Ray Wylie Hubbard Releasing New Album “Co-Starring” + New Song
Well that’s it. We knew when we first heard that Ray Wylie Hubbard had signed to the big evil Big Machine Records—the same Nashville-based label of Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, and Brantley Gilbert—that his days of being one of those cool, underground influence peddlers of Texoma music were finite. Since he was now shaking hands with Scott Borchetta, it would be drum loops, snap tracks, tractor rapping, and pop collaborations from here on out. It looks like all of that praise from Eric Church had really gone to Ray’s head.
Yeah, not so fast.
Instead, Ray Wylie has parleyed his many years of peddling mad influence in country and roots music into a collaborative album hosting a heavy dose of cool names. Called Co-Starring, it will be released on July 10th via Big Machine, and is preceded by the new song “Bad Trick” that itself sees Ringo Starr, Don Was, Joe Walsh, and Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes all show up to support Hubbard (listen below).
Other names that lend their services to the all-powerful and-knowing Wylie Llama include Ashley McBryde, Pam Tillis, Ronnie Dunn, Aaron Lee Tasjan, The Cadillac Three, Paula Nelson, Elizabeth Cook, Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown, Larkin Poe, and Peter Rowan.
The record comes after Ray Wylie Hubbard concluded a trilogy of records with his last three albums, and has seen his name recognition dramatically rise after co-writing the title track to Eric Church’s last record Desperate Man. A long-time songwriter who was more a regional hero and was known as the “Forgotten Outlaw” is now finally beginning to receive his due, and having so many others hop on board with him for his latest effort can only help.
Ray Wylie’s signing to Big Machine shouldn’t be entirely shocking if you’ve been paying attention to the doings of the label over the years. Ray Wylie Hubbard is one of many left field signings Scott Borchetta has done. Remember, it was Big Machine’s Valory Music Group imprint that released the big comeback record for The Mavericks from 2013 called In Time that went on to win Saving Country Music’s Album of the Year. The label also released the Latin country group’s followup, Mono in 2015. Big Machine also released the album Better Than Myself from Alex Williams in 2017.
And now they will be the label behind Ray Wylie Hubbard’s big, Music Row label debut … at the age 73.
Co-Starring is now available for pre-order.
TRACK LIST:
1. “Bad Trick (feat. Ringo Starr, Don Was, Joe Walsh, Chris Robinson)
2. “Rock Gods” (feat. Aaron Lee Tasjan)
3. “Fast Left Hand” (feat. The Cadillac Three)
4. “Mississippi John Hurt” (feat. Pam Tillis)
5. “Drink Till I See Double (feat. Paula Nelson, Elizabeth Cook)
6. “R.O.C.K.” (feat. Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown)
7. “Outlaw Blood” (feat. Ashley McBryde)
8. “Rattlesnake Shakin’ Woman” (feat. Larkin Poe)
9. “Hummingbird” (feat. Peter Rowan)
10. “The Messenger” (feat. Ronnie Dunn and Pam Tillis)
April 17, 2020 @ 8:12 am
Looking forward to hearing some new RWH. Truly a quality human being. Long Live The Wylie Lama!
April 17, 2020 @ 8:57 am
Scott Borchetta knows what’s good…well…sort of…
…no…not really.
“Bad Trick” does nothing for me…but i’ll listen to the album. Hope the tracks with Pam Tillis & Ashley McBryde are good.
New Mo Pitney music is out too (& a new Dolly Parton track).
