DALLAS, TX. (Morris Public Relations/ YMC Records) -
Waylon Sings Hank Williams, a tribute CD from one country titan to another, makes its major label debut Aug. 29 on YMC Records.
Waylon Jennings originally recorded the 12 Hank Williams classics in 1985, when Jennings was at the peak of his vocal power, and then laid them aside to complete other projects.
When YMC Records CEO Chris Christian learned of this historic musical treasure, he immediately began negotiations to make the music available on CD to the millions of Jennings and Williams fans. Waylon Sings Hank Williams will be released to retailers by Universal Music Enterprises (UMe).
"Once we knew this incredible music was in Waylon's estate, we contacted the Jennings family to get the rights to produce a CD that is so straight from Waylon's heart that even his truest fans will be amazed by these songs," said Christian. "We are honored that the Jennings estate picked YMC Records to release this rare recording. Waylon looked up to Hank Williams, and this is a timeless treasure of music from two of country music's greatest legends. The Waylon Sings Hank Williams album links these two country legends forever."
Songs on the album are "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)," "Hey Good Lookin'," "Honky Tonkin'," "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Half As Much," "Blues Come Around," "Why Should We Try Anymore," "Be Careful Of Stones That You Throw" (a song and recitation originally issued under Williams' pseudonym, Luke the Drifter), "I Won't Be Home No More," "Mansion On The Hill," "Cold Cold Heart" and "They'll Never Take Her Love From Me."
Rounding out the package is a lyrical, five-minute-plus chat by Jennings in which he recalls his dusty Texas hometown, his first guitar and his abiding passion for Williams' music. Jennings passed away in 2002 at the age of 64; Williams died at 29 on New Year's Day 1953. Both men are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
To alert fans to the pleasures of Waylon Sings Hank Williams, Universal has created an "Outlaw Campaign" for retail record stores, complete with signs and bin cards. The label will also run commercials on major cable channels; release and distribute nationally a companion music video; service the album to country, Americana and satellite radio outlets; and promote it on the Internet via e-blasts and e-cards, as well as by placement on www.WaylonMusic.com, www.YMCrecords.com, and www.MySpace.com/YMCrecords.
YMC Records is a division of World Digital Media Group.
Editor's note: CD cover image can be found at www.YMCrecords.com/waylonpr