Dolly Parton’s new rendition of “The Last Thing On My Mind” previews an upcoming Doc Watson tribute album. I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson At 100 arrives on April 28 via FLi Records/Budde Music.
Folk and bluegrass legend Doc Watson would have celebrated his 100th birthday on March 3 this year. Watson passed away in 2012. The new tribute record is out in late April in conjunction with the Watson-founded MerleFest — a tribute to Doc’s late son Merle — taking place in Wilkesboro, North Carolina and celebrating Doc’s 100th birthday this year as well.
Dolly Parton performed her I Am A Pilgrim contribution, “The Last Thing On My Mind,” with Watson at Merlefest in 2001. But her association with the song stretches back decades, performing it throughout her career after releasing the Tom Paxton-penned, Doc Watson-covered “The Last Thing On My Mind” in 1967 with Porter Wagoner.
“Doc Watson is everyone’s hero and a great guitar player,” Dolly said. “Some say he is the absolute best, and I was honored to get to work with him a few times in my career.”
Listen to Dolly’s newly recorded “The Last Thing On My Mind” below:
Matthew Stevens produced I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson At 100 and also performs on the record. The album was executive produced by Mitch Greenhill, Matthew Greenhill and Peer Steinwald. Also contributing to I Am A Pilgrim are Jerry Douglas, Steve Earle, Bill Frisell, Rosanne Cash, Valerie June, Chris Eldridge, Jack Lawrence, Marc Ribot, Yasmin Williams and more. Check out the tracklist below:
I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson At 100 Tracklist:
- Shady Grove – Jerry Douglas
- The Last Thing On My Mind – Dolly Parton
- Am I Born To Die – Nora Brown
- Alberta – Jeff Parker & Matthew Stevens
- Make Me A Pallet – Steve Earle
- I Am A Pilgrim – Rosanne Cash
- Florida Blues – Jack Lawrence
- How Long Blues – Corey Harris
- Will The Circle Be Unbroken – Ariesen
- Handsome Molly – Valerie June & Bill Frisell
- Doc’s Guitar – Yasmin Williams
- Little Sadie – Chris Eldridge
- Reuben’s Train – Lionel Loueke
- The Lost Soul – Marc Ribot
- Your Lone Journey – Bill Frisell
