Sadler Vaden of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit has released a surprise solo project, Dad Rock, via Thirty Tigersjust in time for Father’s Day.

Vaden recorded the eight-song set of classic rock jams and ballads just after he became a father, and recruited fellow dad rockers Benmont Tench, Elliot Easton, Art Edmaiston and more to join him on the album.

Dad Rock includes new tracks that Vaden wrote specifically for his two sons, “Townsend’s Theme” and “I’ll Always Come Back,” the latter of which was inspired by what he tells them every time he leaves for tour, as well as older tracks he has waited to share with the world, like “Two Balloons,” a tribute to his late parents that matches the tattoo on his left arm.

“I was technically only in the studio for two days, two sessions in December just days before my second son Theo was born,” says Vaden. “Everything else was done remotely or at my home studio when I could carve out an hour here and there. I really knew what I wanted things to sound like on this record, so it was important to me to not let things get overcooked by laboring over parts and sounds too much. We mixed the record remotely with Owen Lewis using Audiomovers, which is software that you can put on the stereo output of your DAW and send a link to a mix or recording session in real time. I’d be listening to the link in my airpods while he’s mixing and I’d be changing dirty diapers or making bottles or chasing my toddler around getting ready for bedtime, ‘Dad Rock’ indeed.”

Since his last release, Vaden has continued touring and recording with Isbell while further establishing himself behind the board by producing Morgan Wade’s last two records, Reckless and Psychopath, among others.

Nashville singer-songwriter Brinley Addington will bring listeners his new album, Nobody’s Favorite, next Friday (June 21).

The 12-track project aims to highlight Addington’s traditional twang, vivid storytelling and mountain soul. He plans to celebrate Nobody’s Favorite with show at The Listening Room Cafe on the album’s release date.

The Kingsport, Tennessee native moved to Music City in 2008 to attend Belmont University. He began performing on lower Broadway, and toured the country playing clubs, fairs, festivals and opening shows for Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Chris Young, Jon Pardi, Marty Stuart, Ronnie Milsap and more. He has also written songs recorded by Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris, Darius Rucker, Chris Janson, Parmalee and Kameron Marlowe, among others.

Nobody’s Favorite Track Listing:
1. “Something Light” (Brinley Addington, AJ Pruis, Mike Walker)
2. “Goodbye Darlin’” (Brinley Addington, Joel Shewmake)
3. “Belle Of The Bar” (Brinley Addington, AJ Pruis, Mike Walker, Andrew Cohen)
4. “Talkin’ To Her Through The Jukebox” (Brinley Addington, Ryan Beaver, Mike Walker)
5. “If You Don’t” (Josh Thompson, Sarah Allison Turner, Mike Walker)
6. “Free That Day” (Brinley Addington, Aaron Eshuis)
7. “Nobody’s Favorite” (Brinley Addington, Ryan Beaver, Neil Medley)
8. “Still Got That Radio” (Brinley Addington, Brent Anderson)
9. “Mind Of Its Own” (Brinley Addington, Brandon Ratcliff, Logan Wall)
10. “Darlene” (Adam Wright)
11. “Same Ole Sins” (Brinley Addington, Jason Blaine, Mark Collie)
12. “Late To Church” (Brinley Addington, Blake Chaffin, Aaron Eshuis)

Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has unveiled “Tom Petty: Where I Come From,” a display highlighting the legendary artist’s southern roots and continued influence on today’s country artists.

Petty’s music bridged the gap between his southern upbringing and his life in southern California, where he cites country-rock bands The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and other Los Angeles groups as inspiration for his sound. The display works to complement the museum’s current exhibit, “Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country-Rock,” presented by City National Bank.

The Tom Petty exhibit features various artifacts from his career, including a Gretsch Roundup guitar, a jacket worn during the 1985 Live Aid concert and the Southern Accents Tour and stage wear from Mudcrutch reunion tours. Also on display are the handwritten lyrics for “Southern Accents,” the title track of his 1985 album, recently covered by Dolly Parton.

Over his career, Petty collaborated with several Country Music Hall of Fame members such as Parton, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, George Strait and Marty Stuart. The artist’s influence on today’s country music is evident by the upcoming tribute album, Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, which includes performances by stars Luke Combs, Rhiannon Giddens, Chris Stapleton and others.

The display is included with museum admission and runs through summer 2025.

Blanco Brown has released his latest EP, Cedar Walls & Whiskey, the second out of a three-part project.

“Snapshot,” the first single from Cedar Walls & Whiskey, was written by Diane Warren and produced by Brown. The song is a reflection on the special memories we hold of our loved ones and how they bring us back to cherished moments in our lives, providing motivation and hope just when needed. Other tracks on the EP include “You’re Incredible,” a romantic tune about the innate value within us all even when we don’t feel it, “One Day Less,” a love song about not wanting to be on earth without those we love most and “Bad Man,” a take on the slang definition where bad means good.

“Regarding ‘Bad Man’, my brother actually sent me the track and the chorus,” says Brown. “I wanted to make my mentor/friend a part of this record so I sent it to him and he wrote the coolest line ever sang! God’s been blessing me. I’m riding high. He put a lift kit on my life. The pressure was on when I wrote the second verse. ‘Bad Man’ is a bop at an all-time high!” says Blanco.

Brown is celebrating not only his new EP but a second chance at life and a newfound appreciation for everything he does. After the chart-topping viral success of “The Git Up,” which went 11-times Platinum and garnered over one billion streams, everything changed for the artist. A drunk driver hit him head on while riding his motorcycle, breaking multiple bones in his body which required 12 blood transfusions and resuscitation in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Despite the lengthy and challenging rehabilitation process, Brown made a full recovery, relearning fundamental skills like walking and holding a microphone.

He recently aligned with Mothers Against Drunk Driving in a special initiative to raise awareness of the recent increase in crashes caused by impaired drivers, partnering with the Atlanta and Los Angeles chapters.

“It’s hard for me to understand why with all the education and knowledge we have acquired and the options for ride share companies, how we have numbers on the rise,” says Brown. “I have partnered with MADD to help spread the word and continue educating the public. Nobody cares how much you drink or smoke, just don’t drive for the sake of yourself and others.”

Dr. Richard James Burgess. Photo: Dan Bassini

Dr. Richard James Burgess plans to step down as President & CEO of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) in January 2026 after a decade of service. He shared the news during the Annual General Meeting that closed out A2IM Indie Week 2024.

“As A2IM approaches its 20th anniversary in 2025, I am filled with immense pride for our collective achievements and honored to have been the longest-serving head of A2IM to date,” said Burgess. “Leading this exceptional organization has been an extraordinary experience. I am profoundly grateful for the support and dedication of our Board members, the invaluable work of our founding members and prior presidents who set up the organization to succeed, and the unwavering commitment of our many members. Our success is a testament to the hard work and passion of the many team members I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside.

“Thank you for entrusting me with the well-being of your organization for all these years. I am confident that the future holds great promise for our independent community, and I look forward to celebrating our continued growth and accomplishments a decade from now.”

Dr. Burgess has been instrumental in advancing the interests of independent music. Throughout his tenure, he has overseen a period of significant growth and innovation for A2IM. His leadership is considered to be characterized by a deep commitment to championing the rights and interests of independent music creators and fostering an inclusive community while navigating the evolving music landscape.

The organization’s Board of Directors has initiated a search for his successor.