Country To Country (C2C) announces the 2026 line up

Country To Country (C2C) announces the 2026 line up

Zach Top, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn are the Country to Country festival's 2026 headliners.

"jaw-dropping bucket-list...Whoever went out and got Brooks and Dunn needs to nominated for an MBE" - EF Country

Country to Country 2026

Zach Top/ Scotty McCreery/ Waylon Wyatt/ Noeline Hofmann

Keith Urban/ Russell Dickerson/ Tyler Braden/ Alana Springsteen

Bayker Blankenship/ Brooks & Dunn/ Drake Milligan/Kameron Marlowe/ Ashley Cooke/ Mackenzie Carpenter

Since its launch in 2013, Country 2 Country (C2C) has become the ultimate destination for country music fans across the UK and Ireland, bringing Nashville’s biggest stars to arenas in London, Glasgow, Dublin and Belfast. The festival has played a crucial role in cementing country music’s place in the UK, introducing audiences to both chart-topping headliners and rising Nashville talent, while also shining a spotlight on homegrown country acts. With three days of music, storytelling, and community, C2C has grown into Europe’s premier country music festival, drawing fans from all corners of the globe.

Over the years, the festival has hosted unforgettable performances from legends like Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Kacey Musgraves and Luke Bryan, while also helping to build a bridge between Nashville and UK country fans who once had limited access to the genre’s biggest names. Beyond the main stage, C2C has expanded into a multi-venue experience with intimate songwriter rounds, fan meet-and-greets, and fringe events that transform each host city into a country music hub for the weekend. With its rich legacy and unmatched reputation, C2C continues to play a pivotal role in the global rise of country music and remains a yearly highlight for fans eager to see the stars of today and tomorrow.

The 2026 edition will feature performances at The O2 in London, The OVO Hydro in Glasgow and The SSE Arena in Belfast. Headlining the main stage are Brooks & Dunn, appearing at C2C for the first time since their last UK shows in 2010, alongside Keith Urban, returning after seven years, and Zach Top, performing in the UK for the first time.

They are joined by fan favourites Scotty McCreery, Russell Dickerson and Drake Milligan, as well as breakout stars Bayker Blankenship, Kameron Marlowe, Ashley Cooke, Mackenzie Carpenter, Tyler Braden and Alana Springsteen.

Making their C2C debuts are Waylon Wyatt and Noeline Hofmann.

The addition of Brooks and Dunn is a major coup for the festival. Country fans in the UK believed they would never see the award winning legends on UK soil so the Sunday will sell like hot cakes!!

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern highlighted the organisation’s ongoing mission to showcase rising country talent internationally, while Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2, emphasised the station’s commitment to bringing country music to a growing UK audience. Longtime host Bob Harris also shared his excitement to return, reflecting on the festival’s growth since 2013 and its role in making country one of the fastest-growing genres in the UK. The festival will once again feature the CMA Spotlight Stage, Bluebird Cafe and CMA Songwriters Series, with more artists to be announced in the coming months.

Tickets on general sale at 10am on Friday 26 September. For London and Glasgow, visit www.axs.com/c2c, www.gigsandtours.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

For Belfast, tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie.

PRE-SALE From: Wed, 24 Sept 2025, 10:00 Until: Fri, 26 Sept 2025, 09:00

GENERAL SALE STARTS: Fri, 26 Sept 2025, 10:00

LONDON

The O2, London (Peninsula Square, Greenwich, London, SE10 0DX)

Accessible Tickets

WEEKEND TICKETS

Friday 13 March – Sunday 15 March 2026 TICKETMASTER UK £280.25 - £833.25/ £1,308.25 (VIP) each

Country to Country 2026 - Friday (13 Mar 2026) TICKETMASTER UK £147 - £463.25 (VIP) each

Country to Country 2026 - Saturday Day (14 Mar 2026) TICKETMASTER UK

Country to Country 2026 - Sunday (15 Mar 2026) TICKETMASTER UK

GLASGOW

OVO Hydro (Exhibition Way, Glasgow, G3 8YW)

Fri, 13 Mar – Sun, 15 Mar 2026 Country To Country - Three Day Weekend Ticket TICKETMASTER UK £228 - £972 (VIP) each

BELFAST

The SSE Arena (2 Queens Quay, Belfast, BT3 9QQ)

Fri, 13 Mar – Sun, 15 Mar 2026 Country To Country - Three Day Weekend Ticket TICKETMASTER IE £272 - £921.25 (VIP) each

Garth Brooks to play first UK gig in nearly 30 years as first BST 2026 headliner

COUNTRY STAR GARTH BROOKS IS THE FIRST CONFIRMED HEADLINER FOR AMERICAN EXPRESS PRESENTS BST HYDE PARK.

