Hear Jim Lauderdale’s Celebratory New Song ‘This Changes Everything’

For his upcoming album This Changes Everything, Jim Lauderdale explored his longstanding connection to Texas, teaming up with some of the Lone Star State’s finest musicians and songwriters. Due September 30th, the LP is anchored by a slice of classic country – all steel and twang – that Lauderdale wrote with Texas hero Bruce Robison. To Lauderdale, it was the ideal title track. (Listen to the song below.)

“I’ve had it in the back of my mind to feature it on one of my records for a while and this is the perfect time and fit for it,” Lauderdale tells Rolling Stone Country. “I also felt like it was the perfect track to kick off the album.”

Along with that weeping steel, “This Changes Everything” highlights Lauderdale’s warm, malleable voice, one that he used to channel George Jones in the 2001 play about Tammy Wynette, Stand By Your Man. The new album also nods to Lauderdale’s work with another George – George Strait, who has recorded a number of Lauderdale songs throughout his career. Lauderdale’s version of “We Really Shouldn’t Be Doing This” appears on This Changes Everything.

Lauderdale says he had Strait in mind while making the LP, recorded in Austin.

“I was thinking of songs that could fit on a George Strait, Johnny Bush or Willie Nelson album,” he says. “Songs that you’d hear and dance to in places like the Continental Club or Gruene Hall.”

Lauderdale will reprise his role as host of the Americana Honors & Awards on September 21st in Nashville, where he’ll also be honored with the WagonMaster Award – presented by George Strait.