Willie Nelson teams with Merle Haggard, Ray Price
Willie Nelson, who has already traipsed across the UK and US this year, will head out with fellow country-music legends Merle Haggard and Ray Price next month.
The trek, dubbed the Last of the Breed tour, gets underway March 9 in Prescott Valley, AZ, and takes the trio all over the US, closing March 25 in Rosemont, IL. Asleep at the Wheel will serve as their backing band. Details are listed below.
The three Country Music Hall of Famers are supporting their first album together, "Last of the Breed," which is set to hit stores March 20. The two-disc, 22-song collection includes new versions of country classics like Harlan Howard's "Heartaches By The Number" (with Vince Gill on backing vocals), Cindy Walker's "Night Watch," Mickey Newbury's "Sweet Memories," and Kris Kristofferson's "Why Me Lord," featuring Kristofferson on backing vocals. The album also features two new songs: Nelson's "Back To Earth" and Haggard's "Sweet Jesus."
"Last of the Breed" was produced by Fred Foster, who also produced Nelson's Grammy-nominated 2006 set, "You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker." Steel guitarist Buddy Emmons, fiddler Johnny Gimble and vocalists The Jordanaires are featured on the upcoming album, according to a press release.
When the Last of the Breed tour wraps, Nelson will continue on the road with more headlining dates into May, including a five-night stand April 15-19 at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium. He will also perform at the Coachella and Stagecoach festivals in Indio, CA.

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