Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Brad Paisley to Honor Mark Twain
Humorist Mark Twain (no relation to Shania -- as far as we know) is being remembered more than 100 years after his death, with an all-star tribute that boasts plenty of country-music star power. A two-disc CD set titled 'Mark Twain: Words & Music' is being released, combining both music and spoken word, to tell the true life story of the author. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Twain is best known for penning such classics as 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.'
Written and produced by Carl Jackson, the project was originally intended to be released last year, to commemorate '2010 -- The Year of Mark Twain,' but was delayed until this year to allow time for more artists to participate.
Jimmy Buffett, who is releasing the project on his label, Mailboat Records, provides the voice of Huck Finn on the recordings. Clint Eastwood fills the role of Mark Twain, while playwright Angela Lovell covers the role of his eldest daughter, Susy Clemens.
Narrated by Garrison Keillor, more than a dozen artists sang for the project, including Brad Paisley, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, Rhonda Vincent, Ricky Skaggs and Joe Diffie.
The CD, which includes a 40-page booklet that details Mark Twain's life, can be purchased here.