Outlaw country singer-songwriter David Allan Coe passed away on Wednesday at 86 years old. The controversial musician was rife with contradictions over his life and career – growing up in Ohio, but becoming synonymous with the South; drifting in and out of prison, but welcomed among Nashville's royalty at the Grand Ole Opry; joining the cadre of Outlaws, but releasing records on major labels, and more. Coe had a streak of misogynistic recordings that he claimed to be parodies, as well as list of crimes (including murder) he claimed to have committed.
Still, his music traversed decades, genres, and communities. Over the course of his career, Coe wrote for Tanya Tucker and Johnny Paycheck, sang about Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, and Merle Haggard, performed songs written by Steve Goodman and John Prine, was inspired by Shel Silverstein, and collaborated with Kid Rock and members of Pantera.
Both the Associated Press and Rolling Stone shared more in-depth obituaries that explore his musicality and his conflicts. Tyler Mahan Coe, estranged son of the elder Coe and founder of the beloved podcast series "Cocaine & Rhinestones" about the history of country music, share the following video on his Patreon (which was then excerpted by the Instagram page Country Music Tunes). Support Tyler's Patreon, and further episodes of "Cocaine & Rhinestones" here.
Additional tributes are below.
The Punch Brothers announced a new record titled The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers. The instrumental album, comprised of six original tunes, three traditional songs, and two interstitials, is due out July 24 via Nonesuch Records. The first single, "New Bike" is below.
As part of the Eaux Claires Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, festival co-founder and curator, will perform as Bob Dylan circa 1994. Billed as a set by "Bon Dylan," Vernon and co. will perform songs from each of Dylan's distinctive musical eras. The festival takes place July 24-25, 2026 at Carson Park and includes other roots music performers like Aimee Mann, Kevin Morby, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, The Union feat. Phil Cook, and many more musicians outside of roots music. Bon Iver shared the following clip of rehearsing Dylan's "Not Dark Yet" via his social media. Tickets to the festival are available here.
After a successful festival last year presented under the same time, Rhiannon Giddens has launched the Biscuits & Banjos Foundation. According to the website, the mission of the new nonprofit "celebrates the African diaspora’s role in shaping American identity and culture through music, literature, food, and community." Learn more and support here.
Bloodshot Records shared that they're reissuing two albums by Denver-based roots/rock/punk band The Yawpers on vinyl. 2015's American Man, the band's debut for Bloodshot, will be pressed on "Bloodshot Red" vinyl as part of the label's "Barrel Select" series. The band's most recent album, 2019's Human Question, will be pressed on "flaming orange" vinyl. Preorders are available here.
The New York Times shared its list of "The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters." Though the list spans all genres, No Depression and roots music favorites like Dolly Parton, Lucinda Williams, Brandy Clark, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and more are featured. Check it out here.
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO
Greensky Bluegrass f/ Ivan Neville - “Man Smart (Woman Smarter)” (Grateful Dead cover)
Bonnie Paine (of Elephant Revival) f/ Rising Appalachia - "Lighthouse" (from her forthcoming solo record, Unseen, due out May 8)
Jeffrey Silverstein - "Coming Back Around"
Mama's Broke - "Heaven"
NEW RELEASES - 5/1/26
Tori Amos - In Times of Dragons
A Different Thread - Over Again
Jesca Hoop - Long Wave Home
Hiss Golden Messenger - I'm People
The Klezmatics - We Were Made For These Times
Taj Mahal - Time
Kacey Musgraves - Middle of Nowhere
Ben Musser - Sentimental Fever
Emily Nenni - Movin' Shoes
Helen O'Shea - Songs in the Key of O
Maisy Owen - Dark on a Sunny Day
Paisley - Are U Mad at Me
Dida Pelled - I Wish You Would
Vaiano’s Paisanos - Jalopy
Various Artists - Old No. 1 Revisited
Todd Day Wait - Heart Over Mind
Rita Wilson - Sound of a Woman
COMING SOON - 5/8/26
Michaela Anne - These Are The Days
Mick Flannery - The House Must Win
The Flatliners - Cold World
Hurray For The Riff Raff - Live Forever
Coleman Jennings - Lead You Home
Josiah and the Bonnevilles - As Is
Abigail Lapelle - Shadow Child
Ashley McBryde - Wild
Bonnie Paine - Unseen
India Ramey - Villain Era
TANASI - TANASI
Brother Wallace - Electric Love
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