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Bob Dylan Announces New Double Album 'Rough And Rowdy Ways,' Releases New Single "False Prophet"

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The GRAMMY winner drops his third new song in six weeks ahead of his first new album of original material since 2012's 'Tempest,' due out June 19
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
May 8, 2020 - 10:46 am

Bob Dylan has been teasing something of late. In March, he unleashed the epic "Murder Most Foul," followed by "I Contain Multitudes" in April, his first new orginal releases in eight years. Now the GRAMMY winner gives us "False Prophet," reveealing in the songs' artwork the promise of a forthcoming new album, Rough And Rowdy Ways.

The new double album in vinyl and CD formats is due out June 19, the first collection of original music since 2012's The Tempest. In recent years, Dylan's taken a deep dive into the Great American songbook, releasing three albums of standards, including 2017's triple album, Triplicate.

Sony Music CEO Rob Stringer said of the new material, “These songs are unprecedented. By Bob or anybody else.”

The new song, "False Prophet," is much more of a lively, mid-tempo romp than the two new songs preceeding it, and its title at least seems to riff off of a career spent in the brightest of spotlights.

“You feel like an impostor when someone thinks you’re something and you’re not,” Dylan said on 60 Minutes in 2004. “I never wanted to be a prophet or savior. Elvis, maybe. I could easily see myself becoming him. But prophet? No.”

Rough And Rowdy Ways will arrive as Dylan's 39th studio album, and just his seventh in the last 23 years. It'll contain 10 songs, suggesting "Murder Most Foul" might be included in its yet-to-be-revealed tracklist and/or that the songs may lean toward lengthy.

Variety keenly points out the album's title matches that of an old Jimmie Rodgers song of the same name, and wonders if this teases a title track cover of the song or perhaps just a borrowed phrase. At 78 years-old, the great Bob Dylan still knows how to keep people guessing...

Dylan Goes Acoustic: Celebrating 25 Years Of Bob Dylan’s 'MTV Unplugged' Album

Revisiting Bob Dylan's "Time Out Of Mind" 20 Years Later

 

 

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan

Photo: Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS/Getty Images

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Bob Dylan Cancels Summer 2020 Tour Due To COVID-19 Concerns

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The GRAMMY-winning folk stalwart's first new album in eight years, 'Rough and Rowdy Ways,' is due out on June 19
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
May 13, 2020 - 12:33 pm

Today, May 13, 10-time GRAMMY-winner Bob Dylan announced his 2020 North American summer tour is canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 25-date North American leg of the folk legend's "Never Ending Tour" was originally set to kick off in Bend, Ore. on June 4 and wrap up in Bethel Woods, N.Y. on July 12. New dates will be announced at a later time when it is safe to do so, but for now, ticket purchasers will be given refunds.

Watch: John Prine Reflects On Early Songs, Meeting Bob Dylan & More With Sturgill Simpson

"To all our fans: In the interest of public health and safety and after many attempts to try and reschedule these shows for a workable timeframe this year, it is with deep regret that we announce the US Bob Dylan shows originally scheduled for June/July are cancelled," the announcement on Dylan's Twitter (shared above) reads.

Watch: Amy Ray On New Indigo Girls Music & Meeting Bob Dylan At The GRAMMYs | On The Road At Newport

"We hope to be back out on the road at the earliest possible time once we are confident that it is safe for both fans and concert staff. Please contact your point of purchase for all information on refunds," a second tweet added.

Read: Dylan Goes Acoustic: Celebrating 25 Years Of Bob Dylan’s 'MTV Unplugged' Album

Folk act Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats was slated as the opener the jaunt, which was announced back in early March. The tour would've coincided with the release of Dylan's upcoming album, Rough And Rowdy Ways, which is due out on June 19. The project is his first LP of new music in eight years and has been preceded by three lead singles; "Murder Most Foul," "I Contain Multitudes" and, most recently, "False Prophet."

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Remembering The Life, Legacy And Music Of Little Richard: Rock Pioneer And GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

GRAMMYs

Photo:: Ken Welsh/Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

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Record Store Day 2020 Moved To Three Separate "RSD Drops" This Fall

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The announcement of August, September and October installments comes after the independent record store celebration's initial move from April to June
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Apr 30, 2020 - 8:59 am

Record Store Day 2020 has moved once again, and will now involve a series of “RSD Drops” occurring on three Saturdays this fall: Aug. 29, Sept. 26 and Oct. 24.