After almost 30 years, the first UK show of the global mega star, who paved the way for country music as we celebrate it today, promises to be an unforgettable night, with the full lineup of stellar guests to be announced.
VIP tickets, hospitality packages and payment plans available.

Further announcements for support and the other headliners for the 2026 edition of BST are expected in due course.

It comes after BST has previously hosted country artists such as Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan.

The 2025 series of BST concerts saw performances from the likes of funk legend Stevie Wonder, pop star Sabrina Carpenter, rocker Neil Young, and pop rock star Olivia Rodrigo. Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) were due to play their final concert at this year’s event, but singer Lynne was forced to cancel the concert in July due to illness.

PRESALE:

BST Hyde Park - Garth Brooks - Ultimate Bar Packages TICKETMASTER UK

American Express Presents BST Hyde Park TICKETMASTER UK

GENERAL SALE 18/09/2025, 10:00: HERE | HERE

General Admission Standing - Tier 2 (Amex Presale) £102.15 each

General Admission Standing - Tier 3 (Amex Presale) £112.85 each

Child 2-9 Years & Guardian Standing (Amex Presale) £85.75 each

Primary Entry Standing - Launch (Amex Presale) £123.45 each

Primary Entry Standing - Tier 2 (Amex Presale) £133.95 each

Primary Entry Standing - Tier 3 (Amex Presale) £144.45 each

Gold Circle Standing - Launch (Amex Presale) £198.95 each

Gold Circle Standing - Tier 2 (Amex Presale) £220.95 each

Gold Circle Standing - Tier 3 (Amex Presale) £253.95 each

Gold VIP HydeAway - Launch (Amex Presale) £253.95 each

Gold VIP HydeAway - Tier 2 (Amex Presale) £275.95 each

Gold VIP HydeAway - Tier 3 (Amex Presale) £325.95 each

Diamond VIP Experience - Launch (Amex Presale) £253.95 each

Diamond VIP Experience - Tier 2 (Amex Presale) £275.95 each

Diamond VIP Experience - Tier 3 (Amex Presale) £325.95 each

Seat Unique VIP Terrace - Launch (Amex Presale) £253.95 each

Seat Unique VIP Terrace - Tier 2 (Amex Presale) £275.95 each

Seat Unique VIP Terrace - Tier 3 (Amex Presale) £325.95 each

 Garth will play the Great Oak Stage on Saturday 27th June 2026. Tickets go on general on Thursday 18th September at 10am BST, visit www.bst-hydepark.com.

Brooks is one of the biggest-selling artists of all-time and the show will mark his first time playing in the UK in almost 30 years. The last time Brooks was here was in 1998 and fans had started to give up hope that he'd ever perform in the UK again.                                                                                                   

Brooks is the artist who put country music on the map and kick started the global popularity it enjoys today. His second album, 1991’s ‘NO FENCES' was the first country album to go multi-platinum with the follow up, ‘Ropin’ The Wind’, the first country album to top the US pop charts. His blend of country with pop and classic rock has earned him worldwide popularity. His songs are part of the American songbook, including classics like ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’, ‘The Dance’, ‘Friends In Low Places’ and ‘The River’.

He remains the best selling solo artist in U.S. history, certified by the RIAA with 162 million album sales, he has 20 Billboard #1 singles to his credit and he was the first artist to garner top 5 singles at country radio across five consecutive decades – the 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s and 20s.

Brooks’ live shows transformed country music, powering it into rock-style arena territory with pyrotechnics, huge production, and record-breaking crowds. In 1997, his legendary Central Park show drew an estimated over 1 million fans. His stadium tours have redefined what a country tour can be, most recently the three-and-a-half-year Stadium Tour that concluded in 2022 with five sold-out nights at Dublin’s Croke Park, attended by over 400,000 people.

