Cody Jinks, Shooter Jennings Join Billy Don Burns on New Album
When broaching the subject of forgotten Outlaws who’ve gone criminally underrated by the callous country music industry, Billy Don Burns has to to be right near the top of the list. His songs have been recorded by the likes of Willie Nelson, Johnny Paycheck, Hank Cochran, Mel Tillis, Sammy Kershaw, Whitey Morgan, Cody Jinks, Colter Wall, and Connie Smith among others, as well as working as a producer for Merle Haggard and Johnny Paycheck.
The country industry may have forgotten ol’ Billy Don, but his fellow artists most certainly haven’t, including the new crop of Outlaw-style country artists that look up to him as a patron saint. That is why he’ll be joined by Cody Jinks, Shooter Jennings, Whey Jennings, Wes Shipp, and The Storey Boys on his new upcoming album I’ve Seen a Lot of Highway to be released on October 6th.
“It’s been three years since I released an album, and I’m giving everything I’ve got with this new one” says Billy Don. “I’m lucky to have the opportunity to work with some of the best producers, songwriters and Nashville players – many of whom I’ve known for decades. There’s a lot of highway and a lot of love on this album.”
The album is being released on the Shooter Jennings label Black Country Rock. Denny Knight, Jerry Laseter, Billy Lawson and Wendell Grigsby all worked as co-producers on various sessions that went down in Nashville and Muscle Shoals. Billy Don Burns co-wrote all twelve of the songs featured on the album, some of which may be familiar material to long-time Billy Don fans, including the first song released from the album, called “Neon Circus.”
This new version of “Neon Circus” is a duet with Shooter Jennings (listen below). Burns wrote the song some 25 years ago with Mack Vickery, and it was also featured on the album Graveyard in Montgomery from a few years back.
Billy Don Burns is the definition of “the real deal,” as Saving Country Music has featured before, including Willie Nelson writing him a letter of endorsement when he got into some legal trouble. Billy Don also won SCM’s 2012 Song of the year for “Stranger.”
I’ve Seen A Lot of Highway is now available for pre-order.
TRACK LIST:
1. Neon Circus (featuring Shooter Jennings)
2. All She Put Him Through
3. Don’t Cry For Me
4. Born To Ride
5. I’ve Seen A Lotta Highway (featuring Cody Jinks)
6. I Went Crazy (featuring Whey Jennings)
7. You Can’t Change Me (featuring Wes Shipp)
8. Satan Is A SOB (featuring The Storey Boys)
9. That’s When I Knew
10. Motel Madness
11. Mack Story
12. Talk About Crazy
July 12, 2023 @ 12:26 pm
I have raved about Billy Don’s previous album The Country Blues. No one paid attention to it, as it came out a month before the pandemic. The guy is a heck of a songwriter. He’s got the talent and all the legit credibility to go with it. And what a CHARACTER! Outlaw? Oh yeah, and then some.
I look forward to this, although this Neon Circus song isn’t impressing me. Hopefully it’s an anomaly.
July 12, 2023 @ 3:23 pm
What happened to Josh Morningstar?
July 13, 2023 @ 5:12 am
He’s out and playing, and he’s got a new record that has been recorded and mixed. I don’t know a release date.
July 14, 2023 @ 2:38 pm
This past New Years Day he announced that he was going to step away from touring for a while. Shortly after he announced that his plans changed and it’s back to business as usual. He recorded an album and has a live album on the way. He’s touring full time again
July 12, 2023 @ 5:24 pm
I am sure that will be a great album. Still need to add one of his to my collection. Always have had soft spot for It Would Kill Mama and When Waylon Came To Nashville.
July 12, 2023 @ 7:26 pm
Really looking forward to this album. I know Billy wasn’t too pleased with how his last album came out and took a bigger hand in the sound of this one. Sounds great so far.
July 12, 2023 @ 8:46 pm
I hope you old boys do some dam touring I have not seen any of you boys around we wood like to see you all come out to cinnti Ohio or Covington Kentucky I will buy the first one and if I don’t say so myself I hàve some good shine yes sir feedem beans
July 13, 2023 @ 7:11 am
this is the best comment in SCM history
July 13, 2023 @ 5:29 am
I agree he has always been underrated I’m glad he is still recording new material and being recognized by his peers
July 13, 2023 @ 6:17 am
I’ll tell y’all, you cannot find a Better Writer or Story Teller in the Business . BDB puts all his Heart and Soul into his Craft and it is a Craft for sure. He’s been around a Few Blocks in his time so he knows what he’s writing about. He’s highly admired by many other Artists and seeks him out for his Writing Ability. If you haven’t heard him before look him up and give a listen, you won’t regret it.
July 13, 2023 @ 5:28 pm
This is absolutely fantastic news!! I’ve met Shooter briefly and seen his performance at The Tractor in Seattle. Whey Jennings, so proud of all you’ve accomplished and so excited for this collaboration!! Cody..well, I’ve been a fan before I knew you were so famous! Mr. Burns, excited to hear this collaboration!
July 14, 2023 @ 12:27 am
Glad to hear Shooter with him! Wish he would get back to recording more country music like this! I miss hearing it and seeing him on tour!
July 15, 2023 @ 6:22 am
Billy Don has seemed to be someone I’ve known about for years, but never for some reason really got into despite liking the music I heard. Back in the days before streaming you had had to pick your music purchases wisely or end up overspending. Once I entered the streaming stage, I had just kind of forgotten about Burns.
Good time to go back into Burn’s catalog before his next release. See what I’ve missed.
July 16, 2023 @ 8:20 am
Billy Don is one of the best! Any time he plays around here I try to go watch.