JamBase partners Osiris Media will soon launch Highway Butterfly: The Stories Of Neal Casal, a companion podcast for the forthcoming Highway Butterfly: The Songs Of Neal Casal all-star tribute album. The first episode arrives on September 10 with additional episodes set for release throughout the fall. The tribute album is due out on November 12 via the Neal Casal Music Foundation.
Highway Butterfly: The Stories Of Neal Casal will feature interviews with the 41-song set’s co-producers and longtime Casal collaborators Jim Scott and Dave Schools (Widespread Panic / Hard Working Americans) as well as some of the 130 participating musicians. Contributors will discuss the song they chose to record for the compilation and their relationships with Neal, who tragically died by suicide on August 26, 2019 at age 50.
“Working on the Neal Casal Highway, Butterfly project was a long term emotional investment: saddening for those of us mourning the loss of a brilliant artist and friend, yet healing in the fellowship of recording Neal’s songs. Ultimately Highway Butterfly stands as one of the most rewarding projects I have ever completed,” explained Dave Schools, who will co-produce the podcast. “I can’t wait for everyone to hear what the Highway Butterfly podcasts bring to light from these selfless artists who brought their unique magic to this project.”
Billy Strings, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band, Circles Around The Sun Warren Haynes, Puss N Boots, Fruit Bats, Hiss Golden Messenger, Leslie Mendelson and Steve Earle & The Dukes are just a handful of the dozens of acts who recorded Neal’s songs for Highway Butterfly: The Songs Of Neal Casal. Proceeds will benefit the Neal Casal Music Foundation’s mission of supplying instruments and lessons to students in New Jersey and New York schools as well as MusiCares and Backline. The compilation is available for pre-order as a 5LP or 3CD box set and in digital formats.
Watch the video for Billy Strings & Circles Around The Sun’s “All The Luck In The World”:
