Jack White To Produce Wanda Jackson’s New Album

Jack White is hooking up with Wanda Jackson, the “Queen of Rockabilly.” Musically, that is.

The Oklahoman reports that Jackson is set to record a new album with White as the producer. They first will record a single for digital release before completing an album.

“One of the biggest stars on the planet I guess right now,” Jackson said of White.

White has already found critical and creative success producing an artist outside his usual comfort zone; in 2004 White collaborated with country music legend Loretta Lynn on her excellent album Van Lear Rose.

That kind of creative range and confidence must be part of why Jackson decided to link up with White.

“They had a super album, but he didn’t have her do anything different, you know,” Jackson said of White’s work with Loretta Lynn. “She just did her little Loretta Lynn songs. But he told me he’s gonna stretch me some, so we’ll see. We’ll talk later.”

Jackson already has experience working with a variety of artists outside her country and rockabilly style; in 2003, for her album Heart Trouble, Jackson was joined by the likes of Elvis Costello, Lee Rocker and the Cramps.

The 72-year-old Jackson, who was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, started out singing rockabilly in the 1950s on the advice of her mentor and one-time boyfriend, Elvis Presley.

According to the Oklahoman, Jackson said she was introduced to White through her website manager, Jon Hensley, who had told her White was a big fan of her music. Jackson’s web presence is great, by the way. Her official website is perfect for learning more about the ‘First Lady of Rock n’ Roll.’

Already a legend, Jackson is about to draw a lot of new fans. That’s a nice by-product of a collaboration like this; White has the ability to introduce an entirely new audience of music fans to Jackson who might have not had the pleasure to hear such a wonderful artist.