For this 2021 episode of the Museum's "Live at the Hall," singer-songwriter Shannon McNally and pedal steel guitarist Fred Newell perform three songs together and discuss their individual careers and their collaborations on McNally’s 2021 album, “The Waylon Sessions.” They open the program with a McNally original, “Pale Moon.”

The first part of the interview focuses on Jennings. McNally talks about discovering his music; how she related to his songs; her decision to record a tribute album to him; and how she went about choosing musicians and songs for the project. McNally also describes what it meant for her to receive support from Jennings’s wife, Jessi Colter. Newell recalls his membership in Jennings’s band in the 1990s and discusses what drew him to McNally’s interpretations of Jennings’s music.

The duo performs two songs from “The Waylon Sessions”: “Black Rose,” written by Billy Joe Shaver, and “I Ain’t Living Long Like This,” written by Rodney Crowell. McNally and Newell also talk about their personal encounters with Shaver and what made his songwriting special. McNally recounts her experiences working with Crowell, who produced her 2017 album, “Black Irish.”

During the interview, McNally mentions many places she has lived and describes the circumstances of her move to Nashville, in 2017.

FOR MORE

Watch Bonus Tracks from Shannon McNally and Fred Newell's "Live at the Hall": https://watch.countrymusichalloffame.org/videos/shannon-mcnally-and-fred-newell-bonus-tracks-live-at-the-hall-2021

Explore our public programming: https://countrymusichalloffame.org/plan-your-visit/exhibits-activities/public-programs/

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