What a trio.

Back in 2002, Willie Nelson had some of his closest friends in the music business join him for a special concert which later become his live album, Willie Nelson & Friends – Stars & Guitars.

And one performance in particular still stands out, which is when Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora took the stage to sing “Always On My Mind,” where the two bandmates joined the red headed stranger for a timeless rendition of the country standard.

Of course, “Always On My Mind” is one of Willie’s signature songs, and was written by Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher and Mark James. It was actually originally recorded by Gwen McCrae as “You Were Always on My Mind” in 1972.

It became the title track to Willie’s 1982 album, and a monster #1 single on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Songs chart that year.

His version secured three wins at the 25th Grammy Awards in 1983, as Wayne, Johnny and Mark won Song of the Year and Best Country Song, and Willie won for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. More on that HERE.

And clearly it’s a departure from the rock music we know and love from the band and Jon Bon Jovi individually,  but he looks like a natural singing country and I can’t get enough… check it out:

And I’ll leave you with this, the perfect original: