Joe Ely Health Concerns Revealed Ahead of New Album

Country, rock, and roots music legend Joe Ely announced a new album recently called Love & Freedom that’s due out on February 7th. Co-produced by fellow Texas panhandle legend Lloyd Maines who also performs on six of the new album’s tracks, Love & Freedom is being released by Rack ‘Em Record via Thirty Tigers.
“To me, ‘Love and Freedom’ is a reminder of the times we’re living in right now, and I hope it resonates with whoever takes the time to listen,” Joe Ely is quoted as saying about the new album.
It was a bit strange that the album was announced on January 24th for a February 7th release date. Usually, six weeks to two months comes between an announcement and a release. Ely has also been out of the public eye for an extended period. Then Thursday evening (1-30), Joe Ely’s wife and manager Sharon Ely took to social media to explain what was happening. Joe Ely has been suffering from some serious health issues lately.
“A lot of people, friends, fans, relatives and strangers have been asking when is Joe going back on the road to tour. How is Joe doing? Why is Joe not doing many interviews?” Sharon Ely said. “In August 2024, as Joe was actually healing from a bout of pneumonia, he experienced an episode of what seemed like a small stroke … The neurologist looked at Joe’s MRI and diagnosed him with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Basically, this is a condition where protein deposits in the small blood vessels of the brain can weaken the blood vessel walls and can lead to bleeding in the brain.”
Joe and his wife Sharon currently live in Taos, New Mexico, but traveled to Austin to see a neurologist about his condition. They’re also planning to travel to Arizona next week for a second opinion as he continues to be treated by his regular doctor in Taos.

“Meanwhile, as we are working with Joe’s health, he and I have listened to files and files and files of music that he recorded in his studio in Austin over the years,” Sharon says. “We have discovered and unearthed treasures of brilliant recordings. Some are coming together as complete albums. The latest album Joe wanted to release as soon as possible is ‘Love & Freedom.'”
Along with the upcoming album release, Joe Ely has also been announced as one of the honorees for the 2025 American Music Honors, administrated by Bruce Springsteen’s Archives & Center for American Music. Since Joe Ely’s music straddles rock and country, his legacy has never been properly commemorated in either genre, despite the significant influence his music has had on fellow performers. Springsteen called Ely and told him his 60 years of contributions to American music were worth recognizing.
“Working on his music keeps [Joe] focused and interested,” Sharon explains. “Being the workaholic he has always been, to sit around and do nothing is ok now and then, but not all the time. This has been great for Joe as we both weave through this journey together in a meaningful way.”
Joe Ely’s Love & Freedom is now available for pre-save/preorder.
Track List:
1. Shake Em Up
2. Adios Sweet Dreams
3. Magdalene
4. Deportee (feat. Ryan Bingham)
5. Waiting Around To Die
6. Sgt. Blaylock
7. Today It Did
8. Band of Angels
9. For The Sake of the Song
10. Here’s To The Brave
11. What Kind of War
12. No One Wins
13. Surrender to the West
January 31, 2025 @ 7:12 pm
Have seen Joe twice decades ago and he put on great shows. What a cool honor for him and a personal call from Bruce to boot!
January 31, 2025 @ 10:25 pm
Trig, thanks for the update on Joe’s condition. He’s a true legend and I wish him the best as he and Sharon deal with these issues.
January 31, 2025 @ 11:03 pm
Sounds like this bookends Joe Ely’s 1992 album, “Love and Danger,” , which conained the first major label release of REK’s “The Road Goes on Forever.” I bought that CD, but never got to see him on tour.
If “‘Love and Freedom’ is a reminder of the times we’re living in right now,” it will be interesting to hear Joe’s take on “Deportee.” I first heard that song, with lyrics by Woody Guthrie, on the first “Highwayman” album, done as a duet with Johnny Cash and Johnny Rodriguez.
Back then, Ralph Emery invited them to perform it live on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d87jEZ1Agpo
February 1, 2025 @ 5:27 am
Through the years (since 1981) I’ve seen Joe perform many, many times. In the Netherlands, Great Britain, Italy, Texas, New York en Newark. With Jesse Taylor, Lloyd Maines and Ponty Bone. With his band centered around David Grissom. Then with Dutch flamenco-guitarist Teye in his band. Also concerts with English bloke Slim Cyder, solo and with accordionist Joel Guzman. Always going for it one-hundred-and-ten percent. Because of his health The Lord Of The Highway has slowed down. At home he has always been busy too. Recording new stuff in his own studio in Austin. I can already tell Love And Freedom is a great album. And there are more pearls from the vaults. It’s great Joe and his wife Sharon make a new record available so soon after Driven To Drive in 2024. This Dutch fan since Honky Tonk Masquerade (which is the best album ever made) came out in 1978 is wishing him all the best.
February 1, 2025 @ 7:01 am
I love Joe’s music, have seen him many times, mostly up in the NYC area.
I first heard in while at school in his home town of Lubbock, and was at the first Tornado Jam.
He was pretty much in Austin at the time,1980, so didn’t get to see him much then.
Have all his records and they are all worth listening to. His book that he put out a few years ago is great too, just purchased it in Austin recently.
Looking forward to hearing this release.
Hope his condition improves!
February 1, 2025 @ 7:14 am
Even forgot to mention in my comment the times I saw Joe with The Flatlanders and of course with Guy Clark, Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt!
February 2, 2025 @ 10:14 am
“…with Guy Clark, Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt!”
I saw that at the Center Stage in Atlanta, I think I was in the second row.
What a show! It felt like you were at a guitar pull in somebody’s living room.
February 1, 2025 @ 9:35 am
Talking about Ely… anyone seen his buddy Tom Russsell recently?
February 1, 2025 @ 10:26 pm
Good point, saw him in Austin in March of 2023 and would love to see another show.
February 1, 2025 @ 10:58 am
I have enjoyed his music for years. Not rock and not country but maybe a bit of both. Whatever, he is an original and unique talent. I hope he gets well soon.
February 2, 2025 @ 9:31 am
Check out Joe’s harmonica playing on Terry Allen’s song ‘Roll truck Roll’ the outro is great. Song should be on everyone’s traveling playlist!
February 3, 2025 @ 1:28 am
One of my absolute musical idols since the 80s. Looking forward to another album although it will be another with old songs on it. I saw him at Saxon Pub a few years back with Ponty and he was awesome. I saw him again in April of 2023, only maybe 3 years later doing an interview at the Jazz Fest here in New Orleans. He barely spoke. Then they played a set and it had me thinking this would probably be the last time I’ll ever see him in person. I wish him and Sharon the best!
February 3, 2025 @ 3:03 am
He’s a true legend, some years ago i helped him and hid band catch a train to Switzerland since their ven cacthed fire in Como during the night…..King of the highway for sure