Latest news with #JimJames
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
My Morning Jacket gets a Hometown Hero banner. Here's where to find it in Louisville
The multiple Grammy-nominated band My Morning Jacket now has a well deserved Hometown Heroes banner displayed in the band's hometown. Just in time for the massive crowds pouring into Louisville for the 2025 Kentucky Derby, the banner was unveiled Thursday at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Formed in 1998, My Morning Jacket, includes Jim James (vocalist/guitarist), Tom Blankenship ( bassist), Patrick Hallahan (drummer), Carl Broemel (guitarist), and keyboardist Bo Koster. The band, which was in attendance at the unveiling ceremony, is currently on a multi-city tour in support of its 10th studio album titled "Is." "You don't get to choose where you come into this world but I am so grateful the universe brought me into the world here in Louisville, where I have been fortunate to meet these wonderful souls with whom I've shared this journey," James told the crowd gathered for the banner unveiling ."It's been an incredible, magical, thrilling ride and we're so grateful for all the support. It's hard to find words for it." More: Waterfront Wednesday is back! Here's the 2025 lineup for the free Louisville concert series The band will play five shows at the Louisville Palace, Friday, April 25 through Wednesday, April 30. For more than 25 years, My Morning Jacket has carried Louisville's name to stages around the world while remaining steadfast ambassadors to their hometown and the state of Kentucky. "In 2008, the band had just played 'Saturday Night Live' and was getting ready to play Bonnaroo to tens of thousands of people and they kindly played an in-store concert on Bardstown Road at Ear-X-Tacy," said John Timmons, owner of the former music store. "The store was filled with hundreds of people and those who couldn't get in spilled out onto the street. To this day people still talk about what a very special afternoon that was." More: The Big Stomp Music Festival announces its 2025 lineup. Here's who is performing In addition to supporting their fans, My Morning Jacket has lent backing to several local non-profit organizations, including Young Authors Greenhouse, Apron Inc., Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and CASA of the River Region. "We are thrilled to officially recognize this great Louisville band with this long overdue honor," said Mike Sheehy, president and founding member of the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation. Sheehy said approximately 170,000 vehicles a day travel past the location where the "My Morning Jacket 's Louisville" banner is displayed facing Interstate 65. "It is a fitting tribute to local talent," said David Beck, President & CEO of Kentucky Venus. "The banner is a reminder that Kentucky is home to world-class artistry and can be an inspiration to the next generation of musicians." "My Morning Jacket's Louisville" banner is part of the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation's Hometown Hero Program, which honors individuals with ties to the city who have made significant contributions to their fields and the community. Large banners featuring these honorees are displayed on buildings throughout the city. Here's what to know about the Hometown Heroes Banner Program and future recipients: The My Morning Jacket Hometown Heroes banner is located on the north-facing wall of the Kentucky Exposition Center's Armory building at 937 Phillips Lane. The vinyl banner style images are a product of the Hometown Heroes program which was launched in 2022 and run by the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation. The 30 plus banners include notable Louisvillians, including boxing legend and humanitarian Muhammad Ali, actress Jennifer Lawrence, rapper Jack Harlow, entrepreneur Colonel Harland Sanders and more. The Greater Louisville Pride Foundation has released the 2025 Hometown Heroes class which includes conductor Teddy Abrams, singer Nicole Scherzinger, Paralympian Oksana Masters, arts leader Ken Clay, the late boxer Jimmy Ellis, Dr. Kevin Cosby, Simmons College president and World Series Champion Will Smith. Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@ This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: My Morning Jacket Hometown Hero banner, where to find it in Louisville
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Music Review: My Morning Jacket's 10th album 'is' a joy for fans and newbies alike
