Photo: Jack Spencer
Jamey Johnson has corralled an impressive all-star guest list for his new album, Livin’ For A Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran, which is due out October 16.
The collection, a tribute to the work of the late, great songwriter of standards such as “I Fall To Pieces,” “She’s Got You,” “The Chair,” and more, was produced by Buddy Cannon and will be available initially as vinyl on September 25. Guests on the project include Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, George Strait, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Elvis Costello, Ray Price, Ronnie Dunn, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack and more.
“If I had to dream up somebody like Hank to influence songwriters, I couldn’t have done a better job,” Johnson says. “That’s what he was–not just for me, but for Willie and for a lot of people–just a helpful friend. If he knew you needed help with something, he could help you. He was there. And that’s what I want to be for the people in my life, same as Hank. He influenced me, not only as an artist and songwriter, but also as a person.”
Johnson teamed with Nelson for “Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me,” and the pair is joined by Vince Gill and Leon Russell for “Everything But You.” Johnson partnered with Haggard on Patsy Cline’s 1961 classic “I Fall To Pieces.” A full track list is included below.
Livin’ For A Song follows up Johnson’s lauded 2010 album The Guitar Song, and was inspired by the life and passing of his friend Cochran.
“We all met at the house one day and sang some songs,” Johnson says. “Bobby Bare was introducing me to a bunch of songs that when I thought I heard it all, I hadn’t heard anything yet. All the best stuff was the stuff I didn’t know about yet.
“An entire list of songs was created, not because I knew these songs existed and wanted to cut them, but because the other person did. Everybody got to pick their own, and so for me, it was just as much of a journey as it was for the band or anybody else involved.”
Track listing:
“Make the World Go Away” – Jamey Johnson and Alison Krauss
“I Fall to Pieces” – Jamey Johnson and Merle Haggard
“A Way to Survive” – Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill and Leon Russell
“Don’t Touch Me” – Jamey Johnson and Emmylou Harris
“You Wouldn’t Know Love” – Jamey Johnson and Ray Price
“I Don’t Do Windows” – Jamey Johnson and Asleep at the Wheel
“She’ll Be Back” – Jamey Johnson and Elvis Costello
“Would These Arms Be in Your Way” – Jamey Johnson
“The Eagle” – Jamey Johnson and George Strait
“A-11” – Jamey Johnson and Ronnie Dunn
“I’d Fight the World” – Jamey Johnson and Bobby Bare
“Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me” – Jamey Johnson and Willie Nelson
“This Ain’t My First Rodeo” – Jamey Johnson and Lee Ann Womack
“Love Makes a Fool of Us All” – Jamey Johnson and Kris Kristofferson
“Everything But You” – Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson and Leon Russell
“Livin’ for a Song” – Jamey Johnson, Hank Cochran, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson
