RIP Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, Bonnaroo 2027 Canceled, Big Thief's Frothcoming Triple LP, and More Roots Music News
This week was, quite simply, a horrible week in roots music and the world at large. We lost two icons, Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, whose artistry and character shaped the musical genres we cover and the musicians who carry the mantle for them today. We here at No Depression
Black News 
This week was, quite simply, a horrible week in roots music and the world at large. We lost two icons, Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, whose artistry and character shaped the musical genres we cover and the musicians who carry the mantle for them today.
We here at No Depression honored Parton all week on social media, sharing some of our favorite archival pieces about her from over the years, as well as a new tribute written by former Editor-in-Chief, Kim Ruehl. One of the things that struck me most about her obituary was that she always referred to Dolly by first name, as if we all knew her that well, on such intimate terms. Her songs, her values, her likeness, and her goodness were everywhere, so maybe, in a way, we did.
In case you missed any of the other featured Dolly stories, check them out below:
"Dolly Parton - The smartest working woman in show business" - Linda Ray, from the November-December 1999 issue of No Depression
"How Dolly Parton Grew to Embody The Organic Feminism of Working-Class Women" - former No Depression Writing Fellow Sarah Smarsh, from the Spring 2017 journal of No Depression
"In ‘Dolly Parton’s America’ Podcast, Jad Abumrad Finds the Substance Behind the Sparkle" - former No Depression editor Stacy Chandler
Tributes, of course, abounded on social media. Below are some of our favorite stories, covers of her songs, photos, poems, and more from fellow roots musicians:
Although less directly connected to the roots music, Curry's work as a singer, performer, and stage and voice actor impacted so many in this community. Some of his beloved theater productions included starring as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show and King Arthur in Spamalot. Throughout his career, Curry won a Daytime Emmy award and was nominated for Grammy, Tony, and Olivier awards for his roles in productions like Peter Pan and the Pirates, Amadeus, and The Pirates of Penzance.
Incomprehensibly, news continued to break this week. Beloved (and messy and muddy) Tennessee music festival Bonnaroo announced that it would be taking the year 2027 off from its annual programming. The festival shared the following on its website. Read more at Rolling Stone and check out No Depression's Through The Lens recap from 2026 here.
To our Bonnaroo Family,
THANK YOU for an epic Bonnaroo 2026. Our hearts are filled to the brim from the weekend that we shared in June. The Farm remains as special as ever, and for a few days, we were once again reminded of the good things in this world.
As you know, we spent a great deal of effort and money working to improve the campgrounds and Centeroo in the months leading into the 2026 festival. That included improved drainage, 4.5 miles of new roadways and 135 acres of new grass, all which strengthened The Farm’s resiliency to Mother Nature. With limited time to recuperate from back to back years of storms, including the heavy rainstorm on Sunday this year, The Farm, particularly the main venue, needs a break to rest and recover.
So, here’s what we’ve decided: Bonnaroo will be taking a much-needed year off in 2027.
This wasn’t an easy decision, and not one we take lightly, but in our hearts, we know this break will only make Bonnaroo better.
We hope you’ll continue radiating positivity in your community throughout the year and thank you for loving this festival as much as we do.
Love,
The Bonnaroo Team
Fans of Big Thief were treated to a rare performance at the Ryman Auditorium earlier this week, as the band played its forthcoming triple album in full. Currently titled Horsepower, the new album reportedly features Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, and Iris DeMent, all of whom were surprised special guests during the gig. Read more at Pitchfork.
Regarding new releases, Benjamin Tod announced a country covers album titled Country Is Dead due out September 4 via Thirty Tigers. His last studio LP, Vengeance and Grace was released in April (ND review) and the lead single, a version of Jimmie Rodgers’ “Waiting For A Train,” is out now.
Netherlands-born, Austin-based singer-songwriter Judy Blank announced a Spanish-language EP titled Star Viva, due out September 25 via Rounder Records. The five-track EP was recorded in the Netherlands, Texas, and Mexico and features Spanish language versions of songs from full-length album, Big Mood (ND review). She decided to re-record these songs in Spanish to honors her time in each of these locales, as well as the one year anniversary of the LP.
Israel Nash announced a full-album cover version of The Byrds' 1968 LP Sweetheart of the Rodeo due out September 25. Lead single, a psychedelic interpretation of "You Ain't Going Nowhere" (written, of course, by Bob Dylan) is available now.
