A Timeless Americana Classic Reissued by HighTone Records

Courtesy of Craft Recordings / HighTone Records / Jacob Kossak

Willie Nelson’s celebrated 2010 album Country Music is returning to vinyl, reaffirming its place as a modern Americana classic. Set for release on February 27 via the newly relaunched HighTone Records, the Grammy®-nominated album showcases Nelson’s reverent interpretations of foundational country standards, delivered with the warmth, restraint, and emotional depth that define his singular artistry.

Produced by the legendary T Bone Burnett, Country Music finds Nelson revisiting the songs that shaped him as a young musician. The album features timeless compositions such as Hank Williams’ “House of Gold,” Ernest Tubb’s “Seaman’s Blues,” and Merle Travis’ “Dark as a Dungeon,” alongside Nelson’s own early single, “Man With the Blues.” Together, the 15-track collection feels less like a covers album and more like a personal history lesson told through song.

Recorded in Nashville, the project embraces a stripped-down, rustic aesthetic. Burnett assembled a cast of exceptional musicians—including Buddy Miller, Ronnie McCoury, Stuart Duncan, and Russell Pahl—who bring subtlety and authenticity to the arrangements. Traditional instrumentation and spacious production allow Nelson’s unmistakable voice to remain front and center, highlighting the emotional power of these enduring songs.

Upon its original release in April 2010, Country Music was met with widespread acclaim. The album debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart, reached No. 20 on the Billboard 200, and earned a Grammy® nomination for Best Americana Album. Critics praised it as one of Nelson’s finest late-career statements, with many noting its quiet confidence and deep respect for the genre’s roots.

The 2026 reissue arrives as a deluxe 2-LP gatefold set, with additional limited-edition color vinyl pressings available through select retailers. The album will also be released on CD and hi-resolution digital formats, making it accessible to both longtime collectors and new listeners discovering this chapter of Nelson’s catalog for the first time.

At 92, Willie Nelson continues to stand as a towering figure in American music, with a career spanning more than six decades and over 100 albums. Country Music serves as both a tribute to the songs that inspired him and a reminder of his enduring relevance. As HighTone Records enters a new era, this reissue honors not only Nelson’s legacy but the enduring spirit of Americana itself.