BONUS TRACKS: Reissues from The Chicks and The Bluegrass Album Band, New Music from Kaitlin Butts and St. Paul & The Broken Bones, and More Roots Music News

The Chicks announced a 20th anniversary reissue of Taking the Long Way due out October 2 via Legacy Recordings. The reissue will be available as a triple-LP set and will include three previously unreleased demos and two rarities. The whole album, including the bonus tracks, will also be available for streaming. As the band wrote in a press release:

It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since 'Taking the Long Way.' These songs take us right back to one of the most defining times in our lives, and it’s incredible how much they still resonate today. ...We’re so excited to finally share some unreleased tracks and to perform the entire album on this tour. It feels like the perfect way to celebrate this journey with the fans who have been with us every step of the way.

In other reissue news, Craft Recordings announced the first vinyl reissue of The Bluegrass Album, due out September 25. Originally released in 1981 and credited to The Bluegrass Album Band, musicians included Tony Rice, J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, Bobby Hicks, and Todd Phillips. The reissue was remastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from the original analog tapes.

In terms of new releases, No Depression's June 2024 Spotlight artist Kaitlin Butts returns with Hello, Honky Tonk, due out October 30 via Republic Records. Previous Editor-in-Chief Kim Ruehl profiled the Tulsa-based country musician around the release of Roadrunner, Butts' modern country interpretation of the musical Oklahoma. On her new LP, Butts honors another part of Oklahoma musical history, the honky tonks.

Additionally, St. Paul & The Broken Bones announced a new, four-track EP titled Proxy, due out September 18 via Oasis Pizza Records. As frontman Paul Janeway stated in a press release:

The best part of releasing this music is it gets to find its place in the world. I think this is a really strong collection of songs. Obviously, there are only four songs, but they carry the same weight as songs on a full album. Each song carries its own story. I am really proud of this collection, and I hope they get to be a part of flashbulb memories for those that hear them.

Read more from Janeway in this 2023 interview with No Depression around the release of Angels in Science Fiction and check out the new single below.

And for the first 2027 release on No Depression's radar, Amble announced their second album. The Irish folk group is set to release Love And All Its Wares on January 29 via Warner Records.

Marcus King joins the list of esteemed musicians with their own signature instrument models: Epiphone will be making a limited number of dreadnought-style Marcus King El Dorado acoustic guitars, which, according to a press release, "[celebrate] the return of one of the brand’s most beloved vintage-inspired models and honors the instrument that helped shape Marcus King’s musical journey." Read more about King in this feature profile from the Fall 2022 print edition of No Depression, available to read in full by becoming a member.

Following up on last week's news about the massive layoffs at Brooklyn Vegan, Alternative Press, Revolver, and Goldmine, Creem Magazine posted a fitting tribute. Additionally, former Pitchfork staffer and current Hearing Things co-founder Jill Mapes wrote a must-read essay.

Finally, fare thee well to the "The Great American Folk Show," hosted by North Dakota-based singer-songwriter Tom Brosseau. The radio program, which began in 2020 and aired on NPR-affiliate Prairie Public, was a thoughtful window into the world of folk and roots music. I was honored to be a guest on the seventh episode, which aired in November 2020, to speak about No Depression's history, legacy, and efforts to keep the circle unbroken during the uncertainty of the pandemic. The final episode will air Saturday, August 29. Thanks to Tom and everyone at Prairie Public for the opportunity and all the songs and stories over the years!

WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO

Margaret Glaspy - "Reminder" (live) (ND review)

Theo Lawrence - "I Love You Bartender" (live)

Ruby Alexander - "All This Time Together"

Joy Oladokun - "Ain't No Sunshine" (Bill Withers cover)

Rhiannon Giddens - "Freight Train" (Elizabeth Cotten cover from her forthcoming album, Hope Is The Thing With Feathers, due out September 18 via Nonesuch)

The Heists - "Break & Mend" (from their forthcoming EP, Break & Mend, due out September 24)

NEW RELEASES - 8/14/26

The Arcadian Wild - Make It Out Alive
Jon Batiste - Black Mozart
Phoebe Bridgers - Lost Weekend
Bronwyn - Rattlin’ Bones
Elizabeth Cook - Great Television
Lindsay Lou - Bluegrass Woman
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Roots, Rock, Reggae: Live at the Hammersmith Odeon
Maggie Rose - Half Moon
Johanna Samuels - Sorry, Kid
Carly Simon - Comes in Waves
Various Artists - Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience
Laura Veirs - Temple Songs
The Womack Sisters - The Womack Sisters

COMING SOON - 8/21/26

Pieta Brown - Dreamin' Of
Adam Chaffins - Trailer Trash: Double Wide
The Clover Valley Boys - The Clover Valley Boys
Brandon Flowers - THRASHER
Sawyer Hill - Everybody’s Home, Nobody’s Happy
Ghost Hounds - Justified
Ray Wylie Hubbard - Reel 2 Reel 4 Real
Theo Kandel - A Horse Named Friday
Lambchop - Punching the Clown
Sondre Lerche - Acrobats
Michael McDermott - Flowers from the Graveyard
Keb' Mo' - The Breakdown
Chris Pierce - Songs for the Heavy Hearted
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys - Welcome to the Club
Squirrel Flower - Say a Prayer for the Gods of Getting Going
Brennan Wedl - Brennan Wedl
Westside Cowboy - It Goes On