For immediate release:

February 27, 2026

PROGRESSIVE BLUEGRASS QUARTET

MAGOO

SHARE INVENTIVE DEBUT RECORD

WHAT A LIFE

OUT NOW–LISTEN

FEATURING SAM BUSH, MASTERED BY 2X GRAMMY-WINNING ENGINEER

DAVID GLASSER (GRATEFUL DEAD)

ALONG WITH THE GRATITUDE-FUELED TITLE TRACK THAT

SERVES AS A REMINDER TO STAY PRESENT

U.S. TOUR CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO

AT WINTERWONDERGRASS

PLUS, PERFORMING AT DELFEST, ELECTRIC FOREST FESTIVAL, BOURBON & BEYOND & MORE–SEE DATES

Photo credit: Jeff Fasano

Download hi-res image

"What A Life' further fuels their rising reputation. The band’s instrumental prowess is immediately evident" - Bluegrass Today

"THE band to watch in the Bluegrass world..world-class players with vision..They’re not just another promising act; they’re redefining what progressive bluegrass can sound like in 2026." - Nashville.com

“I have seen the future of jamgrass, and its name is Magoo.” - Aspen Daily News

"Their deft musicianship, airy harmonies and surprisingly pop-friendly songs have them marked as Colorado’s next great jamgrass band..It’s state-of-the-art stuff as far as modern bluegrass is concerned, but Magoo also knows their roots." 

- Americana Highways

Today, Denver, CO-based bluegrass quartet Magoo share long-awaited debut record What A Life out everywhere now alongside the spiritual title track that sinks into gratitude and acknowledges life's fleeting moments.

In celebration of the album, the band is in the midst of an extensive U.S tour, plus a recent sold out show in Chicago and a hometown show in April in Denver that sold out four months in advance at the Bluebird Theater. Mirroring the hype around the record, the band recently played a special in-store acoustic set at Nashville's famed Third Man Records which sold out in under 30 minutes. This weekend, the group will play WinterWonderGrass, will several more festivals ahead like Electric Forest, Northlands Music & Arts Festival, Bourbon & Beyond, and more. Find a full list of dates below, with tickets and information here.

The album's title track, says mandolinist Courtlyn Bills, "is a spiritual conversation." He continues, "Using the main character’s grandfather as an inspiration of thought, the main premise of this song is realizing that life comes to an end and when you see opportunities, you gotta take them."

LISTEN: What A Life

Last month, the band shared "Can't You Hear That Train", a fast-paced, acoustic guitar-driven acceptance of a love that parts ways. Five years in the making, guitarist Erik Hill says, "'Can’t You Hear That Train' started as a classic train song–Your girl is leaving on a train and there’s nothing you can do about it. I wrote it about five years ago and just let it sit." After playing it live, it all clicked, and continues to be a live set highlight. "When I pulled it back out last Spring and played it for the band, that’s when it really came alive and the jam found its way in. We always have a lot of fun playing the song live."

LISTEN: "Can't You Hear That Train"

In November, the band shared "Angel of Telluride" featuring Sam Bush, one of the originators of progressive bluegrass music. Bills adds, "Inspired by real events, 'Angel of Telluride' is a story about meeting someone and falling in love at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival."

LISTEN: "Angel of Telluride" (feat. Sam Bush)

The band is thrilled to now 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). The album has already received praise from leading publications like Bluegrass Today, Nashville.com, Americana Highways and more.

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. Later this year, they'll take the stage at a host of other festivals like Rooster Walk, ROMP, Blue Ox, and High Sierra, Grand Targhee Bluegrass, Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival, BajaWonderGrass and more. With two EPs out, a handful of singles and several sold out shows under their belts, the group is delighted to finally share a body of work that calls on their roots while pioneering new paths.

Magoo take stock of life on their rich, inventive debut record, What A Life out now. Through the spring and summer, catch Magoo live across the U.S. with tickets and information available here. Connect with the band on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook for more.

MAGOO LIVE

SPRING/SUMMER 2026

New dates added!

02.27 - 03.01 Steamboat Springs, CO • WinterWonderGrass

02.28 Steamboat Springs, CO • The Grand Ballroom, WinterWonderGrass After Dark (with Mountain Grass Unit) - SOLD OUT

03.12 Bellingham, WA • Wild Buffalo

03.13 Seattle, WA • Sunset Tavern

03.14 Newberg, OR • Newgrass Festival

03.15 Cottage Grove, OR • The Axe & Fiddle

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

04.03 Fort Collins, CO • Aggie Theatre

04.04 Denver, CO • Bluebird Theater - SOLD OUT

04.10 Pueblo, CO • TBD

04.17-19 Driftwood, TX • Old Settler's Music Festival

 04.23-25 Baja California, Mexico • BajaWonderGrass

04.30 New Orleans, LA • Chickie Wah Wah (Late Show)

05.01 Decatur, GA • Eddie's Attic

05.02 Brevard, NC • Oskar Blues Spring Shakedown

05.03 Birmingham, AL • Saturn

05.05 Chattanooga, TN • Songbirds

05.06 Savannah, GA • Broughton Street Bowl & Brew

05.07-05.08 Charleston, SC • The Charleston Pour House - Deck

05.09 Pittsboro, NC • Shakori Hills Festival

05.13 Roanoke, VA • 5 Points Music Sanctuary

05.14 Richmond, VA • The Camel

05.15 Charlottesville, VA • The Southern

05.16 Catonsville, MD • Music City Bluegrass & Roots Festival

05.17 Aztec, NM • Tico Time Bluegrass Festival"

05.21 Martinsville, VA • Rooster Walk

05.22 Cumberland, MD • Delfest

05.29 Golden, CO • Goldengrass

06.05-06.07 Palisade, CO • Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival

06.19 Swanzy, NH • Northlands Music & Arts Festival

06.20 Winnetka, IL • Winnetka Music Festival

06.25 Rothbury, MI • Electric Forest

06.26 Ownsboro, KY • ROMP Music Festival

06.27 Eau Claire, WI • Blue Ox Music Festival

07.02-07.05 Grass Valley, CO • High Sierra Music Festival

07.10-07.11 Jay, VT • Jeezum Crow Festival

07.16 - 18 Showshoe, WV • 4848 Festival

07.24-07.25 Johnstown, PA • Flood City Music Festival

07.30-08.02 Del Norte, CO • Rhythms On The Rio Music Festival

08.07 Alta, WY • Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival

08.09 Darrington, WA • Re/Evolution: SummerJam

08.13-08.16 Jensen, UT • RiverWonderGrass (SOLD OUT)

09.12 Silver Bay, NY • Silver Bay's Mountain Music Festival

09.24-09.27 Louisville, KY • Bourbon & Beyond

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 out now, 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