Cuttin’ grass for America’s 250th birthday. Award-winning bluegrass group The Kody Norris Show is back with a new single celebrating the “Spirit of America” – and we’ve got your first listen. The song was originally recorded by the Wildwood Valley Boys in 2003, celebrating all those who keep America running without getting the recognition they deserve: “From a truck stop in Oklahoma A trucker pulls a heavy load To a factory at Chicago A trucker’s home is on the road On a farm in Indiana Rising long before the sun Raising food to feed a nation A farmer’s work is never done It’s the spirit of America May that spirit never die It’s the spirit of America May Old Glory forever fly” Speaking on their decision to release “Spirit of America” as the country celebrates its 250th birthday, Kody Norris says it was a song that’s always spoke to them, but felt that it truly captured… well, the spirit of America, during such an important year for our country: “Spirit of America just kind of really is…the spirit of America. It talks about coal miners, it talks about a truck driver, a farmer and all the things that happen to make America, America. I especially really liked the fact of how that it references so many different walks of life in our country and the people who get up every day and work hard and do all the things to keep the ball bouncing in America.” Along with the new single, The Kody Norris Show will also be setting out on their Spirit of America tour with some new stage costumes that are perfect for the celebration – although that wasn’t entirely intentional: “We ordered new stage costumes two years ago, nearly three. And they were kind of slow in getting here. We only got them a month or so ago. And we were totally oblivious to the fact of America 250, but these are patriotic suits. And so they have the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore, all kinds of things, eagles, all sorts of things like that. We designed them three years ago … so the timing was right, and of course, just loving America the way that we love America, I thought it was a good time.” Sometimes things just work out. The band recently cleaned up at the 2026 SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America) Awards, taking home five wins including Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year, Band of the Year, and more. And they’ve also welcomed a new banjo player, Hayden “Jim” Hensley, who’s only 14 years old (and from speaking to him, wise beyond his years). It’s a big year for The Kody Norris Show, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring you the first listen to “Spirit of America,” some good ol’ bluegrass paying tribute to the greatest country on earth. The Kody Norris Show’s ‘Spirit of America Tour’ Dates: FEB 21 – Lucketts Community Center / Leesburg, Va. FEB 22 – Appomattox Bluegrass Concert Series / Appomattox, Va. FEB 28 – Oakdale Bluegrass Festival / Glen Rose, Texas MAR 01 – Oakdale Bluegrass Festival / Glen Rose, Texas MAR 12 – Columbia State Community College / Columbia, Tenn. MAR 20 – Withlacoochee Bluegrass Festival / Dunnellon, Fla. MAR 22 – Stillwater Police Association Benefit / Stillwater, Minn. MAR 27 – Walhalla Performing Arts Center / Walhalla, S.C. MAR 28 – James Wimmer Bristol Bluegrass Spring Festival / Bristol, Va. APR 04 – Florida State Bluegrass Festival / Perry, Fla. APR 11 – Masonic Lodge Scottish Rite Valley Banquet Hall / Columbia, Mo. APR 17 – Old-Time Bluegrass and Fiddlers Jamboree / Holladay, Tenn. APR 18 – Bluebirds & Bluegrass at Dauset Trails Nature Center / Jackson, Ga. APR 25 – Bluegrass on the Plains / Auburn, Ala. APR 30 – Little Roy and Lizzy Music Festival / Lincolnton, Ga. MAY 01 – Boxcar Pinion Memorial Bluegrass Festival / Chickamauga, Ga. MAY 02 – Mr. B’s Spring Music Spectacular / Woodford, Va. May 3 – Calvert Elks Lodge #2620 / Prince Frederick, Md MAY 07 – The Malpass Brothers Bluegrass and Country Music Festival / Denton, N.C. MAY 09 – Heritage Hall Theatre / Mountain City, Tenn. MAY 14 – Valley Spring Fling at VFW Post 682 / Luray, Va. May 16 – Silver Dollar City Bluegrass & BBQ / Branson, Mo. May 17 – Silver Dollar City Bluegrass & BBQ / Branson, Mo. May 18 – Silver Dollar City Bluegrass & BBQ / Branson, Mo. MAY 22 – Hills of Home / Coburn, Va. MAY 24 – Memory Days / Grayson, Ky. MAY 30 – Back Forty Bluegrass Festival / Curryville, Mo. JUN 05 – Farm Jamb / Bagdad, Ky. JUN 06 – Roots & Rhythm Festival Honoring Arnold Schultz / Morgantown, Ky. JUN 12 – Cedar Fest / Lebanon, Va. JUN 17 – Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Festival / Bean Blossom, Ind. JUN 18 – Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Festival / Bean Blossom, Ind. JUN 20 – Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival / Roxboro, N.C JUN 25 – Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival / Centre Hall, Pa. JUN 27 – South Branch Valley Bluegrass Festival / Romney, W. Va.The post EXCLUSIVE: Award-Winning Bluegrass Band The Kody Norris Show Celebrates The “Spirit Of America” With New Single first appeared on Whiskey Riff.