Willie Nelson and The Oak Ridge Boys are two of country music’s longest-running mainstays. However, they had somehow never shared a studio together—until now. The gospel quartet will soon drop their latest album, Mama’s Boys. And the album’s first single, “I Thought About You, Lord” features none other than the Red-Headed Stranger.
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Willie Nelson Recorded the Song First
Willie Nelson originally recorded “I Thought About You, Lord” for his 1996 album Spirit. In 2021, he re-recorded the song for his Family album. Now, the latest version is set to premiere as part of Mama’s Boys, which drops Oct. 25.
When producer Dave Cobb played the song, lead singer Duane Allen felt he was listening to “a masterpiece.” Realizing the Boys had never team up with Willie, Allen decided this was it. The singer-songwriter called producer Buddy Cannon to gauge Nelson’s interest in a potential collab.
“He replied that he would be honored to sing with the Oaks,” Allen said. “When Willie’s vocals were finished, the masterpiece was completed!”
The Oak Ridge Boys’ voices meld together, making for the perfect backdrop as Nelson sings, I thought about life / And a love that has no endin’ / I thought about You, Lord.
“Willie and the Oaks, It doesn’t get much better than this,” one fan wrote on YouTube. “Love the song.”
“My musical bucket list is complete,” added another fan. “My favorite group and favorite solo artist singing together!”
The First Album Without Joe Bonsall
Mama’s Boys is a special record, and not only for the Boys’ first-ever collaboration with Willie Nelson. It’s also the first record that tenor Ben James will officially be part of.
In January, longtime tenor Joe Bonsall stepped back from the Oak Ridge Boys after receiving a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS.) Bonsall died in July at age 76.
Ben James, 27, stepped in for Bonsall. James, a bluegrass singer from North Carolina, first shared a stage with the Oak Ridge Boys in 2022, when they all sang “Elvira” at a show in Wheeling, West Virginia.
“Joe handed me the mic and said, ‘You’ve got the next verse,’” James has said. “And I’m not sure I will ever get over that moment.”
Featured image by Suzanne Cordeiro/Shutterstock
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