Pure Prairie League Returns With Back On Track

Photo: Courtesy of Pure Prairie League

Music is a longtime friend — one that comes in and out of our lives right when we need it most. When that friend returns with something new to say, we welcome it with the same open heart that first drew us in. It sounds familiar, it feels right, and the bond grows stronger.

Pure Prairie League, country-rock royalty and a cornerstone of the movement that brought mainstream success to country-rock and Southern rock in the 1970s and ’80s, returns to recording with Back On Track, their first studio album in nearly two decades. Released December 6, 2024 via Pure Prairie League Records, the album finds the band honoring its unmistakable sound while infusing it with renewed energy and fresh musicianship.

Across a dozen tracks, Back On Track presents a rejuvenated lineup that balances reverence for the past with a clear-eyed embrace of the present. The result is an album that feels both classic and contemporary — a continuation rather than a reinvention.

Today’s Pure Prairie League features founding member John David Call on pedal steel guitar, alongside Scott Thompson (drums, percussion, vocals), Randy Harper (keyboards, vocals), Jeffrey Zona (guitars, vocals), and Jared Camic (bass, vocals). The album also includes special guest appearances from Jenifer Wrinkle on fiddle, Jeff “Birdman” Kirk on alto sax, Mat Britain on steel drums and percussion, and former PPL member Gary Burr on vocals.

Produced by longtime bassist and bandleader Michael Reilly, Back On Track was recorded at Riverfront Recorders in Madison, Tennessee, with additional sessions at Twilight Zona Studio in Hendersonville. What began in early 2023 as a proposed EP highlighting the band’s newer members quickly evolved into a full-length album that seamlessly blends old and new.

For longtime fans, there’s even a familiar visual companion to the music. “I called my old friend Bill Brown, who had done the illustrations for our last project in 2005, All In Good Time,” says Reilly. “Once again, Bill captured the spirit of our old cowpoke mascot ‘Sad Luke,’ while contemporizing the feel to reflect the band’s history and the old-is-new approach to the music.”

Sonically, Back On Track flows with ease and confidence, preserving the hallmarks that defined the band’s golden era. Those who remember classics like “Amie,” “Two Lane Highway,” and “Let Me Love You Tonight” will hear that lineage clearly, while new listeners will be drawn in by the album’s uncluttered musicianship, accessible melodies, and rich vocal harmonies.

Standout tracks include:

“The Beginning” — Written by Jeffrey Zona, this opener establishes instant familiarity, driven by soaring harmonies and a crisp chorus that blends country, rock, and pop with ease.

“I’m the Lucky One” — A rollicking love song built on twangy rhythm and warm melodies, evoking the feel of a carefree drive through mountain highways.

“Picture Perfect Life” — Another Zona-penned highlight, this foot-stomping track showcases pedal steel, bluesy guitar licks, stacked harmonies, and infectious energy.

“Back On Track” — The album’s title track and closer finds Jared Camic steering the band into Southern rock territory, delivering a fist-raising anthem that brings the journey to a rousing finish.

Across more than five decades, Pure Prairie League has weathered industry shifts and lineup changes while maintaining a devoted audience. With a catalog that includes Bustin’ Out, Two Lane Highway, and Firin’ Up, as well as Top 40 hits like “Amie,” the band has never lacked demand on theater and festival stages.

“We’re hoping that our fans will be as pleased with the new record as we are proud of what we’ve done,” says Reilly. “I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the scores of people past and present who have contributed to the sound and legacy of PPL. It’s been a long and rewarding journey, and we’re grateful for the love and support that’s carried us this far.”