Tami Neilson has released her new album, Neilson Sings Nelson, and it’s a touching tribute the music of country music legend Willie Nelson.
The collection of Willie Nelson covers was recorded at Nelson’s Pedernales Studio in Texas and features Neilson’s brothers, Jay and Todd, on backing vocals, guitar, bass, and drums.
Neilson shares, “I performed with him at Luck Reunion 2022, and at the end of that year, returned home to a very scary turn of events. I was admitted into ICU with life-threatening sepsis and spent a month in the hospital.
“During the long recovery, I thought about creating something healing — a simple and joy-filled project. I wanted to record a love letter to Willie and his music to give to him for his upcoming 90th birthday. This idea was something I could focus my mind on, a goal to get better.”
Nelson himself praised the album, saying, “Neilson sings the hell out of Nelson. Tami’s the real deal and does my songs a great honour.”
For a closer look, Neilson takes us inside Nelson’s studio in her new VR music video for “I Never Cared for You.” “It’s one of my all-time favourites of Willie’s,” she says. The clip gives viewers a 360° tour of the studio, letting you step right into Nelson’s creative space. Watch it here.
Neilson Sings Nelson follows Neilson’s acclaimed 2022 album Kingmaker, which spawned her duet with Nelson “Beyond the Stars,” winner of the 2023 APRA Best Country Music Song Award and nominee for Best Single at last year’s Rolling Stone Aotearoa Awards.
To celebrate the release, Neilson will embark on a special Aotearoa tour. The ‘Neilson Sings Nelson’ tour will visit Wellington Opera House on October 11th, Auckland Town Hall on October 18th, and Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal on October 19th (see full details below).
Neilson has also shared some personal news about her brother Jay’s health. On social media, she wrote:
“I regret to say I won’t be able to perform in Dallas with The Mavericks this weekend due to a family medical emergency. Many of you have met my brother and best friend Jay, my awesomely talented band mate and lifelong musical collaborator. He is facing one of the biggest challenges a person can face and I’m reaching out to ask for help on behalf of him and his wife Lindsay- who are always the ones to help others and aren’t very comfortable asking for it themselves.”
She added, “Being a self-employed musician often means you have no income security unless you can tour and work. It also means you are not eligible for the government assistance or workers compensation you would normally be able to access with a more traditional job or employer.
“Jay is now facing many months of inability to work and this is of course adding to an already very distressing situation. We are hoping that folks will pitch in to help in any little way that they are able to help ease that worry so Jay and Lindsay can focus on his recovery and not worrying about their finances.”
You can support Jay’s recovery through the Help for Jay During Brain Injury Recovery fundraiser.
Tami Neilson’s Neilson Sings Nelson is out now via Neilson Records.
Tami Neilson ‘Neilson Sings Nelson’ Tour
Tickets available via tamineilson.com
October 11th
Opera House, Wellington
October 18th
Town Hall, Auckland
October 19th
Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
