Country legends Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price poll their talents on a collaborative album, "Last of the Breed," due this week via Lost Highway. The double-disc set sports 22 songs recorded with producer Fred Foster in Nashville.

Kris Kristofferson guests on a cover of his "Why Me Lord," while Vince Gill handles backing vocals on Harlan Howard's "Heartaches by the Number." Additional cuts featured on the album include Cindy Walker's "Night Watch," Mickey Newbury's "Sweet Memories" and the new originals "Sweet Jesus" and "Back to Earth."

The Jordanaires add backing vocals throughout, while veteran session musicians Buddy Emmons and Johnny Gimble round out the recording.

Haggard credits Nelson with the "Last of the Breed" concept, on which the three singers cover older favorites and a few new songs. He, Nelson and Price are also taking it on the road for 15 shows this spring backed by Asleep At The Wheel. And the trio could well become an ongoing concern, as far as Haggard is concerned. "I think it will," he says. "If nothing else, the way these tickets have sold ... They sold without any formal advertisements of any kind. That's the kind of thing bookers and (business) people dream of. So it could be worth continuing."