Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, and Metallica lead singer James Hetfield are among the artists slated to appear on a forthcoming Waylon Jennings tribute album. Due in March, the RCA set will include one of the late country great's last recorded songs, the piano balled "The Dream," as well as selections from his vast catalog recorded by the likes of Alison Krauss, Dwight Yoakam, and John Mellencamp.
The 16-track album will find Brooks & Dunn covering "I Ain't Living Long Like This," Chesney teaming with rap rocker Kid Rock on "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)," and Hetfield tackling "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Out of Hand." Mellencamp is set to record "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way," Yoakam will handle "Stop the World (And Let Me Off)," and Krauss is to contribute "You Asked Me To."
Other artists planning to record songs include Ben Harper ("Waymore's Blues"), Andy Griggs ("This Time"), Travis Tritt ("Lonesome On'ry and Mean"), Hank Williams Jr. ("Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line"), Pinmonkey ("Are You Ready for Country"), and Phil Vassar with matchbox twenty's Rob Thomas ("A Good Hearted Woman"). Sara Evans and Deana Carter will turn in a version of what is perhaps Jennings' best-known track, "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys."
Additionally, Jennings' wife, fellow country artist Jessi Colter, will offer a version of "Storms Never Last," and the couple's son, Shooter, will cover his father's "I've Always Been Crazy."
As reported by Billboard earlier this year, journalist Hazel Smith will executive produce the project. Smith is working with RCA Label Group VP of A&R Renee Bell to oversee the album. Each artist will produce and deliver their own track for the collection.
Jennings died Feb. 13, 2002 at the age of 64 after a long battle with diabetes-related health problems. He recorded 60 albums and had 16 No. 1 singles on Billboard's country charts during a career that spanned five decades.
The 16-track album will find Brooks & Dunn covering "I Ain't Living Long Like This," Chesney teaming with rap rocker Kid Rock on "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)," and Hetfield tackling "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Out of Hand." Mellencamp is set to record "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way," Yoakam will handle "Stop the World (And Let Me Off)," and Krauss is to contribute "You Asked Me To."
Other artists planning to record songs include Ben Harper ("Waymore's Blues"), Andy Griggs ("This Time"), Travis Tritt ("Lonesome On'ry and Mean"), Hank Williams Jr. ("Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line"), Pinmonkey ("Are You Ready for Country"), and Phil Vassar with matchbox twenty's Rob Thomas ("A Good Hearted Woman"). Sara Evans and Deana Carter will turn in a version of what is perhaps Jennings' best-known track, "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys."
Additionally, Jennings' wife, fellow country artist Jessi Colter, will offer a version of "Storms Never Last," and the couple's son, Shooter, will cover his father's "I've Always Been Crazy."
As reported by Billboard earlier this year, journalist Hazel Smith will executive produce the project. Smith is working with RCA Label Group VP of A&R Renee Bell to oversee the album. Each artist will produce and deliver their own track for the collection.
Jennings died Feb. 13, 2002 at the age of 64 after a long battle with diabetes-related health problems. He recorded 60 albums and had 16 No. 1 singles on Billboard's country charts during a career that spanned five decades.
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