NRBQ will be the subject of a tribute album, "The Q People," to be released March 9 on Spirithouse Records. It will be the first release from the Boston-based independent label. Artists on "The Q People" album include Bonnie Raitt, R.E.M. guitarist Mike Mills, Los Lobos, Widespread Panic, J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr) and Steve Earle.

The cast of Nickelodeon cartoon series "SpongeBob SquarePants" also weighs in with the song "Little Floater's Wild Weekend." Tom Kenny, the voice of show's title character, was once an NRBQ opening act as a standup comedian.

"As legions of loyal Q fans can tell you, NRBQ is one of the most under-appreciated bands in the world... always stretching, always grooving, never boring," says Raitt in a statement. She covers "Me and the Boys" for the tribute.

Los Lobos, which takes on "Never Take the Place of You," adds, "As fellow members of the three-decade club, we know how hard it is to simply carry on making quality music, so for us it is an honor and pleasure to be part of this project."

A launch event for the album will be held March 8 in Los Angeles; artists attending have not yet been announced.

Here is "The Q People" track list:

"Magnet," Yo La Tengo
"A Girl Like That," Steve Earle
"Ridin' in My Car," Settie
"Never Take the Place of You," Los Lobos
"Me and the Boys," Bonnie Raitt
"I Love Her, She Loves Me," Ware River Club
"When Things Was Cheap," Mike Mills
"My Girlfriend's Pretty," Ron Sexsmith
"I Want You Bad," J Mascis
"Ain't No Horse," Widespread Panic
"Yes, Yes, Yes," King Radio
"Little Floater's Wild Weekend," cast of "SpongeBob SquarePants"