Charlie Daniels Announces New Album, 'Beau Weevils - Songs in the Key of E'

By Timothy Yap Oct 04, 2018 04:44 AM EDT

Fans who follow Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Daniels online may have noticed what appears to be a serious infestation of boll weevil bugs on his social media accounts and website. As it turns out, those critters aren't boll weevils at all. They're actually, "Beau Weevils," and are a nod to Daniels' upcoming studio album, Beau Weevils - Songs in the Key of E, set for release on Friday, October 26.

The new ten-track album features lead vocals, guitar and fiddle by Daniels, James Stroud on drums and percussion, Billy Crain on guitar, and Charlie Hayward on bass.

"Beau Weevils - Songs in the Key of E is the culmination of a long held desire of James Stroud and myself to do a project together," says Daniels. "We had worked together, with James in the capacity of producer, which had resulted in some of our most successful albums for The Charlie Daniels Band, but James is one of the finest and most soulful drummers in the business and I figured we could get together, musician to musician, and come up with something special. We just needed a vehicle in the form of songs that would fit the bill."

CMA and ACM Award-winning James Stroud's history as a musician, producer, music publisher and industry executive spans over 40 years. As a drummer/percussionist, he has played behind the likes of The Pointer Sisters, Paul Simon, Gladys Knight, Bob Seger and dozens more. He produced his first hit in 1976 with the triple platinum-selling "Misty Blue" by Dorothy Moore.

Stroud achieved major country music success producing albums for Tim McGraw and Clint Black in the 1990s. After making his foray into the record label side of the industry, Stroud helmed Giant Records (at which time he discovered Clay Walker), DreamWorks Records Nashville (where he signed Toby Keith and produced four of the singer's multi-platinum albums) and served as Co-Chairman of Universal Music Group in Nashville (steering the careers of the likes of Vince Gill, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire and Sugarland).

He would go on to found his own independent label, Stroudavarious Records, and later, R&J Records. Stroud has produced albums that have collectively sold millions of copies, and had over 100 #1 records, including three chart-toppers with country star Chris Young. Stroud also produced several albums for The Charlie Daniels Band including Homesick Heroes ('88), Simple Man ('89), and Renegade ('91).

A staple of the southern rock scene since early 1970s, Billy Crain has performed with The Allman Brothers Band, The Rossington-Collins Band, The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, The Outlaws and the Henry Paul Band. He's the brother of the late Charlie Daniels Band guitarist, Tommy Crain.

Longtime Charlie Daniels Band guitarist Charlie Hayward is best known for playing bass on Gregg Allman's critically-acclaimed album, Laid Back. His additional credits include performing with Dr. John, as well as sitting in with The Allman Brothers Band after bass guitarist Berry Oakley was involved in a motorcycle accident.

Daniels describes the new recordings as "Downhome, Swampy Rock meets Funk with a little taste of 'Delta' type of style." "The whole thing started one day when I, as I often do, was fooling around with my guitar and came up with the opening riff on a song that eventually turned out to be 'Mudcat,'" explains Daniels.

"That song set the style for the rest of the songs I would write, that all lent themselves to being played in the key of E, hence the title."

Daniels wrote or co-wrote all ten tunes on the new compilation. Stroud and Casey Wood produced the project with Daniels' manager David Corlew serving as executive producer.

"Holla the Beau Weevils!" Daniels quips.

Pre-sale album orders are available now at Amazon.com.

Beau Weevils: Songs in the Key of E Track Listing:

1. Geechi Geechi Ya Ya Blues

2. Bad Blood

3. Mexico Again

4. Louisiana Blues

5. Oh, Juanita

6. Smokey's Got Your Number

7. Mudcat

8. Everybody's Gotta Go Sometime

9. We'll All Have Some