Originally scheduled to take place on Apr. 18, Record Store Day was initially pushed back to June 20 due to the coronavirus crisis. But the new model of the annual celebration of independent record stores is built to fit the uncertainty of the of 2020's musical landscape. 

"2020 is different. So what we're doing this year is going to be different too," RSD posted. "No one knows what kind of party we'll all be in the mood for, or able to hold safely, at any time this year, in any part of the world. So we're focusing this year not on the party aspect of Record Store Day, but on getting the great releases on the RSD 2020 List into your local record store, and then into your collection."

The three RSD Drops will still get exclusive titles into participating indie record stors, and an updated list of RSD releases will be available June 1. 

The aim of Record Store Day continues to be, "Bringing revenue to the stores, as well as to the artists, labels, distribution and every other business behind the scenes making record stores work."

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The Recording Academy Welcomes Valeisha Butterfield Jones As First-Ever Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer

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Photo: Bandsintown

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Bandsintown Adds WATCH LIVE Fan Alerts For Livestream Concerts, Announces Online Benefit Fest

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With touring suspended, the online show listing service will expand to include livestreams and launch the Bandsintown Live Music Marathon next week to benefit MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Mar 20, 2020 - 12:06 pm

As the music industry shirts its focus from live events to livestream performances due to the global coronavirus pandemic, artists and business alike continue to adapt. Now, Bandsintown, a leader in direct-to-fan engagement has announced the addition of WATCH LIVE fan alerts for online performances by their favorite artsts.

With the new feature, artists will be able to add WATCH LIVE listings on their pages that will link directly to their performance on Facebook Live, Instagram Live, other third party streaming hosts, and a new live music channel on Twitch Bandsintown launched today to host live concerts at live.bandsintown.com. They kicked off the new channel with a special set by producer/DJ Black Coffee live from South Africa. 

The new Bandsintown Live channel will also host the multi-day Bandsintown Live Music Marathon next week Mar. 26 & 27 featuring both established and rising artists. The full lineup is yet to be revealed, but all donations received during the livestream will be donated to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. 

WATCH LIVE will become available for free for artists on Bandsintown starting next week. For more information, visit the Bandsintown website.

Grammys Newsletter

Recording Academy And MusiCares Establish COVID-19 Relief Fund

Recording Academy - Black Music Collective
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The Recording Academy Reveals Leadership Council For Newly Launched Black Music Collective

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The distinguished leadership committee will work with honorary chairs to elevate Black music creators and professionals
Recording Academy
Oct 22, 2020 - 6:30 am

The Recording Academy's newly launched Black Music Collective (BMC), a group of prominent Black music creators and professionals who share the common goal of amplifying Black voices within the Academy and the wider music community, has announced a distinguished leadership council. The leadership committee is dedicated to progressing the Recording Academy's mission to achieve equitable representation across its membership and the music industry.

The collective will serve as a space for members to speak openly about new and emerging opportunities in Black music alongside an inspiring group of groundbreaking Black music creators and business leaders. Leadership has already begun creating and identifying programming that will encourage the acceleration of Black membership within the Academy.

Members of the leadership council will join Honorary Chairs Jeffrey Harleston, Jimmy Jam, Quincy Jones, Debra Lee, John Legend and Sylvia Rhone to work hand in hand to elevate the mission of the collective. Recording Academy Trustee Riggs Morales serves as the BMC Chair and Washington, D.C., Chapter Executive Director Jeriel Johnson is the Executive Sponsor. 

The Black Music Collective's Distinguished Leadership Committee includes the following accomplished music professionals:

"Our time is now and I'm so excited to add my voice in whatever way I can to honor those who came before me, those who worked building the foundation in this important work in music," H.E.R. said. "Initiatives like this help give a voice to young and emerging artists who dream of an even bigger future. We're all in this together."

"This is a new era of change for the Recording Academy and we are honored to have these leading artists, executives, producers and engineers who are all at the top of their fields join us for such an important moment in our world, our nation and our industry," Harvey Mason jr., chair and interim president/CEO of the Recording Academy, said. "Black music is part of the fabric of our industry and it is so reassuring to stand with these leaders to create momentum, bring change and amplify Black voices."

"We're energized by our partnership with such an esteemed group of Black music leaders who share our mission to foster and accelerate Black representation, equity and inclusion throughout the music industry," Valeisha Butterfield Jones, chief diversity & inclusion officer of the Recording Academy, said. "We've doubled down on our partnership with these leaders and are committed to the work ahead."

Stay up to date on the BMC's progress here. 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Watch The Recording Academy's Inspiring "Change Music" Summit In Full