Americana singer/songwriter Tony Kamel has just released his album, We’re All Gonna Live, via Blue Corn. Some of the themes on the album come from a quote that Kamel’s grandmother said to him during a difficult time for his family: “Eventually, life starts to knock you around. You have to be ready to fight with a smile.”

Variations of the lyric “we’re all gonna die” appear in many of the album’s ten tracks, but speak to an optimistic outlook. The former frontman of Grammy-nominated bluegrass group, Wood & Wire, Kamel also previously released solo album, Back Down Home.

We’re All Gonna Live was recorded live in one room in a few sessions at The Bunker, Bruce Robison’s all-analog studio in Lockhart, Texas, and produced jointly by Kamel and Robison.

Kamel says about the album:

Each tune on We’re All Gonna Live is essentially a story about an inevitable struggle of one kind or another, but I tried to focus on the positive parts of those struggles.

Along with his regularly scheduled tour dates, Kamel will be playing two special album release shows in Houston (May 2) and Austin (May 16).

Catch Tony Kamel On Tour:

April 22 – Fredericksburg, TX – The Saloon

April 24 – Dale, TX – Old Settlers Music Festival

April 25 – Mckinney, TX – The Rook

May 2 – Houston, TX – Record Release Party at Danelectros

May 3 – Waco, TX – Pinewood Block Party

May 16 – Austin, TX – Record Release Party at Continental Club

May 18 – New Braunfels, TX – The Redbird Listening Room

May 27 – Fredericksburg, TX – The Saloon

May 31 – Chicago, IL – SPACE

June 18 – Nashville, TN – TBA

June 21 – Chicago, IL – Winnetka Music Festival 

June 28 – San Antonio, TX – Lonesome Rose