The Kody Norris Show: Keeping Bluegrass Roots Alive and Circling Back to the Opry
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
The Kody Norris Show, a dynamic force in contemporary bluegrass, is once again making waves with the release of their latest single, “In The Circle.” This heartfelt track, now available, offers a poignant glimpse into the journey of a young dreamer, bringing the bandleader Kody Norris’s own story full circle. It serves as the third captivating preview from their highly anticipated album, ‘Highfalutin’ Hillbilly,’ slated for release on June 6th.
This year holds special significance for the bluegrass community and country music as a whole, marking the 100th anniversary of the legendary Grand Ole Opry. “In The Circle” stands as a heartfelt homage to this iconic institution and the countless legendary performers who have graced its stage, laying the foundation for generations of musicians. Penned by Larry Chunn, a close friend of the band and a seasoned square dancer at the Grand Ole Opry, the song beautifully captures the aspirations and early perspectives of someone looking towards that hallowed circle of performers.
For those who have witnessed The Kody Norris Show live, the energy and passion they bring to traditional bluegrass are undeniable. Their electrifying stage presence, characterized by tight vocal harmonies and their signature dazzling rhinestone suits, has solidified their reputation as a must-see act. The group has garnered significant recognition within the bluegrass world, earning multiple SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America) awards and prestigious nominations from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).
Their previous albums, “All Suited Up” (2021) and “Rhinestone Revival” (2023), both achieved notable success, charting on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums Chart. This consistent recognition underscores their ability to resonate with both long-time bluegrass enthusiasts and those new to the genre. From the revered stage of the Grand Ole Opry to the airwaves of SiriusXM, The Kody Norris Show is a driving force in ensuring the vitality and evolution of traditional bluegrass music, introducing its timeless appeal to broader audiences.
The band’s youthful energy and deep respect for the traditions of bluegrass have earned them accolades from industry insiders, including multiple IBMA and SPBGMA nominations and wins. These honors span categories such as Entertainer of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year, Guitar Performer of the Year for the exceptionally talented Kody Norris himself, and Fiddler of the Year for the remarkable Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris.
Beyond their recorded work, The Kody Norris Show has cultivated a reputation for delivering an unparalleled live show experience, marked by their high-energy performances and trademark style. They have graced the stages of iconic venues like the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry, as well as reaching audiences worldwide through platforms like SiriusXM.
Describing a Kody Norris Show performance is to paint a picture rich with rhinestones, filled with infectious laughter, and overflowing with a potent dose of high-octane traditional music. They are, without a doubt, a singular presence in the contemporary bluegrass landscape.
Fans eager to experience The Kody Norris Show’s captivating live performances can catch them at the following stops on their ‘Rhinestone Revival’ Tour:
The Kody Norris Show’s ‘Rhinestone Revival’ Tour Dates:
- MAY 23 – Hills of Home Bluegrass Festival / Coeburn, Va.
- MAY 24 – Capitol Arts Center / Bowling Green, Ky.
- MAY 30 – Rhythm On The Rails / Union City, Tenn.
- MAY 31 – NEPA Bluegrass Festival / Tunkhannock Pa.
- JUN 01 – Norwood Village Green / Norwood, N.Y.
- JUN 06 – Cherokee Bluegrass Festival / Cherokee, N.C.
- JUN 07 – Farm Jamb / Bagdad, Ky.
- JUN 08 – Sunday Morning Country at the Grand Ole Opry House / Nashville, Tenn.
- JUN 13 – Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival / Vancouver Island, B.C.
- JUN 14 – Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival / Vancouver Island, B.C.
- JUN 15 – Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival / Vancouver Island, B.C.
- JUN 20 – Randy’s Old Time Pickin’ Parlor / Bloomingdale, Ga.
- JUN 21 – Doc’s Lost Mountain / Marietta, Ga.
- JUN 25 – Rudyfest / Moorehead, Ky.
- JUN 26 – Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival / Centre Hall, Pa.
- JUN 27 – JennyBrook Bluegrass Festival / Tunbridge, Vt.
- JUN 28 – ROMP / Owensboro, Ky.
- JUL 04 – PEI Bluegrass & Old Time Music Festival / Charlottetown, PEI
- JUL 05 – PEI Bluegrass & Old Time Music Festival / Charlottetown, PEI
- JUL 09 – Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival / Conway, Mo.
- JUL 10 – Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival / Conway, Mo.
- JUL 12 – Backyard Breakdown / Mountain City, Tenn.
- JUL 16 – Gypsy Hill Park / Stanton, Va.
- JUL 17 – Industrial Strength Summer Festival / Xenia, Ohio
- JUL 24 – Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention Concert Series / Athens, Ala.
- JUL 25 – Backbone Bluegrass Festival / Strawberry Point, Iowa
- JUL 26 – Big Grass Bluegrass Festival / Paragould, Ark.
- AUG 01 – Ridge Jam / Blue Ridge, Ga.
- AUG 02 – Farmers Branch Bluegrass Festival / Farmers Branch, Texas
- AUG 03 – Farmers Branch Bluegrass Festival / Farmers Branch, Texas
- AUG 08 – Danny Stewart Bluegrass Cruise / Alaska
- AUG 09 – Danny Stewart Bluegrass Cruise / Alaska
- AUG 10 – Danny Stewart Bluegrass Cruise / Alaska
- AUG 11 – Danny Stewart Bluegrass Cruise / Alaska
- AUG 12 – Danny Stewart Bluegrass Cruise / Alaska
- AUG 13 – Danny Stewart Bluegrass Cruise / Alaska
- AUG 14 – Danny Stewart Bluegrass Cruise / Alaska
- AUG 15 – Danny Stewart Bluegrass Cruise / Alaska
- AUG 21 – Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Festival / Litchfield, Maine
- AUG 22 – Pickin’ in The Pasture / Lodi, N.Y.
- AUG 23 – Bluegrass Bash at Sunny Hill Campground / Bolivar, N.Y.
- AUG 30 – Station Inn / Nashville, Tenn.
- SEP 12 – Walnut Hills Bluegrass Festival / Dayton, Ohio
- SEP 13 – Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration / Beaver Dam, Ky.
- SEP 18 – Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival / Kodak, Tenn.
- SEP 19 – Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival / Buena Vista, Va.
- SEP 20 – Blasin’ Bluegrass Festival / Whitley City, Ky.
- SEP 27 – 4th Annual Hammons Family Fiddle and Banjo Contest & World Class Jam / Marlinton, W. Va.
- OCT 24 – Cactus Theater / Lubbock, Texas
- NOV 07 – Bluegrass Sampler / Racine, Wis.
- NOV 08 – Bluegrass Sampler / Racine, Wis.
- NOV 22 – A Curtis Andrew Auction Facility / Fredericksburg, Md.
- NOV 23 – The Russell Theatre / Lebanon, Va.
- NOV 29 – Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival / Brooksville, Fla.
With the release of “In The Circle” and the anticipation building for ‘Highfalutin’ Hillbilly,’ The Kody Norris Show continues to demonstrate their commitment to honoring bluegrass traditions while injecting their own vibrant and contemporary flair. Their journey, much like the sentiment of their new single, is coming full circle, connecting their roots with their ever-expanding influence on the genre.