Outlaw country legend Willie Nelson has released his 70th studio album, First Rose of Spring. The album was originally slated to arrive back in April before the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the release back to July.
The Buddy Cannon-produced album features eleven tracks, two of which were co-written by Nelson and Cannon for the album. The remaining nine tracks are comprised of new takes on favorites by country stars new and old including Chris Stapleton, Toby Keith, Pete Graves, Billy Joe Shaver, and more. The title track, “First Rose of Spring”, was written by Randy Houser, Allen Shamblin, and Marc Beeson, while the closing track, “Yesterday When I Was Young”, is an updated take on Roy Clark‘s 1969 single which itself was adapted from the French “Hier Encore”, penned by Charles Aznavour in 1964.
In addition to the release of his new album, Willie Nelson will celebrate 4th of July weekend with a virtual adaptation of the annual Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic on Saturday, 7/4. The virtual event, described as a “hybrid concert film”, will feature appearances by a slew of artists including Kurt Vile, Sheryl Crow, Steave Earle, The McCrary Sisters, Ziggie Marley, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, Particle Kid, Margo Price, and more in addition to a performance by Willie and his band at Pedernales Studios. For more information on how to tune into Willie Nelson’s virtual 4th of July Picnic beginning at 3:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, 7/4, head here.
Listen to Willie Nelson’s 70th studio album, First Rose of Spring, and check out the tracklisting and songwriting credits below:
Willie Nelson – First Rose of Spring – Full Album