This year marked the conclusion of his 72-show Las Vegas residency, ‘Garth Brooks/Plus ONE' at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Over two years, no two nights were the same, with every audience experiencing a unique, once-in-a-lifetime performance. The run sold an impressive 99% of all available tickets. He also continues to build his legacy in Nashville, opening his Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk on Lower Broadway in 2024, following a celebrated Dive Bar concert streamed exclusively on Amazon. In late 2024, Garth released The Anthology Part IV: Going Home. This Spring, he released The Anthology Part V: The Comeback, The First Five Years.

Throughout his career, Brooks has received nearly every accolade imaginable, from the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor and the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song to record-breaking RIAA Diamond Awards and seven CMA Entertainer of the Year titles. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry and more, cementing his place as one of the most important figures in music history.

Jim King, CEO of AEG Presents UK and European Festivals: “Announcing Garth Brooks as our first BST Hyde Park headliner for 2026 is a landmark moment. He joins the line of legendary artists who have defined BST over the years. A true global icon, Garth’s songs have connected with audiences everywhere, and his influence has paved the way for many of the country stars we celebrate today. His first UK performance in nearly three decades promises to be an unforgettable occasion at Hyde Park.”

Tickets:

Amex PRESALE tickets begins – Friday 12th September, 10am BST HERE

Artist FANCLUB PRESALE begins – Tuesday 16th September, 10am BST   

GENERAL ON SALE – Thursday 18th September, 10am BST www.bst-hydepark.com

Jesse Raub Jr. Drops album What I Came To Do, new single “Hold Her Horses” now at Radio

"What I Came To Do" tops the Texas Regional Radio Report week ending 7/17/25.

Latest single “Hold Her Horses” at Texas Radio and played on The Country Mile #381 Show LINK

Jesse Raub Jr. - What I Came To Do (Jesse Raub Jr. Music)

Release Date: 4 July 2025; 12 songs, 43:21

Rating 3.8/ 5 STARS

Top Tracks: Home Is Where The Heart Aches, Had To Be There, Always Friday Night

Track Listing

"Hold Her Horses" 3:44 written by Clint Daniels, Lee Starr, Paul Sikes

Ain't A Cowboy 03:35

The Answer Is Yes Jesse Raub Jr. feat. Sunny Sweeney 03:12 (Written by Jesse Raub Jr., Radney Foster, Scott Sean White) * As heard on The Country Mile #361

What I Came To Do 03:38

Healin' On The Hurtin' 03:24

I Woke Up 04:04

If I've Learned Anything Jesse Raub Jr. feat. Cody Johnson 03:11 114.7K Streams

Home Is Where The Heart Aches 03:32

Just Outside Of Town 03:36

One Wild Reason 04:03

Always Friday Night 03:49

Had To Be There 03:33 written by Helene Cronin, Jesse Raub Jr., Scott Sean White, Terri Jo Box

****   USE the Playlist play control 2nd left from top of the screen to see the playlisted..tracks and select one to play from the drop down menu  ***  👇

 Following up from his last #1 single, “Good Times” (Track 1 from the album REAL SIMPLE COUNTRY; released May 24, 2024), Jesse Raub Jr. released single, "I'd Look Good On You". This track begs you to reach out and touch someone, and says what we are all thinking, but usually don't have the nerve to say. I want to dance with you. Radio and Digital formats are arriving just in time for Summer (and the end of Quarantinin' 2020).

“My hero's have always been outlaws! It's like I am living what they lived, and we shared that kind of moment.” ~Jesse Raub Jr.

A ranch hand, a blue collar workingman's storyteller. A star rising! Jesse has spent his life on the road chasing white lines and neon lights, his playground is the dancehall, singing till the last call.

Jesse Raub Jr. is a native Texan born and raised in Houston. Jesse's wild country raising set the stage. His songs tell stories as real as the man himself. Jesse spent the last decade on the road rocking traditional Country sounds Hanked up with Southern Rock. His unique voice and true country sound continue to captivate his audiences and his explosive high energy show keeps the crowd coming every night.

