Joshua Hedley's 'My Opry Debut' Episode Premieres at Rolling Stone Country
By: Tori Hartshorn Jun. 29, 2018
Joshua Hedley is the subject of the latest "My Opry Debut" episode, which premieres today at Rolling Stone Country. Watch/share HERE. Of the mini-documentary, Rolling Stone Country proclaims, "The vocalist offers a pristine delivery, reinforcing his reputation as one of country's new crop of must-hear live performers." Chronicling Hedley's preparation and experience debuting at the legendary Grand Ole Opry, the video includes exclusive performance footage of "I Never (Shed A Tear)" plus scenes of Old Crow Medicine Show's Cory Younts surprising Hedley with the Opry invitation during a live interview at WSM Radio.
Hedley's Opry debut coincides with the release of his critically acclaimed album, Mr. Jukebox. Out now on Third Man Records (stream/purchase HERE), the full-length debut continues to receive overwhelming critical praise.
In support of the album, Hedley will tour internationally throughout 2018 including headline shows at Philadelphia's Johnny Brenda's, Brooklyn's Rough Trade, Washington D.C.'s Union Stage, Seattle's Tractor Tavern, Dallas's Kessler Theater and Los Angeles' Moroccan Lounge among many others. In addition to the headline dates, Hedley also joins Old Crow Medicine Show on a series of dates this summer. Tickets are on-sale now. See below for full tour details.
Last month, Hedley was featured on WXPN's "World Café" (listen HERE). Hosted by NPR's Ann Powers, the performance and interview were recorded live from Nashville's Sound Stage Studios and features songs from Hedley's Mr, Jukebox. Of the set, World Café declares, "His trademark tenor emerged clean, warm, and on point, rounding out each note beautifully within his classic country songs...Hedley infuses his classic arrangements with deep personal feeling; his songs feel likes confidences, not costume dramas."
Produced by Skylar Wilson and Jordan Lehning, the 10-track album features nine original songs as well as a version of "When You Wish Upon A Star." In addition to Hedley on vocals and fiddle, the album features Eddie Lange on steel guitar/guitar, Jeremy Fetzer from Steelism on guitar/baritone guitar, Michael Rinne on bass, Jon Radford on drums/percussion and Micah Hulscher on piano/organ.
Of the album, Hedley comments, "It's not a throwback. It sounds new because it is new, and it sounds the way it sounds because it's the only thing I know how to do. I can't write a song that sounds different. Classic country is like a suit. Nothing about a men's suit has changed in like 100 years. Classic never goes out of style. Something can't be a throwback if it's never been out of style." He continues, "I just want people to remember they have feelings, and that they're valid. Not everything is Coors Light and tailgates. There are other aspects of life that aren't so great that people experience. They're part of life, part of what shapes people. And that's worth noting."
A Florida native, Hedley felt inexplicably drawn toward the fiddle as a child. He first asked for one at age 3. His mom listened to Neil Diamond and his dad listened to Otis Redding--they didn't see the request coming--but when he asked again five years later, they were struck by the longing's staying power and, at 8 years-old, he finally got his hands on his very own instrument. He went on to perform at the local VFW and American Legion and, at 12, joined his first band. His bandmates were in their 40s. Around the same time, Hedley visited Nashville with his parents and immediately knew that he belonged. At 19, he made the move and began sneaking into Robert's Western World--too young to drink legally and too wild to care. Hedley went on to become a featured performer and in-demand sideman at the now legendary spot and, ultimately, a well-respected frontman. Armed with an easy croon and prodigious fiddle playing, he became known by peers as the Mayor of Lower Broad. In the years since, he's performed with artists including Jonny Fritz, Justin Townes Earle and more and was featured prominently in the 2015 documentary, Heartworn Highways Revisited.
MR. JUKEBOX TRACK LIST
1. Counting All My Tears
2. Mr. Jukebox
3. Weird Thought Thinker
4. Let's Take A Vacation
5. These Walls
6. I Never (Shed A Tear)
7. This Time
8. Don't Waste Your Tears
9. Let Them Talk
10. When You Wish Upon A Star
JOSHUA HEDLEY CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
June 29-St. Paul, MN-Palace Theatre
June 30-Cedar Rapids, IA-Paramount Theatre*
July 14-Christchurch, New Zealand-Blue Smoke
July 15-Auckland, New Zealand-The Tuning Fork
July 19-Newtown, Australia-Leadbelly
July 20-Marrickville, Australia-Marrickville Bowling Club
July 21-Castlemaine, Australia-The Bridge Hotel
July 22-Northcote, Australia-Northcote Social Club
July 25-Brunswick, VIC, Australia-Spotted Mallard
July 26-Oakleigh South, Australia-Caravan Music Club
July 27-29-Broadbeach, QLD, Australia-Groundwater Country Music Festival
August 2-5-Happy Valley, OR-Pickathon 2018
August 3-4-Indianola, IA-Hinterland Festival 2018
August 31-Oslo, Norway-Café Mono
September 1-Amsterdam, Netherlands-Paradiso
September 3-London, UK-The Old Blue Last
September 4-Bristol, UK-The Crofters Rights
September 6-Glasgow, UK-Admiral Bar
September 7-Gateshead, UK-The Sage Gateshead, Hall 2
September 9-Lutterworth, UK-The Long Road Festival
September 12-St. Louis, MO-Off Broadway
September 14-Indianapolis, IN-Duke's Indy
September 15-Detroit, MI-Third Man Records
September 16-Toronto, ON-The Drake Hotel
September 18-Cambridge, MA-The Sinclair
September 19-Philadelphia, PA-Johnny Brenda's
September 20-Brooklyn, NY-Rough Trade NYC
September 21-Washington, DC-Union Stage
September 22-Knoxville, TN-The Open Chord
September 23-Franklin, TN-Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
September 26-Atlanta, GA-The Earl
September 28-Carrboro, NC-Cat's Cradle Back Room
September 29-Asheville, NC-Grey Eagle
October 16-Kansas City, MO-Knuckleheads
October 18-Fort Collins, CO-Fort Collins Armory
October 19-Denver, CO-Globe Hall
October 20-Salt Lake City, UT-The State Room
October 22-Vancouver, Canada-Fox Cabaret
October 23-Seattle, WA-Tractor Tavern
October 26-San Francisco, CA-The Chapel
October 27-Los Angeles, CA-Moroccan Lounge
October 29-San Diego, CA-Soda Bar
November 1-Dallas, TX-Kessler Theater
November 2-Austin, TX-Antone's
November 3-Houston, TX-The Heights Theater
November 4-Mobile, AL-Callaghan's Irish Social Club
*with Old Crow Medicine Show
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