THE NASHVILLE SCENE NAMES NEON BLUE
THE “BEST COUNTRY ALBUM” OF 2022
Joshua Hedley’s New West Records debut Neon Blue was released in April to widespread critical acclaim. Pitchfork named it a “best album of 2022 so far” as did No Depression and Holler. Rolling Stone said “…it’s the sonic equivalent of Ol’ Hed challenging Alan Jackson for the honky-tonk championship belt” while The Wall Street Journal said “The results are exhilarating…This is an album of powerful new music, not retreads.” Music Row said, “It’s a rollicking twang fest with loads of hooks, plenty of energy and mounds of hillbilly attitude” while Saving Country Music said, “Simply put, Neon Blue is a blast of a listen… Joshua Hedley has made himself into a modern country marvel.” This month, the Nashville Scene also declared Neon Blue the “Best Country Album of 2022” in their annual “Best of Nashville” issue saying, “…one thing’s clear: Joshua Hedley makes tried-and-true country music, and he’s doing it better than most of the folks you’re liable to hear on mainstream country radio.”
Today, The Boot premiered the video for “River In the Rain” in honor of the 30th Anniversary of the legendary Roger Miller’s passing. The Miller-penned classic closes Neon Blue and the video was filmed during recording sessions at Ronnie’s Place in Nashville, TN. Hedley says, “Roger Miller is one of my all-time favorite writers. A truly unmatched wit. He just looked at words differently, and he was able to use them in a way no one else ever has to construct absolute masterpieces. Specifically I chose ‘River In The Rain’ for my latest album because I thought it showcased brilliantly the way he could take that same wit and whimsy that he put into his humorous material and apply it to serious subject matter. To me, the song is about unconditional love, and that’s exactly what I have for the brilliance of Roger Miller — unconditional love.” See Joshua Hedley’s “River in the Rain” video HERE.
Hedley has been a presence in Nashville for nearly twenty years, although you have to know where to find him. You have to brave the tourists on Broadway downtown, bypass the three-story bars blasting Journey, and make your way to Robert’s Western World, a time-capsule honkytonk from a different era. “It’s the last holdout. It’s exactly the same now as it was when I started playing there seventeen years ago. It never doesn’t feel like home because it never doesn’t feel familiar.” He’s got tenure at Robert’s, playing hours long sets full of his own songs and country classics, and he hates to miss a show. In 2018, after he opened for Jack White at Bridgestone Arena (one of the largest venues in town), he was back at Robert’s right across the street playing to a boot-scooting audience the very next night. One Saturday evening, Hedley played to over 70,000 fans at the NHL Stadium Series at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. The day before? He was at Robert’s. While currently on tour through mid November, upon his return to Nashville, Hedley will be back at Robert’s every Monday night from 10am-2pm and every Friday morning from 11am-2pm. Remember to tip the band and your bartender.
Joshua Hedley’s Neon Blue is available NOW via NEW WEST RECORDS.
Joshua Hedley Live:
October 25 – Houston, TX – McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
October 31 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Pustervik
November 1 – Oslo, Norway – Krosset
November 2 – Stockholm, Sweden – Brygghuset
November 3 – Malmo, Sweden – Folk o Rock
November 6 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – De Rozenknop
November 8 – Arnhem, Netherlands – Luxor Live
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When Not On Tour:
Every Monday Night 10pm-2am and Every Friday Morning 11am-2pm at Robert’s Western World in Nashville, TN