When Levi Foster flew to Los Angeles carrying a 1966 Martin guitar and a stack of restless songs that didn’t quite fit Nashville’s modern mold, he wasn’t chasing polish, he was chasing freedom. The result is Foster’s second full-length album Appalachian Funk Tree (out October 9, 2026), produced by Shooter Jennings at the legendary Snake Mountain (Sunset Sound Studio 3) in Hollywood. At a moment when mainstream country continues to lean sleek and radio-ready, Foster’s music digs into something stranger and more unpredictable. The 13 tracks on Appalachian Funk Tree blend mountain gospel spirit, Red Dirt attitude, new and traditional Country, and Americana storytelling that feels lived-in rather than manufactured. Jennings, known for championing artists who exist outside traditional boundaries, approached the project less as a producer chasing perfection and more as a collaborator helping Foster build a sonic world where humor, chaos, and hard-won truths could coexist. Levi Foster writes songs that feel like tall tales told at the end of a long night - part humor, part hard truth, and always rooted in the storytelling traditions of American music. “Fat Elvis,” the first song released off the album, is a rowdy, cinematic introduction to Foster’s evolved sound. What began as a late-night joke among friends sparked by the line in the song “sweatin’ like fat Elvis on a postcard down in Memphis, Tennessee” quickly evolved into something larger. Set against the chaos of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, “Fat Elvis” unfolds like a hazy fever dream of American excess and hard-earned lessons, blending humor with a darker reflection on fading icons, bad decisions, and the strange mythology we build around ourselves.   The track signals a new chapter for an artist determined to push beyond genre lines without abandoning his roots.  Foster’s songs wander through strange characters, human flaws, and the kind of moments that feel too real to be made up. As the Country and Americana landscape continues to evolve, Appalachian Funk Tree positions Foster among a new wave of artists willing to challenge genre expectations while staying rooted in the storytelling spirit that defines country music at its core.

Hiroya is a one-of-a-kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kyoto, Japan. He began playing the five-string banjo when he was thirteen, and took up the guitar shortly after. In 2000, Hiroya received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and came to the United States. He formed his own group in Boston “INTEROCEANICO (inter-oceanic)” which consists of unique musicians from different continents including Latin Grammy Colombian singer Marta Gomez. The group released three acclaimed records (“The Other Side of the World”, “Confluencia” and “Where the River Shines”). Hiroya has released five solo albums. Hiroya has been leading concerts internationally including several appearances at Blue Note(NYC), United Nations and Japanese National Television(NHK). Hiroya is a two time 2nd place winner of International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship in 2018 and 2022. “…chops, passion and warmth. Zealously recommended!” -Jazz Review.com “HiroyaTsukamoto takes us to an impressionistic journey ” -Boston Herald

Brother and The Hayes is a Texas-born, Tennessee-based sibling duo bringing heartfelt songwriting, rich harmonies, and a groove-driven blend of Americana, folk, country, and blues to the stage. Jennie Hayes Kurtz and David Bingaman are songwriters, producers, and recording artists with more than a decade of experience making music in Nashville and touring nationwide. Growing up in Dallas, David and Jennie Hayes were surrounded by a diverse musical mix—from jazz, western swing, and ’40s music to ’70s rock, ’90s country, and Dallas blues. Family dance parties after dinner gave them an early appreciation for music’s ability to set a mood, evoke emotion, and bring people together. That foundation grew into a shared love of folk, traditional country, blues, and songwriting during their college years at the University of Arkansas. After college, they moved to Nashville, where they each gained a unique education in the music they loved. Jennie Hayes spent several years at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, working in exhibits, collections, and education, where she developed and taught songwriting programs. David spent three years at the iconic Bluebird Café, working alongside and listening to some of Nashville’s most celebrated songwriters. Their experiences gave them a deep appreciation for both the history and craft of American songwriting. Their music carries a reverence for the past while embracing timeless songwriting and fresh ideas. Echoes of blues, traditional country, folk, and western swing meet a contemporary perspective, creating a sound that feels both familiar and new—rooted in tradition without being confined by it. Whether performing as an intimate acoustic duo or with their full electric band featuring some of Nashville’s finest players, David and Jennie Hayes bring warmth, humor, honest storytelling, infectious grooves, and rich sibling harmonies to every show. Their natural rapport draws audiences in and creates an atmosphere that feels less like a performance and more like a gathering of friends. David now lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he spends his spare time rock climbing, hiking, and camping. A talented cartoonist, he also designs many of the band’s posters and merchandise. Jennie Hayes lives in Nashville with her husband and golden retriever, hosts regular songwriter showcases around town, and continues to work with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.