Next Waltz Studio Honors Willie Nelson With ‘One Night In Texas’ Album As Music Icon Turns 90

Country music legend Willie Nelson marks a big birthday this weekend and fans around the country will be paying tribute to his many contributions to music. Nelson himself will celebrate the event at a star-studded birthday bash at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. It’s a two-night concert (both Saturday and Sunday) featuring 50 of the biggest names in music – crossing all genres.

Singer/songwriter Bruce Robison, who owns Next Waltz recording studio in Lockhart, Texas south of Austin, is honoring Nelson with a just-released album called One Night In Texas: The Next Waltz’s Tribute to The Red Headed Stranger.

“I think everybody ought to be celebrating Willie on the planet for 90 years,” Robison says, “because I can’t imagine not having all of that music. It’s part of the soundtrack of existence, especially here in Texas, through a lot of different decades.”

The album features some of Nelson’s biggest hits performed live by artists like Sheryl Crow, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Steve Earle, Margo Price, and others at Luck’s ranch in Texas last year. Songs include “Crazy,” “Night Life,” “Last Thing I Needed,” Whiskey River,” “The Party’s Over,” and many more. The music was recorded last year at Luck Ranch to celebrate Nelson’s 89th birthday.

Like so many, Robison is a huge fan of Nelson’s music, especially Nelson’s unique gift for songwriting.

“I grew up in a small town in Texas and his music was omnipresent as far back as I can remember,” Robison says. “He set the gold standard for really great, wonderfully written music. He’s such an inspiration for everybody who hopes to do something with a little more grit and groove to it. And he set the blueprint when I decided I wasn’t going to move to Nashville to make a living as a songwriter, I was going to stay and do it here in Texas.”

Robison has written songs recorded by George Strait, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, The Chicks, and others.

“I even had a song I wrote years ago called “What Would Willie Do?” Robison says. “I’ve just always been a big fan.”

So, he was excited when he was brought on as bandleader for the gathering. In the beginning, there was no plan to record an album. That decision came later.

“They asked me to be bandleader and I was very enthusiastic, and as they put it together these big stars kept coming to be part of it and it just kept getting bigger and bigger. And once it happened it was this really magical night. And when we went back and listened to it, I thought we should see if we can put any of this out.”

Everyone involved gave their permission, so Robison set to work compiling the album at his Next Waltz studio. He’s proud of the way the band and artists worked together to showcase each of Nelson’s songs.

“For example, “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” Robison says, “you should listen to that. We started off really quiet in the beginning, then the band comes in. You’re going to love it.”

Robison hopes people who listen to the album will appreciate some of the incredible music Nelson has created during a lengthy career spanning seven decades.

“There’s nobody like him, he’s a national treasure.”

As for Nelson himself, he may be turning 90 this weekend, but he shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Tickets have just gone on sale for his “Outlaw Music Festival Tour” with performances scheduled throughout September and October in a number of cities across the country. The Red-Headed Stranger is still making great music.