing, recorded at the studios of Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound.
Brennen Leigh: “We’re making a Country record. It’s a beautiful honor to have my brother Chris Scruggs producing these songs. I flew home for a day to add some final touches. It’s so Country I’m not sure y’all can handle it 🙂 Stay tuned.”
Jason Hawk Harris, who was a refugee after Bloodshot Records went defunct, recently ran a crowdfunding campaign on Twitter, and promises he’ll be finishing up a new album soon.
Channing Wilson has a new album on the way he recorded with Dave Cobb. New songs “Blues Comin’ On” and “Drink That Strong” out now.
Dalton Domino has a new album on the way from Lightning Rod Records called Arizona. No release date yet, but the first songs “Wannabe” and “Rock and Roll Should Kill You” out now.
Jordan Nix also has a new album on the way Dalton Domino has been touting hard.
Ben Parks
January 1, 2023 @ 9:44 am
Doesn’t look like a whole lot is planned from older era artists so far. You would think with the renewed interest in 90’s country alot of those artists would be trying to take advantage with a new album.
Coat
January 1, 2023 @ 9:56 am
The Pink Stones sophomore album is my most anticipated of 2022. Also Marty and the Superlatives next record. Way Out West was so freakin good. Fingers crossed for a new Whitey Morgan 78’s this year as well.
Coat
January 1, 2023 @ 10:28 am
Almost forgot, Jonathan Peyton’s debut album. I went to a ton of concerts last year, and his solo acoustic set with his wife, opening for CWG in Macon, was one of the very best I saw all year. Everyone at Grant’s Lounge was stunned.
Timmy
January 1, 2023 @ 10:06 am
On an Instagram live event in early December, Jason Isbell said they’d completed their next album but wasn’t sure when it would be out. Have you heard anything?
Thanks for compiling this list, Trigger. It’s always a must bookmark for me.
JD
January 1, 2023 @ 10:17 am
Justin Wells has said he will release a new album this year. I think it’s going to be a great year for new music.
Marlene
January 1, 2023 @ 10:35 am
Check Seth Jones lyrics “One day I’ll be better” is a suicide awareness song. IG: @sethjonesmusica
Earnest
January 1, 2023 @ 10:50 am
David Lowery has a new album out today called “Vending Machine”.
Son Volt “Day of the Doug” The Songs of Doug Sahm. No release date yet.
jt
January 2, 2023 @ 7:13 am
I am looking forward to that Son Volt album, anticipating how it will compare to the Bottle Rockets tribute to Sahm.
hoptowntiger94
January 1, 2023 @ 10:54 am
Im hoping for a proper album from Logan Halstead in 2023. I think he can be the next big Appalachian artist.
Intetesting note about Tyler Childers. Maybe we’ll hear all those other religious-in-nature songs he was playing last year after all. He must have thought the Travelin’ McCourys traditional bluegrass arrangements were better than The Foodstamps for those songs.
Trigger
January 1, 2023 @ 11:02 am
Yeah, I’m not even sure if it will be a Tyler Childers record with the Travelin’ McCoury’s, or if Childer was just guesting on a new song they have coming up. It was a shot from the studio on the McCoury’s social media feed where I saw it.
Sean
January 1, 2023 @ 10:54 am
I just want to see Hank 3’s name again on one of these most anticipated release lists. For now I’m probably most excited for the Dale Watson acoustic album and also the Zach Bryan album.
Diesel
January 1, 2023 @ 11:03 am
I heard on Prime Country that George Strait was planning on hitting the studio soon, and that he was in the process of selecting the songs.
JD
January 1, 2023 @ 12:00 pm
Some other artists that I could see (and hope) release new music by the end of the year, based on output and time since the last release. Could be a huge year from Texas.
Reckless Kelly
Stoney Larue
Mike and the Moonpies
Shane Smith and the Saints
Honky’s tonky
January 1, 2023 @ 6:50 pm
The moonpies mentioned releasing a new (live?) album on a podcast a while back. I’m surprised it hasn’t been mentioned here before.
