Several months ago, Little Feat keyboardist, singer, and co-founder Billy Payne, along with his bandmates, heard an interesting proposition from their managers. Little Feat had just released Strike Up the Band , a well-received new album that rebooted its funky, good-time sound, and tour dates were underway. But to Payne’s surprise, their team suggested it may be time to hang it up as a road band.

“Everybody and their brother is retiring now,” says Payne. “But I’ll be honest, I resisted it at first. I’ll be 77 in March, and [guitarist] Fred Tackett is 80 and [bassist] Kenny [Gradney] will be 76 next year. But what’s the rush on farewelling this thing?”

Eventually, the band came around to the idea. And next year, Little Feat, the beloved group that’s been blending Americana genres f

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