Willie Nelson has released a new recording of his Christmas song "Pretty Paper" with Brandon Coleman, frontman of The Red Clay Strays. The single, credited to Willie Nelson & The Red Clay Strays, is listed on Amazon Music with a November 6, 2026 date. The Music Universe reported that Sony's Legacy Recordings issued the track.
According to Whiskey Riff, Nelson wrote "Pretty Paper" in 1963. Roy Orbison's version of the song reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. Nelson cut his own recording in 1964 and recorded it once more for his 1979 Christmas album, Whiskey Riff reported.
The Music Universe noted that the new release builds on a connection between the artists. The Red Clay Strays played the 2024 Luck Reunion, held on Nelson's ranch, and joined his Outlaw Music Festival in summer 2025, according to that outlet.
The single arrives days before Nelson's next book. The Last Leaf: Reflections on Late-Life Creativity—and My Longest Love Affair comes out November 10 from Penguin Press, according to Rolling Stone. The magazine reported that Nelson's previous book was Energy Follows Thought: The Stories Behind My Songs, released in 2023. Rolling Stone also described the book as a look at his marriage to his wife, Annie, and his work in later life. Nelson is 93.
Of the book, Nelson said, "The backbone of this book is a love story," as quoted by Rolling Stone. Whiskey Riff reported that he also released the album Dream Chaser in May and toured this summer.
Center Stage previously covered the band's Nashville shows: Red Clay Strays Deliver Powerful, Sold-Out Nights of Faith and Community at Bridgestone Arena.
Sources: Whiskey Riff · The Music Universe · Amazon Music · Rolling Stone
