Nathaniel Rateliff Duets With John Prine on ‘Sam Stone’ to Benefit the Marigold Project [LISTEN]

Nathaniel Rateliff has shared two songs off of The Marigold Singles, a limited-edition 7" vinyl album benefitting the Marigold Project. The two new songs are re-imagined versions of John Prine classics, the first of which -- "Sam Stone" -- is a duet with Prine himself. Press play above to listen!

Originally included on Prine's 1971 debut album, "Sam Stone" tells the bleak tale of a veteran who returns home from war only to fall into the grips of addiction, eventually dying of a drug overdose and trading "his house that he bought on the GI bill / For a flag-draped casket on a local hero's hill." Rateliff and Prine swap verses on the reimagined version of the track, with Rateliff offering harmonies in the chorus.

"It's been an honor to get to know John and become his buddy. I love singing with him. He's one of the great songwriters of our time," Rateliff says of the song in a press release.

For his second Prine cover, Rateliff mines the other end of the iconic singer-songwriter's discovery, selecting 2018's "Summer's End." Performed as a duet with Courtney Marie Andrews, the second cover song proves that Prine's songwriting prowess has always been legendary, from his earliest work to his most recent output.

The Marigold Project is Rateliff's foundation, which supports organizations working toward economic and social justice. Proceeds from the first installment of The Marigold Singles will benefit the work of the Sierra Club Foundation's Military Outdoors Program, which seeks to improve the lives of veterans and military members through connections with nature, and Harm Reduction Coalition, which works to promote the health and quality of life of those impacted by drug use.

"I'm proud to be part of the first release of The Marigold Singles. Veterans deserve all our support," Prine adds. "I love singing with Nathaniel. He's a really great singer and a real good buddy."

Future installments of The Marigold Singes will feature additional well-known musical collaborators. The beneficiaries of each installment will be chosen according to the artists' mutual beliefs as well as the subject matter of the songs themselves. The Marigold Singles is available for purchase on Rateliff's website.