After more than three decades writing songs for Grammy Award–winning artists, Laurelyn Dossett is going to release her debut solo album. Dossett has recently shared the single “Believe Me,” featuring producer M.C. Taylor.
Her debut album How Many Moons, produced by M.C. Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger, is set for an August 28, 2026 release via Sycamore Road.
Taylor says:
Laurelyn Dossett is a songwriter and human that I find immensely inspiring. A survivor and a wonder-er. I know she has played a huge part in the lives of so many creative people, and I’m honored to have played a part in her new album.
Dossett assembled N.C. and regional players to help her deliver this eclectic solo debut. Players include Charly Lowry, artist and activist of the Lumbee and Tuscarora, who lends her vocals to “The Vision And The Call” (out June 29), Stephanie Coleman, a Brooklyn fiddler and musical partner of Nora Brown, sacred steel player DaShawn Hickman, whose was on America’s Got Talent, and many more.
Dossett says of these collaborations:
The musicians on this project are so much more than ‘guest artists’ – they are family. Most of them have been dear friends and collaborators on multiple projects for years, it was like a reunion to get together and make these songs sing. The glue for all of it was producer M.C. Taylor’s vision and sensibility – it’s like he blew some magic fairy dust over the songs and they came to life. And my actual family makes an appearance on ‘Glory Glory’ – all of the women – my daughters, nieces, sisters-in-law, and aunts got together on the lakehouse porch last summer and sang the chorus. My angel band.
Dossett has been a highly sought-after and prolific songwriter for fellow Americana artists, as well as in the classical and theatrical arts. “Anna Lee,” originally composed for 2006 play Brother Wolf, was covered by late Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Levon Helm (The Band) on his Grammy-winning Dirt Farmer album (2007), as well as his Live at the Ryman (2011). Another one of her songs, not on Moons, “Leaving Eden,” served as the title track on Grammy-winning North Carolina band The Carolina Chocolate Drops’ swan song album.
Beyond Brother Wolf, Dossett has written the songs for six other professional plays, all featuring regional folklore and original music. Those include Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity (2006), Bloody Blackbeard (2008), Providence Gap (2010), Snow Queen (2013), Radiunt Abundunt (2016) and Leaving Eden (2018). Both Wolf and Star have been published by Playscripts and have gone on to have professional productions in cities across the U.S.
Dossett’s even delved into protest music, penning “Vote Against Amendment One” (2012), written in response to N.C.’s marriage amendment, and “My Beloved Enemy,” released on an N.C. artists’ compilation We Are Not for Sale (2013).
Dossett has also been a guest on award-winning NPR show A Prairie Home Companion.
Laurelyn Dossett Tour Dates
June 14 – Stokes County, NC – Ramble on Big Creek
