Americana Highways is hosting this premiere of Willis Alan Ramsey’s version of Walter Hyatt’s song “Lonely in Love” from the new tribute album Mighty Fine: An Austin City Limits Tribute to Walter Hyatt. Due from Omnivore on October 1. Mighty Fine: An Austin City Limits Tribute to Walter Hyatt was produced by Mark Michel, and includes bonus tracks and unreleased songs as well. Musicians appearing on the album include Lyle Lovett, Willis Alan Ramsey, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Junior Brown, Marcia Ball, Allison Moorer, David Halley, Shawn Colvin, and Hyatt’s Uncle Walt’s Band partners, David Ball and Champ Hood.
Willis Alan Ramsey’s “Lonely in Love” is a very gentle, easy version of what’s best described as just a great song — which is the perfect tribute.
Willis first met Walter in 1972 when Willis was in Nashville finishing up the last track of his debut (and only) album. He saw Uncle Walt’s Band in a club near Vanderbilt. and was smitten. He later convinced the band to relocate to Austin where they helped him build a studio, produced demos for them, took them on the road and helped them navigate some questionable business deals.
Walter and Champ Hood later shared the stage with Willis and Lyle Lovett in 1990 on Texas Music Connection for a joyful “round.”
Walter to me was akin to the great southern writers like Tennesee Williams or William Faulkner. He was just about the best writer I have known”
“Lonely in Love” is a textbook example of “crooning and calling down angels” —Mark Michel
Purchase the album here: https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/mighty-fine/