Billy Stranges has enlisted the help of Willie Nelson on his new single “California Sober”. Watch the music video for the song below.
An upbeat bluegrass number, “California Sober” praises putting your unhealthy partying years behind you, and moving into a more “sober” future—if you’ve been thinking of abstaining from everything but “sober” marijuana, that is. With shots of sharp blowing, swaying, and of course Willie himself, the tune is the perfect soundtrack to a relaxing evening of stay-and-miss.
Nelson’s debut comes midway through the track, providing harmonies and conveying the verse in his unique voice, which, at 89 years old, is still as charming and resonant as ever. Add harmonica accompaniment from Mickey Raphael, and “California Sober” has everything you could want from a Willie Nelson feature.
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For Strings, the single is his first new release since signing with Reprise Records, and it fits easily with the rest of their catalog thanks to vocal plucks and deft solos. Currently on the road, the 30-year-old recently announced that he will be adding additional stops to his 2023 mega-tour (get tickets here). This weekend, he’ll join the list of stars celebrating Nelson’s 90th birthday at the Hollywood Bowl, along with Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, Beck, Booker T. Jones, and many more.
Nelson, for his part, shows no signs of slowing down, even at nearly 90 years old. In addition to this song and his birthday celebrations, he keeps himself busy. This past weekend, he performed at Stephen Stills’ Light Up the Blues, and this past week, he announced a repeat of the 50th anniversary of Austin’s 4th of July outing and 16 stops on the 2023 Outlaw Music Festival tour. Grab your seats for the latter here.
If you didn’t get a chance to see them together in person this weekend, you can still catch Billy and Willie hanging out and putting their chops in the in-studio music video for “California Sober.” Watch it below.
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