We Speak Events
ANDERSON EAST EXTENDS 2018 HEADLINE TOUR
Anderson East’s highly anticipated new album, Encore, is out today on Low Country Sound/Elektra Records(stream/purchase here).
Anderson East will continue his extensive “Encore World Tour 2018” this fall including his debut headline show at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium with special guest Brent Cobb on September 28. Additional dates include Santa Cruz’s The Catalyst, New Orleans’ Joy Theater, Richmond’s The National and Baltimore’s Soundstage. Tickets go on-sale this Friday, April 20 at 10:00am local time. See below for complete details.
These shows continue a breakthrough year for East following the release of his critically acclaimed new album,Encore—out now on Low Country Sound/Elektra Records(purchase here). Watch recent performances on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”
Critical praise for Encore…
“…an often lustrous revisiting of raucous Southern soul, rousingly delivered and pinpoint precise. He has a voice full of extremely careful scrape and crunch, but his howls never feel unhinged.” —The New York Times
“…drawing inspiration from the sophistication of Donny Hathaway’s compositions and arrangements, the grandness of Van Morrison’s Caledonia Soul Orchestra and the dashing song interpretation of Joe Cocker.” —NPR Music
“On Encore, East’s influences meld seamlessly, stacking the album with Stax-worthy R&B grooves, gospel-blues ooohs and aaahs, surging keys and blasting brass.” —Rolling Stone
“…highlights an exciting singer-songwriter effortlessly able to blend elements of rock, blues, country and soul. East sounds both deeply classic and yet fresh…East’s voice is a thing of wonder, marbled like a slab of beef that’s been drenched in bourbon.” —Associates Press
“…this remains a sharp, soul-drenched, organically based set that solidifies the R&B roots at the heart of East’s talents…The songs are terrific, East sells them with his gritty, committed vocals and Encore is poised to push the talented singer-songwriter over the top and into the mainstream.” —American Songwriter
“One of Nashville’s most promising new talents.” —Billboard
“Southern R&B maestro” —Entertainment Weekly
“He possesses a marvelous growling tenor that he nestles into comfortably and pushes to its absolute limits when the mood or music pushes him.” —Paste
“…Anderson East ploughs the soulful roots of vintage R&B, taking up the banner that Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett and Al Green once held high…there’s little doubt that, somewhere, the Big O himself, Otis Redding, is offering his hearty nod of approval.” —Relix
“A brassy, raspy love-letter to the soul of the late 1960s and the early 1970s…Encore is impressively faithful.” —UPROXX
Encore was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb and recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio along with additional production at House of Blues and Farmland Studio. The album features eleven songs, including “All On My Mind,” “King For A Day” and “Girlfriend” as well as renditions of songs by Ted Hawkins and Willie Nelson.
The release of Encore culminates a series of breakout years for East following his widely praised debut album, Delilah. In addition to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “Ellen,” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” East has also performed on “TODAY,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” “CBS This Morning Saturday” and Daryl Hall’s “Live from Daryl’s House” and has lent his talents to several notable projects. He’s been featured on Dave Cobb’s Southern Family compilation, contributed a song to Brandi Carlile’s Cover Stories LP and crafted the original song, “What Would It Take,” for the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack.
For more information, please contact Asha Goodman615.320.7753, or Carla Sacks 212.741.1000 at Sacks & Co.
ENCORE TRACK LIST:
1. King For A Day (Anderson East, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton)
2. This Too Shall Last (Anderson East, Natalie Hemby, Aaron Raitiere)
3. House Is A Building (Anderson East, Natalie Hemby, Aaron Raitiere)
4. Sorry You’re Sick (Ted Hawkins)
5. If You Keep Leaving Me (Anderson East, Chris Stapleton, Aaron Raitiere)
6. Girlfriend (Anderson East, Dave Cobb, Aaron Raitiere, Tim Bergling)
7. Surrender (Anderson East, Aaron Raitiere, Adam Hood)
8. All On My Mind (Anderson East, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Aaron Raitiere)
9. Without You (Anderson East, Steve McEwan)
10. Somebody Pick Up My Pieces (Willie Nelson)
11. Cabinet Door (Anderson East, Jillia Jackson)
ENCORE WORLD TOUR 2018
*with Devon Gilfillian
†with Mt. Joy
‡with Jade Bird
§with Kaleo
#with special guest Brent Cobb
BOLD on-sale this Friday, April 20 at 10:00am local time
April 17 /// Lexington, KY /// Manchester Music Hall*
April 18 /// Asheville, NC /// Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall* (SOLD-OUT)
April 20 /// Charleston, SC /// Charleston Music Hall†
April 21 /// Charlotte, NC /// The Underground† (SOLD-OUT)
April 22 /// Raleigh, NC /// Lincoln Theatre†
April 24 /// Charlottesville, VA /// Jefferson Theater†
April 26 /// Macon, GA /// Cox Capitol Theatre†
April 27 /// Knoxville, TN /// Bijou Theater† (SOLD-OUT)
