Turnpike Troubadours Team Up With Yo Gabba Gabba! for Surprise New Song “Sunrise, Sunset”
Turnpike Troubadours have added an unexpected chapter to their story this week, teaming up with Yo Gabba Gabba! for a brand-new kids’ song titled “Sunrise, Sunset.”
It’s not the crossover anyone saw coming, but somehow, it works. The Oklahoma-founded band lend their signature fiddle-forward sound to an upbeat, educational track designed to teach kids about the daily rhythm of sunrise and sunset, while still sounding unmistakably like Turnpike.
Turnpike Troubadours Turn “Sunrise, Sunset” Into a Family-Friendly Jam
Rather than watering things down, “Sunrise, Sunset” keeps the band’s musical DNA intact. The fiddle carries the melody, the tempo stays lively, and frontman Evan Felker delivers smooth, familiar vocals – even if the lyrics are simplified for younger ears.
The result feels less like a novelty children’s song and more like a genuine Turnpike track that just happens to explain how days begin and end. It’s playful without being cheesy, and rooted firmly in the band’s red dirt foundations.
Given that Felker now has young children himself, the collaboration feels personal – a moment where life and music overlap in a way fans can easily understand.
A New Kind of Crossover
The timing isn’t accidental. Turnpike have been on a serious roll lately, with their audience continuing to grow well beyond the red dirt scene. The band released their sixth studio album, The Price of Admission, in April 2025, earning praise from fans and critics alike.
It marked their second release since returning from hiatus and showcased some of their strongest writing to date, including standouts like “Heaven Passing Through,” “On The Red River,” and fan-favorite deep cut “Ruby Ann.” The record reaffirmed why Turnpike remain one of the most respected bands in modern country, emotionally sharp songwriting paired with timeless musicianship.
Now, with “Sunrise, Sunset,” they’re introducing that sound to an entirely new generation.
Country Music’s Growing Presence in Kids’ Programming
Turnpike aren’t the first country act to step into children’s entertainment. Sesame Street has welcomed artists like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, and Kelsea Ballerini over the years.
Most recently, Chris Stapleton appeared on the show with “You’ve Got A Friend In Music,” a gentle reminder that there’s always a song for whatever you’re feeling – a track that honestly wouldn’t sound out of place on one of his records.
What makes Turnpike’s moment stand out is that they’re not a household name in the same way, making this collaboration feel even more special.
A New Generation Meets Turnpike Troubadours
For a band built on honest storytelling and road-worn realism, joining forces with Yo Gabba Gabba! might seem left-field. But “Sunrise, Sunset” feels like a natural extension of Turnpike’s current chapter, artists who’ve weathered hiatus, comeback, and career reinvention, now finding space to make music for listeners of every age.
And if introducing toddlers to fiddle-led red dirt country is part of the plan? Honestly, that sounds like a pretty good future for the genre.