For immediate release:

November 18, 2025

PROGRESSIVE BLUEGRASS QUARTET

MAGOO

ANNOUNCE DEBUT RECORD

WHAT A LIFE

OUT FEBRUARY 27–PRE-SAVE + PRE-ORDER

MASTERED BY 2X GRAMMY-WINNING ENGINEER

DAVID GLASSER (GRATEFUL DEAD)

ALONGSIDE WESTERN & SOUTHERN U.S. TOUR

BEGINNING IN DENVER THIS FRIDAY

THROUGH SUMMER 2026 + SELECT DATES SUPPORTING

SHADOWGRASS & KITCHEN DWELLERS–SEE DATES

WITH "ANGEL OF TELLURIDE"

FT. BLUEGRASS LEGEND SAM BUSH

OUT THIS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21–PRE-SAVE

Photo credit: Jeff Fasano

Download hi-res image

Today, Denver, CO-based bluegrass quartet Magoo announce their debut record What A Life out February 27, 2026 available to pre-save and pre-order now. Alongside the announcement, the group unveils a massive tour across the Western and Southern U.S. beginning this Friday, November 21 in their hometown of Denver, CO featuring select shows, where they'll be supporting  Shadowgrass and Kitchen Dwellers–see dates and information here.

This Friday, the band will share the latest taste of the project with "Angel of Telluride" featuring Sam Bush, one of the originators of progressive bluegrass music–pre-save it here. Mandolinist Courtlyn Bills shares, "Inspired by real events, 'Angel of Telluride' is a story about meeting someone and falling in love at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival."

The band is thrilled to formally introduce themselves with a debut project that honors the roots of bluegrass while pushing the genre forward. With soaring instrumentals and heartfelt lyricism, the concise ten track record, What A Life, is adventurous, spirited and expansive, mastered by GRAMMY-winning engineer, David Glasser (Grateful Dead).

Magoo is made up of Dylan Flynn (dobro), who won the 2024 RockyGrass Dobro Competition, Erik Hill (guitar), the runner-up in the RockyGrass Flatpicking Contest, Courtlyn Bills (mandolin), Denton Turner (bass). Their recent festival appearances at WinterWonderGrass, The Big What? and Smalltown For The Cause among many more have cemented the group as an exciting one to watch as they fearlessly lead the new generation of bluegrass. In 2026, they'll take the stage at a host of other festivals like Grand Targhee Bluegrass, Northlands Music Festival, WinterWonderGrass, BajaWonderGrass and more. With two EPs out and a handful of singles, the group will soon share a body of work that calls on their roots while pioneering new paths.

With a sound wholly their own, Spokane publication Inlander lauded earlier this month, "There’s an immediate energy that’s palpable when listening to Magoo rip through a song. The band’s style of uptempo progressive bluegrass combines the traditional hallmarks of the genre like instrumentation and vocal harmonies with jam band elements that dip into form-breaking jazz-like improvisation," as they bring an "enlivening vigor" to the genre.

Magoo's rich, inventive debut record, What A Life, is out February 27 and is available for pre-save and pre-order now. Through the end of this year and into the spring, catch Magoo live across the U.S. with tickets available here. Don't miss more–connect with the band on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

