September 25, 2026 — Today, Marcus King joins forces with acclaimed singer-songwriter ERNEST on new song “Blue,” out now via American Recordings/Republic Records.
A timeless tale of heartbreak, “Blue” pairs King’s smoldering soul with ERNEST’s unmistakable country drawl. The song opens on an empty bed and a goodbye note, unfolding into a portrait of love gone wrong and the lingering ache that follows. Together, the pair bring a fresh perspective to a classic heartbreak story, balancing vulnerability with sharp, evocative storytelling.
On the instantly memorable chorus, a once-sunshiny world loses all its color as a good love is laid to rest. Equal parts bruised, soulful, and sharply drawn, “Blue” brings together two distinctive voices for a collaboration that feels both effortless and inevitable.
“ERNEST sent me a demo of ‘Blue’ and simply said, ‘You need to cut this song.’ I agreed, and then we both forgot about it,” shares King.” It wasn’t until both of our better halves reminded us, and insisted that I record the song, that I had my producer Eddie book some studio time. Ern and I sang the song once, maybe twice, and as fate would have it, Briley was close by tracking vocals with a friend that day. They dropped in and added the icing on top. To me, it’s a true representation of the camaraderie and community that STILL exists in Nashville. Singers, songwriters and VagaBonds all getting together to make MUSIC for all the right reasons.”
On the collaboration, ERNEST shares: “I’ve been waiting for this song to come out. I wrote this with Jacob Durett back in 2018. It’s always been a favor of mine, but never fit on a project at the moment for me. When Marcus heard it and said he would do it, it’s like it was just waiting on him all along. I absolutely love him and his craft. Very thankful to get to work with him on this record.”
“Blue” arrives in the midst of another busy year for King. After dropping acclaimed Darling Blue last year, Marcus King Band refreshed the record with the special Deluxe Version, Darling Blue / No Room For Blue, in May 2026. Darling Bluesaw Grammy-nominated Marcus King reuniting with his longtime live band for their first recorded album together since 2018’s Carolina Confessions. Inspired heavily by his home state of South Carolina, the album incorporates elements of country, folk, psychedelic rock and Motown-era R&B and continues the conversation on King’s experience with addiction and depression.
The band is currently on the road for the Darling Blue Tour, with upcoming dates throughout the remainder of the year, including appearances at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in Austin and Atlanta’s Fox Theatre on New Year’s Eve.
Check out the full upcoming itinerary below.
Tickets are available for purchase HERE.
Greenville, South Carolina-born, Nashville-based Marcus King started performing alongside his blues guitarist father when he was just eight years old. He made his solo debut with El Dorado (2020), produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. The album was met with widespread acclaim, with the Associated Press calling it “a definite high point of 2020.” It went on to earn King his landmark Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
He followed up the success of El Dorado with Young Blood (2022), also produced by Auerbach. His sophomore album debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Blues Albums Chart, the magazine described it as a “staggeringly confident work.” King returned with his third album, Mood Swings, produced by Rick Rubin, of which Rolling Stone said, “he…goes for something much more daring, vulnerable, and openhearted.”
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
September 25—Louisville, KY—Bourbon & Beyond
September 27—Austin, TX—Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival
September 29—Birmingham, AL—Coca-Cola Amphitheater§
October 1—The Woodlands, TX—The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion§
October 2—Bossier City, LA—Margaritaville Resort Casino
December 2—Anaheim, CA—House of Blues Anaheim
December 3—Las Vegas, NV—The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
December 4—Fresno, CA—Warnors Theatre
December 5—Reno, NV—Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
December 31—Atlanta, GA—Fox Theatre (Toy Factory Project)
§ with Mumford & Sons