Willie Nelson, the legendary country music icon, is set to embark on a new musical adventure with his first-ever bluegrass album and 99th studio album, aptly titled Bluegrass, slated for release on Sept. 15.

Bluegrass will feature a carefully curated selection of a dozen iconic songs handpicked by Nelson and his longtime producer Buddy Cannon. The tracklist includes timeless classics such as “On the Road Again,” “Yesterday’s Wine,” “Still is Still Moving to Me,” and “Good Hearted Woman,” among others. On the album, Nelson embraces the bluegrass genre, enlisting a group of skilled bluegrass musicians to breathe new life into these beloved compositions. The album pays homage to the Appalachian string band music that has had a profound influence on Nelson’s songwriting and the broader landscape of country music.

With its emphasis on storytelling and instrumental interplay, traditional bluegrass perfectly complements Nelson’s strong melodies and memorable narratives. The synergy between his songwriting style and the bluegrass format creates a captivating musical experience that will resonate with fans, both old and new.

To coincide with the album announcement, Willie Nelson has unveiled the lead single from Bluegrass, titled “You Left Me A Long, Long Time Ago.” The track is now available for streaming on various platforms, giving listeners a taste of what’s to come. Additionally, the album’s tracklist has been revealed, and fans can pre-order/pre-save the album to secure their copy.

In the midst of this exciting release, Willie Nelson’s summer is filled with an array of activities. He will kick off the Outlaw Music Festival tour, featuring a star-studded lineup including Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, The Avett Brothers, John Fogerty, Bob Weir, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The String Cheese Incident, and more. Furthermore, he is hosting a 4th of July Picnic featuring talented artists like Tyler Childers and Dwight Yoakam. Fans can also look forward to a forthcoming book exploring the stories behind 160 of Willie’s songs, set to be released later this year.

For additional details and a comprehensive list of Willie Nelson’s upcoming tour dates, visit his official website here.