(via Rolling Stone)
Willie Nelson’s family has become a well-known, musical dynasty, and the Texas-born singer released a special new album to honor his family members.
“Willie Nelson and Family Tree” will include 11 songs, including covers of original song written and sung by Nelson himself and family members including wife Annie.
Featured songs on the album include classic tunes by George Harrison, Hank Williams, and Merle Haggard, as well as current tunes including Kenny Chesney’s “Wild Child” and Alison Krauss’ “Galveston.”
The story of Nelson’s family sounds like it could be an episode of “Bluegrass Dallas.” The singer’s father was a cowboy and his grandfather a baseball player. His mother was a music teacher and his grandmother was a writer and recording artist. His brother Robert played with Bob Dylan and his nephew Micah just won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Willie Nelson is a founding member of Willie Nelson & the Family Band and a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry.
Willie Nelson and Family Tree is out on Aug. 3, with all proceeds from the album going to Tennessee Promise, the $1.3 billion investment plan in the state to increase high school graduation rates, support the best public education, strengthen college affordability, and provide first-generation college access.