My Morning Jacket likes to hide some of its best music behind unassuming titles. Twenty years ago, the Louisville-based jam-infused rock band led by Jim James released 'Z,' one of its most heralded records. And now comes 'is," their 10th full-length record. So, is 'is' any good? Yes, 'is' is. Nearing their third decade as a band, My Morning Jacket's veterancy shines on 'is." They continue to improve on their ability to write melodic and focused psychedelic rock songs. And for that reason, seemingly every track on 'is' could be a single for the band, a highlight of their live set or a launching pad for improvisation on stage. For 'is,' My Morning Jacket handed the producer duties over to Brendan O'Brien, who has worked with Phish, Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam — a rarity for a band that prefers to self-produce and has for nearly a decade. It's paid off. O'Brien doesn't mess with the sound that My Morning Jacket fans love and expect. Instead, he seems to have focused the band in a way that allows them to deliver a unified, 10-song collection. The songs are meant to communicate 'a sense of presence in the now,' as James described the album titled in a press release. 'Hopefully those songs will be helpful to people and give them some kind of peace as they try to deal with the insanity of the world," James said. 'Because that's what music does for me.' That happens at the jump. Opener 'Out in the Open' leads with a catchy guitar riff. 'I'm realizing what's at stake now," James sings. 'I can't pretend that I'm not scared / But I'll live while I'm still free.' On the love song 'Everyday Magic,' James finds transcendence in the mundane. 'Everyday magic / A ripple in the fabric," he sings. "Of all space time / Oh you have it / In your heart.' 'Time Waited,' another love song, seems destined to become a standard for the band, with its easy-going melody and inventive sample of pedal steel giant Buddy Emmons' 'Blue Jade." That song may find a place on the playlists at weddings of neohippies, especially those who connect a little later in life. The evidence is in its lyrics: 'We know real love takes forever / And the clock ticks faster every year / But time waited / For you and me,' James sings. My Morning Jacket shifts the weirdness to a higher gear with 'Squid Ink,' a blues-y rocker with a propulsive beat. It is certain to come alive in front of audiences. From the longtime fan to the newbie, 'is' delivers with familiar, elevated songs. ___ For more of reviews of recent releases, visit: Scott Bauer, The Associated Press
Associated Press
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Music Review: My Morning Jacket's 10th album ‘is' a joy for fans and newbies alike
My Morning Jacket likes to hide some of its best music behind unassuming titles. Twenty years ago, the Louisville-based jam-infused rock band led by Jim James released 'Z,' one of its most heralded records. And now comes 'is,' their 10th full-length record. So, is 'is' any good? Yes, 'is' is. Nearing their third decade as a band, My Morning Jacket's veterancy shines on 'is.' They continue to improve on their ability to write melodic and focused psychedelic rock songs. And for that reason, seemingly every track on 'is' could be a single for the band, a highlight of their live set or a launching pad for improvisation on stage. For 'is,' My Morning Jacket handed the producer duties over to Brendan O'Brien, who has worked with Phish, Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam — a rarity for a band that prefers to self-produce and has for nearly a decade. It's paid off. O'Brien doesn't mess with the sound that My Morning Jacket fans love and expect. Instead, he seems to have focused the band in a way that allows them to deliver a unified, 10-song collection. The songs are meant to communicate 'a sense of presence in the now,' as James described the album titled in a press release. 'Hopefully those songs will be helpful to people and give them some kind of peace as they try to deal with the insanity of the world,' James said. 'Because that's what music does for me.' That happens at the jump. Opener 'Out in the Open' leads with a catchy guitar riff. 'I'm realizing what's at stake now,' James sings. 'I can't pretend that I'm not scared / But I'll live while I'm still free.' On the love song 'Everyday Magic,' James finds transcendence in the mundane. 'Everyday magic / A ripple in the fabric,' he sings. 'Of all space time / Oh you have it / In your heart.' 'Time Waited,' another love song, seems destined to become a standard for the band, with its easy-going melody and inventive sample of pedal steel giant Buddy Emmons' 'Blue Jade.' That song may find a place on the playlists at weddings of neohippies, especially those who connect a little later in life. The evidence is in its lyrics: 'We know real love takes forever / And the clock ticks faster every year / But time waited / For you and me,' James sings. My Morning Jacket shifts the weirdness to a higher gear with 'Squid Ink,' a blues-y rocker with a propulsive beat. It is certain to come alive in front of audiences. From the longtime fan to the newbie, 'is' delivers with familiar, elevated songs.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
My Morning Jacket coming to Minneapolis with new album, 'is'
