American music luminary and preeminent master of the resophonic guitar, Jerry Douglas, is set to release his first album in seven years, The Set, this Friday, September 20th, via Nolivian Records. The 11-track album features five new compositions alongside six revitalized songs from Douglas’s storied catalog, showcasing his unmatched versatility and artistry. The Set will be available across all digital streaming platforms, as well as in physical formats including CDs and 180-gram vinyl.
PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE THE SET HERE.
The lead single from The Set, a breathtaking rendition of The Beatles’ classic “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” highlights Douglas’s iconic dobro playing, supported by his long-standing bandmates Daniel Kimbro (bass), Christian Sedelmyer (fiddle), and Mike Seal (guitar). This evocative cover breathes new life into the 1968 song, offering a deeply resonant and modern take on the timeless melody.
“I love how easy it was to play the song,” shares Douglas, a 30-time International Bluegrass Music Association Award recipient. “It gives you all the latitude you need to play the whole song from end to end, in different octaves. That melody always got me, but I never tried to play it before. And when I did, it was like, ‘Wow! Why haven’t I done this before?’”
WATCH/SHARE A PERFORMANCE VIDEO OF “WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS” BELOW:
On August 16th, Douglas released the album’s second single, “Something You Got,” a fresh take on the R&B classic written by Christopher Kenner. This track reimagines the 2012 collaboration between Douglas and Eric Clapton on Traveler, with Douglas taking the lead vocals. The revamped version offers a lighter, more upbeat feel, showcasing Douglas's stylistic range.
Relix Magazine praised the track: “Douglas embraces a lighter, increasingly upbeat tone, which helps establish the strength of the album’s sonic focal point as pure acoustic splendor.”
WATCH THE “SOMETHING YOU GOT” PERFORMANCE VIDEO BELOW:
For The Set, Douglas also tapped into the creative prowess of his bandmates, including Mike Seal’s “Renee,” Christian Sedelmyer’s “Deacon Waltz,” and Daniel Kimbro’s “Loyston.” The album includes their collaborative composition, “The Fifth Season,” a concerto commissioned by the FreshGrass Foundation. Rounding out the collection are two instrumental pieces, “Pushed Too Far” and the fan-favorite encore, “Sir Aly B.”
“I’m proud of it. I’ve left no stone unturned,” says Douglas about the album. “I’ve been producing records for a long time, so I really put on that hat for this record. I feel like it’s really finished, and I’m very happy with the outcome.”
TRACK LISTING FOR THE SET:
Gone to Fortingall
Renee
What Might Have Been (featuring Aoife O’Donovan)
From Ankara to Izmir
Something You Got
Deacon Waltz
The Fifth Season
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Loyston
Pushed Too Far
Sir Aly B
UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
Jerry Douglas will be supporting The Set with a series of live performances:
Thursday, September 19 – Nashville, TN – CMA Theatre at The Country Music Hall of Fame
Friday, September 20 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond
Saturday, September 21 – Hiltons, VA – Carter Family Fold
Sunday, September 22 – Hagerstown, MD – Live at Hub City Vinyl
Saturday, September 28 – Buena Vista, CO – Billy Strings' Renewal 2024
Sunday, October 6 – Eureka Springs, AR – Hillberry Music Festival
Monday, October 7 – St. Louis, MO – City Winery
Tuesday, October 8 – Chicago, IL – City Winery
Thursday, October 10 – Kent, OH – The Kent Stage
Friday, October 11 – Yellow Springs, OH – Foundry Theater
Saturday, October 12 – Livingston, KY – The Moonshiner's Ball
