We can do

better than jail

Better Than Jail
Stream now:
Spotify linkYou tube linkSoundcloud linkDeezer linkApple Music link
View releaseView more infos
+

ABOUT THE ALBUM

Now Available: Better Than Jail

Better Than Jail is an extraordinary new benefit album bringing together top Country, Blues, and Americana artists to raise awareness and support for the urgent need to improve our criminal justice system. Lukas Nelson, Cedric Burnside, Hayes Carll and Allison Moorer, Bonnie Raitt, Margo Price, Old Crow Medicine Show, Raul Malo, Silverada and Taj Mahal perform powerful covers of iconic prison songs--and Jason Isbell releases an original song-- paying homage to a rich musical legacy while advocating for meaningful change.

We invite you to listen, share, donate, and take action.

For media inquiries, please contact Kirby Allison, kirby@kirbyallisonpr.com

Listen, Share, Donate, and Take Action

Track List

I Fought the Law

Originally by The Crickets
Performed by Steve Earle

Listen Now
County Jail Blues

Originally by Big Maceo
Performed by War & Treaty

Listen Now
Prison Bound Blues

Originally by Leroy Carr
Performed by Bonnie Raitt

Listen Now
Hurricane

Originally by Bob Dylan
Performed by Margo Price

Listen Now
The Color of a Cloudy Day

New original song by Jason Isbell

Listen Now
Parchman Farm Blues

Originally by Bukka White
Performed by Cedric Burnside

Listen Now
I Shall Be Released

Originally by Bob Dylan
Performed by Lukas Nelson

Listen Now
Sing Me Back Home

Originally by Merle Haggard
Performed by Hayes Carll & Allison Moorer

Listen Now
Midnight Special

Originally by Led Belly
Performed by Taj Mahal

Listen Now
I Got Stripes

Originally by Johnny Cash
Performed by Raul Malo

Listen Now
I Made the Prison Band

Originally by Merle Haggard
Performed by Mike and the Moonpies

Listen Now
In The Jailhouse Now

Originally by Jimmie Rodgers
Performed by Old Crow Medicine Show

Listen Now

Together we are
Better than Jail

Free Hearts

Led by formerly incarcerated women, Free Hearts provides support, education, and advocacy for and with families impacted by incarceration. Free Heart’s ultimate goal is reuniting families and keeping families together.

Learn More

Equal Justice USA

Equal Justice USA is a national organization that works to transform the justice system by promoting responses to violence that break cycles of trauma. EJUSA elevates healing over retribution, meet the needs of survivors, advance racial equity, and build community safety.

Learn More
Launch Single: Steve Earle

"I Fought The Law"

For the project's lead single, Grammy-Award winning singer and songwriter Steve Earle chose to cover The Cricket's 1960 track "I Fought the Law." Steve said, "I didn't get an electric guitar until I was 26. This was the first song I wanted to play. Covering it now for  a cause so close to my heart is a gift."

Listen to "I Fought The Law"
we are better than jail - we are better than jail

"Better Than Jail" Means...

Honoring human dignity, shrinking jails and prisons, and investing in community solutions. With your support for  EJUSA and Free Hearts, we can instead:

Before Jail: Invest in community-based services that decrease the use of jails.

‍During Jail: Make jail and prison conditions more humane and keep people connected to their families.

‍After Jail: Provide meaningful reentry help and lift restrictions on people being able to get work and housing.

Listen To "Better Than Jail"
You and I Are Better Than Jail

Together, these artists, their 6.5M followers across all platforms, and YOU can join the call to respect the human dignity and potential of everyone in jail and prison.

We can do better, and we must. Right now, jails, prisons, and our system don't provide the conditions for people to have a meaningful second chance.

COVER ART

By Omari Booker

Omari Booker, a formerly incarcerated visual artist based in Los Angeles, CA and Nashville, TN, began his journey as an artist his senior year of high school at Montgomery Bell Academy. While attending Belmont University, Omari studied Mathematics and other more traditional curricula before he finally focused on studio art and graphic design. He later earned his B.S. in Graphic Design from Tennessee State University.

Learn More
Our Partners
thank you - thank you - thank you - thank you -

Thank You

In addition to the partners above, many friends of justice helped make this album and campaign a success. Thank you to ...

What Can I Do To Help
Listen
Listen Now
Take Action
Free Hearts
EJUSA