My Morning Jacket is preparing to release its 10th studio album, is, an album title that will never, ever cause issues for people searching for the record online. The album will be accompanied by a tour called "My Morning Jacket 'is' On Tour." The 18-date trek, with more shows to be announced soon, includes a three-night homecoming stint in Louisville. It'll also bring them to The Armory in Minneapolis on April 20. Their arrival in the Twin Cities will come just a couple of weeks after the March 21 release of is. Earlier this week, My Morning Jacket gave a preview, playing the lead single, "Time Waited," on Jimmy Kimmel Live! For fans who have followed the band's quarter-century career, is will have a unique approach. The group rarely works with a producer, and Jim James, the band's lead singer and guitarist, has produced or co-produced every record since their 1999 debut, The Tennessee Fire. Here, they've teamed up with Grammy-winning producer Brendan O'Brien. 'Up until now I've never been able to let go and allow someone else to steer the ship,' James says. 'It almost felt like an out-of-body experience to step back and give control over to someone who's far more accomplished and made so many more records than us, but in the end, I was able to enjoy the process maybe more than I ever have before.' The tour is currently on sale to members of the band's One Big Family 'Family Pass' program. A presale will take place on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. Tickets go on sale to the public the following morning at 10 a.m.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Louisville's My Morning Jacket to play 3 shows in town this spring. How to get tickets
Widely regarded among the greatest live acts in music today, Grammy Award nominated and Louisville-bred band My Morning Jacket is marking the arrival of its eagerly awaited new album, "is." In celebration of the new collection, MMJ is headed out on a wide-ranging run including three April shows in Louisville. For more than 25 years, My Morning Jacket vocalist/guitarist Jim James, bassist Tom Blankenship, guitarist Carl Broemel, drummer Patrick Hallahan and keyboardist Bo Koster have remained a band committed to a belief that music is a conduit for revelation of all kinds. The new album arrives as My Morning Jacket celebrates the 20th anniversary of its 2005 landmark album "Z," a collection named by Rolling Stone among 'The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.' 'One of the cool things about being around this long is that we're not afraid to scrap something if we don't absolutely love it,' James said. "It feels really great to have a collection of songs we all love this much, and to know that we worked as hard as we possibly could on them. Hopefully, those songs will be helpful to people and give them some kind of peace as they try to deal with the insanity of the world — because that's what music does for me, and doing the same for others is always my greatest dream come true.' "Is" makes My Morning Jacket's 10th studio album and first full-length new collection in more than three years. Produced by three time Grammy Award winner Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam), the album is heralded by the lead single, 'Time Waited,' available now. The new album will be available starting March 21 with pre-orders available including limited edition vinyl, CD, and digital download. 'Up until now, I've never been able to let go and allow someone else to steer the ship,' James said. 'It almost felt like an out-of-body experience to step back and give control over to someone who's far more accomplished and made so many more records than us, but in the end, I was able to enjoy the process maybe more than I ever have before.' My Morning Jacket's "is" tour gets underway April 1 at Chattanooga, Tennessee's Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium and continues into early May. Highlights include a special three-night homecoming run at the Louisville Palace on April 25-27. Here's what to know about MMJ's tour and release of the new album "is." April 25: MMJ with Lacey Guthrie April 26: MMJ with Future Killer April 27: MMJ with The Jesse Lee's The three concerts will take place at the historic Louisville Palace Theater, 625 S. Fourth St. There are several ways to purchase tickets to My Morning Jacket's Louisville shows: A ticket request period is underway for members of My Morning Jacket's One Big Family 'Family Pass' program and will continue through Monday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. Standard and VIP ticket requests will be processed for 'Family Pass' holders on Monday, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Presales will then be available to all remaining members of One Big Family beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. To sign up for One Big Family or to learn more about 'Family Pass,' visit Local presales start Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. Spotify presales begin on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. All remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. For complete details, visit An official music video, directed by famed photographer/filmmaker Danny Clinch and featuring new performance footage interspersed with archival photos from throughout the band's history, is streaming now on YouTube. If you missed it, the band recently performed 'Time Waited' on Jimmy Kimmel Live! My Morning Jacket continues a long-time partnership with environmental nonprofit REVERB to expand the tour's sustainability program and support REVERB's Music Decarbonization Project to accelerate climate solutions within the music industry. Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@ This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: My Morning Jacket 2025 'is' tour shows in Louisville: date, tickets