Rocco Masci
January 9, 2023 @ 4:47 am
I heard Mike say on Country Music Dead podcast they were working on some Waylon tunes. They were the backing band for a Waylon tribute show during the summer. The One to Grow On album works soo good live they have just been going everywhere playing 5 or more songs a night from it. Their setlist is power packed.
Nick
January 1, 2023 @ 12:20 pm
Joe Stamm Babd have a new one coming out. Wild man.
ChetRiply
January 4, 2023 @ 2:32 pm
Came here to say that! Love those guys and they’re excellent live.
RyanPD
January 1, 2023 @ 2:31 pm
I think that Laid Back Country Picker album might be out already. I just ordered a cd on his website.
Trigger
January 1, 2023 @ 5:15 pm
It is definitely available in physical form. He’s been selling 8-tracks and stuff. I’m still not 100% sure it will be released digitally at all, but that date is a Friday and he’s having a release show, so we’ll see. I do know it’s being released on Tyler Childers’ Hickman Holler Records.
RyanPD
January 1, 2023 @ 5:21 pm
He hasn’t digitally released any of his albums so far. I was lucky enough to find his first one on eBay. Cool stuff.
Ken
January 1, 2023 @ 2:50 pm
Kayla Ray said the other day she just spent some serious time in the studio and that we would all love it. She wished she could let us listen but she can’t. Sounds to me like it is nearly in the can just being finished
63Guild
January 1, 2023 @ 2:53 pm
Justin Wells said he has a new album for the year in a recent post
Stringbuzz
January 1, 2023 @ 4:27 pm
Dallas Moore played a handful of new songs when I saw him. Said an album was coming. All the songs were real good
Oregon Outlaw
January 1, 2023 @ 4:53 pm
Hoping for Robbie Fulks to release a new record this year.
jt
January 2, 2023 @ 7:16 am
His early stuff played a huge role in getting me back into country music. Even though his more recent stuff isn’t a huge draw for me, no one puts on a better show.
Happy Dan
January 1, 2023 @ 6:39 pm
I wish Margo Price would crawl into a cave and disappear
Daniel Cooper
January 1, 2023 @ 8:17 pm
Trigger,
Don’t forget George Strait has said he’s been working on a new album for this year
Frosty
January 1, 2023 @ 9:43 pm
Is Whitey Morgan still making music?
Dogit
January 2, 2023 @ 8:58 am
I have seen him 4 times in the last year and half. Not one new song played. Last time I saw him was August 22. He has got to be close to putting something out. The world needs some new Whitey music.
CountryKnight
January 2, 2023 @ 7:02 am
No news on a Jamey Johnson album?
Scott S.
January 2, 2023 @ 7:33 am
Looking forward to many of these, especially Brit Taylor, and JD Clayton’s Side A EP has me interested in a full album. Super excited about the possibility of a Lindi Ortega album, though it seems more of a decision to try and make it happen than a solid plan right now. Could be 2024 before it reaches fans.
Keep an eye out for new comer Meg Mcree’s new album coming out shortly. She is a member of Ben Chapman’s band and is a great singer. Frank Foster announced a new album coming soon as well.
Chris
January 2, 2023 @ 8:49 am
Come on REK. Is the awkward road to Western Chill coming to an end soon. I’ve been waiting since that initial livestream of it in 2021.
Robert's Country Blog
January 2, 2023 @ 9:57 am
An album of final recordings by Jody Miller will be released on January 16th, according to a post this morning by Heart of Texas Records.
Jon Maye
January 2, 2023 @ 10:28 am
I’m most excited for Miles Miller. It should be coming any time. He’s opening some shows for Childers. If people don’t know who he is, it’s Sturgill’s drummer. Check him out on instagram. He is a great singer, guitar player, songwriter. Also looking forward to Lady Moon. She’s has a bright future ahead of her
JoseyWales
January 4, 2023 @ 6:45 am
The man released a video a few days over a year ago now saying the album was done. Wonder what the hold up has been.
