Michael Franti & Spearhead have earned a third No. 1 at radio with “I Got You,” which tops the Billboard Adult Alternative chart, and marks the group’s first No. 1 since 2010’s “The Sound of Sunshine,” as well as their ninth Top 25 single in the format.

“‘I Got You’ is all about how we support each other and learn to ‘love deeper and fly higher’ through all of life’s highs and lows, like the times we are living in right now,” shares Franti. “So, thank you everyone who has requested the song and all the stations who gave it a chance! And thanks for all of the uplifting music you play by all the artists out there. The world needs inspiring music more than ever!”

Last month, Franti announced three more dates for his Stay At Home Concert World Tour after performing from Soulshine Bali over the summer. Franti has connected with his Soulrocker collective with his Work Hard And Be Nice Record Release Show June 19, Live from Soulshine Bali July 18 and Soulrocker House Party Aug. 15, with groups of fans, friends and entire households joining together for an estimated audience of 10,000 per show.

“We had originally planned to only do three shows with the mindset that touring might be an option by now, but obviously it’s not,” Franti elaborates. “But because you stuck with us, we are sticking with you and adding three more livestream shows in 2020!”

The Stay At Home Concert World Tour fosters a sense of community via a dual-screen livestream model, with ticket buyers watching the performance on one screen while interacting directly with Franti and other fans in a Zoom “Backstage” party room, available to the first 500 fans to purchase tickets, where they can be included in the main feed, dancing and singing along during his nearly three-hour shows.

“It’s been amazing to see how our community has come together during this time when most of us are required to be physically distant,” Franti says. “These shows have proven that just because we are physically distant doesn’t mean that we have to be socially, spiritually or musically distant.”

Each show offers a different experience with themes: Show Me Your Peace Sign Sept. 19, Soulrocker Halloween Scream Oct. 30 and 2020 Harvest Ball Celebration Nov. 21. When purchasing tickets, fans can choose to attend an individual show for $22 or purchase a bundle for all three shows for $60. Attendees can also add on brand new merchandise for an additional price. A portion of each ticket will be going to charity as well. Tickets for Sept. 19, Oct. 30 and Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET are available for purchase HERE.

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announced additional details for this year’s Momentum Awards and Industry Awards, which are part of the IBMA Virtual World of Bluegrass. Both award shows will livestream for free, exclusively via Swapcard.
The 2020 Momentum Awards take place Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m. ET, hosted by Stephen Mougin. The Momentum Awards Show will also feature virtual performances by the five finalists for Momentum Band of the Year: AJ Lee and Blue Summit, Colebrook Road, Midnight Skyracer, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, and The Slocan Ramblers.

The Momentum Awards recognize both musicians and bluegrass industry professionals who, in the early stages of their careers, are making significant contributions to or are having a significant influence upon bluegrass music. These contributions can be to bluegrass music in general, or to a specific sector of the industry. The Mentor Award, in contrast to the other Momentum Awards, recognizes a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the bluegrass industry.

“It’s so exciting to be able to recognize the Momentum nominees; they are all incredibly talented and inspiring!” exclaimed Trisha Tubbs, producer of this year’s Momentum Awards Show. “A unique and special award for the whole music industry is IBMA’s Momentum Mentor of the Year award. It recognizes those very special people in our community who have taken the time to mentor and help others, often without getting paid and doing this behind the scenes without any fanfare and recognition.”

“Because we had to pivot to a virtual show, for the first time ever, we will be able to showcase a performance by each of the five finalists for Momentum Band of the Year,” noted Tubbs. “It’s exciting because not only are they all outstanding bands, but every band is doing an original song written by one of their band members.”

The 2020 Industry Awards will take place Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 3 p.m. ET; the 90-minute show will be hosted by Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn. The critically-acclaimed musical partnership features two stellar musicians: Fleck, a 15-time Grammy Award winner who has taken the instrument across multiple genres, and Washburn, a singer-songwriter and clawhammer banjo player who re-radicalized it by combining it with Far East culture and sounds.

“Although we have had to make major adjustments to our production this year, we are truly proud to present the virtual 2020 Industry Awards Show and Distinguished Achievement Awards to music fans across the world,” said Chris Keenan, IBMA Industry Awards Show producer. “We’re especially excited to feature Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn as show emcees, who will certainly keep the viewers entertained and engaged.”