His first #1 was a co-writer of Cody Johnson’s “Dance Her Home”

“Five #1's as an artist “She’ll Put The Hurt On You”, “Mistakes” , "Sittin' Here" featuring my brother Cody Johnson, ”Touch the Water”, followed by my 5th #1 “Good Times”. And the beat goes on! ~ Jesse Raub Jr.

Please meet Jesse Raub Jr.

Jesse has finished producing his new album with Radney Foster in Nashville now, preparing for a July 2025 release.

Here are some Jesse highlights.

1 Gold Record for "Dance Her Home" as a co-writer.

10 Texas Regional Radio Number 1's, including 9 in a row, after "Dance Her Home" as a co-writer.

18,000+ Facebook followers

25,000+ Spotify Listeners

Jesse Raub Jr. is a true embodiment of the spirit of Texas Country, ready to bring the honky-tonks to life with his electrifying performances. Jesse spent time the last couple of years on the road rocking sold-out arenas and amphitheaters, with Cody Johnson, leaving audiences yearning for more.

Jesse Raub Jr. and the Known Associates, released "What I Came To Do" to Texas radio in July after the massive success of "Beer's Better on a Boat".

On the Texas Regional Radio Report published for week ending 7/17/25 The top spot went to Jesse Raub Jr. with "What I Came To Do". The song moved 2-1 logging 1728 SPINS (+19) after 26 weeks on the chart.

Click to Enlarge

Watch Story Behind the Song & LIVE Performance! | PODCAST CLIP HERE

A workingman's storyteller on the rise, Jesse Raub Jr. infuses traditional Texas Country sounds with Southern Truth, reminiscent of greats like Waylon and Kristofferson. He weaves the rocking '90s vibes of Hank and Garth into every high-energy show, keeping the crowd on their feet and moving.

As Jesse puts it, "I work for Jesus and play for Freedom."

Texas-born and Nashville recording artist Jesse Raub Jr. brings an authentic sound to the Country music scene, blending 90's country with a modern edge.

His 4th studio album WHAT I CAME TO DO, was produced by Radney Foster in 2024 and was released on July 4, 2025.

What I Came to Do - the single released to Radio and Digital in January. The first single and title track, “What I Came To Do,” is a powerful anthem of resilience, love, and living life with purpose.

His latest single “Hold Her Horses” just made its debut on the Texas Regional Radio Top 100 at No.88 with 138 Fresh Spins for Week Ending 8/6/2025 - Week 31

Jesse Raub Jr Bio

Jesse’s career highlights include over 160,000,000 Spotify spins on songs Jesse wrote.

In 2014, he scored his first #1 on Texas Radio as a co-writer on Johnson’s “Dance Her Home”.

He scored his First Gold Record as co-writer on Johnson’s “Dance Her Home”,” featured on "A Cowboy Like Me", and "The Live Album". His major label songwriting credits also include “Made A Home” (featured on The Human Album and This Old House) and “Over Missing You” on Leather Part 2.

Jesse has been on tour with Cody Johnson and opened more than 24 shows in that last 24 months. With a rapidly growing fan base and deep roots in the Lone Star State, Jesse and his band, the Known Associates, have become a fan favorite in Texas Country, earning 11 Regional Radio Report #1 singles, including 10 consecutive hits, Jesse is not just a rising star in Texas—he is a force to be reckoned with in the country music world. Jesse has shared the stage with an incredible list of artists including Lee Ann Womack, Clay Walker, and Mark Chesnutt. Known for his fun high-energy performances and hanging out with his fans. Jesse and the band have been kicking ass, taking names, and growing in popularity.

Each song is a testament to Jesse's rich heritage and personal experiences, resonating with audiences across the nation. As he continues to rise, Jesse remains focused on sharing his unique sound and story with the world.

CONNECT with Jesse Raub Jr: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY (67K monthly Listeners) | X  (archive posts) |

Billy Currington Releases New Track “King Of The World”

Billy Currington Releases New Track “King Of The World”

As heard on The Country Mile 379 LINK

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 18, 2025) – Multi-Platinum country star Billy Currington dropped his latest song “King of the World”. Written by Troy Jones, Currington brings back the fun summer feeling of his biggest chart-topping hits.