The Unrighteous Gemstone
January 2, 2023 @ 2:32 pm
Every Acre by H.C. McEntire
January 27, 2023 / Merge Records
https://www.hcmcentire.com/
Motomax
January 2, 2023 @ 9:34 pm
The new Pony Bradshaw set is on Spotify. I just discovered him a few weeks ago on a Spotify playlist. Love his song “Van Gogh”. Rips nearly as hard as JP.
Jerry Clower's Ghost
January 8, 2023 @ 1:36 pm
He rips way harder than JP. By a mile.
Travis
January 3, 2023 @ 9:25 am
Thanks for the heads up on the new Slackeye Slim song! That is going to be one of my most anticipated albums of the year. The only thing that would rival that would be if we got a new album from the Pine Box Boys. Also seems like Whitey Morgan is behind on releases, which someone mentioned him above. I preordered Michael Cleveland’s cd and will definitely check out anything Marty Stuart releases.
D in the OC
January 3, 2023 @ 2:45 pm
Need an update on status of new Ryan Bingham music. Heard some rumors swirling around that we may get a new album in ’23….
Wilson's Cousin
January 5, 2023 @ 4:50 pm
Hey is there any word on the John D Hale Band? Are they still making music?
Jahshie P.
January 5, 2023 @ 7:41 pm
Super great to see you included Sunny War. She is incredible.
Northern City Boy
January 6, 2023 @ 10:12 am
NO love for Hardy’s album coming out January 20? Wow.
Trigger
January 6, 2023 @ 10:32 am
Hardy is too hit-or-miss for the readers of Saving Country Music to automatically include him on this list. And if I had, there would be a bunch of people saying “Wow” that I did include him.
That said, the album is on my radar, will be considered for review, and was addressed in-depth in this article—which by the way, is where you can see the general reaction to Hardy and his music:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/song-review-hardys-here-lies-country-music/
Taylor
January 6, 2023 @ 6:00 pm
I read the other day Jackson Taylor is finishing up an album. Think it was recorded in Memphis.
Rob
January 7, 2023 @ 11:34 pm
Morgan Wade is in the studio working on disc #2. No word yet on whether or not Sadler Vaden will again be turning the knobs for her
Korman
January 10, 2023 @ 12:58 pm
Alex Teller released his self-titled EP on the 1st. It’s promising stuff. https://linktr.ee/alexteller
janie acton
January 18, 2023 @ 11:54 pm
Trigger
just to list a artist or 2 I know of releasing an album:
Kayla Ray: should be out in April maybe. she crowd funded it in the fall of 2022 and she said it about finished and ready to go.
Crow and Gazelle: which is Mike McClure and his wife Chrislyn Rose. they’re headed into the studio in a few weeks to release their first album together ❤️ in the later of 2023.
I am very excited ???? for both .
Jerry Clower's Ghost
February 20, 2023 @ 7:38 am
Channing Wilson’s debut studio LP, Dead Man, will be released on Feb 24th. “Sunday Morning Blues” and “Gettin’ Outta My Mind” are two bangin’ singles from the album that everyone should check out. It’s definitely high-quality Outlaw Shit.
Jerry Clower's Ghost
March 5, 2023 @ 10:50 am
Debut EP, Households by Gloria Anderson, comes out on the 24th.
Digs
April 30, 2023 @ 9:49 am
Tommy Prine debut album out June 23rd and a bunch of tour dates announced
Trigger
April 30, 2023 @ 9:55 am
There will be a new version of the Release Radar published either this week or next week. I did do an announcement for the new Tommy Prine album a while back.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/john-prines-son-tommy-prine-to-release-debut-album/
Jessica Northey-Shaw
March 11, 2024 @ 11:02 am
Hey Kyle! I didn’t realize you had put Billy’s album on here. That is really cool & thank you for the inclusion. Sorry I missed this. Hope you’re well & hope you maybe a chance to check out the album. It was a FUN ONE for sure. 😀