Watch My Morning Jacket & Grace Cummings’ Memorable Willie Nelson Tribute In Austin

My Morning Jacket played a concert at Austin’s Moody Amphitheater on Thursday as they continue an extensive tour in support of their new album, is. Australian singer-songwriter Grace Cummings opened the show and then joined MMJ for a medley that included the band’s debut cover of “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain,” a song closely associated with local hero Willie Nelson.

“Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain,” written by Fred Rose, appeared on Nelson’s iconic 1975 album, Red Headed Stranger. Upon moving to the Texas capital in the early ’70s, Willie helped cultivate his outlaw image. Nelson’s connection with Austin played a pivotal role in transforming his career and the city’s music scene.

My Morning Jacket brought out Grace Cummings towards the end of their 19-song set in Austin. Cummings dueted with MMJ frontman Jim James on “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain.” The band and their guest expertly used the cover’s “Only Memories Remain” lyrics to serve as the basis for a transition into My Morning Jacket’s song of the same name.

“Only Memories Remain” is the 10th and final song on My Morning Jacket’s 2015 album, The Waterfall. The quintet and Cummings nicely extended the cut with Grace and Jim providing powerful vocal finesse to the jam.

Watch fan-shot video of My Morning Jacket and Grace Cummings’ “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain”/”Only Memories Remain” medley below:

My Morning Jacket fit five of the 10 songs featured on is into last night’s setlist. James and his bandmates also worked in five cuts from 2005’s Z and three off 2001’s At Dawn. “Just Because I Do,” “Outta My System” and “Hopefully” were each played for the first time this tour on Thursday.

Grace Cummings will continue to open for My Morning Jacket through April 21. The tour’s swing across Texas moves on to Irving this Saturday, April 12 and Houston on Sunday, April 13.