Willie Nelson is proving once again that age is just a number. As he approaches his 92nd birthday, the country music legend is set to release his remarkable 154th album, Oh What A Beautiful World, a heartfelt collaboration with fellow Texas icon Rodney Crowell. Slated for release on April 25, 2025, this album is both a celebration of friendship and a tribute to timeless songwriting.
Two Texas Legends, One Beautiful Project
Nelson’s latest record is a deeply personal collection of twelve tracks written or co-written by Rodney Crowell, interpreted with the raw emotion and unmistakable vocal warmth that only Willie can bring. It’s not just an album—it’s a soulful conversation between two country giants whose bond spans decades.
The title track, “Oh What A Beautiful World,” originally appeared on Crowell’s 2014 album Tarpaper Sky. In this new duet, Nelson and Crowell exchange lines like two old friends reminiscing on life’s beauty and brevity. It’s a highlight that encapsulates the spirit of the entire album—humble, reflective, and profoundly human.
“We weren’t trying to make a statement,” said Crowell. “But when you’ve lived as long as we have, sometimes just showing up and singing your truth is a statement in itself.”
Buddy Cannon at the Helm
The album is produced by Buddy Cannon, Willie’s trusted studio companion and a veteran Nashville producer. With Cannon’s subtle, expert touch, Oh What A Beautiful World remains true to the Nelson sound—simple yet rich, heartfelt yet unpretentious.
Nelson’s beloved guitar Trigger makes its familiar appearance, its warm, weathered sound tying the album together like a well-worn quilt passed down through generations.
Track Highlights
Though the full album won’t be out until April 25, a few standout tracks have already captured the attention of fans:
-
“Still Learning How to Fly” – A meditation on aging gracefully, elevated by Nelson’s honest delivery.
-
“Shame on the Moon” – A melancholic, moonlit track that lingers long after the final note.
-
“Making Memories of Us” – Best known from Keith Urban’s version, Nelson gives the song a new heartbeat—slow, reflective, and quietly powerful.
Each track reveals a deep respect for the songwriting craft and for the man who wrote them. Nelson doesn’t just cover Crowell’s songs—he inhabits them.
A Birthday Gift to the Fans
Set for release just four days before his 92nd birthday, Oh What A Beautiful World is more than just an album drop—it’s a celebration of life, resilience, and artistry. At an age when most would have long retired, Nelson continues to tour, record, and inspire with unwavering passion.
He was recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, reaffirming his influence far beyond country music. Yet with this album, he returns to his roots—simple songs, played well, sung with soul.
The Nelson-Crowell Connection
Both born in Texas, Willie Nelson and Rodney Crowell share more than geography. Their mutual respect and camaraderie are evident throughout the album. Crowell’s writing has always leaned poetic, and Nelson is perhaps the ideal interpreter of such lyrics—adding just the right amount of grit, wisdom, and grace.
Together, they’ve crafted a record that feels both new and familiar, steeped in tradition but looking toward the future.