Industry Ink: Koe Wetzel, Jeannie Seely, CMHOFM, More

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Koe Wetzel Celebrates Platinum & Gold Certs

Pictured (L-R): Columbia Records’ Alexa Zeliger, Floating Leaf Entertainment’s Jeb Hurt, Columbia Records’ Drew Schieffelin & Peter Gray, Koe Wetzel, Columbia Records’ Ben Maddahi, Floating Leaf Entertainment’s Cody Maldonado, Columbia Records’ Sarah Pfeiffer & Karissa Keller. Photo: Trevor Lamb, Motion Theory Media

Koe Wetzel’s “Damn Near Normal World Tour” wrapped its U.S. leg last weekend, and prior to the sold-out stateside finale, Wetzel was presented with three plaques celebrating the Platinum certification of his current single “High Road” as well as the Gold certification of hits “Sweet Dreams” and “Creeps.”

 

Jeannie Seely Gets Her Own Street Near The Opry

Pictured (L-R): Darren Jernigan, Dan Rogers, Heidi Campbell, David Bone, Jeannie Seely, Gene Ward and Mark Ezell. Photo: Chris Hollo / Grand Ole Opry

Jeannie Seely has received her own Jeannie Seely Interchange, with road signs now officially in place near the Grand Ole Opry House.

Recently, following her 5,381st performance on the Opry, Seely was called back to the stage for a special presentation made by Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, along with TN State Senator Heidi Campbell and TN State Representative Darren Jernigan, where a replica of the sign stating “Grand Ole Opry Star Jeannie Seely Interchange” was then displayed for the Opry audience to see.

 

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Hosts Concert and Conversation: Night Train to Lovenoise

Pictured (L-R, back row): Bryant Taylorr, NMAAM Curator Dr. Bryan Pierce, music journalist and Nashville Public Radio’s “Making Noise” series host Jewly Hight, Ann McCrary of the McCrary Sisters, Joey Richey, Lovenoise founder Eric Holt, Frank Howard, Alfreda McCrary of the McCrary Sisters, Levert Allison, Regina McCrary of the McCrary Sisters, James Moon and Vice President of Museum Services Michael Gray. (L-R, front row): Elijah “DD” Holt, Ca$h K and William Davenport. Photo: Courtesy of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a free concert and conversation that looked at the evolution of the city’s Black music scene through the point of view of musicians from different generations.

The program, “Night Train to Lovenoise: A Generational Journey of Black Music in Nashville,” included a panel discussion with music journalist and Nashville Public Radio’s “Making Noise” series host Jewly Hight; Lovenoise founder Eric Holt and musicians Frank Howard, Regina McCrary, Joey Richey and Bryant Taylorr. Following the conversation, Levert Allison, Ca$h K, William Davenport, Howard, the McCrary Sisters and Richey performed with a house band led by Elijah “DD” Holt.

 

BMI Rocks Austin City Limits Festival 2024

Braxton Keith performs on the BMI Stage at 2024 ACL Fest. Photo: Erika Goldring for BMI

The BMI Stage concluded its 21st year at 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival this past weekend (Oct 11-13), with performances from affiliates Amira Elfeky, Braxton Keith, Bre Kennedy, The Droptines, Emei, Emily Nenni, Hudson Ingram, Jon Muq, JORDY, Vanilla Is Black and Whokilledkenny.

 

Appalachian Allies To Aid Hurricane Victims With Benefit At The Bijou

Appalachian Allies will hold a benefit concert on Oct. 27 at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee featuring Adeem the Artist, Andy Wood, Darrell Scott, Jerry Douglas, Larkin Poe, R.B. Morris and Sarah Jarosz to support crucial flood relief efforts in Eastern Tennessee. Funds raised will go directly to the affected communities thanks to the incredible efforts of the East Tennessee Foundation, a Knoxville-based nonprofit committed to helping communities recover and rebuild after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Sadie Bass Inks With Sony Music Publishing & One4 Entertainment

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Pictured (L-R): Emma Kyes, Tom Luteran, Sadie Bass, Brian Wright and Rusty Gaston.

