Willie Nelson inks deal with Sony Records
You can go back home again, but only if you're Willie Nelson. The Red Headed Stranger has inked a new long-term deal with Sony Music, current owner of Columbia Records, Nelson's label for almost 20 years beginning in 1975.
The agreement calls for the singer to release five new albums, beginning with a new studio set this spring, and to re-release his older archival material through Sony's Legacy Recordings arm. The deal -- which is likely to result in new collections of previously unreleased material as well as provide bonus cuts on re-releases of album's from Nelson's back catalog -- will cover all phases of Nelson's 60-year recording career.
"I'm really happy to be back home with Sony Music. We have been partners for many years, all the way back to Pamper and Tree Music," said Nelson in a statement. "We share a great history, and I'm looking forward to many more years together."
Nelson released some of his most well-regarded works while under contract with Columbia, including 1975's "Red Headed Stranger," 1978's "Stardust," and 1982's "Always on My Mind." His last platinum-selling album, 1984's "City of New Orleans," was released on Columbia.
Nelson's most recent set, "Remember Me Vol. 1," surfaced last year on R&J Records. Nelson worked with producer James Stroud to select and record 14 country music hits from the last 70 years. It followed 2010's "Country Music," which employed a similar formula, that time with producer T-Bone Burnett as Nelson's musical accomplice.
Meanwhile, Nelson's never-ending tour continues unabated. His tour bus can currently be found rolling through Florida.
2 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
3 - Sarasota, FL - Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
4 - Ocala, FL - Circle Square Cultural Center
7 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Broward Center for the Performing Arts
8 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre
9 - Rome, GA - Forum Civic Center
10 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage Theatre
11 - Hiawassee, GA - Anderson Music Hall
12 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
March 2012
3 - El Paso, TX - Plaza Theatre
4 - Lubbock, TX - City Bank Auditorium
6 - Sahuarita, AZ - Desert Diamond Casino
7 - San Diego, CA - Balboa Theatre
8 - Santa Ynez, CA - Chumash Casino
9 - Indio, CA - Fantasy Springs Resort Hotel & Casino
12 - Phoexix, AZ - Comerica Theatre
13 - Los Angeles, CA - Walt Disney Concert Hall
15 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre
16, 17 - Reno, NV - Silver Legacy Resort Casino
April 2012
3 - Farmington, NM - McGee Park Memorial Coliseum
7 - Newkirk, OK - First Council Casino
12 - Aurora, IL - Paramount Arts Centre
June 2012
5 - Nashville, TN - Schermerhorn Symphony Center
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