Last Leaf on the Tree is the 76th solo studio album by Willie Nelson. It was released on November 1, 2024, and contains both cover tunes and original songs.
Allison Brock will be airing a Willie Nelson exclusive broadcast special, including interview clips, during the second hour of the December 7 Wide Cut Country program. CKUA is the only station in Canada that will air this exclusive broadcast.
Produced and curated by Willie’s son Micah Nelson, the album contains songs from songwriters such as Beck, Tom Waits, Neil Young and Nina Simone, a new version of Nelson’s 1962 song “The Ghost,” and an original song, “The Color of Sound,” co-written by Willie and Micah Nelson. In a Rolling Stone interview, Micah Nelson identified the through-line of the album as “facing death with grace.”
We connected with Allison Brock to ask her about the album, and her access to exclusive interview content related to the project.
“These interview clips are remarkable,” she says. “It’s Willie himself, and his son Micah, and also Mickey Raphael, his longtime bandmate and harmonica player. We also hear from A-listers like Daniel Lanois, Neil Young, Keith Richards, and others.”
When asked about the legacy of Willie Nelson, Brock doesn’t mince words. “I don’t think there is anyone who comes close to doing what Willie has done. Maybe Miles Davis in jazz. The impact is amazing. The comparisons are Elvis, Miles, The Beatles.”
The fact that Willie is releasing new music at the age of 91 is also impressive. “He is still making great music,” says Brock. “The title of the album is very poignant. He really is the last leaf on the tree.”
She adds, “To be able to present something like this is an amazing opportunity. These projects don’t come around very often. So to be able to share these interviews, is very, very special.”
Wide Cut Country, hosted by Allison Brock, airs every Saturday from 10am to noon on CKUA. Tune in on December 7 for the Willie Nelson exclusive broadcast.