Singer-songwriter Sadie Bass has signed a global publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville and One4 Entertainment’s Brian Wright.

“I am so unbelievably grateful to be writing for Sony Music Publishing,” shares Bass. “It’s an absolute honor to have my music in the hands of people who make me feel seen and heard. I’m excited to keep growing as a songwriter and pour my heart into every lyric. THANK YOU.”

Since moving to Nashville in 2020 from her home state of Michigan, Bass has seen a steady rise in her career. She has held support slots for Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Hank Williams Jr. and more. She also been seen on lineups for Rock The Country, Carolina Music Festival, Tortuga and Faster Horses, among others. Additionally, she was featured on season 22 of The Voice and was crowned the season 4 winner of Hunting for Love or Likes on the Outdoor Channel.

“Sadie’s unique background, unstoppable determination, and God-given talent sets her up for surefire success. I am inspired by her drive to win every day,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville VP, Creative Tom Luteran.

Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston adds “Sadie’s artistry is captivating – her songs and performances demand attention. We are excited for the big future she has ahead.”

Bass has been writing and recording new music that will be released in early 2025. She is also featured on Styles Haury’s new track “Camo,” available tomorrow (Oct. 18).

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Jelly Roll’s Vocal Is Full Of ‘Gripping Passion & Believability’

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Jelly Roll. Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson

In these troubling times, the country stars are offering comforting messages this week.

To varying degrees, Tim McGraw, Jelly Roll, Dolly, Reba, Tanya and Bailey Zimmerman are all singing of hope and empowerment. Among them, Jelly Roll has the outstanding effort and wins the Disc of the Day prize.

I was thunderstruck by the vocal quality of Taulia Lave, who is a complete unknown to me. He easily wins the DISCovery Award du jour.

TAULIA LAVE / “Modern Day Cowboy”
Writers: Errol Collier/Taulia Lave; Producer: Austin Stanley; Label: Country Boy Records
– The production perks up your ears from the first deep-bass notes. Then the man begins to sing and OMG. Gorgeous voice. Gorgeous tempo track. This is packed with audio dynamics—steel, percussion, twang guitar, propulsion, echo. Lave, known as “Big T” is a Samoan with a voice of satin. He hails from Hawaii, a state whose natives have always included many great vocalists. Take it from me, this man is one of them.

REBA McENTIRE / “Happy’s Place”
Writers: Carole King/Doug Sisemore/Reba McEntire; Producer: Doug Sisemore; Label: Rockin’ R Records
– This rhythmic bopper is the theme song from the Hall of Famer’s new NBC sitcom, which premieres tomorrow (Oct. 18). She invests it with plenty of energy. The instrumental break is a bland disappointment. The writer credits are newsworthy.

WARREN ZEIDERS / “You For A Reason”
Writers: Alex Maxwell/Rivers Rutherford/Warren Zeiders; Producers: Ross Copperman, Warren Zeiders; Label: Warner Records
– The love didn’t last, but he has no regrets. CMT award winner Zeiders is such a strong vocalist, and sings this ballad with loads of heart.

KELSEA BALLERINI / “First Rodeo”
Writers: Alysa Vanderheym/Hillary Lindsey/Jessie Jo Dillon/Karen Fairchild/Kelsea Ballerini; Producers: Alysa Vanderheym, Kelsea Ballerini; Label: Black River Entertainment
– This is a soft-focus, pastel watercolor of sound. Ballerini dials it down to a whispery, conversational delivery while the dreamy ballad swirls in gentle washes around her. Lovely listening.

TIM McGRAW / “People Like Us”
Writers: Scooter Carusoe/Tom Douglas; Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw; Label: Big Machine Records
– Very uplifting. McGraw sings a lyric that offers unity, hope and heart. We’re all in this together, and if we want to build a better tomorrow we have to do it in brotherhood. This guy has always been a champion song magnet.