The late singer-songwriter Todd Snider recorded a 10-song collection of new songs last fall just before his passing. The forthcoming, posthumous album, titled My Second Rodeo, is due out October 9 (just two days before what would have been his 60th birthday) via Thirty Tigers.
Rayland Baxter announced his first new album in more than four years, True Violet, which is due out on October 23 via ATO Records. Its 11 tracks were co-produced by Nick Waterhouse and Paul Butler, and the album’s opening track/lead single, "Better Man," was co-written with Tyler Ballgame.
Miko Marks announced her first album in nearly four years, as well. Hell Or High Water, featuring lead single “Death Rolls Like Thunder,” is due out October 30 via Redtone Records.
The 32nd annual Ontario Folk Music Awards will take place at on Wednesday, October 14th during the annual Folk Canada Conference. Nominees for select awards are below and the full list can be found on Folk Canada's site:
Song of the Year
“Unforgettable” - Amanda Rheaume (Amanda Rheaume, Dan Hosh)
“Inevitable” - Emma Lamontagne (Emma Lamontagne, Josh Bogert, Lynne Hanson)
“WIHOGORA” - Empress Nyiringango (Empress Nyiringango, Aron Niyitunga)
“Oh, Little One” - Jory Nash (Jory Nash)
“Patron Saint” - Kate Greenland (Kate Greenland)
“Until the Devil’s Paid” - Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps (Michael Darcy)
“Quit My Habit” - Rebekah Hawker (Rebekah Hawker, Edward T Murphy)
“Temporary” - Vicki Brittle (Vicki Brittle)
Album of the Year
The Truth We Hold - Amanda Rheaume
Not Defeated - Angelique Francis Band
Mi Pequeña - Eliana Cuevas
Immersed - Justin Gray
Sofreh Tisch - Ladom Ensemble
Honesty - The Lifers
Reasons To Stay - Tanika Charles
Recording Artist of the Year
Aysanabee
Great Lake Swimmers
John Muirhead
Kazdoura
The Pairs
summersets
On their album release day for Something More today, Fruition announced that the band will be stepping away from touring in early 2027. As the band said in a press release:
The heartbreak is we feel more connected musically than we ever have. ...But after nearly 20 years of touring, we’ve had to be honest with ourselves about what it takes to sustain this band. Nearly every cost of being on the road—from fuel and flights to food and lodging—has gone up, while artists’ guarantees have remained largely static. At some point, you have to ask whether the way you’ve always done it still makes sense.
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO
Jens Lekman - I Know What Love Isn't
Tony Hannah - Love It Or Leave It
Talise - "Skedaddle Ridge"
Nat Myers - "Young Mind Old Soul"
Jeffrey Silverstein - "Patchouli" (from his forthcoming album, Doggone, due out October 23 via Full Time Hobby)
Willi Carlisle - "Marlboro Vinyasa" (from his forthcoming album, The Universal Bubba, due out November 6 via Signature Sounds)
NEW RELEASES - 8/28/26
Alabama Shakes - I Must Be Dreaming
Sara Bareilles - Good Grief
Alicia Blue - Country Desire
Sera Cahoone - I've Missed You All These Years
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country - Ryman To Robert's
Laurelyn Dossett - How Many Moons
Riley Downing - Landfill Poetry
Everlast - Embers to Ashes
Ruthie Foster - Just Say Yes
Kam Franklin - Land of the Neon Sun
Fruition - Something More
Jim James - Wowed Out
The Jayhawks - Sanctuary Park
Mama’s Broke - Reunion
Kate Prascher - Sunday Afternoon
Billy Strings - So Much For Goodbyes
Two Runner - Porchlight
Alicia Witt - Between Heaven and Earth
COMING SOON - 9/4/26
Rose Gerber - They Can't Take The Music
Hollow Hand - Wish Road South
Medium Build - King of Having Fun
Charlie Pike - Creeks All Rise
Lena Rich - Emerald City
Lily Seabird - Lightspheres on Their Way
Angus & Julia Stone - Karaoke Bar
Benjamin Tod - Country Is Dead
Molly Tuttle - So Long Little Miss Sunshine Acoustic [EP]
![SPOTLIGHT: Vincent Neil Emerson - "Blue Stars" [VIDEO]](https://storage.ghost.io/c/18/d0/18d08e58-3b1b-4720-ae25-a31b44e69d4b/content/images/2026/04/Spotlight-Template.png?#)
