Over the course of his career, this 91-year-old musical legend has been iconic. Willie Nelson has occasionally showcased the music libraries of various artists and songwriters, including Frank Sinatra , Cindy Walker, Kris Kristofferson and Ray Price.
Nelson's forthcoming Legacy Recordings album Oh What a Wonderful World , set for release on April 25, will showcase the songwriting works of another acclaimed singer/songwriter and fellow Texan named Rodney Crowell.
This twelve-track album marks Nelson’s seventy-seventh solo studio endeavor, where the seasoned musician presents new takes on tracks penned or cowritten by Crowell. It also brings Nelson back into collaboration with his frequent producer, Buddy Cannon.
Crowell swaps vocals with Nelson on the debut single and titular track of the album. The song "Oh What aBeautiful World" was featured as the final track on Crowell's 2014 record. Tarpaper Sky Nelson initially documented one of Crowell's creations in 1983, and most recently featured Crowell’s tracks on his upcoming 2024 album. The Border including the titular track of the album (penned by Crowell and Allen Shamblin), as well as "Many a Long and Lonesome Highway," composed by Crowell and Will Jennings.
The album includes contributions from Bobby Terry on acoustic guitar, steel guitar, and electric guitar; James Mitchell playing electric guitar; Jim "Moose" Brown contributing with B-3 organ, piano, and Wurlitzer; Mickey Raphael on harmonica; Fred Eltringham handling drums and percussion; and Glenn Worf providing bass and upright bass. Background vocals were provided by Wyatt Beard, Buddy Cannon, and Melonie Cannon.
In the 1970s, Crowell founded the group The Cherry Bombs before achieving recognition as a musician and composer with the release of his self-titled debut album in 1978. Won't Live Much Longer Like This While also authoring or collaborating on numerous chart-topping tracks for various artists such as Highway 101 with their hit "Somewhere Tonight", Gary Stewart, Emmylou Harris, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Waylon Jennings who all released renditions of Crowell’s “Ain’t Living Long Like This.” Additionally, Emmylou Harris and The Oak Ridge Boys performed Crowell’s track titled "Leaving Louisiana in Broad Daylight". Furthermore, several well-known musicians like John Denver, Waylon Jennings, and Alan Jackson have interpreted Crowell's song entitled "Song For the Life"; similarly, Keith Urban brought life to Crowell's composition named "Making Memories of Us,” alongside Tim McGraw performing another one of his pieces called "Please Remember Me”. Notably, Bob Seger & His Silver Bullet Band achieved success with "Shame on the Moon".
In 1988, Crowell's album Diamonds & Dirt He achieved five successive number-one hits on the Hot Country Songs chart, which included "It's Such a Small World" (featuring Rosanne Cash), "ICouldn'tLeaveYouIfITried," "ShesCrazyForLeaving," the Grammy-winning "AfterAllThisTime," and "AboveandBeyond." Additionally, this album garnered a nomination for Album ofthe Yearat the CMA Awards. In 2013,CrowellowntwoGrammys:oneforBestAmericanaAlbumforhisalbum. Old Yellow Moon In 2006, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award for his songwriting by the Americana Music Association.
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