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Gracie Abrams has canceled two more shows as she continues to fight off an illness, the singer announced Sunday (March 2). In another handwritten note posted to her Instagram Story, Abrams told fans that she would no longer be performing March 3 in Nottingham or March 4 in Leeds. “I hate that I have to […]
Collaborations abound in this week’s Must-Hear column. Kassi Ashton and Parker McCollum team up for a sultry new ballad, Charles Wesley Godwin joins musical forces with Ernest, and Dani Rose partners with Brent Cobb. Meanwhile, Zach Top and Billy Strings offer a take on a Ricky Skaggs classic, while JD Clayton offers up music on his new project, Blue Sky Sundays.
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Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of the best country, bluegrass and/or Americana songs of the week below.
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Kassi Ashton feat. Parker McCollum, “Sounds Like Something I’d Say”
Enveloped in a cool, sultry swagger, Ashton and McCollum sing about the hazy, morning-after regrets that follow a night of decisions intended to make one forget the loneliness that haunts them. “It sounds better in the dark than in the light of day,” Ashton sings about recalling words spoken under the influence of heartache and alcohol. They both venture into fervent, soulful territory here, to mighty impact.
Charles Wesley Godwin feat. Ernest, “Dead to Rights”
Charles Wesley Godwin teams with Ernest for this track included on Godwin’s seven-song EP, Lonely Mountain Town, which released Feb. 28 on Big Loud. Somber, acoustic-driven and steel guitar-inflected, “Dead to Rights” finds the song’s protagonist reflecting on how he once reveled in nights on the town and the single life, until finding a love worth trading it all in for. “You crashed into me, like that d–ned left hook I never got to see,” Godwin sings. He’s got a voice with all the warmth of a crackling fire, and he employs it admirably here.
Zach Top and Billy Strings, “Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown”
Bluegrass-and-beyond luminary Strings and ascendant country star Zach Top serve up a slab of classic country, taking on Ricky Skaggs’ 1983 hit “Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown.” The track is from Top’s new three-song EP, Me & Billy, which features a trio of songs previously featured as part of their Apple Music Sessions, and now available to stream everywhere. Strings, of course, has become an arena draw with his superb, genre-agnostic musicianship, while Top is has become one of the most-buzzed-about new country artists. Top also comes from a bluegrass background, formerly leading the band Modern Tradition, which won the SPBGMA Band Championship in 2017. He also issued his solo, self-titled bluegrass-leaning project in 2022, before issuing his breakthrough country project in 2024. Their musical camaraderie and mutual love for the genre is undeniable here.
JD Clayton, “Slow & Steady”
On his previous project Long Way From Home, Clayton focused on more pared-back folk and country vibes. But on his new album, Blue Sky Sundays, he returns to his rock influences. Here, a tale about a balmy Sunday drive gets a laid-back, Southern rock surge, thanks to the solid percussion and muscular guitar work Clayton and his band employ here. His grizzled voice lays into lyrics about soaking in a carefree day, from first sunlight to when the sun’s rays fade. “I said let’s take it slow/ You know we ain’t got no place to go,” he sings.
Blue Sky Sundays released Feb. 28 on Rounder Records.
Dani Rose and Brent Cobb, “I Ain’t Livin’”
Rose and Cobb trade harmonies gloriously on this track, which marked Rose’s fifth placement on the Paramount’s Yellowstone series. The track was written by Cobb and Jessi Alexander, and co-produced by Rose and Maks Gabriel. Together, Rose and Cobb turn in a cool, sultry rendering, declaring devotion to living life to the fullest and seeking adventure wherever they come across it. “May I ride till the wheels fall off/ But my soul’s out there in the ether,” they sing, wrapping in elements of a freewheeling, 1970s feel.
Beck is hitting the road this summer for another run of orchestral shows. The “Saw Lightning” singer announced the run of nine North American gigs in which he’ll team up with local symphony players on Monday (March 3), following a pair of well-received orchestral gigs at New York’s Carnegie Hall and L.A.’s Hollywood Bowl last summer.
