The Wild Feathers Photo by Alex Justice

The Wild Feathers will release their fourth album, Alvarado, on Oct. 8 via New West Records. The 12-track set was produced by the band and follows their 2020 career-spanning odds-and-ends collection Medium Rarities.

To give a preview of the upcoming album, they also released album highlight “Another Sunny Day.” The band’s Ricky Young said, “In a lot of ways, ‘Another Sunny Day’ is a great example of what Alvarado stands for: An optimistic look into the future with the growing pains of being a band for a decade in the past. A wiser and happier group of guys that love what they do.”

Alvarado Track Listing:
1. Alvarado
2. Ain’t Lookin’
3. Over the Edge
4. Side Street Shakedown
5. Out on the Road
6. Get Out of My Own Way
7. Off Your Shoulders
8. Long Shot
9. Top of the World
10. Flashback
11. Midway Motel
12. Another Sunny Day

The Wild Feathers will support Blackberry Smoke and The Allman Betts Band on the Spirit of the South tour and have announced their initial headline tour dates in support of Alvarado. Launching Sept. 15th in Indianapolis, the headline tour features stops at Antone’s in Austin, TX, Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, OK, Thalia Hall in Chicago, IL with more dates to be announced.

The Wild Feathers Tour Dates:
August 10 – Daily’s Place – Jacksonville, FL *
August 12 – MECU Pavilion – Baltimore, MD *
August 13 – The Stone Pony Summer Stage – Asbury Park, NJ *
August 14 – Atlantic Bank Pavilion – Portsmouth, VA ~
August 15 – Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre – Charlotte, NC *
August 17 – Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh, NC *
August 19 – PNC Pavilion – Cincinnati, OH *
August 20 – Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville, TN *
August 21 – Ameris Bank Amphitheater – Alpharetta, GA *
August 25 – The Rooftop at Pier 17 – New York, NY *
August 26 – Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion – Boston, MA *
August 27 – Santander Arena – Reading, PA *
September 15 – Hi-Fi – The Annex – Indianapolis, IN
September 16 – The Bottleneck – Lawrence, KS
September 17 – Boondocks – Springfield, IL
September 18 – Shipyard Music Festival – Cape Giradeau, MO
October 10 – Druid City Music Hall – Tuscaloosa, AL
October 12 – House of Blues – The Parish – New Orleans, LA
October 14 – Tower Theatre – Oklahoma City, OK
October 15 – Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX
October 16 – The Heights Theater – Houston, TX
October 17 – Antone’s – Austin, TX
October 19 – The Wave – Wichita, KS
October 21 – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
October 22 – Blue Note – Columbia, MO
October 23 – The Castle Theatre – Bloomington, IN
October 24 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL
October 26 – Barnato Lounge – Omaha, NE
October 28 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO *
October 30 – Off Broadway – St. Louis, MO
November 11 – Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY
November 14 – The Hamilton – Washington, DC
November 16 – Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY
November 21 – River Road Farm – Franklin, VA

* The Spirit of the South Tour with Blackberry Smoke & The Allman Betts Band
~ Blackberry Smoke & The Wild Feathers Only

SiriusXM and Pandora are launching a new Small Stage Series, featuring artists from various genres and comedians performing in small, iconic venues around the country.

Launching on Aug. 19 with Dave Matthews live from a secret location and Kane Brown from Nashville, Small Stage Series will feature exclusive performances in cities across the country. Other artists performing as part of the series include Kenny Chesney, Brandi Carlile, Coldplay, Glass Animals, H.E.R., J Balvin, John Mulaney, Shaggy, and Twenty One Pilots. 

The multi-genre spanning lineup of shows will give SiriusXM subscribers and Pandora listeners the chance to see their favorite artists live in intimate settings, along with an exclusive keepsake to commemorate what might be some subscribers’ first live event in a very long time.

