Wanda Jackson to Give her “Encore” in New Album

photo: Emma Lee Photography

Country, rockabilly, and rock & roll legend Wanda Jackson officially retired from performing in March of 2019, choosing to finally rest on her laurels after amassing a career and legacy that saw her inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with the Gospel and Rockabilly Halls of Fame. But we can’t be surprised that the woman who once dumped Elvis has remained a little restless, and started writing music again.

Now at 83-years-old, Wanda’s ready to turn in her Encore, to be released via Big Machine Records/Blackheart Records on August 20th. Keeping with the tradition of working with interesting producers that saw her collaborate with Jack White, and then Justin Townes Earle on her last two records, this time Wanda worked with fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Joan Jett and Kenny Laguna.

“Real, authentic rock and roll is something you have to have inside. It can’t be taught, it can’t be faked. Wanda Jackson has it. Joan Jett has it. Encore has it. It is rare,” says Kenny Laguna.

And that’s not all. Joan Jett also appears on the album, as does Elle King, Angaleena Presley, and Candi Carpenter. Co-writers that Wanda collaborated with on the album include Angaleena Presley, Lori McKenna, Will Hoge, Chris Casello, and more.

“Right around the time I retired from performing and what I thought was the end of my career, I found myself back to writing songs with some of the great writers in Nashville,” says Wanda. “The songs you hear are truly my life story. This is the first time I have ever inserted so much of my personal life into my music. You’ll get a picture of my early life and have a peak into the closeness that my late husband Wendell and I had in our life together. I’m happy to share this with all of you. Your constant love and support has seen me through the ups and downs of my 64-year career.”

The first song released form the album is a country heartbreaker in “It Keeps Right On A Hurtin’,” which draws from the pain of losing her husband and right-hand man Wendell Goodman. Wanda was married to Wendell for 56 years years. He passed away in 2017.

Encore is now available for pre-order.

TRACK LIST:

1. Big Baby – (Christopher Casello, Robin Lynn Grant)
2. Two Shots feat. Elle King and Joan Jett – (David Ryan Harris, Tanner Elle Schneider)
3. You Drive Me Wild – (Joan Jett)
4. Good Girl Down feat. Angaleena Presley and Candi Carpenter – (Wanda Jackson, Vanessa Olivarez, Angaleena Presley)
5. It Keeps Right On A Hurtin’ – (Johnny Tillotson)
6. We Gotta Stop – (Wanda Jackson, Will Hoge, Vanessa Olivarez)
7. Treat Me Like A Lady feat. Joan Jett – (Wanda Jackson, Sonia Leigh, Vanessa Olivarez, Jordan Breanne Simpson)
8. That What Love Is feat. Joan Jett – (Wanda Jackson, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, Jordan Breanne Simpson)

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