Luke Bryan Reigns At Spring Break Panama City

SCATTER RECORDS AND THE BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP ANNOUNCE RELEASE OF 
THE MUSIC INSIDE: A COLLABORATION DEDICATED TO WAYLON JENNINGS

Vol. I of Star-Studded Tribute to Late Icon In Stores on Feb. 8^th

Superstars Alabama Reunite For “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way”

Lead Single Impacts Country Radio on Nov. 29^th

NASHVILLE, TN – Scatter Records and the Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) are pleased to announce the February 8^th release of a star-studded tribute compilation honoring one of the greatest Country music icons of our time – Waylon Jennings.   Distribution and promotion of the Scatter Records release will be handled by The Valory Music Co., of the Big Machine Label Group.

The three volume celebration, THE MUSIC INSIDE: A COLLABORATION DEDICATED TO WAYLON JENNINGS, features some of the biggest stars of Country music –from legends Kris Kristofferson and Alabama to hit makers Jamey Johnson and Trace Adkins to critically-acclaimedPatty Griffin and Sunny Sweeney – performing and paying tribute to Jennings’ most-celebrated songs.  (The official Vol. I track listing is below.)

Every artist on the project possesses either a personal or professional connection to the Texas-born Jennings, and no one more so than Country star and Jennings’ widow Jessi Colter, who performs a heartfelt duet of “Good Hearted Woman” with Sunny Sweeney.  Their son Shooter Jennings also pays tribute with “Belle of the Ball,” appearing on Vol. I.  In addition, every performance on the compilation earned Jessi and Shooter’s blessing.

“There have been several tribute albums made in my father's honor, all of which were great tributes to his legacy.  But this one has been a true passion project for a lot of artists and friends who truly wanted to remember and give back to the wonderful man he was,” says Shooter.  “In the years since my dad passed away, I've grown as an artist and I feel this is the first time I've been able to give back truly to the man who inspired, influenced and nurtured me and my musical passion.”

Spearheaded and produced by Scatter Records founder Witt Stewart, the project was born in 2007 while Stewart was visiting his hometown of Lubbock, Texas.  Recalling the days when Jennings and Buddy Holly used to rehearse down the street from his own home and Jennings’ days as a local DJ on KLLL, Stewart contacted Jessi Colter and from their first meeting, they began recording in Jessi’s Arizona living room on August 20, 2007, the project -- a labor of love for both -- was born. 

“This project started with double rainbows and ended with double rainbows....a promise I'd say; as I think this could have been a prayer Waylon may have prayed....artists doing what they love for love,” says Colter. “I couldn't lead such a monumental effort. But, Witt set his face like a flint to finishing what he began and I am expecting Waylon to break the sound barrier again with the help of way cool artists too numerous to name.  Thank you God for the vision you gave Witt, the artists who showed love in their music and, Waylon who gave us all a reason to listen again to what music really means. Bravo!!!”

Two and half years and 33 tracks later, Stewart met with Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta on a cold, windy day in New York City. From the moment they met, Stewart knew BMLG was the right partner to release the hallowed collection. 

“It was clear that Scott had really "listened" to the music,” explains Stewart.  “The comments he made and questions he asked, I knew he had spent a lot of time with the music. And with his track record, he knows a few things about a hit song. Add that, due to his genuine love for Waylon and Jessi, there was no other home for the project but his house.”

“The music of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson was some of the first music I ever fell in love with and one of the biggest reasons I moved to Nashville to work in Country Music,” says Scott Borchetta, President & CEO of the Big Machine Label Group.  “Ironically, my dad also worked Alabama’s first singles when they were with then-independent label Stargem Records.  It all seems to have come full circle with Alabama releasing the first single from the Vol. I compilation with our label group.”

Leading the launch of the compilation series is legendary super group Alabama, who reunited to record Jennings’, “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” for Vol. I -- the first new recording from Alabama in a decade.

“What an opportunity for us to go back in the studio, play and record live like we used to, and pay tribute to a TRUE legend in music...not in country music...in music period,” says Randy Owen of Alabama.

Adds Alabama’s Teddy Gentry,"This is probably as close as I'll get to being a real outlaw...Thanks Waylon!”

