Shooter Jennings wanted to record When I'm Stoned" by his pal Jason Boland and found the perfect duet partner in Willie Nelson.
Writes Shooter Jennings...
"I’ve known Jason Boland for more than half my life. I saw him playing songs in bars. I opened for him the day we got thrown in jail in Baylor County for weed. So naturally, when they asked me to do this project, I enthusiastically agreed and called Willie Nelson to help me out. Boland is a diamond and he’s one of the guys that influenced a lot of what is going on in today’s country music, so it was my pleasure to honor my old friend."
Margo Price is joined on "Ways To Be Wicked" by co-writer Mike Campbell. Margo hits Toronto's Budweiser Stage on August 15.
Here's the scoop on Petty Country...
The Tom Petty Estate is thrilled to officially announce Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, out June 21 via Big Machine Records. The album is a country music tribute to Tom lovingly curated by some of his closest friends and collaborators, including great friend and Grammy-winning producer George Drakoulias and Tom's esteemed colleague Randall Poster.
Some of the most lauded voices in country music – including Margo Price with Heartbreakers' Mike Campbell, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Marty Stuart, George Strait, Rhiannon Giddens, Chris Stapleton and Jamey Johnson – explore the extensive Petty catalog and put their own personal touches on some of his greatest hits.
Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty is out June 21st. Get it right here. Also, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs play Toronto's Danforth Music Hall on July 16th.
Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty
1. “I Should Have Known It” by Chris Stapleton
2. “Wildflowers” by Thomas Rhett
3. “Runnin’ Down A Dream” by Luke Combs
4. “Southern Accents” by Dolly Parton
5. “Here Comes My Girl” by Justin Moore
6. “American Girl” by Dierks Bentley
7. “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” by Lady A
8. “I Forgive It All” by Jamey Johnson
9. “I Won’t Back Down” by Brothers Osborne
10. “Refugee” by Wynonna Judd & Lainey Wilson
11. “Angel Dream No. 2” by Willie Nelson & Lukas Nelson
12. “Learning To Fly” by Eli Young Band
13. “Breakdown” by Ryan Hurd feat. Carly Pearce
14. “Yer So Bad” by Steve Earle
15. “Ways To Be Wicked” by Margo Price feat. Mike Campbell
16. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Midland
17. “Free Fallin’” by The Cadillac Three feat. Breland
18. “I Need To Know” by Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives
19. “Don’t Come Around Here No More” by
Rhiannon Giddens with Silkroad Ensemble and Benmont Tench
Congratulations to Willie Nelson on his Grammy win last night! The legendary songwriter was awarded Best Country Album for "A Beautiful Time" and Best Country Solo Performance for his rendition of Billy Joe Shaver’s “Live Forever” at last night’s 65th Annual Grammy Awards. It's a big win for Willie, Billy Joe and real country music.
The song is the opening track of the critically acclaimed album Live Forever: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver which was released last year on New West Records & Pedernales Records. The 12-song set was co-produced by Charlie Sexton & Freddy Fletcher and featured renditions of Shaver songs lovingly recorded by George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Nathaniel Rateliff, Ryan Bingham and Nikki Lane, Steve Earle, Edie Brickell, Rodney Crowell, Margo Price (featuring Joshua Hedley), Allison Russell, and Amanda Shires in addition to Nelson. Upon its release, Nelson, who once stated “Billy Joe Shaver is definitely the best writer in Texas,” said “He was just real; there wasn’t one phony drop of blood in him.”
About Billy Joe Shaver
In 1965, Billy Joe Shaver hitchhiked to Nashville and convinced the country singer Bobby Bare to listen to his songs. Bare quickly signed Shaver to a $50 a week job as a songwriter and recorded his song “Ride Me Down Easy.” Kris Kristofferson’s rendition of “Good Christian Soldier” and Tom T. Hall’s recording of “Willie the Wandering Gypsy and Me” soon followed. Shaver’s breakout moment came in 1973 when Waylon Jennings’ landmark album Honky Tonk Heroes was released. Hailed as the first “Outlaw Country” record, ten of its eleven songs were written or co-written by Shaver. One of which, “You Asked Me To,” was a top 10 hit for Jennings and was later recorded by Elvis Presley. Shaver’s legendary debut album, Old Five and Dimers Like Me, was produced by Kristofferson and issued in 1973 as well. He went on to release more than 20 albums, including the Grammy-nominated Everybody’s Brother in 2007. His final album, 2014’s acclaimed Long in the Tooth was his first to chart in Billboard’s Top Country Albums. Shaver's songs have been recorded and performed by Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, The Allman Brothers, and countless other legendary artists and his signature song, “Live Forever,” was performed by Robert Duvall in the 2009 film Crazy Heart. He was honored with the first ever Americana Music Award for Lifetime Achievement in Songwriting in 2002, was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Billy Joe Shaver died on October 28th, 2020.
