Jason Isbell first joined the Drive‑By Truckers in 2001 at age 22, contributing to their seminal 2003 album “Decoration Day.” After a brief stint he embarked on a solo career, eventually achieving roots‑rock stardom. Over the weekend, Isbell returned to the Truckers for a full set—his first in roughly 19 years—at his ShoalsFest in Florence, Alabama.
The two‑day festival, headlined by Isbell and his 400 Unit, also featured Jeff Tweedy, SG Goodman, Willow Avalon and Steve Trash. The highlight, however, was the rare full‑album performance of “Decoration Day,” something the band had never done live before.
Previous collaborations had been limited to one‑off reunions and a joint appearance on “The Colbert Show.” In April, both Isbell’s group and the Truckers performed at the Sun, Sand & Soul festival, and Patterson Hood joined the set. At ShoalsFest, Hood and longtime guitarist Mike Cooley surprised audiences by joining Isbell for a cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ In The Free World,” a song the 400 Unit had never played live.
The following day, Isbell and the Truckers performed the entire “Decoration Day” album plus additional tracks. Introducing “Outfit,” a song about his father’s advice, Isbell shared that his parents were in attendance and reflected on his early days on the road. He noted, “My dad and my mom, they’re here. When I first went on the road with these fellas, they were terrified. And turns out, I was the bigger dumbass than any of these guys was. They were a good influence—you know, overall.”
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