KASHUS CULPEPPER / “Out Of My Mind”
Writers: Brian Elmquist/Kashus Culpepper; Producer: Brian Elmquist; Label: Big Loud/Mercury Records
– This has a cool, unusual sound with multiple tempo and chord changes. I don’t hear it as “country,” however.

BAILEY ZIMMERMAN / “Holding On”
Writers: Austin Shawn/Blake Whiten; Producer: Austin Shawn; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Elektra Entertainment
– The vocal sounds very “processed” in this plodding ballad. The production is a dense sounding onslaught of electronics. Pass.

JELLY ROLL / “I Am Not Okay”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Casey Brown/Jason Deford/Taylor Phillips; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: BBR Music Group
– This is arguably his finest vocal performance to date, full of gripping passion and believability. For troubled souls everywhere: “When it’s all said and done/I am not okay/But it’s all gonna be alright.” This turbulent-but-uplifting track deserves to be a No. 1 record.

DON LOUIS / “Drunk And Alone”
Writer: Don Louis; Producer: Kipp Williams; Label: Money Myers Entertainment/EMPIRE
– They broke up. It sounds like they are both drowning their blues in booze. He at least has the satisfaction of knowing she calls him when she’s loaded and needy. The track bops along merrily, and he sings with fine finesse. I’ve been liking this guy all along, and the hunk is named one of Music City’s Most Beautiful People in the current issue of Nashville Lifestyles magazine.

DOLLY PARTON, MADDIE & TAE, JESSIE JAMES DECKER & CALLIE TWISSELMAN / “Gonna Be You”
Writer: Diane Warren; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: DiNamic/CTK Records
– The massed female voices combine to offer a song of sisterhood. It’s about buddies who will always have your back. Friendship has seldom sounded so downright wise and wonderful. The upbeat anthem is from the soundtrack of the hit comedy movie 80 For Brady, which I also recommend.

HUESTON / “Bottle In My Hand”
Writers: Brandon Sammons/Cory Hueston/Matt Ferranti; Producer: Bsamz; Label: Silver Wings Records
– He has a very ear-catching voice, kinda strangled, soulful and aching. The production is pop, but the lyric of closing a dive bar down and losing it all to alcohol is country all the way.

TANYA TUCKER / “Do We Want To Win”
Writers: Chuck Cannon/Reggie Hamm; Producers: Chuck Cannon, Mark Joseph; Label: TT
– It’s kinda political and also about a relationship. The tempo drags, there’s a whole lotta spoken word passages, and the chorus seems to be the only hook in the song.

Date Announced For Eighth Annual ‘Scott Hamilton & Friends’ Holiday Spectacular

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Scott Hamilton will host his eighth annual “Scott Hamilton & Friends” celebration of skating and music alongside Matt Iseman on Nov. 24 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

The evening will include performances by CeCe Winans, Steven Curtis Chapman, The Isaacs, Gavin DeGraw, Charles Esten and Jason Derlatka, accompanied by band Sixwire.

The show will also feature Olympic, World and National Champion figure skaters, including Olympic Bronze Medalist Jeremy Abbott, two-time Olympian and four-time World Champion Kurt Browning, two-time World Medalists and Olympians Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, two-time U.S. National Champion and Olympian Gracie Gold, two-time Canadian National Champion and Olympian Keegan Messing, U.S. National Champion and Olympian Mariah Bell and two-time U.S. National Champion Alissa Czisny. Additionally, social media personality Elladj Baldé will make his fourth consecutive appearance in the show.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, which funds innovative cancer research. Tickets are available now. For more information, click here.

Morgan Wallen To Debut Sand In My Boots Festival In May

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer

Morgan Wallen, AEG Presents and Hangout Music Festival have announced a new, three-day Sand In My Boots Festival, which will take place May 16–18 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The curated multi-genre lineup is set to consist of Wallen’s closest friends, favorite artists and the musical influences he has always wanted to perform with. Every performer, activity and experience will be handpicked by the superstar, who shared the news with fans in a video message today (Oct. 17).