He sings:

I got the radio playing and my boat while I float

Take a toke while I listen to Merle

A hot sun, cold one, I’ll be son of a gun]

I’m king of the world

Listen to “King of the World” HERE (preferred music platform) or listen below:

With more new music coming soon, fans can catch Currington on the road all summer on tour. Stopping in 16–cities across the US, Billy Currington, along with Kip Moore, is hitting major markets including Los Angeles, Austin, Boston and more. The tour also features artist Marlon Funaki. 

For tickets and a full list of shows, please visit www.billycurrington.com/tour. 

Fri Sep 5 – Toledo OH – Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre
Sat Sep 6 – Indianapolis IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
Thu Sep 12 – Wilmington NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion
Fri Sep 13 – Raleigh NC – Red Hat Amphitheater#
Fri Sep 19 – Boston MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Sat Sep 20 – Gilford NH – BankNH Pavilion

Billy Currington has spent nearly two decades topping the country charts, parlaying his rich, emotion-laden tenor and unerring song sense into some of the format’s most memorable hits. Across multiple Platinum-certified albums, the Georgia native has tallied 12 No. 1 singles, including 4X Platinum hit “People Are Crazy,” 4X Platinum “Good Directions,” 4X Platinum “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right,” plus Double-Platinum “Do I Make You Wanna,” Platinum “We Are Tonight,” and more.

CONNECT with Billy Currington: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | X

Cyndi Thomson Releases Breathtaking New Video For “Black Celica” Featuring Ashley Monroe

CYNDI THOMSON RELEASES BREATHTAKING NEW VIDEO FOR “BLACK CELICA” FEATURING ASHLEY MONROE - A SUNSET-SOAKED ODE TO FIRST LOVE AND LASTING MEMORIES

Cyndi Thomson

Publicity Photo: Daniel Shippey

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 24, 2025) — With the release of the “Black Celica” music video (shot and co-directed by Zack Knudsen and Kate Clark) out today, platinum-selling country artist Cyndi Thomson delivers a poignant, slow-burning visual that mirrors the heartache and hope woven throughout her tender collaboration with GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Ashley Monroe.

Watch the official video for “Black Celica” below:

Shot entirely outdoors against the golden glow of dusk, the video captures two parallel storylines: Thomson and Monroe performing side by side in a windswept field, and a young couple—portrayed by Thomson’s real-life daughter Bella Goodman—living out a memory of young love and inevitable goodbye. The result is as intimate as the song itself, a rich blend of nostalgia, vulnerability, and reverence for what once was.

“Watching my daughter bring this story to life onscreen added a whole new layer of meaning,” shares Thomson. “This song is about love that stays with you — even when it’s long gone — and Bella and our team captured that beautifully.”

Cyndi Thomson & Ashley Monroe

Publicity Photo Credit: Kate Clark

Penned by Cyndi Thomson, Ashley Monroe, and Mikey Reaves, and produced by Paul Sikes, “Black Celica” is a standout track on Thomson’s latest EP, ACRES OF DIAMONDS, which released in May. 

With a hushed, cinematic melody and lyrical snapshots of rainy roads, late-night drives, and champagne under the stars, the song explores the kind of romance that shapes you — and never fully leaves.

Related Blog Post (2 June 2025)

Cyndi Thomson celebrates a return to the country scene with EP Acres Of Diamonds

The video offers no dramatic twists — just soft light, honest emotion, and a love that lingers long after the engine stops

About Cyndi Thomson: 

Hailing from Georgia, Cyndi Thomson emerged onto the country music scene in the early 2000's, quickly securing a publishing deal with Sony ATV and a record contract with Capitol Records. She soared to stardom with her debut album, MY WORLD, and the hit single, "What I Really Meant to Say." However, beneath the veneer of success, Cyndi struggled with intense anxiety, ultimately choosing to step away.

Over the next several years she discovered a love for jewelry design and launched her very own collection, HAYBELLE CO. Now, on the brink of a musical comeback, Cyndi has recently released multiple new heartfelt tracks signifying a remarkable return to her roots and an exploration of new musical horizons. Her songs are deeper, her voice is stronger and her storytelling is more compelling than ever. 