New Stuff:
Dolly Parton – “I’m Gone” – Single/Track – Released
Brett Eldredge – “Gabrielle” – Single/Track – Released
Hellbound Glory – “Dial 911” – Single/Track – Released
Jana Kramer – “Untouchable” – Single/Track – Released
Chris Colston – “Bombs Away” – Single/Track – Released
Koe Wetzel – “Kuntry & Wistern” – Single/Track – Released
Mo Pitney – “Right Now With You” – Single/Track – Released
William Michael Morgan – “Cowboy Cool” – Single/Track – Released
Jimmy Yeary – “Same Water, Different Boat” – Single/Track – Released
Morgan Wallen – “More Than My Hometown” – Single/Track – Released
John Schneider feat. Keith Burns – “Trump Card” – Single/Track – Released
Ali S – “There’s More To Me Than Beer” – Single/Track – Released (Australia)
The Wolfe Brothers – “No Brakes” – Single/Track – Released (Australian Top Act)
Shelly Jones Band – “Who Was The Dancing Man” – Single/Track – Released (Australia)
Adam Doleac – Famous – EP (6 Tracks) – Released (04/16)
Thyra – Nashville Songs & Stories – 8 Tracks – Released (04/16)
Bobby Bare – Great American Saturday Night – Album (13 Tracks) – Released (04/16)
Denvah – Just The Beginning – EP (5 Tracks) – Released (04/16) (Australia – Debut EP)
April 17, 2020 @ 12:40 pm
RWH is one of the best there is in my opinion so news of new material from him is always a good thing. I liked Bad Trick and am looking forward to hearing the rest. The Cadillac Three one could be interesting-they showed good potential with their Tennessee Mojo album, but have got progressively worse since then. I didn’t enjoy their Legacy album to the point where I haven’t even bothered buying their latest and what I have heard from Country Fuzz isn’t good. The Tyler Bryant one could be good, I am not that familiar with him other than knowing he is the one who wrote the excellent Last Train To Heaven from the last Shane Smith & the Saints album.
April 17, 2020 @ 5:32 pm
If Ray Wylie does it we can be sure it be damn sure good !!!
April 17, 2020 @ 1:10 pm
I’m fired up for this! Man, I’m glad Chris Robinson is still out there doing music too.
April 17, 2020 @ 3:09 pm
He’s been putting out music under Chris Robinson Brotherhood. We saw him at the first ever Outlaw Fest in Scranton with Willie and Neil Young in 2016. They were awesome live, but their albums and 9 min tracks are a tedious listen (sober). There was supposed to be a Black Crows reunion but the some Chinaman snacked on a bat.
April 17, 2020 @ 4:29 pm
That sounds pretty good.
I only want to make it to 79 if I age like Ringo.
April 18, 2020 @ 4:49 am
Small quibble here. I think Ray’s music stands on its own merits. IMO he doesn’t need to be paired with a bunch of guest artists. I wonder if that is Borchettas idea. For years we’ve all seen this maneuver from big labels who operate under the premise of ” we need to drum up interest in this old veteran artist so let’s make a collaboration record full of younger hip and trendy artists to sell it.” I sincerely hope that wasn’t the thought. Rays songwriting powers are as strong as they have always been. He doesn’t need younger artists to sell his music. If, however this was Ray’s idea, then ok.
April 18, 2020 @ 5:26 am
it was my idea. i had already recorded the record with all these cats and after it was mixed a cool rocker named julian raymond took it to scott and he dug it and wanted to release it as it was…including string noises, pedal squeaks, 60 cycle hums and my old dog with its hind leg caught in barbed wire voice (saw the dillards in denver in the 70’s i think it was and never forgot that line). i asked scott why you wanna do this? i’m an old folk blues roots cat and he said he had always dug my writing and wanted to get the word out. judy said okay and there ya go. was working on co-starring 2 when this bad mojo hit and can’t tour at the moment to “work the record” but i’m happy about big machine doing it.
April 18, 2020 @ 5:49 am
In that case, I am happy you are able to do things your way and follow your own artistic vision. Rock on Brother Ray!
April 18, 2020 @ 6:39 am
Good to know it was your idea, though I didn’t think you would ever be told what to do by some big cheese type! Total respect for everything you do.
April 17, 2020 @ 7:01 pm
Liking the sound, but 10 tracks is just to short unless they’re over 10 minutes.
Sorry, I pay good money to get hold of a cd and don’t even get much over half an hour???? Come on guys. Ok, maybe they’re all extended jams. That helps.
Its annoying when people I work with keep telling me they heard this song before
April 18, 2020 @ 6:08 am
Any word of a vinyl release or a way to pre-order on vinyl?
April 18, 2020 @ 5:35 pm
If that album cover isn’t the work of Allan Messer, I’ll eat my hat. My favorite photographer in town.
May 18, 2020 @ 7:04 pm
I saw RWH in Corsicana with Jack Ingram and Gary P. Nunn and in Athens, TX on his own bill. He’s always an entertaining show. Looking back over his career, seems like he’s always performing and writing with others. I think they’re blessed to work with him. Looking forward to seeing him again when he comes to my part of Texas as I’ve aquired a taste for his music.
June 25, 2020 @ 9:41 pm
I love the way you are releasing a song every week or two. The three you’ve released are great and I can’t wait for the next one. In these bleak times, you give me something to look forward to!!!!!