Josie Toney Is Poised To Break Out with New Album “Extra”
If you’ve been swept up by the Sierra Ferrell phenomenon over the last few years, then you probably don’t need an introduction to Josie Toney. With her fiddle playing, harmonies, and million-watt smiles, she added breadth, skill, and beauty to Sierra Ferrell’s sound in one of country and roots music’s most enthralling experiences.
Folks have noticed recently that Josie Toney has not been playing Sierra Ferrell. But don’t worry, there’s no bad blood, and you won’t be missing Josie Toney for long. Just announced, she will be releasing a new album on April 7th called Extra, with a new song “City Girl Blues” out now, and more singles on the way in the coming weeks. That’s right, it’s time to get ready for Josie Toney’s solo career.
Originally from Olympia, Washington with a family history in music including old-time and other traditional styles, Josie Toney is so much more than just a fiddle player. Sure, she backed up Sierra Ferrell from 2021 to 2023, and has also shared stages with the likes of Billy Strings, Nikki Lane, and Old Crow Medicine Show and played memorable performance as places like Red Rocks and the Ryman Auditorium. But now she’s ready to wow folks as a singer and songwriter.
When Josie Toney sings, she evokes the ghosts of the classic country era. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, she received the Sam Eisenson Award for Country Music from the prestigious music school. She also won the FreshGrass fiddle championship in 2019.
What’s cool about Josie Toney releasing a solo album is that it speaks to just how strong the swell in deeply rooted country roots has become. Toney recently posted a video singing Webb Pierce’s “Cryin’ Over You” that’s pretty spectacular (see below). As great as she is covering classic country music though, the new album Extra will be composed of all original songs. It’s being released by Like You Mean It Records.
Josie Toney is also scheduled to appear at SXSW this upcoming week at the Oh Boy Records/Like You Mean It Records showcase at Parish on Saturday, March 18th.
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Extra Track List:
1. Before I Met You
2. Cryin’ Lonesome
3. Too Long In Life
4. Extra
5. Good Time Boy
6. Nobody’s Gonna Cry For Me
7. City Girl Blues
8. Always Fine
9. Peach Pickin’ Time In Georgia
10. Don’t Regret
11. Mama Lou
March 15, 2023 @ 9:27 am
Wow. She is great!
https://youtu.be/5VLy59hmZRY
March 15, 2023 @ 11:19 am
This is right up my alley, excited to hear more from the record. Trig, is the new Dylan Earl record on your radar? I’ve been listening to it the past couple days and think it’s really good. The Bandcamp blurb said he runs with Nick Shoulders and Willi Carlisle which picked my ears up.
March 15, 2023 @ 5:16 pm
The Dylan Earl album is on my radar and being considered for review.
If folks want to know what is on my radar, they can always check out the “release radar” posts I do three times a year that are regularly updated with releases that have been pre-screened and are being considered for review.
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/release-radar-most-anticipated-albums-for-2023/
Words cannot describe the extreme amount of releases we’re seeing these days, and an excruciating amount of time is spent simply keeping a calendar of the albums coming out, let alone actually listening to albums thoroughly, and reviewing them.
If you’re wondering, “Gee, why has Trig not reviewed ‘X'”? It might be because X came out on the same week as 20+ other albums that fans are also wondering why they didn’t get reviews. It is beyond out-of-control and an industry crisis. All I can do is try to review and feature as many albums and artists as I can.
March 17, 2023 @ 11:47 am
Didn’t mean to come across as ungrateful, I appreciate everything you do running this site in such a hectic release era! Thanks for linking the release radar post, I’ll bookmark it.
March 17, 2023 @ 11:51 am
No worries at all. Didn’t comes across as ungrateful at all. I just try to communicate that at every turn so folks understand what’s happening these days.
March 15, 2023 @ 1:18 pm
Backed this project way back in 2020 I think, was starting to wonder if it’d ever happen. Can’t wait!
March 15, 2023 @ 2:42 pm
Used to get excited about side musicians making records. Now, not so much. Considering how much easier it’s become to record, it seems like everyone’s doing ” an album.” This gal is in demand as a fiddler, you are guaranteed more work than you can handle these days if you fiddle well. Of course she’s talented. But she’s not another Sierra Ferrell. Few are. To make it big on your own name as a headliner, there are unique skills that not everyone posses equally. The charisma and talent, wow factor, ability to hold a crowds attention on the big stage, really well, are rare abilities. That’s not to say her album won’t be good, I’m sure it’ll be well made.
IMO, being a side musician or member of a band isn’t something to take for granted, particularly one as great as Sierra Ferrells band. And you can have a decent career doing that. Josie will be fine either way. She’s an elite musician and can hang with the best.
March 15, 2023 @ 5:19 pm
I did not mean to imply that Josie Toney was another Sierra Ferrell, just mentioned Sierra as a reference point. Josie has been performing her entire life beyond being a side player. Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, and so on and so forth all started as side players, so I wouldn’t write them off. I have no idea how good Josie will be as a primary performer or how good this album will be. I just thought it was interesting, and a lot of folks had been asking where she had gone.
March 16, 2023 @ 1:21 pm
No one said she was “another Sierra Ferrell”. But seeing as you mentioned her, Sierra played with others before getting her shot. Josie seems to have what it takes but we shall see.
March 16, 2023 @ 4:22 am
As much as I will pull for Josie to succeed with her own music I hope she goes back to touring with Sierra along with doing her own shows. Having her on fiddle and backing vocals added a lot of depth to the live show when I saw them together. There is also something special about watching a band that has been together for a long time and has a really tight set. It’s almost memorizing.
March 16, 2023 @ 7:16 am
I like the song posted. Interested to see what the rest of the album has in store. Thanks.
March 16, 2023 @ 9:37 am
I am so excited for this to drop. She is an amazing artist.
March 16, 2023 @ 1:22 pm
I wish Josie the best but will definitely miss her this Sunday at Tip’s here in New Orleans.
March 16, 2023 @ 2:14 pm
Wish i had been at Tipitina’s last Saturday, since Tab was playing.
Friends and i have tickets to see Buddy Guy April 30th.
I too, wish Josie all the Best!
March 16, 2023 @ 6:44 pm
I can’t believe Buddy Guy is still playing live! He was an influence on Hendrix for crying out loud! I remember always playing his Stone Crazy album in high school in the late 90s, and ever since, but I even thought he was old then. That’s the one studio album I’m aware of where he’s shredding all the way through. I’ve seen him live a few times and will always go to his shows when there’s an opportunity.
March 16, 2023 @ 7:35 pm
I know!
We’re all excited to get to see this living legend play, live.
: D Thinking of wearing something polka dot to honor Buddy, and his Mom.
He won’t see it, but still
March 17, 2023 @ 7:13 pm
That’s some serious hee-haw shit right there