Previously Unreleased Johnny Cash Album ‘Songwriter’ Due Out In June

Iconic musician Johnny Cash recorded a series of demos in early 1993 at Nashville’s LSI Studios featuring songs he wrote over many years. The 11 tracks have been built upon with help from several of the late musician’s frequent collaborators along with an impressive roster of artists to create Songwriter, which will be released on June 28 via Mercury Nashville/UMe.

Cash was between labels at the time he laid down the demos at LSI Studios. After Johnny signed with American Recordings he decided to shelve the material that will finally see the light of day on Songwriter. Johnny and June Carter Cash’s son, John Carter Cash, unearthed the recordings and decided to breathe fresh life into them with the single “Well Alright” out today to preview the set.

Produced by John Carter Cash and David “Fergie” Ferguson, the pair recruited guitarist Marty Stuart, the late bassist Dave Roe and drummer Pete Abbott to record new parts at the Cash Cabin to accompany Johnny’s vocals and acoustic guitar. The core band featured on the bulk of Songwriter also includes Ana Cristina Cash (background vocals), Matt Combs (acoustic guitar, mandolin, strings), Mike Rojas (B3 organ, piano), Russ Pahl (acoustic & electric guitar, bass, dobro, steel) and Sam Bacco (congas, percussion).

Grand Ole Opry guitarist Harry Marx and vocalist Harry Stinson appear on select songs. Additionally, Dan Auerbach laid down a guitar solo, Vince Gill sang a tune and Waylon Jennings‘ vocals from the original session are featured on two songs.

“Dad’s advice with anything, whether it was life or making music, was always ‘follow your heart,” said John Carter. “He was always my hero and I just felt like the luckiest guy in the world to get to record him,” noted Fergie, Johnny Cash’s longtime engineer.

“Nobody plays Cash better than Marty Stuart, and Dave Roe of course played with dad for many years,” added John Carter. “The musicians that came in were just tracking with dad, you know, recording with dad, just as, in the case of Marty and Dave, they had many times before, so they knew his energies, his movements, and they let him be the guide. It was just playing with Johnny once again, and that’s what it was. That was the energy of the creation.”

“Well Alright” has that classic Man In Black sound. Listen to the first taste of Songwriter below:

Songwriter Tracklist

1. Hello Out There
2. Spotlight
3. Drive On
4. I Love You Tonite
5. Have You Ever Been To Little Rock?
6. Well Alright
7. She Sang Sweet Baby James
8. Poor Valley Girl
9. Soldier Boy
10. Sing It Pretty Sue
11. Like A Soldier