To learn more about Cyndi Thomson, visit cyndithomson.com, and follow Cyndi on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube

Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives To Release 'Space Junk' On October 31st

MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES TO RELEASE SPACE JUNK, THEIR FIRST-EVER FULL-LENGTH 20 ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTALS LP, ON OCTOBER 31st VIA SNAKEFARM RECORDS

AVAILABLE ON VINYL, CD, AND, DIGITALLY

PREVIOUSLY ONLY AVAILABLE AS A RECORD STORE DAY EXCLUSIVECONFIRMS “SPACE JUNK BLAST OFF” SHOW AT THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM’S CMA THEATER ON NOVEMBER 1^st

Marty Stuart, the five-time GRAMMY® Award winner, Country Music Hall of Famer, Congress of Country Music Founder and AMA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, joined by his longtime band, The Fabulous Superlatives, announces the release of SPACE JUNK, their first-ever full-length double LP of 20 original instrumentals.

The album will receive a worldwide release on October 31^st via Snakefarm Records. “Instrumentals have always been a part of the Fabulous Superlatives repertoire, but this is the first completely instrumental album we’ve done, largely inspired by two of my favorite bands from sixties, The Ventures and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass,” Stuart says. “They did some dangerously cool instrumental records. We’ve done bluegrass, gospel, and country records. Our hearts just led us to this one. Space Junk turned us back into kids with our first guitars.

We thought the world needed a fresh instrumental album by a pretty good band, so we composed twenty instrumentals and took them to the microphones.” The album will be available as a CD, on vinyl, and digitally, and it was previously only available as a Record Store Day vinyl exclusive.

Watch the new visualizer for the album’s eponymous track, “Space Junk” below:

Pre-save Space Junk digitally here and pre-order it here.

Stuart and his band also confirm the “Space Junk Blast Off” album release show on November 1^st at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater. Tickets for this date will go on sale on Friday July 25^th at 10am local time. Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives are also on tour now – current tour dates and tickets are available here.

In a career spanning over 50 years, dozens of albums, and too many shows to count, Marty Stuart is still restless and pushing himself to new heights. Space Junk showcases the inimitable interplay and bond between Marty and his longtime band The Fabulous Superlatives, Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson, and Chris Scruggs. The album’s origins can be traced to Marty’s years composing music for film and television, including the score for All The Pretty Horses, which garnered a Golden Globe® Award nomination for “Best Original Score” and earned him GRAMMY® Awards in the category of “Best Country Instrumental Performance” for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” and “Hummingbyrd.”  “Scoring required a cinematic way of thinking.” reveals Marty. “I had to make music for what the scene called for, which turned me into more of a visual player in an understated way. That kind of thinking followed me into the studio during the making of Space Junk. I knew the music had to be pretty, but it also had to say something without losing its drive.”

He and The Superlatives ventured to Hollywood to cut the bulk of what would become Space Junk at the legendary Capitol Recording Studios. “The creative atmosphere of California always gives me the feeling that the sky is the limit,” Stuart muses. “Space Junk is California music. If you want a specific sound, you go to certain places in the world. For the California sound, it’s Capitol. You’ve got the blue skies, the legacy, the romance, and a lot of friendly ghosts. The atmosphere makes you do a little better.”

“California Part 1 (Bobbie Gentry Please Call)” channels this spirit. Captured live at Capitol, Marty played Clarence White’s famous Fender Telecaster guitar. “It winks at me, because it’s purely California,” Marty says of instrument. “I close my eyes and see a Western sunset. Clarence played really softly and there was a magic bell tone to what he did. I finally found that tone on the guitar with this song.”

The songs are influenced by the California sun, palm trees, and the occasional flying saucer flyover. A dramatic drumroll gives way to ethereal guitar transmissions on “The Ballad of the Lonely Surfer.”  “Waiting on Sundown” alternates between tender low-string twang and echoes of sustained notes awash in waves of reverb. “The song is clearly under the spell of my romance with the Golden State,” Marty confesses. “It’s a reflection of the music, rhinestone fashion of Lankershim Boulevard, cars, the TV and movie heroes. In reality, it’s a love affair with the entirety of the landscape of California custom culture.”

