CMT News

Dale Watson has completed work on his forthcoming album, From the Cradle to the Grave, which he wrote and recorded near Nashville in a cabin previously owned by Johnny Cash and now owned by Watson's friend, actor Johnny Knoxville. Hyena Records will release the honky-tonk singer's CD on April 24. "I got up there and basically wrote 10 songs in three days," Watson says. "At first, I was adamant about not writing anything even remotely reminiscent to Johnny Cash as I figured I'd be instantly dismissed for trying to cop his vibe, but his presence was so strong up there that I decided, 'Why fight it? Let the chips fall where they may and go with the feeling.'"