Henry Paul and Dave Robbins have joined forces for a 12-track compilation dedicated to their late bandmate Van Stephenson.
It’s not quite the same thing as traversing the multiverse, but triple-threat singer/songwriter/guitarist Henry Paul continues to be known for — and still tours with — two different decades-old groups. Some days, you’ll see him performing with the full-throttle Southern rock band The Outlaws. Just as often, though, he’ll be on stage with BlackHawk, the country group he originally co-founded with Dave Robbins and the late Van Stephenson.
Working in his BlackHawk groove, Paul (pictured above, left) has joined forces with Robbins (right) to prepare Blue Highway, a 12-track compilation of never-before-heard songs they recorded with Stephenson (who died of cancer in 2001) in 1992. All twelve songs were written by the trio. But the tunes were only recently mixed and mastered with the addition of bass, drums, electric guitar and mandolin.
Here is an exclusive preview of the latest cut from Blue Highway — the title track, available for streaming and download Friday.
“Looking back on BlackHawk’s beginnings,” Paul says, “I’m always reminded of the innocence and personal character of our songwriting, and both the fragile beauty and strength of our voices. For Van and Dave and I, it was magic watching this exciting chapter in our life’s musical journey unfold. This album once again brings the three of us together and sheds light on the dawn of our creation in those early days.”
“This collection of songs brings home the fact that it wasn’t by chance that Van and Henry and I got to have this dance with you,” adds Robbins.
Paul and Robbins are dedicating the June 24 release of the Blue Highway album to the memory of their departed bandmate. Before Stephenson’s passing, the two surviving members made a pact with him to keep BlackHawk alive for years to come. “Without Van,” Paul says, “BlackHawk would have never been, and his uniquely beautiful talent was at the heart of all we did. Dave and I continue to honor our last promise made to him by keeping BlackHawk together — and doing what we can do help find a cure for cancer.”
(In 2006, BlackHawk established the Van Stephenson Cancer Research Fund. Since its inception, the non-profit has generated over $400,000 for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. To donate, visit blackhawklive.com/vans-charity.)
Last week, we spoke with Henry Paul about Blue Highway, his multiple careers — including his time with a third group, The Henry Paul Band — what it’s like to divide his time making music with The Outlaws and BlackHawk.
Here is an exclusive preview of the latest cut from Blue Highway — the title track, available for streaming and download Friday.