The band also recorded a handful of tracks in Nashville. Among those, “Graveyard” hinges on a quintessential surf guitar riff coupled with a dynamic beat and fast tremolo. “We recorded at the House of Blues studio,” Marty remembers. “Right behind it, there’s a big graveyard where people like George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Marty Robbins and Porter Wagoner are buried. The title worked.” Then, there’s “Space Junk” which includes steel drums, galactic chimes, topped off by a sample of the Sputnik signal. Kenny elaborates, “Sonically, it’s like you’re sitting in the window seat of a spacecraft and you’re seeing all of this stuff just drift on by.” Ultimately, Space Junk is another natural step for Marty and The Fabulous Superlatives, a worthy addition to their essential catalog.

“I hope Space Junk takes the listeners for a ride,” Stuart leaves off. “It makes me forget my problems and remember why I play guitar and get to dress up in cowboy clothes. It reminds me I’m okay, and I want it to do the same for you. Mainly, I want to inspire some kid to go to the store, buy an instrument, and make a difference. This concept was passed down to us from the old heroes. If we can serve the same role, mission accomplished.” 

Space Junk Track Listing

1.     Graveyard

2.     All The Pretty Horses

3.     Catalina

4.     Over The Moon

5.     Slipnote Serenade

6.     Space Junk

7.     El Zorro

8.     Coastline

9.     The Ballad of the Lonely Surfer

10.  Bat Patrol

11.  Till We Meet Again

12.  Waiting on Sundown

13.  La Tingo Tango

14.  Rhapsidio Sangre de Cristo in E Major

15.  Showcake

16.  Jody the Fly (Romance in Laguna)

17.  Malibu Dawn

18.  The Surfin' Cowboy

19.  California Pt. 1 (Bobbie Gentry, Please Call Home)

20.  Waltz of the Waves

Tour Dates:

FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER          London, UK  Royal Albert Hall

About Marty Stuart:

In a career spanning over 50 years, dozens of albums, and too many shows to count, Marty Stuart still charts a course through new territory at every chance possible. The five-time GRAMMY® Award winner, Congress of Country Music Founder, Country Music Hall of Famer, and AMA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient has left an indelible mark on successive eras of country music and culture.He went from accompanying Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash to launching a storied solo career highlighted by classic albums such as the Gold-certified Hillbilly Rock and Platinum-certified This One’s Gonna Hurt You as well as GRAMMY® Award-winning anthems, including “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’” [with Travis Tritt] and “Same Old Train.” Immersing himself in the world of film and television, he notably scored All The Pretty Horses, garnering a Golden Globe® Award nomination for “Best Original Score” and earning GRAMMY® Awards in the category of “Best Country Instrumental Performance” for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” and “Hummingbyrd.”

Recently, 2023’s Altitude incited widespread critical applause. Of the latter, Associated Press applauded how, “Guitarist Kenny Vaughan, drummer Harry Stinson and bassist Chris Scruggs match Stuart’s guitar virtuosity, with thrilling results,” and American Songwriter attested, “Altitude finds Stuart putting his own stamp on a traditional vein of country.” NPR put it best, “For millions, Marty Stuart is the very image of country music—splendid jackets, musical mastery and his respect for country’s traditions and a good jolt of humor.” You’d be hard pressed to find a corner of country music he hasn’t impacted though. Speaking to his influence, he hosted the long-running fan favorite television series The Marty Stuart Show and notably remains a member of the Country Music Foundation and Grand Ole Opry.

Moreover, the Country Music Hall of Fame inducted him during 2020. He also curated and launched Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music in Philadelphia, MS, preserving and celebrating the genre and its history. Joined by his longtime band The Fabulous Superlatives, he cruises into another stratosphere with his first-ever full-length double LP of 20 original instrumentals entitled, Space Junk. The cover art of Space Junk is a painting by Stuart’s longtime hero and pal, Herb Alpert, leader of the Tijuana Bass, a group Stuart considers to be one of the greatest instrumental bands of all time. The inimitable interplay between Marty, Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson, and Chris Scruggs fuels this cosmic cowboy trip with sun-kissed surf guitar, breezy California rhythms, soul stirring steel, and fluid fretwork all-around. Space Junk sounds like country music’s preeminent band crash landing on a Malibu beach and performing the most epic jam you’ve ever witnessed by starlight…

Follow Marty Stuart: Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter