Edie Brickell Tributes Willie Nelson in ‘Sing to Me Willie’

Rootsy alt-rocker Edie Brickell sends the gift of music to a living legend in the new track, “Sing to Me Willie,” enlisting the Red Headed Stranger himself to celebrate his 87th birthday.

Released to coincide with Nelson’s April 29th birthday, the loving track is a jaunty, vivid nod to Nelson’s famously one-of-a-kind twang — and his incredible influence. With the Country Hall of Famer singing about his home state and delivering delightful, improvised guitar solos, a video full of pure-Texas B-roll furthers the nostalgic theme, and all proceeds from the song benefit MusiCares’ COVID-19 Relief Fund. 

Brickell wrote the tune as a tribute to her father — as well as their home in Texas and one of its most iconic artists — helping show just how far into daily life Nelson’s massive gravitational pull extends.

“On Christmas Day, 2018, Willie asked me to write a song for us to sing together. What a gift!” Brickell explains of the song. “My father and Texas are my biggest connections to Willie. I never hear his voice without loving memories of people and places back home. If only my dad could have heard this song.”

Brickell herself has released 12 albums over a decades-long career, and even scored a Tony nomination with comedian/banjo lover Steve Martin for the musical Bright Star in 2014. It’s not quite the 143 albums Nelson has released over the years, but she’s got time on her side.