My Morning Jacket has christened its fifth studio album “Evil Urges.” As previously reported, the set is due June 10 via ATO and was recorded in New York late last year with co-producer Joe Chiccarelli.
Meanwhile, the band’s first career show at Radio City Music Hall in New York, set for June 20, sold out in 22 minutes, according to a band spokesperson.
First, MMJ will be on hand for the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, where it will play a March 13 show at Austin Music Hall. Frontman Jim James will also play a March 15 solo gig at Austin’s St. David’s Church.
In addition, the band will join indie stalwarts Yo La Tengo for a March 10 SXSW warm-up at Houston’s Verizon Wireless Theatre.
— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams, Jr., will reprise their successful Rowdy Frynds tour this year, beginning April 4 at the Giants Center in Hershey, Pa.
Twenty dates are on the books, with Red Mountain Entertainment and Blue Deuce Entertainment once again the primary promoters. In several cases, the arenas are buying the shows directly and will serve as co-promoters.
Also included on the route is the Bama Jam festival in Enterprise, Ala., on June 7 and the Marion (S.C.) Country Music Festival on June 13. As one of last year’s sleeper tours, the package grossed nearly $10 million from just 18 shows that sold 160,000 tickets, according to Billboard Boxscore.
— Ray Waddell, Nashville
Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek has signed with Friday Music. His debut for the label, due in April, is a collaboration with guitarist Roy Rogers on an album titled “Ballads Before the Rain.” On it, the pair will reprise Doors favorites such as “Riders on the Storm” and “The Crystal Ship” in addition to seven new tracks.
Friday Music is distributed by Ryko in the United States, Universal Music in Canada and Pinnacle Entertainment internationally.
— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.