Former founding member of Old Crow Medicine Show Willie Watson has released new single ‘Already Gone', taken from his new self-titled album which arrives on Friday 13th September 2024 via Little Operation Records (Thirty Tigers).
The song features Benmont Tench of The Heartbreakers on keys and a music video directed by Joseph Wasilewski. The single appears on Watson’s first-ever solo album of original material – over 20 years into his career.
Talking about ‘Already Gone', Watson says: “The song seems to be a centerpoint of this whole record. It’s a guy just trying to look at himself in the mirror and it’s hard. I’ve tried not to look too close but if I can stop tearing myself apart inside for two seconds, get a little closer and just look… sometimes I hear a gentler voice. As for the video… you caught me at the right moment. Those big camera lenses are just mirrors if you get close up.”
The self-titled ‘Willie Watson' is a collection of songs that is honest and potent. It's an unadorned reflection of Watson's life, his mistakes, his traumas, and his gratitude to still be here, to still be alive, and to still be loved. It's the type of record that can’t come early in one’s career and was won after a life of hard battles and difficult lessons.
“After 30 years of playing music professionally – this is my debut album. This record is me beating the devil, or the story of what finally did it anyway. I didn’t make any specific pact or anything but I know we’ve been tangled up most of my life. Now that he’s gone I can love myself again,” says Watson of the record.
The album was recorded in Los Angeles with producers Gabe Witcher (Punch Brothers) and Kenneth Pattengale (Milk Carton Kids) and with a crack band of players including Paul Kowert on bass (Punch Brothers), Dylan Day on guitar (Jenny Lewis, Nick Hakim), Tench on keys (The Heartbreakers), Jason Boesel on drums (Bright Eyes, Jenny Lewis), and new massive talent Sami Braman on fiddle.
Watson will head out on a major North American tour kicking off in June and wrapping up in December. Find tickets and full tour dates at https://www.williewatson.com/.
