No, The New Dixie Chicks & Willie Nelson Albums Aren’t Being Released

This story has been updated.

Friday, April 24th was supposed to be a big release day in country music, with the much-anticipated new record from Willie Nelson called First Rose of Spring leading a stacked day of new album releases. Now, it is one of numerous releases that won’t see the light of day due to delays tied to the Coronavirus quarantine.

It was announced in late March that Willie was moving the release date of First Rose of Spring to July 3rd. Then it was announced earlier this week that long-anticipated release of the first Dixie Chicks record in 14 years called Gaslighter originally scheduled for May 1st would also be delayed due to COVID-19, indefinitely.

These titles join a growing list of albums receiving delays during the Coronavirus shutdown. Canadian country artist Corb Lund was also supposed to release his latest record Agricultural Tragic on April 24th. It has now been moved to June 26th. Also from the roots world, Margo Price’s much-anticipated new album That’s How Rumors Get Started originally scheduled for May 8th has been pushed back indefinitely. Though we don’t have a new release date, Margo has said, “More realistically, it’s going to be this summer.”

One artist who has chosen to not delay his new release is Jason Isbell, whose Reunions record is still set for May 15th, but is now being moved up to May 8th for folks who want to buy physical copies from local record stores in and effort to support these local businesses, many of which that are offering curbside pickup or even delivery of certain purchases.

However all the delays in releases are exacerbating concerns that come the summer and fall seasons, certain Fridays will be glutted with releases, similar to what could happen with the festival and tour circuit. April 24th was already a glutted day on the release calendar. But it could be nothing compared to the prime real estate days in July, August, and September as titles keep getting pushed back.

At the same time, important records continue to be released, and it’s important both the industry and fans don’t overlook these releases among the onslaught of Coronavirus news and nightly streaming events.

Albums still scheduled to be released on April 24th:

Whitney Rose – We Still Go To Rodeos
Pam Tillis – Looking For a Feeling
Pete Bernhard (Devil Makes Three) – Harmony Ascension Division
Lucinda Williams – Good Souls/Better Angels

Drake White – Stars EP
Ben Bostick – Among The Faceless Crowd

Chatham County Line – Strange Fascination
Will Banister – Everything Burns
Ana Cristina Cash – Shine
Craig Gerdes – Tough As Nails

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