Willie Nelson Joins Forces With a Rock Icon [Video]

Although Willie Nelson celebrated his 92nd birthday back in April, the country music legend is still hard at work. In honor of Farm Aid’s 40th anniversary, Nelson has joined forces with another titan of the music world: former Journey lead singer Steve Perry. Together, the two icons re-recorded a Journey classic, 1983’s “Faithfully.

In a statement Rolling Stone shared, Perry described what it was like to work with Nelson. “Singing this duet with Willie has been something I’ve always wanted to do,” the singer said. “After recording ‘Faithfully’ with Journey, I always felt it would be a great song for Willie too.” The single officially hit the airwaves today, May 14th, and all proceeds from it will benefit Farm Aid.

Perry Compared Nelson to Another Legendary Performer

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Nelson and Perry’s version of “Faithfully” is certainly a departure from the original, giving the song a very different (but very moving) feel. As Perry shared with the Los Angeles Times, Nelson took the lead on making this rendition of the song into such a gem.

“I think that the lyrics are so sound that they’re timeless,” Perry said. “But I must tell you that Willie Nelson set a tone when he sang it.” Perry then paid Nelson a huge compliment by comparing him to another consummate performer: “Willie is the Sinatra of country music.” 

For his part, Nelson had nothing but kind things to say about partnering with Perry. In a statement Rolling Stone shared, he said: “Working with Steve Perry on ‘Faithfully’ was a meaningful experience. It was a pleasure to collaborate on this song.”

Nelson Helped Launch Farm Aid in 1985

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Farm Aid has been a long-term project for Nelson, who planned the first concert back in 1985 with fellow singers Neil Diamond and John Mellencamp. Since then, the organization has raised millions of dollars to help support family farms in the U.S. and raise awareness of issues facing these important parts of the agricultural world.

As listed on Farm Aid’s official website, Nelson currently serves as the organization’s president, while his daughter, Lana Nelson, is the acting secretary. His wife, Annie, is also a member of the board of directors, making Farm Aid a true family affair for the popular country music clan.