Top Stars Join Nelson on New Album
Jan 16 -- Don't believe Willie Nelson when he explains how he got Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Lee Ann Womack, Brian McNight and Rob Thomas to sing duets with him on his new album.
Nelson humbly gives the credit to his producer, Matt Serletic. "He has a very good phone book," he says.But the stars featured on The Great Divide all rave about Nelson. Thomas, of Matchbox 20, says that Nelson's commitment to folk and country transcends his hard-living outlaw image.
"Talking to him, he gets it," Thomas says. "Maybe there's something to be said for his way of living. It's not for everybody. But it's definitely for Willie."
To quote a Nelson line, he's "on the road again," embarking on a U.S. tour in support of his latest album, and he does so with tremendous support from a younger generation of stars.
Thomas: 'I'm a Huge Willie Fan'
Thomas wrote three songs for the album and contributes vocals to the song "Maria." With all the superstar collaborations, The Great Divide might do for Nelson what Supernatural did for Carlos Santana.
It might seem odd that the 68-year-old music legend has so many fans among contemporary music stars, many of whom were still in diapers when he scored his signature hit, "On the Road Again."
"I'm a huge Willie Fan," Thomas adds. "I think he does everything right. His songs are so good and so honest, and they're like sitting and having a really good conversation with someone, you know."
The Willie Legend
The album also features a new version of Cyndi Lauper's hit "Time After Time," a cover of Kenny Rogers' hit "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)," and a few songs written by Elton John's songwriting partner Bernie Taupin.
Songs like "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys," his Grammy-winning duet with Waylon Jennings, only confirmed his status as one of the foremost voices in folk and country music. And he's been hailed a hero for his work organizing Farm Aid concerts to help Midwestern farmers.
Related Stories
ABC News Live