After last year’s debut LP Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell announced Willow Avalon as a provocative new voice in country music, the Georgia songwriter’s drawling trill and spitfire attitude takes a turn with this year’s follow-up Pink Pocket Pistol. Her new LP mines an even more vintage country sound that echoes between Nancy Sinatra and Lorretta Lynn, with shades of her father Jim White’s iconoclastic poetic style. Arkansas country groover JD Clayton warms the stage behind 2025’s easy-riding sophomore LP Blue Sky Sundays, while smooth-crooning American Idol finalist Slater Nalley opens previewing upcoming debut EP Hey, Georgia. – Doug Freeman
