Cass County is the rural, northeast Texas county where Don Henley grew up. Now it’s the title of the Rock Hall of Famer’s latest album, his first since 2000’s Inside Job. Cass County is being pigeon-holed as his “country” album because 1.) it features some pedal steel guitar, 2.) much of it was recorded in Nashville and 3.) it features duets with some country greats like Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill and Martina McBride. (Then again, Henley is joined on the album by the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger!) However, Henley dismisses the album as being labeled “country,” saying, “I don’t really want to put it in a category. I don’t like categories.” And, he said he recorded in Nashville because that’s where some of the top musicians are. Cass County arrives this fall.
Vintage Don Henley: The Boys of Summer
Hear This: Don Henley’s latest album has country flavor
Don Henley’s new album is being label as “country’ by everyone but the musician himself.
