The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson to release long lost star-studded country album from 1970

14 February 2024, 13:31

Brian Wilson and Fred Vail made a country album that got left behind after 1970. (Photo: Jeffrey Mayer). Picture: Getty

By Thomas Curtis-Horsfall

Loading audio...

The Beach Boys legend is releasing an album from the vaults.

It's been reported that Brian Wilson is preparing to unveil a long-lost country album which was originally recorded over five decades ago.

Cows in the Pasture is a project helmed by Wilson and The Beach Boys' long-time manager Fred Vail, though was shelved soon after the studio sessions came to an end.

According to Rolling Stone magazine, the album is set to be released at some point in 2025, though details are slim at present.

The album is said to feature production from Brian Wilson on his one and only country music project, as well as vocals from Vail and a series of under-wraps but supposedly star-studded guests.

Brian and Fred Vail first collaborated during sessions in 1970, and that instrumentation will feature prominently on the album, with updated vocals from Vail.

The former manager is currently finishing the album with the help of producer Sam Parker and Wilson as executive producer.

Brian Wilson and Fred Vail first collaborated in 1970. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images). Picture: Getty

Producer Parker revealed to Rolling Stone that the album will feature appearances from both "country music legends" as well as "rock and roll legends, contemporary country and pop stars".

Of course, Brian Wilson himself will also appear as a guest singer on one of the tracks.

Vail started working with The Beach Boys back in 1969, and a year later Brian approached him about making an album together.

Despite having no singing experience, they recorded vocals and instruments for the project, with Vail explaining that Brian had "a lot of things going on with him personally" at the time so Cows in the Pasture got left behind.

That was until approximately a decade ago, when the band's current management found the recordings in the Beach Boys' vault and then contacted Vail.

Brian Wilson in 1970. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images). Picture: Getty

"It's been a roller coaster," he told Rolling Stone. "It shows me that the stuff we recorded in April '70 is timeless."

"I was really, really proud of this record, and even though it sat in the can for decades, literally, I always was thinking, 'Man, that'd be great to get back into the studio and finish this thing.' And now that’s happening."

Brian also mentioned: "Fred always loved country music and he was a big rodeo guy … He's a hell of a guy, one hell of a promoter, and I'm glad his album is coming out."

Cows in the Pasture will be released along with a documentary series about Vail's time as The Beach Boys' manager, as well as the process of finishing the lost album with Wilson.

The announcement comes only weeks after Brian's beloved wife Melinda Ledbetter died aged 77.

Wilson - who shared five children with Melinda - took to Instagram to share his wife had died peacefully at home, writing: "Melinda was more than my wife. She was my saviour."