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The upcoming run of shows with support from Molly Lewis are slated to kick off on July 15 at the Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT with the Westville Philharmonic providing support, followed by stops in Montreal, a two-night stint in Toronto, as well as gigs in Cincinnati, Chicago and Colorado Springs and Morrison, CO before winding down on July 29 at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego.
According to a release, Beck will be accompanied by “native orchestras for nine shows in eight cities in the U.S. and Canada — as they unite to reimagine a body of work that includes hits and deep cuts from classic Beck works including the multi-platinum Odelay, world-tripping Mutations, somber and reflective Sea Change, and GRAMMY Album of the Year winner Morning Phase, plus a share of surprises.”
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Pre-sale and other ticketing information is available here. A general on-sale will kick off on Friday (March 7) at 10 a.m. local time (except for the Chicago show).
Before he hits the road for the orchestral gigs, Beck will play the star-studded 2025 Love Rocks NYC benefit show on March 6 at New York’s Beacon Theatre alongside Cher, Alicia Keys, Kate Hudson, Phish’s Trey Anastasio, Mavis Staples, Michael McDonald, Peter Frampton and more.
The singer released his 14th studio album, Hyperspace, in 2019, which featured the singles “Saw Lightning,” “Uneventful Days” and “Dark Places.”
Check out the dates for Beck’s 2025 North American orchestral tour below.
July 15 – New Haven, CT @ Westville Music Bowl (with The Westville Philharmonic*)July 16 – Montreal, QC @ Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier (with L’Orchestre Métropolitain*)July 18, 19 – Toronto, ON @ Roy Thomson Hall (with Toronto Symphony Orchestra *)July 21 – Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center (with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra *)July 23 – Highland Park, IL @ Ravinia Festival (with Chicago Symphony Orchestra *)July 26 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Ford Amphitheater (with Colorado Symphony ^)July 27 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre (with Colorado Symphony ^)July 29 – San Diego, CA @ The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park (with San Diego Symphony *)
*Conducted by Edwin Outwater^Conducted by Christopher Dragon
You wouldn’t have been able to tell from watching RAYE‘s performance at the 2025 Oscars Sunday (March 2) — during which she absolutely nailed Adele‘s “Skyfall” as part of the night’s James Bond tribute — but the British star was actually quite nervous.
And during a post-show interview with Entertainment Tonight, RAYE explained why paying homage to the “Rolling in the Deep” vocalist was particularly “terrifying.” “No one can sing Adele like Adele,” she said. “It’s scary.”
The “Escapism” artist added, “It was terrifying, but also so incredible at the same time.”
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RAYE closed out the Bond medley by taking the stage shrouded in fog, showing off her powerful vocals on Adele’s original theme for the franchise’s 2012 film, Skyfall. The track reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won best original song at the Oscars in 2013.
Before RAYE took the stage, The Substance actress Margaret Qualley performed a slinky dance number with a troupe of tuxedoed men — about which the former told ET, “She ate that up … Multi-talented and fine as hell, Jack [Antonoff] is a very lucky man.”
After Qualley’s number, RAYE’s “Born Again” collaborators LISA and Doja Cat each performed solo renditions of two other famous Bond themes, with the BLACKPINK star delivering both choreography and vocals on Wings’ “Live and Let Die” before the “Paint the Town Red” rapper commanded the spotlight singing Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds Are Forever.” After RAYE closed out the 007 tribute, the trio came together on stage to receive the applause together.
“We have such a beautiful chemistry together,” RAYE said of LISA and Doja. “I just love those girls, they’re so kind and hardworking and inspiring.”
The Academy Awards come a few weeks after the 2025 Grammys, where the “Oscar Winning Tears” vocalist performed in a best new artist medley alongside fellow nominees Doechii, Benson Boone, Teddy Swims and Shaboozey; winner Chappell Roan performed elsewhere in the evening. She was also up for songwriter of the year, which ended up going to Amy Allen.
One day prior to the Oscars, RAYE won best R&B act at the 2025 BRIT Awards.
