Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis are each renowned for crafting some of the most enduring music on the vast country and Americana landscape. But when this Texas couple combines their talents, something especially powerful happens. Like a chemical reaction, their musical fusion generates a special form of energy, and for only the fourth time in their history, they’re unleashing it in recorded form. Beautiful Lie will arrive on the summer solstice, June 21, 2019, on Robison’s The Next Waltz label. The album’s first single, “Nobody’s Perfect,” will be released on May 10, followed by a tour commencing on May 19.
Produced by Robison at the Bunker, his all-analog studio in Lockhart, Texas, outside of Austin, Beautiful Lie finds the pair harmonizing on a mix of originals, well-chosen covers and choice vintage nuggets, including the two-steppin’ country classic, “One Dime at a Time.” The title tune was plucked from the Amazing Rhythm Aces’ 1975 debut album; the sad ballad, “Lost My Best,” is by Uncle Walt’s Band veteran David Ball. Grammy nominee Adam Wright (Alan Jackson, Lee Ann Womack) contributed three tracks, one written with his wife, Shannon. Robison’s four contributions include the single and a co-write with Jack Ingram titled “Astrodome.” (He also nods to the dome’s home in the pretty closing duet, “Heartache to Houston.”)
For Robison, it’s always about the song. He’s written plenty of great ones — and ridden several to the upper reaches of Billboard’s country charts. (Tim McGraw and the Dixie Chicks hit No. 1 with “Angry All the Time” and “Travelin’ Soldier,” respectively; George Strait reached No. 2 with “Wrapped” and No. 6 with “Desperately.”)
Master stylist Willis, a 1993 Academy of Country Music Awards Top New Female Vocalist nominee, has received several Austin Music Awards including 1999’s Album of the Year for What I Deserve, her widely praised breakout effort. In the tradition of country’s greatest ladies, Willis knows how to find the heartache in a note and hang her voice on it, as demonstrated on “Nobody’s Perfect.” When she and Robison trade verses or harmonize, backed by a stellar gang of Next Waltz regulars, the effect is simply beguiling.
As for those contributors—Geoff Queen (pedal steel, mandolin, electric guitar); Trevor Nealon (keyboards); Scott Davis (electric guitar, piano, banjo); John Michael Schoepf (bass); Joshua Blue (drums, percussion); Rich Brotherton (vocals); and Brian Standefer (cello)—several have racked up considerable hours in the Bunker since Robison launched The Next Waltz in 2016. The multi-faceted endeavor encompasses a record label, a web series featuring interviews, videos and specially recorded songs, and other content that, according to Robison, “sounds and feels like authentic country music should.”
You won’t find a more perfect description of Beautiful Lie. And that’s the truth.
Bruce & Kelly’s Beautiful Lie tour dates
Sunday, May 19 – Theater Barn at Winedale, Round Top, Texas
Friday, May 24 – Coupland Dancehall, Coupland, Texas
Saturday, May 25 – Levitt Pavilion, Arlington, Texas
Thursday, June 13 – Cactus Café, Austin, Texas
Friday, June 14 – Heritage Park, Denison, Texas
Saturday, June 15 – Main Street Crossing, Tomball, Texas
Sunday, June 16 – Love & War in Texas, Plano, Texas
Saturday, June 22 – Continental Club, Austin (Beautiful Lie album release show)
Thursday, June 27 – Discovery Green, Houston, Texas
Friday, June 28 – Haltom Theater, Haltom City, Texas
Saturday, June 29 – Brauntex Theatre, New Braunfels, Texas
Friday, July 19 – Phil Hamilton on the Brazos Music & Float Fest, Glen Rose, Texas
Saturday, July 20 – Tower Theatre, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Sunday, July 21 – Dan’s Silverleaf, Denton, Texas
Thursday, July 25 – Songbirds Guitar Museum, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Friday, July 26 – Franklin Theatre, Franklin, Tennessee
Saturday, July 27 – The Foundry, Athens, Georgia
Monday, July 29 – Atwood’s Tavern, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Tuesday, July 30 – Hill Country NYC, New York, New York
Wednesday, July 31 – The Locks at Sona, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Thursday, Aug. 1 – Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, Maryland
Friday, Aug. 2 – The Birchmere, Alexandria, Virginia
Saturday, Aug. 3 – Goode Theatre, Norfolk, Virginia
Saturday, Aug. 10 – Broken Spoke, Austin, Texas
Friday Aug. 23 – The Kessler, Dallas, Texas
Saturday Aug. 24 – The Heights Theater, Houston, Texas
