New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Ft. Worth, Texas-based folk singer-songwriter-guitarist Jack Barksdale is set to release a new studio album, Voices, on June 13, 2025. The album is being released by Truly Handmade Records, a label created by the estate of legendary songwriter Guy Clark as a "home for songwriters," and, notably, Rodney Crowell,
Tamara Saviano, and Verlon Thompson all serve on its board of directors. Voices is a testament to Barksdale's relentless artistic pursuit.
"I've been exploring many things," Barksdale reflects. "Art, religion, reality, society, philosophy, and myself. I guess you could say I'm searching for a better understanding of it all. I hope this album provokes thought on big questions, and the complexity and nuance that exists within pretty much everything around us, if you look hard enough."
It has been almost four years since 17-year-old Barksdale recorded his last full-length album. There have been a smattering of singles and an EP in those intervening years, and each time the listener and the world in general views a new iteration of an artist finding his way in his art. "Songwriting is a fairly versatile art form, so as I've changed and evolved over time, so has the way I use the art form," Barksdale explains. "I assume this evolution will continue for as long as I write songs and play music." American Songwriter once noted that "Jack Barksdale has insights and awareness far beyond people twice his age, and he's able to put them into songs that touch listeners."
This maturity is evident on Voices. Barksdale delivers his most fully realized work yet, an 11-song, 50-minute studio album that lays bare the essence of who he is—both as a musician and as a human being. With Voices, Barksdale cements his place as an artist of rare depth and insight—one unafraid to explore the world and himself, and to share his discoveries, one song at a time.
The first single set for release off the album, "A Funny Song," is due out April 25, 2025, and the song will premiere prior to that at The Bluegrass Situation. The song is a sort of lyrical and musical collage. Barksdale notes, "This song is about the human experience. I tried to arrange all of the individual parts in such a way that, once you step back into a broader perspective, you can view the blunt reality that they present."
The second single and standout track, "Martyrs," is steeped in the experiences of a life spent on the road. It will be released on May 30, 2025. To bring "Martyrs" to life, Barksdale enlisted Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter
Sarah Jarosz, who contributed harmony vocals and mandolin. "I'm a huge fan of Sarah's music and having her on this song was a huge honor," he says. "She's written about these same themes, so her presence on this track felt incredibly fitting."
Jarosz added, "I first became aware of Jack Barksdale when I saw a video he made covering my song, 'Eve.' I was immediately taken in by his thoughtful rendition of the song. He's an old soul who is tapping into something that is far beyond his years. It was an honor to play and sing on his new song, 'Martyrs' — his writing and musicianship gives me hope that the future of the
Texas singer songwriter tradition is alive and well."
Having toured extensively for eight years, Barksdale has witnessed a side of
America often overlooked, and the song addresses that. "Traveling for music is different from ordinary travel," he explains. "You see the real places, not just the tourist spots. Rural towns in
Texas and the South have this strange, complex psychology and culture that's often dismissed. I wanted to capture those places and the people growing up there in a serious way."
In addition to Barksdale (acoustic guitar, lead vocals) and Jarosz, the album benefits from an all-star cast of personnel. Produced by Mike Meadows and engineered by Britton Beisenherz, with most of the recording taking place at Ramble Creek Studios in Austin, Texas, Voices features additional contributions from: Jared Reynolds (bass, uke bass), Bukka Allen (accordion, piano, organ), Luke Moller (violin, viola), Jeff Plankenhorn (slide guitar), Kelley Mickwee (vocals), and Diana Burgess (cello). Meadows, who also mixed the album, contributed drums and percussion to the songs on the album as well. Chris Gelin mastered the album. Barksdale expresses deep gratitude for the collaborative effort, saying, "Thanks to all of these people, these voices are being heard; I hope you enjoy and become acquainted with them."
Barksdale has spent half of his young life touring, and a host of collaborations behind the scenes and onstage litter his musical resume and can't help but influence the creation of this latest album. He has shared the stage with a wide array of music heavyweights - from
Wynonna Judd to Ray Benson to Hayes Carll, as well as Bruce Robison, Will Kimbrough, John Fullbright, Verlon Thompson, Lindi Ortega, and Abe Partridge - and all serve as musical influences as varied and different as the ear could imagine. He recently recorded a two-song "twingle" of
Tom Waits cover songs with Lindi
Ortega and co-wrote and recorded a song with Abe Partridge.
Barksdale tours nationally and internationally. He's played premiere festivals like 30A Songwriter Festival, Bristol Rhythm and Roots,
Joe Bonamassa Blues Cruise, Ottawa Blues Festival, Old Settlers
Music Fest, and Kerrville Folk Fest's Homecoming. Storied venues like The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, ACL Live stage in Austin, The Old Quarter in Galveston, Cadogan Hall in London, and Billy Bob's
Texas in Fort Worth have hosted Barksdale's live performances and have given him a strong fanbase of ardent supporters stretching from Texas, across the nation, and overseas. He will tour in 2025 supporting this album; fans are encouraged to follow him on social media and check his website for tour updates and confirmed shows. Confirmed tour dates are listed below.
JACK BARKSDALE TOUR SCHEDULE:
April 26 - Dale, TX | Old Settler's
Music Festival
May 17 - Georgetown, TX | Renegade Revival
Music Fest
May 28 - Atlanta, GA | City Winery Atlanta
May 29 - Knoxville, TN | Blue Plate Special
June 14 - Fort Worth, TX | The Post
June 21 - New Braunfels, TX | Redbird Listening Room
July 8 - Jackson, MS | Duling Hall
July 9 - New Orleans, LA | No Dice
July 10 - Houston, TX | Mucky Duck
July 11 - Austin, TX | 04 Center
July 12 - Ft. Worth, TX | Tulips (early show)
July 13 - Tulsa, OK | Mercury Lounge
July 14 - Kansas City, MO | Knuckleheads
July 16 - Milwaukee, WI | Shank Hall
July 17 - Chicago, IL | GMAN Tavern
July 18 - Rockford, IL |
Music Box
July 19 - Indianapolis, IN | Duke's Indy
July 20 - Newport, KY | Southgate House
July 22 - Pittsburgh, PA | City Winery
July 23 - Syracuse, NY | 443 Social Club
July 24 - Sellersville, PA | Sellersville Theatre
July 25 - New York, NY | Cafe Wha?
July 26 - Boston, MA | City Winery
July 29 - Annapolis, MD | Rams Head
July 30 - Vienna, VA | Jammin' Java
July 31 - Greensboro, NC | Flat Iron
August 2 - Atlanta, GA | Eddie's Attic.