“To acknowledge the grit and resilience of people across the country, we are overjoyed to bring our listeners and subscribers a series of unforgettable experiences in very special places, and in the safest way we know how to bring live events back to fans,” says SiriusXM Chief Content Officer, Scott Greenstein. “Access to these shows and performances is the advantage of being a SiriusXM subscriber and Pandora listener, and it is what we love to do. The series is a showcase that represents SiriusXM’s amazing array of audio entertainment, spanning all musical styles and spotlight fan-favorite and top-tier talent performing in secret locations and limited-size iconic venues across the U.S., giving SiriusXM subscribers and Pandora listeners the opportunity to once again safely see their favorites live.”

To maintain the highest public health standards and requirements, SiriusXM will adhere to health and safety protocols for each venue, and all state and local health mandates to protect attendees, staff, and artists.

Exit/In

Last week the 5 Spot and City Winery were among the first independent Nashville venues to announce new COVID-19 entry protocols. These new protocols, which have begun to pop up widely around the country, require patrons to provide either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test obtained within 48-72 hours of entering the venue or event.

Yesterday (Aug. 10) a wave of new venues and event organizers banded together through the movement #Keep615Live, announcing similar requirements that are set to go into effect over the next week. Among the growing list of independent venues that have adopted these new COVID protocols are the Bluebird Cafe, Exit/In, 3rd & Lindsley, the Basement, the Basement East, the End, the East Room, and the Cannery Complex–the Cannery Ballroom, Mercy Lounge, and the High Watt.

“We love music. We believe in science. Please get vaccinated. Yes, it’s a personal choice, just like holding the door for someone behind you, saying thank you, picking up after your dog, tipping your bartender, and being a decent person who cares about others,” Exit/In shared with patrons on their website. “To enter our establishments, you are required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated, or proof of a negative COVID-19 test that was administered by or under the supervision of a healthcare provider within 48 hours of the date on which you are attending a show at Exit/In.

Other venues took to social media to share the news to fans, including the Basement and Basement East saying, “The health and safety of fans, artists and staff are paramount to The Basement & The Basement East anytime but especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.⁠.. We will continually assess the information and recommendations provided by the CDC and update our policy as needed.”

The Bluebird Cafe joined the folds as well saying, “We are joining many other local venues in making the health and safety of our staff, songwriters and customers our highest priority. Below you will find a summary of actions we are taking to help ensure we are lowering the risk for spreading COVID-19 as much as possible.”

We’re joining local venues in making health & safety our highest priority. Effective 8/20/21, all patrons artists & staff are required to present proof of Covid-19 vaccination or negative Covid-19 test administered by a healthcare provider and taken within 48 hours of show entry. pic.twitter.com/ehE3qpDsng

— The Bluebird Cafe (@BluebirdCafeTN) August 13, 2021

Over the last week, other events and entertainment companies have made similar announcements, including the three-day outdoor music and arts Bonnaroo festival and Live Nation, which said it will allow artists to mandate their own shows as they see fit.

Tennessee currently has one of the lowest rates of fully vaccinated populations at only 39.7%, placing the state at No. 42 overall, according to the Mayo Clinic. For more information about COVID-19 and how to receive a vaccine, click here.

Becky, Lily, Sonya, Ricky Skaggs, Ben of The Isaacs . Photo: Chris Hollo

The Dove Award-winning gospel group The Isaacs were surprised on stage at the Grand Ole Opry last night (Aug. 10) by Opry member Ricky Skaggs with an invitation to officially become Opry members. The group will formally be inducted into the Opry family on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Isaacs members Becky, Ben, Lily, and Sonya were marking the release of their new album The American Face when Skaggs approached them on stage with framed artwork of the album. Reading an inscription in the framed material, Skaggs said, “Presented to the Isaacs on August 10, 2021 to Commemorate the Release of the New Album The American Face and to Celebrate Your Invitation to Become Official Members of the Grand Ole Opry.” Then he followed with, “Do you say yes?”

“The Isaacs are musical treasures. They are family,” says Opry Vice President and Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “I think, ‘man, is our audience lucky tonight’ every single time they take our stage. We’re honored they love the Opry like they do, and I am excited about the prospect of them delivering their powerful songs from the Opry circle for years to come.”