"Waylon was one of a kind,” continues Alabama’s Jeff Cook.  “We did a lot of his songs in our early years.  It's nice to be a part of this tribute album!"

“Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way”, the lead single from Vol. 1 of the compilation series, impacts Country Radio on Nov. 29^th with an official add date of Dec. 13^th.  A preview of the new song can be heard at:  www.WaylonJennings.com

THE MUSIC INSIDE:  A COLLABORATION DEDICATED TO WAYLON JENNINGS, VOL. I

Official Track Listing:

1.   This Time – Jamey Johnson

2.   Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way – Alabama

3.   I’m A Ramblin’ Man – Randy Houser

4.   Belle of the Ball – Shooter Jennings

5.   Good Hearted Woman – Sunny Sweeney and Jessi Colter

6.   Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand – James Otto         

7.   Just To Satisfy You – John Hiatt w Waylon Jennings

8.   Rose In Paradise – Kris Kristofferson and Patty Griffin

9.   You Ask Me To – Trace Adkins

10. Go Down Rockin' – Waylon Jennings

(Bonus Track)

The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want To Get Over You) – Chanel Campbell

THE MUSIC INSIDE: A COLLABORATION DEDICATED TO WAYLON JENNINGS, VOL. I will be released on February 8^th, with additional Volumes II and III to be released later in 2011.

For more information regarding the project, visit:  www.waylonjennings.com

        

ABOUT THE LEGACY OF WAYLON JENNINGS:

Modern music owes much of its broad-based appeal and rugged individualism to Jennings, a man whose career stretched from the mid-‘50s, when he was a protégé of Buddy Holly and throughout four decades later. The one-time radio disc jockey from Littlefield, Texas went on to record 16 No.1 songs and earn 4 multi platinum, 8 platinum, and 15 gold sales certifications, selling more than 40 million records worldwide. Along the way, he captured a string of awards (including 2 GRAMMYs and 4 CMA Awards), scored numerous movie roles, authored a best-selling autobiography and became a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. .

His career exhibited spirit and individualism and helped define a generation of country music and continues today. Artists too numerous to mention-- from established peers to the new generations of rock and country acts-- give credit to him as their inspiration and mentor.

Jennings’ eclectic, raw-edged music created a niche and became part of a movement in the mid-70’s that would change the face of both country and across-the-board music. He was one of the music world’s truly innovative stylists who never became classifiable.

He was the first of his era to sell a platinum album and a quadruple platinum album.  While some of today’s artists may sell a lot of albums, too, it’s extremely rare to hear of one who can generate the kind of electricity that Waylon exuded--from the minute he entered a room or on the stage. Waylon Jennings is an American original and remains one of the true giants of this business.

ABOUT THE BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP:

Scott Borchetta serves and President/ CEO of the independent Big Machine Label Group which includes Big Machine Records (founded in 2005),The Valory Music Co. (founded in 2007) and Republic Nashville (a partnership with Universal Republic founded in 2009 with Jimmy Harnen serving as President).

Big Machine was Billboard’s #1 Top Country Album Imprint of 2009, decorating it as the highest-selling record label group on Music Row.  

In 2010 Big Machine was named Country Label of the Year by Country Aircheck Magazine/Powered by USA Today.  Also in 2010, Big Machine’s signature artist Taylor Swift’s third album, SPEAK NOW, became the best-selling Country studio album debut of all time with over 1 million units sold in its first week.  With the release, Taylor became one the 4^th female artist in history (across all genres) to debut with more than 1 million units sold.

In 5 years, Big Machine Records artists have received 6 Country Music Association Awards, 7 American Music Awards, 4 GRAMMY Awards, 4 Academy of Country Music Awards, 4 CMT Music Awards, 3 Teen Choice Awards, 1 MTV Video Music Award and 1 People’s Choice Award as well as 1 Brit Award and 1 JUNO Award nomination.

The Big Machine Label Group’s current artist roster includes Platinum superstars Taylor Swift, Reba, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, and Jewel as well as established acts Justin Moore (Billboard’s “New Country Artist of 2009”), Jack Ingram and the Eli Young Band and hot newcomers The Band Perry, Steel Magnolia, Jaron And The Long Road To Love, SHEL, Sunny Sweeney, Edens Edge and comedienne Melissa Peterman.