Willie Nelson released a new version of the Kris Kristofferson penned “Why Me.” The new recording is the closing track on the iconic musician’s The Willie Nelson Family album which arrives through Sony Legacy Recordings on November 19.
The Willie Nelson Family consists of 12 tracks with Willie on vocals and guitar including lead single “Family Bible.” As the title of the LP implies, a number of the 88-year-old outlaw country legend’s family members back Willie on the record, namely sister Bobbie Nelson (piano), sons Lukas Nelson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, lead vocals, background vocals) and Micah Nelson (drums, bass, background vocals) and daughters Paula Nelson (background vocals) and Amy Nelson (background vocals).
Additional contributions come from longtime band members Mickey Raphael (harmonica), Billy English (drums), Paul English (percussion) and Kevin Smith (bass). Willie and company recorded the gospel-tinged collection at Pedernales Studios in Austin, Texas. Nelson co-produced the album with Steve Chadie. The 12-track LP includes new versions of six Willie Nelson originals as well as six covers such as “Why Me,” George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and the traditional “In The Garden.”
Kris Kristofferson originally issued “Why Me” on his 1973 studio album Jesus Was A Capricorn. Willie Nelson first took on the song for inclusion on 1979’s Sings Kristofferson. Stream the new rendition below:
