Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and founding member of the Eagles Bernie Leadon announced his new solo album Too Late To Be Cool, releasing October 10. Today, he drops “Just A Little,” which Leadon believes a lot of people can identify with in today’s world. The single can be heard HERE, while the album is now available for pre-order here: bernieleadon.ffm.to/album.
Tracked live to analog tape, the famed musician continues to prove his authenticity and commitment to his sound through Too Late To Be Cool, 21 years since his last solo LP, Mirror. The full album track list can be found below.
The entire project was written by Leadon and produced and engineered by Glyn Johns. Musicians include Glenn Worf on bass, Greg Morrow on drums, and Tony Harrell on keys. The announcement comes after Leadon released the first song off the project, “Too Many Memories,” in July, and the emotional, nostalgic music video for “Too Many Memories” earlier this week. The video can be watched HERE.
“I love this album. We took time to make sure the songs were in good keys for my voice. The three piece band and myself were all sitting in the same room, or where we could see one another well. Many were first, or very early takes. I even sang live on about three songs.
Of course, sonically Glyn Johns made it sound superb, seemingly without effort. ‘I'm only doing what I've always done,; he said. That'll do, I say. We recorded all analog: vintage mics through a vintage API recording console onto two inch 16 track on Ampex ATR 124, mixed to half inch analog tape; tape delay to EMT 140 echo plate. Mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling.
I hope you all enjoy it. Hope you find something that sticks with you, in a good way. I'm so grateful we can all still do this, sincerely. Vaya Con Dios." - Bernie Leadon
Leadon recently performed at the Country Music Hall of Fame alongside superstars James Taylor and Trisha Yearwood and will be playing his first show in a decade at Nashville’s AMERICANAFEST September 9-13.
Too Late To Be Cool Track List:
1. “Zero Sum Game”
2. “Telescope”
3. “Just A Little”
4. “Take It As It Comes”
5. “Everyone’s Quirky”
6. “Go On Down to Mobile”
7. “Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool”
8. “Too Late To Be Cool”
9. “Fathom”
10. “Coast Highway”
11. “Too Many Memories”
About Bernie Leadon
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Bernie Leadon is a musician’s musician—revered not only for his instrumental mastery but for his foundational role in shaping the sound of modern American music. A founding member of the Eagles and a pioneer of country-rock, Leadon’s six-decade career has left an indelible mark across bluegrass, folk, rock, and Americana. Born in Minneapolis and raised in Gainesville, Florida, Leadon was steeped in acoustic and bluegrass traditions from an early age. His early work with genre-defining groups like Dillard & Clark and The Flying Burrito Brothers helped set the stage for the Americana movement, fusing traditional instrumentation with a new, forward-thinking songwriting style. These formative years placed him at the heart of a cultural shift that bridged Nashville and roots and rock. In 1971, Leadon co-founded the Eagles alongside Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Randy Meisner. His signature contributions—on guitar, banjo, mandolin, and harmony vocals—were central to the band’s early sound, most notably on Eagles, Desperado, and One of These Nights. He co-wrote “Witchy Woman” with Henley and helped shape a sound that blended country nuance with rock appeal. His arrangements and performances remain immortalized on Eagles: Greatest Hits 1971–1975, the best-selling album in U.S. history. After stepping away from the Eagles in 1975 to pursue more organic music-making, Leadon built a reputation as one of the most versatile and respected collaborators in the business. His work with artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Stephen Stills, and Alabama showcased his rare musical fluency—equally at home flatpicking an acoustic solo or arranging intricate vocal harmonies. In 1998, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Eagles, further solidifying his legacy. Now, with his first music in over 20 years, Leadon returns to the studio with the same commitment to authenticity that has defined his career. Tracked live to analog tape with no overdubs or digital corrections, the music embraces feel over formula. For Bernie Leadon, music has never been about trends or flash. It’s about truth, craftsmanship, and soul. As both a trailblazer and a torchbearer, he remains a vital link between the roots of American music and its enduring future. For additional information, visit bernieleadon.ai.