MAGOO LIVE

WINTER/SPRING/SUMMER 2025/2026

 11.21 Denver, CO • Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom *

11.22 Denver, CO • Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom *

12.10 Tulsa, OK • Shrine

12.11 Oklahoma City, OK • Beer City Music Hall

12.12 Fort Worth, TX • Tulips

12.13 Austin, TX • Mohawk (sold out)

12.14 Austin, TX • Mohawk

12.31 Buena Vista, CO • Surf Hotel (sold out)

01.15 Telluride, CO • Sheridan Opera House +

01.16 Telluride, CO • Sheridan Opera House +

01.17 Crested Butte, CO • Center for the Arts +

01.18 Crested Butte, CO • Center for the Arts +

01.29 Billings, MT • Pub Station +

01.30 Bozeman, MT • The ELM +

01.31 Spearfish, SD • Matthews Opera House

02.06 Winter Park, CO • Devil’s Craft

02.07 Basalt, CO • TACAW – The Arts Campus at Willits

02.12 Jackson, WY • The Virginian Lodge +

02.13 Salt Lake City, UT • The Commonwealth Room +

 02.14 Grand Junction, CO • Mesa Theater

02.18 Louisville, KY • Zanzabar

02.19 Lexington, KY • The Burl

02.21 Nashville, TN • The Blue Room at Third Man Records

02.27 - 03.01 Steamboat Springs, CO • WinterWonderGrass

03.12 Bellingham, WA • Wild Buffalo

03.13 Seattle, WA • Sunset Tavern

03.14 Newberg, OR • Newgrass Festival

03.17 Arcata, CA • Humboldt Brews

03.18 Chico, CA • Lost on Main

03.19 Crystal Bay, NV • Crystal Bay Club Casino

03.20 Nevada City, CA • Crazy Horse Saloon

03.21 Nevada City, CA • Crazy Horse Saloon

03.22 Folsom, CA • Folsom Saloon

03.25 Felton, CA • Felton Music Hall

03.26 Berkeley, CA • Cornerstone

03.27 Los Angeles, CA • The Mint

03.28 San Diego, CA • Winstons Beach Club

03.29 Phoenix, AZ • Last Exit Live

 04.23-25 Baja California, Mexico • BajaWonderGrass

05.15-17 Aztec, NM • Tico Time Bluegrass Festival"

06.19-21 Swanzey, NH • Northlands Music & Arts Festival 

 08.07-09 Alta, WY • Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival

08.13-16 Jensen, UT RiverWonderGrass (sold out)

* with Shadowgrass

+ with Kitchen Dwellers

Download hi-res LP artwork

What A Life (LP)

Tracklist

01. Ohio Blues

02. Can't You Hear That Train

03. Rippin' Richard

04. Big Fall

05. Clarity

06. Riding Trains

07. Angel of Telluride (ft. Sam Bush)

08. The Road

09. What A Life

10. The Roads Been Good to Me

ABOUT MAGOO

Magoo is a progressive bluegrass quartet from Denver, Colorado, redefining the boundaries of modern bluegrass with fearless creativity and world-class musicianship. Known for their dynamic live performances, the band delivers a powerful blend of intricate arrangements, tight three-part harmonies, and extended improvisations that bring new life to the genre.

Their debut album What a Life arrives in February 2026, capturing the group’s adventurous spirit and balance between heartfelt songwriting and soaring instrumental work. The record honors the roots of bluegrass while boldly exploring its modern evolution, featuring a guest appearance from bluegrass legend Sam Bush on fiddle and harmony vocals and mastering by two-time GRAMMY Award winner David Glasser at Airshow Mastering.

Each member of Magoo brings a distinctive voice and musical strength to the project. Dobroist Dylan Flynn, winner of the 2024 RockyGrass Dobro Competition, adds soulful depth and melodic warmth. Guitarist Erik Hill, runner-up in the RockyGrass Flatpicking Contest, drives the band’s rhythmic pulse with power and precision. Mandolinist Courtlyn Bills injects fiery solos and inventive arrangements, while bassist Denton Turner grounds the sound with groove, timing, and subtle dynamics. Together, they form a sound that is rich, cohesive, and unmistakably their own.



Magoo’s recent achievements include first place at UllrGrass Band Competition and Clash of the Strings, second at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition, and a sold-out headlining show at Globe Hall in Denver. Their festival appearances at Winter WonderGrass, Grand Lake Folk Festival, RapidGrass, and Huck Finn Jubilee have solidified their reputation as one of the most exciting new acts in the progressive bluegrass scene.

With What a Life on the horizon, Magoo stands poised for a breakout year, bridging the heart of traditional bluegrass with the fearless innovation of a new generation.

CONNECT WITH MAGOO

Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

PRESS CONTACTS

Emily Ginsberg / ginsberg@bighassle.com

Romy Bayhack / romy@bighassle.com