YouTube video

“Creating a festival with Morgan has been a dream come true…and some of the most fun I have ever had booking a show! I can’t wait for fans to come and experience one of the most eclectic and electric lineups and on-site experiences the world has ever seen,” says Stacy Vee, Goldenvoice EVP/Stagecoach Producer.

“The opportunity to bring Morgan’s world to life on the beach in Gulf Shores is something very special,” adds Reeves Price, AEG Presents & Hangout Music Festival Producer. “The fact that it coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Hangout Festival only makes it more special. We can’t wait to see everyone back on the beach in May.”

Lineup and ticketing details will be announced soon. For more information, click here.

‘Rosanne Cash: Time Is A Mirror’ Exhibit To Open In December

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A new Country Hall Of Fame & Museum exhibit, “Rosanne Cash: Time Is a Mirror” will explore Cash’s 40-plus-year journey as an artist, songwriter and storyteller. The exhibit opens Dec. 5 and runs through March 2026, and is included with museum admission.

Beginning in the 1970s through today, Cash has carved out a distinctive place in American music. Drawing on rockabilly rhythms, the truth-telling of folk-rock songwriters, West Coast country-rock energy, new wave flash and deeply-rooted country, her songs have garnered four Grammys, and her hits include “Seven Year Ache,” “Blue Moon with Heartache,” “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me,” “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party,” “Tennessee Flat Top Box” and “Never Be You,” among others. In 2021, Cash became the first female composer to receive the MacDowell Medal, awarded since 1960 to an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to American culture.

“Rosanne Cash has been called ‘a musical mystic’ and a ‘songwriting time traveler,’” says Kyle Young, CEO for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Her music moves across genres and legacies, looking backward and forward in time. While she works within musical traditions that shaped her, the way she has turned those traditions in fresh and unexpected directions has defined her.”

The exhibit will include stage wear, song manuscripts, instruments, photographs, videos and more. Some artifacts in the display will include handwritten lyrics by Cash for her song “The Real Me,” from her 1987 album, King’s Record Shop; the 1964 Gibson Dove guitar acquired by Cash’s husband John Leventhal in the 1990s which was her primary performance guitar for many years; a modest desk used by Johnny Cash when writing at his small, private office at home that she inherited after her father’s death and thinks of as a prism where the past and the future, legacy and rebellion, come together and much more.

“I never expected to be embraced and honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in this way,” says Cash. “I’m sincerely humbled, as I have so much respect for the mission of the museum and the dedicated team who are so superb in preservation and education. It’s been a thrill to sort through the artifacts of my life and career with the curators and find that these things are valued beyond just my own memories.

“I have thought about my children a lot while sorting items, listening to songs, and discussing the exhibit, and one of the best things about this honor is anticipating sharing the experience with them. I’m extraordinarily grateful to be given this tribute, and the opportunity to deepen my relationship with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.”

In support of the exhibit’s opening, Cash will participate in a conversation and performance in the museum’s CMA Theater on Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. She will also perform during the program, and tickets will be available here on Oct. 18, beginning at noon CT.

K.D. Lang Signs With Reservoir

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Pictured (L-R): Golnar Khosrowshahi (Reservoir Founder and CEO), K.D Lang and Rell Lafargue (Reservoir President and COO)

 

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter K.D. Lang has signed a publishing deal with Reservoir. The deal includes future works and partial catalog.

“It never gets old when a legendary artist like K.D. Lang decides to call Reservoir her home,” says Golnar Khosrowshahi, Reservoir Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Her incomparable voice and music are a gift to the world. We look forward to helping her share those gifts with new audiences and supporting her as she steps into the next chapter of her career. As a Canadian, I am particularly proud to be working with k.d. and her manager, Steve Jensen, and I’d also like to thank Bruce Roberts, our very first Reservoir songwriter, who introduced us to K.D.”