New York City’s celebrity hotspot Sei Less is celebrating Women’s History Month in style with a special menu dedicated to some of the most influential women in music. The limited-time menu, available starting Monday (March 3), will pay tribute to stars such as Cardi B, Ice Spice, Lil Kim, La La Anthony, Teyana Taylor and […]
Brad Paisley announced the initial run of dates for his upcoming 2025 Truck Still Works World Tour on Monday (March 3). The first leg of the outing is slated to kick off on May 21 at the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls, ID and bring the “No I in Beer” singer to Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, California, Ohio, New York, Virginia, Connecticut, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida before winding down on August 8 at in Arcadia, WI at the Ashley for the Arts festival.
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The first announced dates of the Live Nation-promoted tour will feature support from Walker Hayes, as well as Avery Anna, Mae Estes and Alexandra Kay and Paisley’s first-ever stops at Morrison, CO’s historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre. The tour is named for Paisley’s current radio single “Truck Still Works,” which the singer debuted last fall on NBC’s People’s Choice Country Awards and the American Music Awards 50th anniversary special on CBS.
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A fan club presale will open on Tuesday (March 4) at 10 a.m. local time through Thursday (March 6) at 10 p.m. local time. The general on-sale will kick off on Friday (March 7) here. In addition, there will be an exclusive Verizon presale through Verizon Access for select shows beginning on Tuesday at noon local; for more details click here. Official tour sponsor Citi will give cardmembers access to a presale beginning on Tuesday at 10 a.m. local time through 10 p.m. local on Thursday here.
Check out the dates for Paisley’s Truck Still Works World Tour below.
May 21 – Idaho Falls, ID @ Mountain America Center #
May 22 – Bonner, MT @ KettleHouse Amphitheater #
May 24 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre *#
May 29 – Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater *+
May 30 – Airway Heights, WA @ BECU Live at Northern Quest *+
May 31 – Everett, WA @ Angel Of the Winds Arena *+
June 5 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre @ *#
June 6 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre *#
June 7 – San Diego, CA @ Gallagher Square at Petco Park *#
July 10 – Ft. Loramie, OH @ Country Concert festival line up
July 12 – Canandaigua, NY @ Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center ++ xx
July 17 – Richmond, VA @ Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront *=
July 18 – Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater *=
July 19 – Gilford, NH @ BankNH Pavilion *=
July 24 – Wilmington, NC @ Live Oak Bank Pavilion @ *=
July 25 – Simpsonville, SC @ CCNB Amphitheatre *=
August 1 – Savannah, GA @ Enmarket Arena *=
August 2 – St. Augustine, FL @ The St. Augustine Amphitheatre *=
August 3 – Clearwater, FL @ The Baycare Sound @ *= ++
August 8 – Arcadia, WI @ Ashley For the Arts Festival
* Walker Hayes
# Avery Anna
+ Mae Estes
= Alexandra Kay
@ No Citi & Verizon pre sale
++ non Live Nation show
xx Dylan Scott & Alexandra Kay
On March 3, 1990, The Oak Ridge Boys’ “No Matter How High” topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Written by Joey Scarbury — of “Theme From Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)” fame — and Even Stevens, and produced by Jimmy Bowen, the song was released as the second of two singles from the […]
Alanis Morissette is headed to Vegas. The “You Oughta Know” singer announced the dates for her upcoming Alanis Morissette: Las Vegas 2025 residency run at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Monday morning (March 3), which will feature eight performances between Oct. 15 through Nov. 2. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See […]
Former American Idol finalist Colin Stough was arrested over the weekend and charged with DUI, underage consumption of alcohol and failure to exercise due care. According to AL.com, the Tennessee Highway Patrol took the 20-year-old singer into custody on Friday after he reportedly crashed his car outside of Nashville. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts […]
If you are going to be an enigma, you have to commit to the bit. Bob Dylan gets it. Despite being in the glitziest spotlight possible on Sunday night (March 2) at the 2025 Academy Awards ceremony where the biopic about his early life, A Complete Unknown, was nominated for (and lost) eight Oscars, Dylan […]