Randy Rogers Band & Friends Revitalize Some Career Hits On Latest Project ‘Songbook’

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Randy Rogers Band is breathing new life into 15 of their chart-topping, fan-favorite hits with some help from Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum and more on their latest album, Songbook, due out Jan. 22.

Often cited as an inspiration to generations of country artists out of Texas, the band is celebrating 25 years of making music by revisiting their legacy-building tracks and teaming up with some notable friends on the new capsule collection spanning two decades of genre-defining music. Produced by Jedd Hughes, Songbook also features guest appearances by Dierks Bentley, Koe Wetzel, Cody Jinks, Gary Allan, Flatland Cavalry, Turnpike Troubadours, Ty Myers, Wade Bowen, Pat Green, William Beckmann, Jake Worthington, Sunny Sweeney, Maggie Antone and Kaitlin Butts. 

“I can honestly say my heart is full of gratitude. When our manager, Enzo, originally had this idea, there was some pushback. I thought, ‘I’m not dead yet—why do this?’ But after we got into the studio and I heard the stories from my friends about how our band played a role in their own journeys, I quickly understood,” Rogers shares. “This wasn’t just about our band. It was about all of us. It was about the songs, and how far and wide they can reach—and the impact they can have on people’s lives. I am eternally grateful for the inspiration I took away from everyone involved. Thank you so much.”

The first release off the upcoming album features McCollum and the band on a revitalized rendition of the epic tale of “Tommy Jackson,” due out tomorrow (Oct. 9). Written by Rogers and originally recorded for the band’s first studio album Like It Used to Be in 2002, the song tells the tragic story of a young man on the run following a fatal whiskey-fueled incident with a woman named Pam, and remains one of the most-requested songs during the band’s live shows.

“When Parker selected ‘Tommy Jackson,’ I wasn’t surprised one bit,” says Rogers. “He’s told me several times over the years how much he dug this song. Story songs are hard to write, and I wrote this one after a chance meeting with Bill Whitbeck, Robert Earl Keen‘s bass player, at Fritz’s Muffler Shop in San Marcos, Texas, when I was a student at Texas State University. I had seen REK at Luckenbach the night before, and I walked away completely inspired to make music my life. All these years later, having Parker cut this song feels like a full-circle moment—not just for me, but for all of us in this genre.”

Songbook Track List:
1. “Kiss Me In The Dark” (feat. Miranda Lambert)
2. “Buy Myself A Chance” (feat. Ty Myers)
3. “Tommy Jackson” (feat. Parker McCollum)
4. “Down & Out” (feat. Turnpike Troubadours)
5. “Too Late For Goodbye” (feat. Flatland Cavalry)
6. “One More Goodbye” (feat. Jake Worthington)
7. “One Woman” (feat. William Beckmann)
8. “Last Last Chance” (feat. Kaitlin Butts)
9. “This Time Around” (feat. Cody Canada and Dierks Bentley)
10. “In My Arms Instead” (feat. Cody Jinks)
11. “Interstate” (feat. Pat Green)
12. “Speak Of The Devil” (feat. Wade Bowen)
13. “Fuzzy” (feat. Gary Allan)
14. “Somebody Take Me Home” (feat. Sunny Sweeny)
15. “I Miss You With Me” (feat. Koe Wetzel and Maggie Antone)
Lorie Hollabaugh
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