Album progress - Full Circle and Lone Outlaw

Recording for the new Outlaws album, Full Circle, will continue through the fall with a release planned for 2007. A release date will be determined once the band has secured support from a record label. The band feels very strongly that they must take their time and complete the best album they possibly can. Also next year, Hughie Thomasson will re-release his solo album, So Low, under the new title, Lone Outlaw. This is a very strong album, and like Full Circle, release timing will be determined once a record label is on board. We appreciate your patience and will keep you updated on progress.

A statement from the Outlaws to their fans:

We sincerely apologize to our fans for the cancellation of the performance at the North Texas Rock Rally. We understand the disappointment of fans who traveled great distances and waited for many hours, because we did too.

The Outlaws were there, and were set up and ready to perform, but due to circumstances out of our control, we were asked not to perform and to leave the premises by the local authorities.

Any time the band performs, particularly when we fly in and use equipment provided by the promoter, there are certain technical and security arrangements that simply must be in place in order for the band to play. Despite the substandard stage and backstage setup provided by the promoter, which did not meet his contractual obligations, and that were not technically sufficient to provide the quality show to which the band and its fans are accustomed, we were still willing to play.

The situation changed, when over the objections of the band and our management, the promoter dismissed all of the backstage support personnel and asked them to leave the premises, thus making it impossible for us to perform.

Disputes with promoters are an occupational hazard in the music business. The Outlaws are an extremely experienced and professional organization, and have never before had a performance cancelled on the brink of a show due to a dispute with a promoter.  The production of a rock concert is a complex undertaking and involves cooperation and fulfillment of obligations by all parties concerned. The Outlaws want to assure our fans that we were there and ready to perform, despite what may have been announced at the scene by the promoter.

Hughie Thomasson announced today that guitarist Ric Toole will no longer be touring with the Outlaws. "Ric is a friend, and agreed to put his own plans on hold for a while to play several shows with the Outlaws as a favor to me. I will always be grateful for the time and effort Ric spent touring with the band, but now he needs to devote his full time to his own new project, The Ric Toole Band" said Thommasson. The Outlaws have no plans to add another guitarist any time soon, but Hughie added, "Don't be surprised if you see Ric or some other friends sittin' in from time to time, because I sure enjoy playing with them."

The Outlaws will be featured in an upcoming CMT television special: "20 Greatest Southern Rock Songs". The show is scheduled to air on July 1st. Mark your calendars and check your local listings for airtimes in your area.

The May 27th tour date in Tampa has been cancelled.

Sadly, we must announce the passing of Michael Alldredge, who was Hughie Thomasson’s step-brother. Michael died yesterday after a battle with cancer. We offer our condolences on behalf of the entire Outlaws community to Hughie and his family.  We will post additional information as it becomes available.

We also offer our condolences to former Outlaws manager Alan Walden, whose brother, Phil Walden, passed away earlier this week. Phil Walden, who also lost a battle with cancer, was a legendary figure in the music business. Phil founded Capricorn Records, and brought Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band, among many others, to national and international prominence.

The promoter has canceled the Outlaws show that was scheduled on June 17th at the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, TN. The guys regret that they will not be playing in Chattanooga. Sometimes things just don't work out the way we would like.