GRAMMY-nominated guitarist and singer Samantha Fish has announced the release of Paper Doll Live, her first official live album, capturing the electrifying stage presence that has made her one of the most compelling performers in modern blues and roots music. Recorded at the historic Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, Tenn., the venue’s natural warmth and acoustics created an ideal setting for the recording, elevated even further by the addition of Nashville gospel legends The McCrary Sisters, whose soaring harmonies bring added depth and emotion to the performance. The title, coming June 12, 2026, via Rounder Records, is available to order—in a variety of formats—in the U.S. here.

From the April 10 announcement: A leading guitarist of her generation, Fish is known for her bold musicianship, emotional depth, and fearless songwriting. A multi-award-winning festival headliner, she has built her reputation on explosive live performances that blend raw guitar power with deeply expressive vocals. Following the critical success of her GRAMMY-nominated album, 2025’s Paper Doll, the new live record showcases the intensity and chemistry that define her shows night after night.

“Truly, this is for the fans,” Fish says of making her first official live record. “We’ve had numerous requests over the years. Paper Doll felt so great on stage — it felt like the perfect time to showcase the band and our live show.”

She and her band are now on the road with an extensive tour of the U.S. and Europe. Tickets are available here and here.

Watch Fish’s performance of “Sweet Southern Sounds,” which allows her to lean into her hypnotic North Mississippi-inspired guitar phrasing

Of the McCrary Sisters, Fish says, “Their voices lifted every song. I love beautiful backing vocals — they pack an emotional punch. I’ve been a fan of them for years, so that was really special for me.”

Tracks like “Lose You” build with relentless momentum. The title track lands as a defiant anthem and the band also launches into a blistering cover of MC5’s “Kick Out the Jams.”

“The studio is where you build and create your sound,” Fish says. “The stage is where you execute all of that. Having a crowd takes you out of your head and gives you something to play off.”

Emerging from Kansas City’s blues lineage and shaped by influences ranging from Prince and Leonard Cohen to the legends of Mississippi Hill Country blues, Fish has long treated performance as her proving ground.

“It wasn’t about chasing something new,” she says. “It was about capturing the thing that has connected so deeply over the years.”

Samantha Fish Paper Doll Live CD Tracklist
01. Kick Out The Jams
02. Paper Doll
03. Can Ya Handle The Heat?
04. I’m Done Runnin’
05. Lose You
06. Sweet Southern Sounds
07. Bulletproof
08. Miles To Go
09. Fortune Teller
10. Better Be Lonely
11. Dream Girl
12. Don’t Say It
13. Poor Black Mattie
14. Rusty Razor
15. Black Wind Howlin’

Fish, who turned 37 on January 30, 2026, is a 2x GRAMMY-nominated guitarist, singer, and songwriter widely recognized as one of the most dynamic artists in contemporary blues and roots music. The multiple Blues Music Award-winner is known for her explosive guitar work, powerhouse vocals, and fearless songwriting. She has built a global following through relentless touring and critically acclaimed releases. Her solo albums — Runaway (2011), Black Wind Howlin’ (2013), Wild Heart (2015), Chills & Fever (2017), Kill or Be Kind (2019), Faster (2021), collaborating with Jesse Dayton on Deathwish Blues (2023), and Paper Doll (2025), have all topped the Billboard Blues Chart. Fish has toured internationally, performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, shared stages with artists including The Rolling Stones and has performed as part of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival.