The Border

Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release Willie Nelson's new studio album, "The Border", in all configurations on May 31st, 2024.

The album's title track, Willie's insightful interpretation of Rodney Crowell's "The Border" is available on all digital outlets now. Cowritten by Rodney Crowell and Allen Shamblin for Crowell's 2019 "Texas" album, a thematic tribute to the Lone Star State which featured guest artist Willie Nelson, "The Border" describes the inner life and outer reality of a border guard with Crowell's composition described in Rolling Stone as "more humanist than political, but no less tragic because of it". Willie's wise worldly take on the provocative song taps into an urgent universal relevancy that defines "The Border".

The Border, his 152nd album, according to Texas Monthly's interactive All Willie Nelson Albums Ranked List, premieres 10 newly recorded Willie Nelson studio performances, including 4 new Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon compositions, "Once Upon A Yesterday", "What If I'm Out Of My Mind", "Kiss Me When You're Through" and "How Much Does It Cost", as well as "Hank's Guitar," a new song cowritten by Buddy Cannon and Bobby Tomberlin.

In keeping with his longstanding tradition of shining a light on country music's finest songwriters, Willie rounded out "The Border", his 1st album in 2024, with his versions of compositions by Larry Cordle & Erin Enderlin, Rodney Crowell & Will Jennings, Shawn Camp & Monty Holmes and Mike Reid.

Produced by longtime musical collaborator Buddy Cannon, "The Border" showcases Willie Nelson accompanied by Mickey Raphael, Bobby Terry, James Mitchell, Jim 'Moose' Brown, Fred Eltringham and Barry Bales, backing vocals are by Buddy Cannon, and Melonie Cannon. "The Border" features cover art depicting the Big Bend border area between Texas and Mexico.