TRAILBLAZING WOMEN OF COUNTRY

2024 TOUR

IMG Artists has announced “Trailblazing Women Of Country: A Tribute To Patsy, Loretta, and Dolly,” a 43-date tour featuring soloists Miko Marks, who was named one of CMT’s Next Women Of Country in 2022, and Nashville-based artist Kristina Train. The pair will be supported by a five-member, all-female band featuring Megan Palmer (musical director, piano), Miss Tess (bass), Heather Thomas (drums), Thayer Sarrano (acoustic guitar, keyboards), and Anne McCue (electric guitar, lap steel). Produced by industry vet Eli Wolf (Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, Al Green), the tour kicks off on February 27th, and see below for a full list of dates.

Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton revolutionized country music and blazed a trail for future generations of female artists. With their chart-topping hits and record-breaking sales, they wove threads of contemporary womanhood throughout the tapestry of country music, resulting in unprecedented commercial success and earning each a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Trailblazing Women of Country Tour is set to entertain and inspire audiences during this pivotal moment in our nation’s history.

“To go on tour with Trailblazing Women of Country is a childhood reimagined,” says Marks. “I used to sit at my grandmother’s house while she played records and I remember being drawn to these three women for their unique strengths. The life stories and their music. They are inspirations and I’m honored to pay tribute to these icons of music.” “This program and lineup are truly what dreams are made of,” Train adds. “Dolly, Loretta, and Patsy bestowed on me an education in country music and as a young girl – they helped me dream up what it might feel like to be a fully-grown woman. They certainly offered three unique yet united perspectives with relentless hits and philosophies that have resonated deeply and boundlessly from generation to generation, across all genders through the universal language of music,” she continues. “On the Trailblazing Women of Country tour, I imagine our group of fantastic women and musicians, along with everyone present in the room, will be experiencing a joyful celebration honoring Dolly, Patsy, and Loretta and all they have given us.”

Cline, Lynn, and Parton harnessed country music’s rich storytelling tradition to offer their uniquely empowered – and unmistakably female – perspective on issues faced by women of their day. Their shared legacy of musical excellence, earthy glamour, and unapologetic authenticity continues to resonate with listeners of all ages and backgrounds in the 21st century.

Cline’s assured contralto affirms that a woman can be heartbroken and sure of herself at the same time (“Crazy,” “Walkin’ After Midnight”); Lynn’s songs exalt autonomy attained through contraception (“The Pill”) and self-respect (“Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ with Lovin’ On Your Mind”); and Parton demonstrates that a woman can ascend the career ladder (“9-to-5”) while never losing sight of her roots (“Coat of Many Colors”). Through their singular voices and artistry, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton defied restrictive gender norms, proving that women can be at once beautiful and strong, vulnerable, and powerful.

Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton revolutionized country music and blazed a trail for future generations of female artists. With their chart-topping hits and record-breaking sales, Patsy, Loretta, and Dolly wove threads of contemporary womanhood throughout the tapestry of country music, resulting in unprecedented commercial success and earning each a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Trailblazing Women of Country, will entertain and inspire audiences during this pivotal moment in our nation’s history, featuring soloists, Miko Marks, CMT’s 2022, “Next Woman of Country”; and Nashville based singer, Kristina Train, supported by a 5-member all-female band.

Cline, Lynn, and Parton harnessed country music’s rich storytelling tradition to offer their uniquely empowered—and unmistakably female—perspective on issues faced by women of their day. Their shared legacy of musical excellence, earthy glamour, and unapologetic authenticity continues to resonate with listeners of all ages and backgrounds in the 21st century.

Patsy’s assured contralto affirms that a woman can be heartbroken and sure of herself at the same time (“Crazy,” “Walkin’ After Midnight”); Loretta Lynn’s songs exalt autonomy attained through contraception (“The Pill”) and self-respect (“Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ with Lovin’ On Your Mind”); and Dolly Parton demonstrates that a woman can ascend the career ladder (“9-to-5”) while never losing sight of her roots (“Coat of Many Colors”).

Through their singular voices and artistry, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton defied restrictive gender norms, proving that women can be at once beautiful and strong, vulnerable, and powerful.

FEATURING

MIKO MARKS

Vocals: Thirteen years after her last album, Miko Marks had all but given up on her career aspirations after she was effectively told by Nashville executives that her music was good, but she wouldn’t sell. In 2021, she re-emerged with Our Country, which garnered nods from NPR, Rolling Stone, NY Times, WSJ and more. Marks was named to the 2022 Class of CMT’s Next Women of Country, and participated in the first Equal Access program with mTheory. On October 14, 2022 Miko released her widely anticipated album, Feel Like Going Home, and made her Grand Ole Opry debut on the same day. The album landed on several year-end “best-of” lists including Rolling Stone, NPR, Paper, Garden & Gun, and more. In March of 2023, she was included in the American Currents exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville which will be up for the entire year.

KRISTINA TRAIN

Vocals: Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, Kristina Train is a musician who splits her time between Nashville and the UK. Her debut album premiered on Blue Note Records followed by a second solo album released on Mercury Records. She has toured the world as a feature vocalist and violinist in Herbie Hancock’s band, collaborated with Dr. Dre, performed at The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, and made a fan of Bruce Springsteen. Train’s voice is pure, richly embodied, and crystal clear, with a recognizable nod to the vocal traditions of Nat King Cole, Roy Orbison, and Dusty Springfield. While her take on modern crooning is familiar, it can also be excitingly idiosyncratic, as showcased in her latest releases, Rayon City and Body Pressure.

MEGAN PALMER

Musical director, piano

MISS TESS

Bass

HEATHER THOMAS

Drums

THAYER SARRANO

Acoustic guitar

ANNE MCCUE

Electric guitar; lap steel

Eli Wolf

Producer: Eli Wolf is a producer, executive producer, A&R person, and music executive. Eli began his careerat Blue Note Records, where he was mentored by Bruce Lundvall. In his 20-plus years in themusic business, Eli has A&R-ed and produced a wide array of artists spanning diverse genres,including singer-songwriter, alternative, country, Americana, R&B, pop, hip-hop, indie rock, jazz,world, classical, andfilm soundtrack. Career milestones include working closely with Grammy-winning artist Norah Jones since the beginning of her career; conceptualizing, executiveproducing, and A&R-ing Al Green’s Grammy-winning albumLay it Down; signing and producingGrammy-winning hip-hop/jazz crossover artist Robert Glasper; and signing and A&R-ing singer-songwriter Amos Lee. Eli produced Norah Jones’s album,Day Breaks, which charted at #2 onthe Billboard Top 200 and has, to date, sold over one million albums worldwide. Additionalcareer highlights include projects with Grammy-winning artists Willie Nelson, Elvis Costello, TheRoots, Anita Baker, Wynton Marsalis, Angelique Kidjo, & Brittany Howard.