Get a copy of the Billy Joe Shaver tribute album Live Forever from New West Records right here.
Listen to Willie's version of "Live Forever" followed by Billy Joe Shaver's performance of his song on Austin City Limits with support from his pal Willie Nelson and son Eddy Shaver below.
Celebrating the birthday of country great Billy Joe Shaver with the announcement of a new tribute album and some clips.
Live Forever: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver
In honor of his birthday today, New West Records & Pedernales Records are proud to announce Live Forever: A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver to be released November 11th, 2022. The 12-song set was co-produced by Charlie Sexton & Freddy Fletcher and features renditions of Shaver songs lovingly recorded by Willie Nelson and Lucinda Williams, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Nathaniel Rateliff, Ryan Bingham and Nikki Lane, Rodney Crowell, Margo Price, Allison Russell, and others.
The Texas singer-songwriter who died on October 28th, 2020 was an integral member of the Outlaw Country movement. A favorite among music legends, Johnny Cash once called Shaver “my favorite songwriter,” while Willie Nelson declared, “Billy Joe is definitely the best writer in Texas.” Upon the announcement of Live Forever: A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver, Nelson said, “He was just real; there wasn’t one phony drop of blood in him.” AllMusic called Shaver’s songs “among the greatest in the whole history of the (country) genre” while the Washington Post said, “When the country outlaws were collecting their holy writings, Billy Joe Shaver was carving out Exodus.”
Co-producer Freddy Fletcher wrote of Shaver in the liner notes, “His influence on the greatest of artists is what inspired this project. The album is a testament to his words and their deep impact on wonderful songwriters and performers. He’s a hero to so many, and we are honored to pay homage to his legacy.”
On the topic of songwriting, Billy Joe Shaver once said “when you write songs, and you write good songs, people will always remember you. Words will always outlive us. And if your name is attached to those words, you’re gonna live forever.”
Live Forever: A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver will be available across digital retailers, on compact disc, and standard black vinyl. A limited to 500 “Old Chunk of Coal” colour vinyl edition will be available via Vinyl, Me Please, a limited to 300 Purple, Blue & Green marble vinyl edition will be available via the Magnolia Record Club, and a limited to 300 Gold & Green colour vinyl edition will be available via Heady Wax Fiends. A limited to 500 “Denim” vinyl edition is now available for pre-order via NEW WEST RECORDS right here: http://newwst.com/liveforever.
Watch a couple of Billy Joe Shaver clips following the Live Forever track listing below.
About Billy Joe Shaver...
In 1965, Billy Joe Shaver hitchhiked to Nashville and convinced the country singer Bobby Bare to listen to his songs. Bare quickly signed Shaver to a $50 a week job as a songwriter and recorded his song “Ride Me Down Easy.” Kris Kristofferson’s rendition of “Good Christian Soldier” and Tom T. Hall’s recording of “Willie the Wandering Gypsy and Me” soon followed. Shaver’s breakout moment came in 1973 when Waylon Jennings’ landmark album Honky Tonk Heroes was released. Hailed as the first “Outlaw Country” record, ten of its eleven songs were written or co-written by Shaver. One of which, “You Asked Me To,” was a top 10 hit for Jennings and was later recorded by Elvis Presley. Shaver’s legendary debut album, Old Five and Dimers Like Me, was produced by Kristofferson and issued in 1973 as well. He went on to release more than 20 albums, including the Grammy-nominated Everybody’s Brother in 2007. His final album, 2014’s acclaimed Long in the Tooth was his first to chart in Billboard’s Top Country Albums. Shaver's songs have been recorded and performed by Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, The Allman Brothers, and countless other legendary artists and his signature song, “Live Forever,” was performed by Robert Duvall in the 2009 film Crazy Heart. He was honored with the first ever Americana Music Award for Lifetime Achievement in Songwriting in 2002, was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Billy Joe Shaver died on October 28th, 2020.
Live Forever: A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver
1. Willie Nelson (w/ Lucinda Williams) - Live Forever
2. Ryan Bingham (w/ Nikki Lane) - Ride Me Down Easy
3. Rodney Crowell - Old Five And Dimers Like Me
4. Miranda Lambert - I’m Just An Old Chunk Of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be A Diamond Someday)
5. Edie Brickell - I Couldn’t Be Me Without You
6. Nathaniel Rateliff - You Asked Me To
7. George Strait - Willy The Wandering Gypsy And Me
The album Dr. John was recording with Aaron Neville and Willie Nelson is being released as Things Happen That Way on Sept 23.
