Willie Nelson / Oak Ridge Boys Sing Together for 1st Time
The Oak Ridge Boys have been around in one incarnation or another since the early 1940s, and their most legendary lineup remained static since 1972. And of course, Willie Nelson is country music’s elder statesman at 91. But over these two music institution’s Country Music Hall of Fame careers, they have surprisingly never collaborated in the studio, until now.
The song “I Though About You Lord” written by Willie Nelson originally appeared on his 1996 album Spirit, and was re-recorded for his Family album in 2021. When the Oak Ridge Boys went into the studio to record with producer Dave Cobb on what will now be the country and Gospel quartet’s fifth collaboration with Cobb, he suggested the song to them.
When David Cobb played, ‘I Thought About You, Lord,’ I felt I was listening to a masterpiece,” says Duane Allen. “I thought Willie has recorded with just about everyone but us. So, I called Buddy Cannon, who had recently been producing Willie, to see if Willie would sing his song with us. He replied that he would be honored to sing with the Oaks. When Willie’s vocals were finished, the masterpiece was completed!”
The new song comes from the new Oak Ridge Boys new album called Mama’s Boys to be released on October 25th. The album is not just a tribute to their own mothers, but mothers around the world and the impact that have on all of our lives. You can’t get more country music than that. Though as always, The Oaks weave their Gospel roots into the music as well.
Speaking of songs about Mama’s, independent songwriter Conrad Fisher also lands a song on the new album called “Mama Sang For Me.” Once again Buddy Cannon was instrumental in making it happen. “Buddy Cannon sent it to Duane for me December of 2022 and it’s been on hold since,” Fisher tells Saving Country Music. “Duane emailed me two weeks ago and wants to get breakfast with me when I’m in town again so I am thrilled. Gonna be tremendous for my career.”
Mama’s Boys is the first album where tenor singer Ben James will be an official part of the Oak Ridge Boys lineup after the legendary Joe Bonsall passed away in early July. Ben James had already been spelling Bonsall live. The Oak Ridge Boys continue on with Bonsall’s blessing.
Mama’s Boys is now available for pre-save / pre-order, and you can listen to “I Thought About You Lord” below.
Track List:
- That’s The Way Mama Made It
- Mama’s Boys
- Mama’s Teaching Angels How To Sing
- Ever With Me
- Her Voice
- Mama Sang For Me
- Come On Home
- I Thought About You, Lord (featuring Willie Nelson)
- Sweetest Gift
- Divine Witness
September 8, 2024 @ 12:26 pm
: D Beautiful song, Conrad.
September 8, 2024 @ 3:35 pm
WHAT A TRIBUTE TO ALL OF YOU IT WAS ELECTRIFYING.
September 8, 2024 @ 5:27 pm
Thanks Di!
September 8, 2024 @ 1:15 pm
“I Thought About You, Lord”
What a gorgeous song.
September 8, 2024 @ 1:55 pm
The songs are beautiful. Especially I thought about you
September 8, 2024 @ 2:00 pm
Wow. It’s hard to tell them apart. Dwayne’s voice is as “weathered” as Willie’s. Still, it’s great that the Oak Ridge Boys and Willie finally recorded something together, even if it’s without Joe.
Funny, at the beginning of their career the Oak Ridge Boys backed Paul Simon (on “Slip Sliding Away”) Now, they got Willie Nelson. A lot of great stuff, in between.
September 8, 2024 @ 3:32 pm
Legendary and great. Duane was trained in opera. His voice is more capable than a typical quartet lead. The Oaks are great, every one of them.
September 8, 2024 @ 5:58 pm
Dwayne seems to acknowledge that the duet was a studio engineer’s creation, that Willie’s vocal was laid down after the Oak Ridge Boys did their thing. That would seem to be why there’s no studio video. I think whoever produced it did a great job, but it would be nice if the five men will get a chance to appear on the same stage and recreate this live.
The Oak Ridge Boys were kind of regulars on the Tonight Show in the Carson years and also appeared on the Jay Leno version. I don’t think they’ve done the show with Jimmy Fallon. Willie, of course has done the show with every host. This would be the perfect time to bring them all back, maybe for the final time. Or maybe Stephen Colbert, (one-time duet partner of Toby Keith), could being them on HIS show.
September 8, 2024 @ 6:16 pm
I’m ready to start a fight and say Willie beats ole Hank as a songwriter.
September 8, 2024 @ 7:38 pm
no fights necessary
both great songwriters
enough said
September 8, 2024 @ 11:00 pm
What a beautiful song that’s so way cool 😎 love Oakridge Boys and Willie very awesome
September 9, 2024 @ 4:57 pm
Way to go Conrad!
Tami Neilson does a wonderful version of “I Thought About You” on her great new album of Willie songs. Great songs combined with her amazing voice=her best album yet!!