Whitey Morgan Announces First New Album in 8 Years, “Hell on the Highway”

Well hell yeah.

It’s been a long time coming. But really, it’s been that way for most every Whitey Morgan album. He might not be the most prolific artist in studio output. But those that have followed him throughout his career know he’s the premier torchbearer for Outlaw country in the modern era.

Announced on Wednesday (9-16), Whitey Morgan and the 78s will release their latest album called Hell on the Highway on December 4th. The title track will be released on Friday, September 25th. Though we don’t have a full track list just yet, it will include 11 songs, and was produced by Justin Francis, a Grammy-winning engineer who’s worked with the likes of Tyler Childers, Gary Clark Jr., and Kacey Musgraves in the past. The cover art is the creation of Zachary Nelson.

“I am very proud of this album,” says Whitey Morgan. “The 78s and I worked hard on it and I think it shows. We pushed things a little further this time. It’s definitely bigger and heavier than anything we have done but still sounds like us. I haven’t been this excited about music in a very long time, and I’m ready to let this thing loose on the universe.”

Performers on the album include current members of the 78s band Alex Lyon on bass, Danny Coburn on harmonica, Eric Savage on drums, Johnny Up Shadid on pedal steel guitar, and Brian Whelan on electric guitar. Steel guitar legend Dan Dugmore also appears on the album, as does Rob McNeely on electric guitar, and Junior Turtwiler on acoustic and electric guitar.

Whitey Morgan addressed the long turnaround time for the album in his announcement, saying, “It’s been eight years since I put out a full-length record. Life has been flyin by full of chaos and good times. Everything from bein a dedicated dad to opening and closing restaurants and venues. And of course playing a whole lot of shows and livin a little in between. I never felt much pressure to rush back into the studio just to make another record. But it was time.”

Some might be asking what happened to working with Shooter Jennings? In 2024, Whitey released a new single called “Let Me Roll” produced by Shooter, and then followed it up with a cover of “We Had It All,” and an original single “Somewhere Along the Way” in early 2025. But an album itself never materialized.

Either way, there’s no turning back now. Hell on the Highway is on the way, and available now for pre-order in red asphalt vinyl.

“Thanks to everybody who’s stuck around and supported through the years and keeps coming back,” says Whitey. “I hope these songs serve as a little soundtrack to some good times. See ya soon!”