On Tuesday (August 27), New West Records announced the details of the tribute album, Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney, which will be released on October 18, 2024. Olney, who died back in 2020, was a beloved songwriter and one of the forefathers of Americana. His songs have been covered by celebrated artists including Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Earle, Del McCoury, Steve Young, and many others.
The 17-track tribute album features new versions of Olney’s songs covered by Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Janis Ian, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, The McCrary Sisters, Dave Alvin, Mary Gauthier, Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale, and the Steeldrivers, along with an unreleased recording of Olney reciting his own, “Sonnet #40.” The gem of the collection is a never-before-released live recording of the legendary Townes Van Zandt covering Olney’s “Illegal Cargo” at Cat’s Cradle in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on March 11, 1977. Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney also features new liner notes written by Steve Earle and David Olney’s daughter Lillian. (Holler)
