Sturgill Simpson is back in action this year with an extensive fall tour, the “Why Not? Tour,” as well as a new album under a new name, Johnny Blue Skies.

After promising to release only five studio albums under his own name, Simpson will mark the beginning of a new era with Johnny Blue Skies and the release of Passage Du Desir on July 12 via his own independent label, High Top Mountain Records.

The album includes eight songs produced by Johnny Blue Skies and David Ferguson, and was recorded at Clement House Recording Studio in Nashville and Abbey Road Studios in London, England.

The “Why Not? Tour,” Simpson’s first full tour in over four years, features 28 dates including stops at L.A.’s The Greek Theatre, Washington State’s The Gorge Amphitheatre, Lexington’s Rupp Arena, Chicago’s Salt Shed (two nights), Queens’ Forest Hills Stadium and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Fans are being asked to register before tickets go on sale to help ensure tickets go directly to fans. Registration for the pre-sale is open now until Monday, June 10 and fans can sign up at sturgillsimpsonlive.com to receive exclusive early access to the artist pre-sale starting next Wednesday, June 12 at 10 a.m. local. A limited number of tickets will be available for the general on-sale on Friday, June 14.

Passage Du Desir Track List: 
1. Swamp of Sadness
2. If The Sun Never Rises Again
3. Scooter Blues
4. Jupiter’s Faerie
5. Who I Am
6. Right Kind of Dream
7. Mint Tea
8. One for the Road

Sturgill Simpson Tour Dates (not including festival appearances):
September 14 — Los Angeles, CA — The Greek Theatre*
September 15 — Santa Barbara, CA — Santa Barbara Bowl*
September 17 — West Valley City, UT — Maverik Center*
September 19 — Bend, OR — Hayden Homes Amphitheater*
September 20 — George, WA — The Gorge Amphitheatre†
September 22 — Missoula, MT — KettleHouse Amphitheater*
September 24 — Moorhead, MN — Bluestem Center for the Arts Amphitheater*
September 25 — Minneapolis, MN — Roy Wilkins Auditorium*
September 27 — Lexington, KY — Rupp Arena*
September 28 — Detroit, MI — Fox Theatre*
October 1 — Chicago, IL — Salt Shed*
October 2 — Chicago, IL — Salt Shed*
October 4 — Brandon, MS — The Brandon Amphitheater*
October 8 — Oklahoma City, OK — Criterion*
October 9 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP*
October 15 — St. Louis, MO — Fabulous Fox Theatre*
October 18 — Pittsburgh, PA — Petersen Events Center*
October 19 — Forest Hills, NY — Forest Hills Stadium
October 21 — Asheville, NC — ExploreAsheville.com Arena*
October 22 — Cary, NC — Koka Booth Amphitheatre*
October 24 — Duluth, GA — Gas South Arena*
October 25 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena*
November 12 — Philadelphia, PA — The Met*
November 15 — Hampton, VA — Hampton Coliseum*
November 18 — Washington, DC — The Anthem*
November 20 — Toronto, ON — Massey Hall*
November 21 — Toronto, ON — Massey Hall*
November 23 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway*

*“An Evening with Sturgill Simpson”
†with very special guest Lord Huron

Country Radio Seminar has announced the June edition of its CRS360 webinar series, titled “Tame the Tech, Unleash the Potential: How AI Can Be Your Ally in Country Radio.” The webinar, scheduled for June 12 at 1 p.m. CST, will explore the potential for artificial intelligence in country radio.

The webinar will look into how AI can fill operational gaps, assist in creativity, streamline workflows, personalize experiences and enhance audience engagement. Furthermore, the series will highlight important findings in CRS’s AI in Media Study and offer insights into leveraging AI to benefit the industry.

“AI continues to be a major topic for our industry, and CRS covered it comprehensively this year, with four different sessions during our three days together. This technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace in real-time, so CRS360 for June will partner with Futuri to continue the conversation and education,” says RJ Curtis, Executive Director of CRS.

The webinar is free to attend, but registration is required.

Gulf Coast Jam, presented by Jim Beam, wrapped its sold-out 2024 festival this past weekend. Approximately 120,000 country music fans from all 50 states and 10 foreign countries gathered in Panama City Beach, Florida from Thursday (May 30)–Sunday (June 2) for the annual event.

Headliner Parker McCollum got the party started on Thursday night, along with Flatland Cavalry, Corey Kent, Sadie Bass and 2023 Jim Beam Welcome Sessions winner Midnight South. On Friday, Russell Dickerson, Chase Matthew, Kidd G, Heartland and Shelby Darrall hit the stage.

Before Jelly Roll stepped up for his headlining set that night, Gulf Coast Jam hosted Major General Michael A. Valle, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region (CONR) and First Air Force (Air Forces Northern & Air Forces Space) from Tyndall Air Force Base, as he administered the oath of enlistment to 15 new Airmen and Guardians. Following the oath-taking, Valle introduced Technical Sergeant Melissa Lackore from the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band at Langley Air Force Base to sing the national anthem as the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron from Eglin Air Force Base executed a flyover featuring F-16 and F-15 fighter jets.

After torrential downpours drenched the festival grounds on Saturday morning, headliner Cody Johnson brought the energy with his evening performance. Priscilla Block, Austin Snell and Billy Currington also took the stage. Before Currington’s show, Gulf Coast Jam Executive Producer Rendy Lovelady and COO Mark Shelton were joined by Jim Beam’s Eighth Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe for a celebratory toast. Unfortunately, Peyton Porter and Chandler Flint’s sets were cancelled due to the weather.

“This amazing team braves crazy Florida storms (just one, thankfully) and heat to put on this incredible event,” says Sheldon. “We are thankful to Jim Beam and all of our sponsors, VisitPamanaCityBeach.com and especially the city of Panama City Beach and our wonderful residents for supporting us year after year.”

Nate Smith, Shane Smith & The Saints, John Morgan, Deana Carter and 2024 Jim Beam Welcome Sessions winner Gage Cowart helped to close out the event on Sunday. That night, the space was packed for Morgan Wallen‘s performance. After having to reschedule last year, he did not disappoint with his 90-minute show.

Each evening, 300 choreographed drones lit up the sky with messages celebrating country music and patriotism, including one that spelled out the first headliner for Gulf Coast Jam 2025.

“We are so thankful to the artists, their teams, our crews who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and especially our jammers for giving us a sold-out festival,” says Lovelady. “We had an incredible four days and nights of music, and we can’t wait to do it again next year!”

Four-day tickets for the 2025 festival are on sale now, with headliners and full lineup to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, click here.