Texas country music legend announces surprise album; see the musicians the star is honoring

Willie Nelson’s new album, “Last Leaf On The Tree,” is due Nov. 1, 2024.ASSOCIATED PRESS

It’s a good day to be a fan of Willie Nelson, as the native Texan just announced a surprise album that’s due in November.

On Thursday, the legendary country crooner took to social media to reveal that he’ll be releasing an album called “Last Leaf On The Tree” on Nov. 1. But the announcement of Nelson’s forthcoming album is only half of the surprise.

According to a video shared on Nelson’s X account, it appears the “Always on My Mind” singer will be covering songs by iconic musicians like Neil Young, The Flaming Lips, Nina Simone, Beck, Tom Waits, Sunny War and more. But covering iconic songs from a slew of genres isn’t the only thing Nelson is doing on his upcoming album.

The body of work will include new takes on one of Nelson’s oldest songs, “The Ghost,” from the 1960s. It will also feature a new song Nelson wrote with his son, Micah Nelson, who also “lovingly curated and produced” the country music icon’s upcoming album, according to Nelson’s official website.

“Last Leaf On The Tree” is Nelson’s 76th solo studio album, according to his website. The album is due months after Nelson released his 75th solo album, “The Border,” on May 31.

The Abbott, Texas, native has been playing shows as part of the “Outlaw Music Festival Tour.” Though Nelson missed several shows citing health concerns, he returned to the stage for his legendary 4th of July Picnic in Camden, New Jersey, on July 4, and has played his scheduled shows ever since.

Nelson’s next show for the “Outlaw Music Festival Tour” will take place on Friday, Sept. 6, in Somerset, Wisconsin, according to the singer’s listed tour dates on his website. The show is set to include performances by John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan, as well.

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