Willie Nelson To Release New Album “Oh What A Beautiful World”

Willie Nelson Announces A New Studio Album Is On The Way

The project will be Willie Nelson’s 77th studio album and his 154th album in his discography.

On Wednesday morning, March 12, country icon Willie Nelson announced that he would be releasing a brand new album titled Oh What a Beautiful World.

The 91-year-old’s upcoming project will be dropping less than a year after the release of Last Leaf on the Tree. This was a collaborative album Willie created with his son Micah, who helped produce it. Last Leaf on the Tree consisted of covers to honor rock legends, idiosyncratic singer-songwriters, alt-rock heroes, and indie folk artists.

Willie’s new album will also serve as a tribute to one of music’s greatest songwriters. The tracklist on Oh What a Beautiful World will feature some of Willie’s favorite songs created by legendary songwriter Rodney Crowell.

Rodney Crowell is one of the most esteemed songwriters in country music. He began his career in 1972 after moving to Nashville and has since written chart-topping hits for artists like Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Bob Segar, and many others.

Willie Nelson himself has also worked closely with Crowell, first recording one of his songs in 1983 and most recently another in 2024 for his album The Border.

Additionally, Crowell has built a successful solo career, earning two Grammy Awards. He won Best Americana Album for Old Yellow Moon (2013) and Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his single “After All This Time” (1986).

What Songs Will Appear On Willie Nelson’s Upcoming Album?

According to Willie Nelson’s official website, Oh What a Beautiful World will be produced by his longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon. The album will feature 12 songs from the past 50 years, handpicked by the country outlaw. It is set for release on April 25th.

See the full list of Rodney Crowell songs selected for Willie Nelson’s upcoming album below.

1. What Kind Of Love (co-written by Will Jennings & Roy Orbison)
2. Banks Of The Old Bandera
3. The Fly Boy & The Kid
4. Forty Miles From Nowhere
5. I Wouldn’t Be Me Without You
6. Making Memories Of Us
7. Oh What A Beautiful World (with Rodney Crowell)
8. Open Season On My Heart (co-written by James Slater)
9. Shame On The Moon
10. She’s Back In Town
11. Still Learning How To Fly
12. Stuff That Works (co-written by Guy Clark)

Along with the announcement, the album’s title track was also released. The song features a duet between Willie Nelson and Rodney Crowell.

Keep scrolling to listen to their duet!