In a recent Billboard article, Reese Wynans talks about his decision to make his first-ever solo album Sweet Release after more than 50 years in the music business, playing for the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carole King, Los Lonely Boys, Brooks & Dunn, Buddy Guy, Trisha Yearwood and many more. You can guarantee that there is a lot of star power involved in the making of this outstanding release!

"You run into a lot of sidemen like me who make records, and nobody really listens to them very much. You're just doing it to have something out," notes Wynans

Not being the case here, Reese is front and center and has a strong presence throughout the making of this album. Sweet Release is due out on March 1st.

"So, we decided we should go ahead and play some of the songs I famously played on in the past for other people and start from there." – Wynans stated.

The album opens with a nod to Stevie Ray Vaughan with the electrifying new version of 1989's "Crossfire,” which Wynans co-wrote. It also features a reunion with the Double Trouble rhythm section of Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton and guest vocals by Sam Moore, while Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jack Pearson play guitar.

"It was great to do that one," the keyboardist tells Billboard. He credits Sweet Release producer Joe Bonamassa, who Wynans has played with for the past five years, with the suggestion to do the track. "I do recall playing that song and loving that song back in the day," notes Wynans, who decided to add an extended piano solo to his version of the song.

While Bonamassa is keeping him busy, Wynans is hoping to put together some shows of his own in the future, and he also sees Sweet Release as a first step in maybe bringing those original songs out at some point.

"That's coming up; You'll be hearing some of that in the next record, for sure," Wynans says. "I never thought of myself as a front man or a rock star or anything like that. I'm a musician and I love being a musician and help make people's songs sound better. I don't have to sit out front, but it's nice to get a chance to do it now, after so many years of playing, y'know?"

The entire 13-track Sweet Release was recorded in Nashville and also features guest appearances by Vince Gill, Keb' Mo, Warren Haynes, Wet Willie's Jimmy Hall, Bonnie Bramlett and others. The outcome? A chance for Wynans to revisit his career and celebrate: the early influences (Tampa Red's "I've Got the Right to Be Blue" and "So Much Trouble," Michael Bloomfield's "You're Killing My Love"), Les Dudek's "Take the Time" from his days in Jacksonville, Fla., playing with the Allman Brothers Band precursor Second Coming, additional songs initially recorded with Vaughan ("Say What!," "Riviera Paradise" and "Hard to Be"), the Beatles' "Blackbird," the Meters' "Soul Island" and the title track, from Wynans' days playing in Boz Scaggs' band “Sweet Release”.

To stay on top on all things about Joe (and Reese), be sure that you sign up for Our Newsletter and Joe’s Social Media Sites to make sure you have the most up to date information.