Lang has eight Juno Awards to her name, including Songwriter of the Year (1993), four Grammys, including Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album (2004) for A Wonderful World with Tony Bennett, a BRIT Award, an AMA, a VMA and four awards from GLAAD, among others.

In 1996 she was awarded Canada’s highest civilian honor, the Order of Canada, and in 2013 she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. In addition to these outstanding recognitions, Lang was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Association Hall of Fame this September.

Lang released three albums with country swing band The Reclines,  as well as seven solo studio albums and several collaboration albums. She has also contributed to movie soundtracks. Throughout her career, Lang has collaborated with Roy Orbison, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Loretta Lynn, Tony Bennett and more. In 2017, Lang toured across the globe to commemorate 25 years of her multi-Platinum-selling Ingénue, which features singles “Constant Craving” and “Miss Chatelaine.” In 2021, she released Makeover, a collection of dance remixes for some of her most beloved songs.

“It is an absolute thrill to partner with Reservoir! Golnar is a force of nature and understands me as an artist,” says Lang. “I am deeply inspired and have utmost confidence in this creative partnership.”

Amazon Music Shares Focus On Company-Wide Innovation & Highlights Country Music Month

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Ryan Redington. Photo: John Amis/AP Content Services for Amazon

Last week, Amazon Music held a reception at the National Museum of African American Music to launch Amazon’s Delivering the Future event, which highlighted the company’s investments in Tennessee and its focus on innovation.

During the event, Amazon Music General Manager Ryan Redington discussed key priorities for the music division, emphasizing Amazon’s dedication to customer-centric innovation. He also explained how the company leverages its global platform to support artists.

Redington introduced Maestro, Amazon Music’s new AI-powered playlist generator, currently in beta for select U.S. users. Maestro enables users to create playlists by inputting different elements like moods, emojis, activities or sounds. For example, users can request something like “Myspace era hip-hop,” and Maestro will curate a corresponding playlist.

Ryan Redington. Photo: John Amis/AP Content Services for Amazon

“From a prompt, we use a large language model to help interpret what the customer’s actually asking. Then we use the model to help us figure out what type of response we need to give, and then we have to marry that with our music catalog to actually create a sequence of songs,” Regington shared with MusicRow after the event. “It’s incredibly complicated on the back end, but for the customer, it happens in seconds and feels like magic.”

Additionally, Redington touched on the growth of Amazon Music’s live streaming, particularly through programs like Amazon Music Live. He highlighted their partnership with Thursday Night Football, where artists perform right after the game, allowing them to reach large audiences.

“Live streaming specifically during COVID was really born out of a necessity,” Redington says. “We got great customer feedback and artists really liked it, and we realized it could actually be a [bigger part of our] business. We have Prime Video all around the world and Amazon Music products in 50 countries, so [we started developing it.]

“We live stream festivals all over the world now. With Amazon Music Live, we also do City Sessions where we tap artists’ visions, build sets to match that vision and deliver an experience that is a really high bar for customers and artists.”

The third season of Amazon Music Live after Thursday Night Football begins tomorrow (Oct. 17) with a performance by Jelly Roll in Los Angeles, streamed on Prime Video and Twitch. Following that, performances from Big Sean (Oct. 24), Halsey (Oct. 31) and J Balvin (Nov. 7) are lined up.

Breland and Ryan Redington. Photo: John Amis/AP Content Services for Amazon

“Live streaming gives artists the ability to market themselves through Thursday Night Football, one of the most watched shows in any week during the football season,” Redington shares. “We have artists on there doing interviews, talking about their new music, and then rolling the audience base into a live stream. It’s a great way to drive that intersection of sports and music.”

As part of Country Music Month, Amazon puts together an expansive slate of content tied to another of the streaming service’s flagship playlist, Bonfire. Throughout the month, Amazon Music has released new livestreams, Amazon Music Originals and videos from the artists who define the playlist. Additionally, Amazon Breakthrough Artist Nate Smith performed for a group of fans in Los Angeles as part of City Sessions for Country Music Month, and the platform released a video of Kacey Musgraves’ recent Climate Pledge Arena concert.

