Haggard & Jones--Together Again

June 1, 2006--Iconic legends and superstars George Jones and Merle Haggard announced today that they will be recording an album together for the first time in almost 25 years. The old friends and touring buddies are planning to go into the studio this summer to pay tribute to each other. George will record five of his favorite Merle songs and Merle will record five of his favorite George songs. In addition to harmonizing on each other's songs, they will also record several duets, including the title song of the album, "Kickin' Out The Footlights...Again," which Merle penned.

Produced by Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson and George Jones) the album will contain many of the two legends' most well-loved tunes, including "She Thinks I Still Care," "Silver Wings," "The Window Up Above" and "The Way I Am."

"The last time we recorded together was 25 years ago, and though we've both changed a lot over the years, our love for real country music and respect for each other has only gotten stronger," George said from his Franklin, TN house. "The fans want to hear Hag sing a Jones song and me sing one of Hag's."

Recognized as two of the only authentic country interpreters left today, George Jones and Merle Haggard have a long history of occupying iconic positions not only in country music's legacy, but pop's as well. They have influenced virtually every country music artist who has come along in the last 50 years--and every bar band in America sings Haggard and Jones nightly. Merle just completed several dates opening for The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, and George has been celebrated by everyone from Keith Richards to Harry Connick, Jr.

Merle added, "I'm really looking forward to making this record. Jones and I can't help but be competitive and we'll make each other work even harder in the studio."

Merle and George last recorded and released an album together in 1982 for the now-defunct Epic Records. Yesterday's Wine yielded a No. 1 single with the title tune, which happened to be written by another old friend, Willie Nelson.

Kickin' Out The Footlights...Again will be released by Bandit Records in October 2006.