Willie Nelson, Sierra Ferrell Release 'I'll Fly Away'
The Stanley Brothers tribute single is the second preview from the upcoming album Where the Soul Never Dies.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Country
Willie Nelson and Sierra Ferrell released a new version of 'I'll Fly Away' as a single on October 30, 2026. The track is the second single from the tribute album Where the Soul Never Dies: Celebrating 80 Years of The Stanley Brothers, which is scheduled for full release on November 6, 2026.
Why it matters
The single honors the mountain gospel heritage of Ralph and Carter Stanley, who were recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. It gives listeners across the United States an early look at a collaboration that revisits the duo's enduring repertoire.
The album holds 12 tracks, and the single arrived six days ahead of the November 6, 2026 full release. No chart position or streaming totals for the track have been reported yet.
The players
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson is a legendary American country singer-songwriter known for his outlaw country style and decades of influential recordings.
Sierra Ferrell
Sierra Ferrell is an American singer known for her roots and bluegrass-influenced vocals and her acclaimed recent albums.
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is a Grammy-winning American country icon who performs with The First Ladies of Bluegrass on the album's track 'Bound to Ride.'
The details
Nelson recorded his part remotely with longtime producer Buddy Cannon, while producer Garry West added Ferrell after deciding the track had room for a second voice. Albert E. Brumley wrote 'I'll Fly Away,' and the album was produced by Brown and West, largely recorded live at their Nashville headquarters.
Timeline
October 30, 2026: 'I'll Fly Away' single released as a preview.
November 6, 2026: Full album Where the Soul Never Dies released.
Legacy Tribute
The release revisits the mountain gospel recordings the Stanley Brothers made in southwestern Virginia, extending their sound to a new generation of performers. It follows a pattern of anniversary tribute albums that reinterpret historic bluegrass catalogs with contemporary artists.
Listeners can stream the 'I'll Fly Away' single now, and the full 12-track album becomes available on November 6, 2026. The track list and release timing offer a clear path to hearing the complete collection.
The takeaway
The tribute shows how mountain gospel songs can gain new life when veteran and contemporary artists share a studio. Listeners interested in bluegrass roots can use the album's release as a starting point to explore the Stanley Brothers' original recordings.
What happens next
The full album Where the Soul Never Dies is scheduled for release on November 6, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more Country music coverage for context on this tribute.