On Oct. 25, Amazon Music will release the latest episode of Songline—the new docu-performance series that provides fans an intimate look into an artist’s songwriting process and the stories behind the music—with Leon Bridges as part of Country Music Month.

“We like to think every month is Country Music Month, but it is a really great way to talk about country music and how important it is to our customers,” shares Emily Cohen Belote, Lead Music Curator at Amazon Music.

“We really rally around that month to show the best in class that Amazon Music has to offer,” adds Michelle Tigard Kammerer, Head of Country Music for Amazon Music. “We take what’s happening in culture and cross-collaborate that with what’s happening in country music on our service, and really highlight that throughout the month.”

Finally, Redington discussed Amazon Music’s Breakthrough program, designed to provide emerging artists with significant support through custom content, global marketing campaigns, and enhanced visibility across Amazon Music playlists and platforms.

To close the event, he invited 2022 Breakthrough Artist Breland to perform. Breland blew the roof off the building with some of his biggest hits, like “Praise The Lord” and “Cross Country,” and a selection of new material from his new EP, Project 2024, out on Friday (Oct. 18).

The Crew To Host 14th Annual CMA Awards Viewing Party

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Pictured (L–R, back row): Emily Baldridge, Markus Koger, Ava Boney and Cheshire Rigler; (L–R, front row): Julia Keefe, Leah Binkerd and Blake Duncan. Not Pictured: Nathan Thomas, Samantha Sarno and Nicolette McCann. Photo: Katie Larson

The Crew is set to host their 14th annual CMA Awards Viewing Party benefiting Musicians On Call (MOC) at 6 p.m. on Nov. 20 at Tin Roof in downtown Nashville.

A group of executives from all facets of the music industry, The Crew raised over $22,000 for MOC at last year’s viewing party. At this year’s event, industry professionals will have the opportunity to gather and raise money for the organization that brings music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments across the nation while cheering on fellow artists, songwriters and colleagues at the 58th CMA Awards.

“We are so grateful for the support of the community and our incredible sponsors,” shares The Crew. “We are excited to continue this tradition to raise money for such a worthy cause while providing a fun gathering place to watch the awards with colleagues and friends.”

The Crew consists of The Smoking Section Podcast‘s Markus Koger, Big Loud Records’ Ava Boney, Edgehill Music Publishing’s Julia Keefe, The MLC’s Leah Binkerd, Sony Music Nashville’s Nathan Thomas, Hang Your Hat Music’s Emily Baldridge, Combustion Music’s Blake Duncan, SMACKSongs’ Samantha Sarno, Red Light Management’s Nicolette McCann and Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC’s Cheshire Rigler.

Organizations interested in purchasing a sponsorship package should contact Keefe (julia@edgehillmusicpublishing.com), Thomas (nathan.thomas@sonymusic.com) and Duncan (blake@combustionent.com).

Dylan Marlowe Plots ‘Mid-Twenties Crisis Tour’ For 2025

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Dylan Marlowe. Photo: Jacob Powers

Dylan Marlowe will hit the road on his “Mid-Twenties Crisis Tour” next year.

Kicking off at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City on Jan. 23, the run will include a total of 12 dates, each in a different state. The tour announcement follows the release of Marlowe’s debut album, Mid-Twenties Crisis. Comprised of 15 tracks co-written by the Sony Music Nashville artist that draw from his personal experiences, the project aims to depict the roller coaster of life in one’s 20s.

“I’m so pumped to be hitting the road in January for this tour,” Marlowe shares. “When I was writing for the Mid-Twenties Crisis album, one of my biggest priorities was writing songs that would be great to play live so it’s pretty surreal to have this tour coming up. Can’t wait to see y’all out there!”

Presale tickets are available now, with general sales starting this Friday (Oct. 18). For more information, click here.