April 28 /// Chattanooga, TN /// Revelry Room† (SOLD-OUT)
May 4 /// Alexandria, LA /// Alex River Fete 2018
May 11 /// Louisville, KY /// Headliner’s Music Hall‡
May 12 /// Indianapolis, IN /// The Vogue‡
May 13 /// Detroit, MI /// The Shelter‡
May 15 /// Madison, WI /// Majestic Theatre‡ (SOLD-OUT)
May 17 /// Minneapolis, MN /// Fine Line Music Café
May 18 /// Chicago, IL /// Thalia Hall‡ (SOLD-OUT)
May 20 /// Gulf Shores, AL /// Hangout Festival 2018
May 29 /// Manchester, UK /// Night & Day Café
May 30 /// London, UK /// The Jazz Café
June 1 /// Paris, France /// Café de la Danse
June 2 /// Amsterdam, Netherlands /// Paradiso Noord
June 3 /// Cologne, Germany /// Stadtgarten
June 5 /// Munich, Germany /// Ampere/Muffatwerk
June 7 /// Copenhagen, Denmark /// Dr Koncerthuset
June 8 /// Stockholm, Sweden /// Kagelbanan Sodra Teatern
June 9 /// Falkenberg, Sweden /// Hvitan
June 12 /// Gothenburg, Sweden /// Pustervik
June 13 /// Oslo, Norway /// Rockerfeller
June 14 /// Bergen, Norway /// Bergenfest
June 15-17 /// Hunter, NY /// Mountain Jam Festival 2018
June 20 /// Morrison, CO /// Red Rocks Amphitheatre§
August 2-5 /// Chicago, IL /// Lollapalooza 2018
August 8 /// Fargo, ND /// Sanctuary Events Center
August 10 /// Saskatoon, Canada /// Louis’
August 12 /// Calgary, Canada /// Commonwealth Bar & Stage
August 15 /// Billings, MT /// The Pub Station
August 21 /// Santa Cruz, CA /// The Catalyst
August 22 /// San Luis Obispo, CA /// Fremont Theatre
August 23 /// Valley Center, CA /// Harrah’s Resort SoCal
August 27 /// Chico, CA /// The Big Room @ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
September 11 /// Bloomington, IN /// Bluebird Nightclub
September 12 /// Bloomington, IL /// The Castle Theatre
September 14 /// Grand Rapids, MI /// Elevation at the Intersection
September 15 /// Fort Wayne, IN /// The Clyde Theatre
September 28 /// Nashville, TN /// Ryman Auditorium#
October 5 /// New Orleans, LA /// Joy Theater
October 6 /// Mobile, AL /// Soul Kitchen
October 7 /// Tuscaloosa, AL /// Druid City Music Hall
October 13 /// Fort Lauderdale, FL /// Revolution Line
October 16 /// Jacksonville, FL /// Mavericks Live
October 17 /// Augusta, GA /// Sky City
October 19 /// Richmond, VA /// The National
October 20 /// Baltimore, MD /// Soundstage
October 21 /// Ardmore, PA /// Ardmore Music Hall
Acclaimed performer, advocate, television host, and community leader Wendy Stuart, also known to many as Wendy Darling, was honored with the Activism Award at the 2026 Catskills Pride Awards Night held at The Eldred Preserve in New York.
The event celebrated individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on the LGBTQ+ community through advocacy, leadership, artistic achievement, and public service. Among a distinguished group of honorees, Stuart was recognized for decades of unwavering commitment to visibility, inclusion, and support for LGBTQ+ causes.
For many in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, Wendy Stuart has long been a familiar and respected voice in the LGBTQ+ community. Her activism dates back decades, including participation in the historic New York City Pride March and service as an original board member of Triversity, The Pride Center serving communities throughout the tri-state region.
Beyond her advocacy work, Stuart has used her talents in entertainment and media to amplify LGBTQ+ voices. As host of Triversity Talk and co-host of If These Walls Could Talk, she has provided a platform for activists, artists, community leaders, and changemakers whose stories might otherwise go unheard.
During the awards ceremony, attendees celebrated Stuart’s remarkable ability to combine entertainment with purpose. Her efforts as a member of the Imperial Court of New York have also helped raise awareness and funding for countless LGBTQ+ organizations and initiatives over the years.
Standing before an audience of supporters, fellow honorees, and community leaders, Stuart accepted the recognition with the same passion that has defined her career. The honor reflects not only her decades of activism but also her continuing commitment to education, advocacy, and community engagement.
The Activism Award serves as a fitting tribute to a woman whose influence extends far beyond the stage and television screen. Through her work as a performer, advocate, and media personality, Wendy Stuart has consistently demonstrated that visibility matters and that one voice can inspire meaningful change.
Her personal mission remains as powerful today as it has throughout her career:
“I advocate, I educate, I entertain. I’m blessed to do so.”
As Catskills Pride recognized its 2026 honorees, Wendy Stuart’s award stood as a celebration of a lifetime devoted to uplifting others, strengthening communities, and ensuring that LGBTQ+ voices continue to be heard, respected, and celebrated.
Other honorees at the event included actress Melissa Gilbert, community leader Paula Campbell, artists Barry Becker and Tony Coscia, and artistic achievement recipient Nonna Hall, making the evening a memorable celebration of leadership, service, and pride throughout the region.
Watch Wendy Stuart’s speech at the Catskills Pride Awards on Youtube here:
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