Two music industry nonprofits — Bluegrass Ambassadors and ReString Appalachia — are teaming up to raise funds to provide musical instruments to individuals affected by the Central Texas floods in early July. The Chicago-based Bluegrass Ambassadors, founded by the band Henhouse Prowlers, has a mission to "educate and inspire through the cultural exchange of music." And ReString Appalachia is "dedicated to getting quality instruments back in the hands of those who lost them due to natural and economic disasters. Together, they're raffling off a one-of-a kind, signed, Gold Tone prototype “Twanger” banjo from Béla Fleck's who personal collection. The contest runs from July 29 - September 1, 2025 and tickets start at $30. All proceeds will go to ReString Appalachia, which will facilitate the instrumental transactions. Watch Fleck tune up and show off the banjo below and donate to the raffle here.
Red Dirt heroes Cross Canadian Ragweed are also trying to help those impacted by the floods: They have set aside 200 tickets to their upcoming show on on Saturday, August 23 at McLane Stadium on the Baylor University campus in Waco, Texas exclusively for first responders who helped with flood relief. Although it's still unclear how those tickets will be distributed, a press release states that the band is "working with local authorities." General tickets to The Boys from Oklahoma tour (which also features Turnpike Troubadours, Shane Smith & The Saints, Wade Bowen, and American Aquarium) go on sale today at 10 a.m. CDT and proceeds will also be donated to multiple charities helping those impacted by the natural disaster.
In other instrument news, Gibson has announced that Sierra Hull will be the first woman to have her own signature mandolin. As she said in a press release:
We spent about two years talking and dreaming about what this mandolin would become. ...The exciting thing for me is that the mandolin that I have played exclusively since 2009 was signed by Master Luthier David Harvey. It’s become my voice after so many years of playing it. Being able to work on this project with David personally gave me the confidence that we’d be able to achieve something unique, while still honoring the legacy and history of those beloved Master Model mandolins. It’s exciting and full circle to see these new mandolins with my name on them and his signature inside.
When I finally played the prototype for the first time, I knew these instruments would be something that I could be proud of. They are hand-built with the highest level of quality by the team at Gibson — many folks who have worked there for years. Mandolins can also be very expensive. They take a lot of time and care to build right. If I’m going to put my name on something with that kind of price tag, it needs to be a great instrument and something long-lasting. I truly believe these mandolins are, and I’m really proud of that.
The instrument will be available for purchase October 7, but in the meantime, check out her Tiny Desk Concert, which went live today.
Today marks the return of Bandcamp Fridays, where all proceeds from purchases go directly to the artists (without fees from the platform). Need some inspiration? Check out Bandcamp Daily's Best Country Music From June 2025, featuring No Depression favorites like Willi Carlisle, Kelsey Waldon, Watchhouse, and more.
Lucinda Williams opened a honky tonk dive bar in New York City this week at a storied musical location in the East Village. On Tuesday, she performed a not-so-secret set at her namesake Lucinda's; on Thursday, the venue surprise hosted Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) and Kathleen Edwards after their show in New Jersey was rescheduled due to weather. Read more about Lucinda's and the history of its location in Billboard.
In terms of upcoming releases, Iron & Wine and Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses announced a follow-up to their 2015 covers album, Sing Into My Mouth. The new EP, Making Good Time, is due out September 12. Additionally, John Calvin Abbey, who's now performing in SG Goodman's band, has a new solo album titled Transparent Towns due out September 19.
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO:
Dream Academy - "Life In A Northern Town"
Pony Bradshaw - "In The Cinnamon Glow"
Kevin Morby & Waxahatchee - “Farewell Transmission”
Abbie Callahan - Grossly Aware
Mara Connor - “American Dream (Hometown Heroes & Beauty Queens)”
Sierra Ferrell f/ Nikki Lane - "A Lesson in Leavin"
Chris Stapleton and Sesame Street
NEW RELEASES – 8/1/25
Josh Halper - Schlemiel
Emily Hines - These Days
Rachael & Vilray - West of Broadway
Patrick Sweany - Baby It's Late
Wild Mountain Mystics - Fire and Honey
The Wood Brothers - Puff of Smoke
COMING SOON - 8/8/25
Rachel Baiman and Viv & Riley - kissing other ppl
Hayes Carll - We’re Only Human
Charley Crockett - Dollar A Day
Field Medic - surrender instead
Ashley Monroe - Tennessee Lightning
Rebecca Porter - Roll With the Punches
Hillary Reynolds - Changing Seasons
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