Here's the scoop...
Over the course of his six-decade-long career, Dr. John, embodied a near-mythic multitude of musical identities: global ambassador of New Orleans funk and jazz and R&B, visionary bluesman, rock and roll innovator, one-time top 10 hitmaker, self-anointed and massively revered high priest of psychedelic voodoo. On Things Happen That Way, due September 23 from Rounder Records, the six-time Grammy-winning Rock & Roll Hall of Famer otherwise known as Malcolm John “Mac” Rebennack Jr. reveals yet another dimension of his cosmically vast musicality: a lifelong affinity for classic country & western music. Things Happen That Way arrives as the latest and final studio album from an artist who remained wholly unpredictable, alchemizing the charmed simplicity of traditional country into a wildly enchanting body of work.
The first single from the album – a haunting and hypnotic new rendition of "I Walk on Guilded Splinters" which originally appeared on Dr. John’s groundbreaking 1968 debut Gris-Gris – is out now. Check it out below. Country-rock powerhouse Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real joined Dr. John for the newly recorded version of the classic track. “It’s a great honor to attempt to interpret the work of Dr. John,” says Lukas. “His music has inspired me since childhood. He was a friend to many, and we all miss him dearly. His music is medicine.”
Things Happen That Way marks the fulfillment of a longtime goal of the legendary singer/songwriter/pianist, who first began plotting a country inspired album decades ago. In bringing his album’s songs to life, Dr. John drew on a lineup of musicians befitting of a universally beloved luminary. Along with an elite cadre of New Orleans session players, the album also includes cameos by icons Willie Nelson and Aaron Neville.
Things Happen That Way opens on the delicate surrender of the Willie Nelson-penned, "Funny How Time Slips Away," a track whose soulful harmonies never overpower Dr. John’s performance on piano and vocals. A co-conspirator of Rebennack’s for countless years, Nelson shares a warm remembrance that perfectly encapsulates the album’s transportive power: “Dr. John had the most unique musical style and language that would take me to another time and place whenever I heard him play or sing.” Spotlighting his endless ingenuity as a song interpreter, Dr. John also masterfully reimagines Hank Williams’ "Ramblin’ Man" and "I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry." Elsewhere on the album, Aaron Neville joins in for a joyfully brass-heavy take on The Traveling Wilburys’ "End of the Line," while Willie Nelson lends his balm-like vocals and signature guitar work to a soul-stirring rendition of the traditional gospel song "Gimme That Old Time Religion."
Though much of Things Happen That Way bears an exquisitely reflective mood, the album also offers up several new uptempo originals from Dr. John: "Holy Water" (a savvy and poignant look back at his early-’60s criminal charge for narcotics and subsequent two-year prison sentence, with backing vocals by Katie Pruitt), "Sleeping Dogs Best Left Alone" (a swinging and self-aware piece that knowingly speaks to the danger in playing with proverbial dynamite), and "Give Myself A Good Talkin' To" (a world-weary but high-spirited reflection on the vicissitudes of human nature).
With each track once again illuminating his outsize imagination and idiosyncratic yet profoundly insightful storytelling, the album then closes out with a captivating cover of "Guess Things Happen That Way." In a departure from the buoyant determination of Johnny Cash’s version, Dr. John delivers an aching expression of grief and quiet hope, imbuing every line with so much unvarnished emotion. At turns devastating and triumphant, elegant and raw, with his unexpected passing, this album serves as a glorious farewell from one of the most singular, essential, and infinitely fascinating figures in music history.
The album’s liner notes, penned by Rebennack’s longtime friend, renowned television producer Ken Ehrlich (creator of PBS’ groundbreaking music series Soundstage, and producer of the GRAMMY Awards for four decades) offer the sage observation that Things Happen That Way is “the most personal and intimate journey into his soul that has ever been put on tape.”
Dr. John – Things Happen That Way
1.Funny How Time Slips Away
2.Ramblin’ Man
3.Gimme That Old Time Religion(feat. Willie Nelson)
4.I Walk On Guilded Splinters (feat. Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real)
5.I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
6.End Of The Line (feat. Aaron Neville)
7.Holy Water
8.Sleeping Dogs Best Left Alone
9.Give Myself A Good Talkin’ To
10.Guess Things Happen That Way
You can pre-order Dr. John's Things Happen That Way album via Bandcamp right here here. Listen to "I Walk On Guilded Splinters" below.
