Lorraine Jordan & Country Grass Release New Single, Friday Night Blues.
Lorraine Jordan & Country Grass have released their highly anticipated new single, Friday Night Blues, the latest offering from their forthcoming Country Grass II album (release date TBA), coming soon via Pinecastle Records.
Originally a favourite among traditional Country fans, Friday Night Blues has been reimagined with a vibrant Bluegrass arrangement, giving new life to a timeless classic. Fans can download and stream the full recording on all digital platforms here.
I have always loved John Conlee songs and Friday Night Blues is the perfect song to be a Country Grass song. It fits with Bluegrass instrumentation and harmonies, This song goes over so well with our Bluegrass fans at our shows. It’s a feel good song with a special meaning, and I hope our Bluegrass radio stations will enjoy playing it – Lorraine Jordan.
Originally recorded by Conlee in 1980, Friday Night Blues returns with a fresh Bluegrass energy while staying true to the spirit of the beloved hit. The track features the all-star Country Grass band, with Allen Dyer on lead vocals and guitar, delivering a dynamic performance rooted in tradition with a modern edge. Touring band members include Lorraine Jordan playing bass, and singing lead and harmony vocals, with Kent Dixon on mandolin, also singing lead and harmony vocals, Garrett Newton on 5-string banjo and lead vocals, Tim Tew on guitar, Dobro and singing harmony vocals, Matt Hooper on fiddle and Duncan Stitt also on Dobro.
The single follows the success of previous releases, including the David Stewart-penned original Keepers of the Flame and the collaboration with Country legend TG Sheppard on a Bluegrass reimagining of I Loved ’Em Every One.
The soon to be released Country Grass II project continues to build on the groundbreaking foundation laid by the original Country Grass release from 2015, which brought together Bluegrass instrumentation and harmonies with timeless Country hits. That project featured collaborations with some of Country music’s most celebrated voices and reintroduced classic songs to a new generation of listeners through a distinctly Bluegrass lens. The new album will expand on that vision, pairing the Country Grass band with an exciting lineup of guest artists while staying true to the spirit that made the original project such a standout.
Now established as its own act, Country Grass has evolved into a dynamic touring group dedicated to blending the sounds of classic Country and Bluegrass. While Lorraine Jordan continues her long-running success with Carolina Road, this project showcases a separate musical direction, which brings together top-tier players to reinterpret Country favourites with Bluegrass instrumentation and energy. The band has built a strong following on the road and is slated for an extensive run of tour dates throughout 2026, appearing at major festivals and venues across the country.
Fans can learn more about Lorraine Jordan & Country Grass, view upcoming tour dates, and stay up to date on new releases by visiting their official website.
About Country Grass:
Country Grass is the powerhouse ensemble born from one of bluegrass music’s most dynamic crossroads—the moment when the hard-driving acoustic tradition of Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road collided with the timeless catalog of classic country. What began in 2018 as the groundbreaking Pinecastle Records album Country Grass quickly grew into a full movement, reshaping how fans experience the songs they’ve loved for generations.
The original project paired the chart-topping bluegrass band with some of country music’s most iconic voices, including Crystal Gayle, Lee Greenwood, Jim Ed Brown, Lynn Anderson, The Kentucky Headhunters, T.G. Sheppard, Eddy Raven, John Anderson, John Conlee, Jesse Keith Whitley, Marty Raybon, and Ronnie Reno. Together, they reimagined #1 country hits such as Ready for the Times to Get Better, Common Man, Dixie Road, Diggin’ Up Bones, Do You Want to Go to Heaven, I’ve Got Mexico, Don’t Close Your Eyes, and Rose Garden, all of which have been reinterpreted with authentic bluegrass instrumentation and the unmistakable vocal blend of Bluegrass harmonies.
One standout track, Boogie Grass Band, originally released by Conway Twitty in 1978, became a signature moment on the album, arranged by Lorraine Jordan. Josh Goforth and Ronnie Reno and featuring an all-star lineup of legendary country guests. The project earned widespread acclaim, selling out live shows and pulling audiences into a nostalgic yet fresh musical experience that bridged generations.
By 2024, the demand for the Country Grass sound had grown so strong that it evolved into its own touring entity, distinct from Carolina Road and fully dedicated to delivering the bluegrass-meets-classic-country fusion fans embraced. Today, Country Grass is booked at major festivals and performing arts centres across the country, also appearing as the backing band for Larry Cordle on hits such as Murder on Music Row and Highway 40 Blues. On select shows, dobroist Duncan Stitt joins the ensemble as a special guest.
The group is currently preparing the release of Country Grass II in 2026, featuring guest appearances from T. Graham Brown, Eddy Raven, Michael Martin Murphey, T.G. Sheppard, and a special collaboration with North Carolina favorites The Malpass Brothers.
With banjos ringing, fiddles soaring, and rich vocal harmonies breathing new life into the country classics audiences know by heart, Country Grass delivers a must-see live experience. Their show captivates bluegrass purists, classic country loyalists, and new fans discovering the magic of the two genres brought together in perfect harmony.