The Industry Awards recognize outstanding work in categories including Broadcaster of the Year, Event of the Year, Graphic Designer of the Year, Liner Notes of the Year, Writer of the Year, Sound Engineer of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.

Additionally, the show features a segment honoring the recipients of the 2020 Distinguished Achievement Awards: festival pioneers Norman & Judy Adams, “Musicians Against Childhood Cancer” (MACC) founders Darrel & Phyllis Adkins, fiddle virtuoso/educator Darol Anger, San Diego’s KSON “Bluegrass Special” host Wayne Rice, and bluegrass innovator Jack Tottle.
The livestream will feature a performance by Crying Uncle, and special appearances from Henhouse Prowlers’ Ben Wright (on behalf of Leadership Bluegrass) and artist Becky Buller (on behalf of the IBMA Foundation).

Josh Abbott Band will release a new album, The Highway Kind, on Nov. 13. The 10-song album, recorded at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, Texas and produced by Marshall Altman, is the follow up to 2017’s Until My Voice Goes Out.

While making the record, lead singer Josh Abbott relocated from Austin to Nashville for three months of co-writing sessions.

Abbott says, “The Highway Kind is the album I wish we had put out seven years ago. The lyrics, the melodies, the subtle touches; this album is the very best effort from our group. These songs were brought to life and curated to reflect where my life is now: happy, fulfilled, blessed. From love songs to songs about friendship, from ballads to bangers, this album has it all. They’re true-life songs. I hope people listen to this record and go, ‘Man, Josh is in a really good place around now.’”

The album includes lead single “Little More You,” previously featured on 2019’s Catching Fire EP and penned by Troy Cartwright, Benjy Davis and Neil Medley. Abbott penned another track, “Women & Wishes,” about his wife for an upcoming event they plan to host together annually to raise money for female entrepreneurs. The album also features the Jon Pardi-penned “24-7-365.”

The Highway Kind will be self-released on the band’s own Pretty Damn Tough Records.

The Highway Kind Track List:
1.The Highway Kind
2. Real Damn Good
3.Where I Wanna Be
4.Settle Me Down
5. The Luckiest
6. Little More You
7. 24-7-365
8. One More Two Steps
9. Women & Wishes
10. Old Men & Rain

Lee Brice is slated to release his latest album, Hey World, on Nov. 20. The 15-track collection includes his Top 5 current radio single, “One of Them Girls,” his No. 1 hit with Carly Pearce, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” and the newly-released title track, “Hey World” (featuring Blessing Offor).

The 15 songs take the listener from the desire to shut out the craziness of the world through “Hey World,” to a message from the great beyond to family and friends with “Save The Roses,” through the stop-you-in-your-tracks “Lies,” then back around to “Atta Boy” and “More Beer,” providing a fully-immersive, perspective-bringing, real-life look at the world today.

Brice has released an accompanying music video for “Hey World” (feat. Blessing Offor).

He explains the inspiration behind the new song: “We wrote the title track from an introspective, truthful place, and probably what most people are actually feeling right now,” said Brice. “With everything that is happening in the world currently, and how fast paced we are as a society, in general, sometimes you just want everything to stop – just to appreciate what we do have. People are suffering and it can’t be ignored. Hey World is just my next step in life. Where I am, who I am, what I love, and what I feel. From the songs, to the production, to the order they play in, I always have and still do make it my goal to get better and better at what I do. Short of my family, my wife and friends, my music is the deepest part of me. So, I am overjoyed to say that I think I have made my best project to date.”

Hey World Track Listing:

1. “Atta Boy”
2. “One Of Them Girls”
3. “More Beer”
4. “Memory I Don’t Mess With”
5. “Save The Roses”
6. “Good Ol’ Boys”
7. “Don’t Need No Reason”
8. “Do Not Disturb”
9. “Soul”
10. “Sons and Daughters”
11. “Country Knows”
12. “Lies”
13. “If You”
14. “I Hope You’re Happy Now”
15. “Hey World (featuring Blessing Offor)”