Alan Jackson Emerges w/ Caylee Hammack to Toast Don Williams
Alan Jackson fans have been hankering for some new music for a while now since it’s been a good five years since he released his last album. Aside from the single “The Older I Get” released to coincide with his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017, it’s been all quiet on the new music front.
Well he surprised us all this week by releasing a new version of an old song with up-and-coming Capitol Records Nashville signee Caylee Hammack. “Lord, I hope This Day Is Good” was a No. 1 song for Don Williams in the early 80’s, and has been covered by Lee Ann Womack, Keb Mo, and others. Written by Dave Hanner, the inspirational song has been inspiring Caylee Hammack through the quarantine, and she decided to cut it with a country legend.
“This song has held a special place in my heart since childhood,” says Caylee Hammack. “And, during the past few months at home, I have found myself frequently visiting songs I grew up on because of the comfort it has brought me, especially this one. It has always been a golden classic in my heart and I believe in many others; and it’s message felt much needed today. Alan Jackson was gracious enough to bring his voice and heart to this song and made it feel like chicken noodle soup for the country music soul. I just feel very honored to be able to send our rendition out into the world!”
Ahead of Hammack’s debut record If It Wasn’t For You out August 14th, she’s also collaborated with Reba McEntire on the song “Redhead,” and another song on the album called “Mean Something” features Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes, meaning this newcomer is getting some pretty big endorsements as she looks to launch her career.
“It’s so nice to be able to finally record one of my favorite Don Williams songs with a great message for today and to be able to sing it with another Georgia native with a sweet voice,” says Alan Jackson about “Lord, I hope This Day Is Good,” which was produced by Dave Cobb.
Hammack is originally from Ellaville, Georgia, and showed up to Nashville on a music scholarship to Belmont University, and started performing on Lower Broadway. One slightly disappointing development is the staunchly traditional Alan Jackson collaboration will not make it onto Hammack’s debut album. It’s just a standalone single. So far the singles from the record have been somewhat of a mixed bag, with the very poppy “Family Tree” leaving some to be desired, but “Small Town Hypocrite” wooing critics with its pointed, Musgraves-like attitude and lyrics.
We’ll just have to wait and see what we get with Caylee Hammack’s debut record, but her rendition of “Lord, I hope This Day Is Good” hits the spot, while she picks of some additional cred for collaborating with a bona fide country legend.
July 26, 2020 @ 10:39 am
I absolutely love this remake.. It is what we need in the current socioeconomic climate.
Regardless of what the debut might or might not bring, this song is good, and worth a spin.
It also gives me some hope for traditional country music.. Maybe it will chart well.. Thanks Trig for bringing attention to this worthy remake.
July 26, 2020 @ 10:48 am
……so perfectly and respectfully unaffected . the music and, more importantly , the message wash over a listener like warm summer rain . reflective , meditative , calming and COUNTRY .
July 26, 2020 @ 11:34 am
Trigger is right — it’s hard to know who she is as an artist at this stage because some of what we’ve heard so far is more pop than country. But hopefully she’ll ultimately land more in the country camp.
July 26, 2020 @ 11:41 am
Hear, hear!
July 26, 2020 @ 11:50 am
Excited for this album. Love her voice and style. She would be a great voice for the mainstream. Small town hypocrite is one of my fav songs from 2020 so far
July 26, 2020 @ 1:06 pm
Great duet….perfectly produced. I hope she does more in this style rather than the more pop-oriented songs she’s released.
July 26, 2020 @ 2:22 pm
An amazingly well done duet by Alan & Caylee at this time when the world is in such chaos with the pandemic and all the other issues there are.
July 26, 2020 @ 3:18 pm
Love love it
July 26, 2020 @ 4:21 pm
She has a good, very country voice reminds me of Lee Ann Womack. Hopefully she trends more in Country. The fake country’s got to go at some point. We’ve got Stapleton, Combs, Pardi, Cody Johnson, and Tyler. It’s slowly coming back.
July 26, 2020 @ 5:14 pm
I miss Don Williams.
(and her vocals are very identical to LAW’s)
July 26, 2020 @ 6:01 pm
There names even rhyme. Caylee Hammack- Lee Ann Womack
July 26, 2020 @ 6:13 pm
An excellent cover of one of the greatest vocalist on the history of country music. Personally, Don is my all-time favorite.
Nice steel guitar work as well.
July 27, 2020 @ 4:07 am
Beautiful rendition of a beautiful, timeless song.
I would disagree slightly with some of the above posters regarding the similarities to Lee Ann Womack. To me, Caylee’s voice sounds somewhat more alto than Lee Ann’s. Her style is more similar to Kellie Pickler.
July 27, 2020 @ 7:11 am
This song won’t be on the album? Makes you wonder if they said well it really doesn’t “fit in” with the rest of these tunes for the obvious reason. It’ll be on my version though if the album is good enough to make my rotation. I listened to all her tunes on Spotify and yep they run the gamut. Family Tree? Ick….I like Redhead and Small Town Hypocrite for sure. I hope it just doesn’t end up being Pop album with a dash of……..twang rather than the reverse. She could really be something special and real if they let her as we all can hear.
July 27, 2020 @ 7:37 am
Great take but it would been even better if it was just Alan singing it.
August 5, 2020 @ 7:29 pm
I guess I am showing my age but it just doesn’t do it for me, just a little too fast…but hey at least SOMEBODY nowadays remembers the Gentle Giant. 🙁
July 27, 2020 @ 11:45 am
Nice country production of a great song. Always nice to hear Alan’s voice.
July 27, 2020 @ 2:44 pm
Absolutely Great Song. Caylee and Alan did a wonderful job. Of course every song Alan sings is AWESOME. Caylee you have a Great voice, can’t wait to buy your CD.
July 29, 2020 @ 10:16 pm
Redhead is the one that’s going to be a hit.
January 20, 2024 @ 9:28 am
Nice try.
August 14, 2020 @ 4:47 pm
Let’s not forget about Alan Jackson’s cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” from the Muscle Shoals project from 2018.