LUKAS NELSON + POTR RETURN WITH STICKS AND STONES OUT JULY 14
“MORE THAN FRIENDS” FEAT. LAINEY WILSON OUT NOW; OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO DEBUTS AT CMT
SPRING HEADLINE TOUR KICKS OFF APRIL 1
March 22, 2023—GRAMMY Award-winning artist Lukas Nelson will release his highly anticipated new album, Sticks and Stones, July 14 via 6ACE Records/Thirty Tigers (pre-save/pre-order). Ahead of the release, the official music video for the first single, “More Than Friends,” featuring CMA and ACM Award-winning artist, Lainey Wilson, debuted this morning at CMT.
Of the collaboration, Nelson shares, “When I wrote ‘More Than Friends,’ I had always envisioned it as a duet. I am a big fan of Lainey and she was at the top of my list of artists I wanted to sing with me on this track. When we sent her the song, I was thrilled to hear back that she loved it and wanted to do it.”
Additionally, Wilson shares, “‘More Than Friends’ is a modern day take on the musical, kindred spirits of icons like Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. I’m so honored to be able to work with someone as talented as Lukas. His artistry and storytelling within music is unlike any other.”
Sticks and Stones was written solely by Nelson with the hope of bringing people together at the forefront of his mind, bringing upbeat energy and a sense of fun. Across the album’s twelve spirited tracks, Nelson explores the universal human experiences of love, celebration, longing and humor. Self-produced by Nelson and his longtime band, POTR, Sticks and Stones captures the band’s musical power and fits perfectly alongside the canon of the electric live performances they’re known for.
Reflecting on the record, Nelson shares, “This album is about celebrating the human connection, joy and excitement. We went from quiet and introspective on A Few Stars Apart to something big and fun to really showcase the band’s talent and performance. You can listen to the album Sticks and Stones from start to finish and get the songs to dance to and then the quiet, poignant songs. To me, this album is the perfect setlist.”
Ahead of the release, Nelson + POTR will kick off their spring headline tour April 1 in Charles Town, WV. The band will visit 18 cities on the tour, including two nights at Wilmington, NC’s Greenfield Lake Amphitheater as well as stops in New Orleans, Texas and four shows in Southern California followed by a just announced nine-show run across the U.K. and Ireland in June. See below for complete tour itinerary.
Since his debut over a decade ago, Texas and Hawaii-based Nelson has toured the world with POTR, playing countless sold-out shows and festivals, winning fans with electric live performances and a singular sound. He’s also released seven studio albums to date including his most recent, 2021’s A Few Stars Apart. Produced by Dave Cobb, the album spent seven weeks at #1 on the Americana Albums chart and received widespread acclaim, with Rolling Stone declaring, “His best album yet…Nelson’s most compact, streamlined, and focused album,” while The Tennessean affirmed, “a collection of lyrically stirring, musically multifarious and ultimately hopeful roots rock storytelling.” Nelson also co-produced the music for 2018’s lauded A Star Is Born in addition to appearing in the film, and went on to win a BAFTA Award for Best Original Music, and a GRAMMY Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
CMA 2022 Female Vocalist of the Year, CMA 2022 New Artist of the Year, and ACM’s 2022 New Female Artist of the Year, Lainey Wilson has earned the enthusiasm of the industry. Having been named to nearly every “Artist to Watch” list, being crowned Billboard’s “Top New Country Artist of 2021,” and earning CMT’s 2022 “Breakout Artist of the Year” honor, the Louisiana native is one of Nashville’s hottest and most buzzed-about new artists. Landing her first #1 with her PLATINUM Certified ACM Song of the Year “Things A Man Oughta Know,” nearly 10 years to the day after leaving her small farming community in a camper trailer to chase her dreams, she has won over legions of fans with her signature Bell Bottom Country sound and aesthetic, which blends traditional Country with a modern yet retro flare. A prolific and sought-after songwriter (having co-writer credits on songs by artists including Luke Combs, Flatland Cavalry and more), Lainey is a fresh, fierce voice in Nashville, delivering CMA nominated album of the year with her label debut, Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’. With a rockstar stage presence, her artistry has taken her across the globe, performing for sold-out crowds throughout the US, UK, and Germany with notable names like Jon Pardi, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Jason Aldean, Ashley McBryde, and more. After topping the country radio charts for a second time with the two-week #1 hit, “Never Say Never” with Cole Swindell, her current single “Heart Like a Truck” and HARDY collaboration “wait in the truck” are both Top 10 and climbing. Her critically acclaimed album, “Bell Bottom Country,” debuted at #12 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart and quickly rose to #1 on iTunes charts. Most recently, she made her acting debut in Season 5 of the smash hit series “Yellowstone” and was named “Tractor Supply Brand Ambassador,” adding to her growing list of endeavors.
Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.
