Tim Geaney*
“I wanted to give [her] something more than a nice place setting of china,” Louris says of the latest offering from his upcoming solo record

After years of exploring tangled heartbreak, Jayhawks singer-songwriter Gary Louris has written the most straightforward love song of his career. “Follow,” the latest offering from the singer-songwriter’s upcoming solo album, began as a wedding gift for Louris’ niece and her husband.

“I wanted to give them something more than a nice place setting of china,” Louris tells Rolling Stone. “‘Follow’ has always been an unabashedly full-on love song. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Home only where you are/won’t you take my arm and just follow?” Louris sings in his trademark roots-pop croon.

“It is a song of commitment, of partnership,” he says, “and a realization of when two people have that magical bond that cannot truly be explained in words.”

Since writing the song, however, “Follow” has taken on a new personal significance for Louris, one that shines through in the song’s music video, which features Louris and his wife Stephanie lovebirding around in the woods.

 

“It has become ‘our’ song,” Louris says. “Steph and I have that magical connection spoken of in the song…I feel like this song was written about her from day one, even though I did not know her when I first put pen to paper.”

Louris’ second-ever solo album, Jump For Joy, will be released on June 4th.

Benson Boone had to cancel his Birmingham, England concert just an hour before showtime on Saturday after struggling with throat and vocal problems. He was scheduled to perform at the Utilita Arena as part of his tour promoting American Heart.

In a message shared on his Instagram Story, which has since expired, the singer apologized to fans and explained that he and his team were already working on finding a new date for the postponed show.

“Birmingham, I’m so sorry but I won’t be able to perform tonight,” Boone wrote. “I’ve done everything possible to get my voice back, but with how my throat feels right now, I can’t give you the kind of show you deserve.”

He continued, “This honestly feels terrible, and I can’t say sorry enough. I promise I’ll do everything I can to make it right. I’ll keep you all updated as soon as I can. Thank you for always supporting me. I love you guys so much.”

Utilita Arena confirmed the cancellation in a statement to the BBC, noting that it was “exploring all possible options to reschedule.” The venue added, “We understand how disappointing this is and deeply apologize for the short notice and any inconvenience caused.”

It remains uncertain if Boone will continue with his upcoming trio of London shows at The O2 Arena, set to begin Monday. His European tour is still planned to run through November, with stops in Paris, Amsterdam, and Stockholm.

Earlier this year, Boone completed his North American tour, which wrapped up in October. During those shows, he performed a different cover song each night. At his Nashville stop in September, he took on Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up.”

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