Tanya Tucker to release new album, 'Sweet Western Sound,' play Ryman, in June

Tanya Tucker's ride to peerless Music City acclaim continues with announcing her 26th studio album, "Sweet Western Sound," on June 2, 2023, via Fantasy Records. Moreover, she will play at the Ryman Auditorium on June 3-4, 2023, to celebrate the event.

Tickets for the soon-to-be Country Music Hall of Famer's dates go on sale this Fri., April 7, at 10:00 a.m. CT

"Sweet Western Sound" is her second album in a row featuring Grammy-winners Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings pairing on production.

It's also her first release since 2019's "While I'm Livin'," which scored Tucker her first-ever Grammy wins for Best Country Album, plus Best Country Song for the single "Bring My Flowers Now."

Exclusive for The Tennessean, Tucker tells a story of sitting in a villa Los Angeles hotel suite -- replete with piano -- alongside her boyfriend Craig Dillingham and Carlile texting her with what ideally could be the first song to record for the new album.

She recalls listening to the song, then playing it again to get Dillingham's opinion.

"Well hell, I wrote this son of a b***h," he exclaimed about the song he had penned 20 years ago.

Among songs by Elton John's longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, Carlile's frequent creative associates Phil and Tim Hanseroth, JT Nero, and Billy Don Burns is the tentatively titled Dillingham song, "When The Rodeo Is Over, Where Does The Cowboy Go."

It joins the newly-released single "Kindness" on the album, featuring a voicemail-generated rhyme from Tanya's hero and close friend, singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver, which opens and closes the album.

Shaver passed away in October 2020.

"I wrote three songs on this one -- one with Shooter and two with Brandi -- so that's pretty cool," adds Tucker.

"I'm excited to see what folks think of our new endeavor. I didn't know if we'd be working together again on a new album after "While I'm Livin'," but we did it! Brandi says we're magic together, and I'm starting to believe her," Tucker also noted via a statement.

Tucker's dates at The Ryman follow her 50th anniversary of "Delta Dawn" concert held at the venue in April 2022.

Tucker will also be heading on a more extended 2023 tour. More dates are expected soon.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tanya Tucker to release new album, 'Sweet Western Sound,' play Ryman, in June