Nashville, Tenn. (June 4, 2021) — Country music trailblazer, sought-after actor, and talented musician Mark Collie has released his latest album, Book of My Blues, available everywhere today via BFD/Audium Nashville/Orchard in association with Harvest Entertainment, Creator Label Co., and Collie Kuhl Music.
“Thanks to everyone who helped bring this project to life,” says Collie. “It’s been great sharing some initial tracks and videos, but more than anything I’m excited for the fans to get the entire album experience today.”
Book of My Blues was derived from the graphic novel Rockabilly Hitman that Collie wrote in collaboration with renowned film director Jonathan Hensleigh (The Punisher, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Armageddon, and the soon-to-be-released Ice Road starring Liam Neeson). The novel depicts the exploits of rockabilly singer Jesse Wayne Hardin and his adventures on the road, exploring emotional themes — love, lust, betrayal, addiction, recovery, damnation, and redemption.
Hensleigh co-wrote the track “The Son of a Gun” alongside Collie, played violin on the recording, and directed the album’s music videos. He will join Collie tonight on the Opry stage (playing violin) and this morning on Coffee, Country, and Cody.
Of the twelve tracks, many have already been applauded. Respected country music historian/journalist, Robert K. Oermann of MusicRow hails “The Son of a Gun” as “dramatic and forceful.” While on “Born Ready,” he writes, “That Waylon/outlaw beat gets me every time. And it fits this renegade/rebel song perfectly. Welcome back, buddy. We’ve missed ya.”
Wide Open Country premiered the upbeat “A Little Every Day,” describing the track as a “message to a weary world” and a “call for love and understanding.”
Co-written by Collie and longtime friend and renowned actor Billy Bob Thornton, the official music video for title track “Book of My Blues” was featured by American Songwriter, noting the concept album in its entirety as a “thorough Outlaw entrance,” applauding that Collie has “carefully crafted a legacy for those who follow him to adhere to.” Watch the video here.
“Mark Collie is back!” raves Thornton. “Better than ever, if that’s possible. What a record he’s made for us, both musically and lyrically. Classic Collie. I’m proud to be just a small part of it. We started writing ‘Book of My Blues’ somewhere, and finished it somewhere else.”
Out today, Book of My Blues is available everywhere music is sold or streamed. To purchase or download the record, click here. For more information on Book of My Blues and Mark Collie, visit markcollie.com.
Alive at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary
From Tragedy to Triumph – Enter Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, a maximum security prison in Tennessee. Although it took 10 years for the album to be released, when it finally was, listeners were left with a critically acclaimed record full of tales of heartbreak, opportunities squandered, and eventually, redemption.
Available at: Amazon.com | iTunes | Target | Best Buy
Best Of Mark Collie
Collie has collected a variety of chart-topping hits, many featured here. Among the most popular and widely known are ‘Even the Man in the Moon Is Crying’, ‘Born to Love You’, ‘Hard Lovin’ Woman’, and others like ‘Calloused Hands’ and ‘Let Her Go,’ all found on this ICON collection.