Country traditionalist and independent recording artist Dave Wilbert is embracing his roots and reviving the spirit of ‘90s country with his brand-new album Live From America (It’s Saturday Night). Released via Willbilly Records, the twelve-track collection is now available digitally on all major platforms.
In an exclusive interview, Wilbert opened up about the album, the stories behind the music, and how his personal journey influenced the songs that made the final cut.
Tonight, fans in Nashville can celebrate the release with Wilbert himself at a special live performance at The Local (110 28th Ave N). The free event kicks off at 5 PM CST, offering a chance to hear the new material live.
A Labor of Love and Collaboration
The album features songwriting contributions from Wilbert alongside Nashville hitmakers such as Kerry Kurt Phillips, Phil O’Donnell, Jason Matthews, and the late Doug Supernaw. Produced by Eddie Blount, Julian King, and Wilbert, the project was recorded at Black River Studios and Ridge High Studios in Nashville.
Among the standout tracks are the 2024 hit “Take It Outside,” which spent four weeks at #1 on the CDX Radio Chart, and “Tractors and Trucks,” a blue-collar anthem from 2023. The title track, Live From America (It’s Saturday Night), debuted on Nashville.com and has an upcoming concept video set for release in July.
A Song Years in the Making
Speaking about the title track, Wilbert shared its long personal history: “Well, you know, I’m really good friends with the songwriters, and I’ve had that song in my hip pocket for a long time. But great songs really never age out. I had a different version of that song for a long, long time.”
After taking a break from music to raise his kids as a single father, Wilbert said his children encouraged him to return. “They kind of pushed me back, not pushed me, but said, you know, you go back out there and play some music. So in that process, I had a collection of songs, either I wrote or really great songs from great songwriters.”
Wilbert describes the sound as familiar and fresh all at once. “I just thought the song sounded like something Mellencamp or Tom Petty might record.”
Though the song was written more than a decade ago, Wilbert believes it still resonates. “People think back to those times, maybe when they were doing bonfires, or campfires, or barbecues, farm parties. I grew up doing all that stuff. So it does have that nostalgic feel for sure.”
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Setting the Tone
When asked how the track sets the stage for the album, Wilbert explained, “I think ‘Live From America’ helps define me as an artist. The sound and the theme. He explained that he hadn’t planned on a theme going into it, but all of the songs pair well together.
He emphasized the variety in the record but also the emotional impact he hopes it leaves behind. “All I care about and all I want is the music to move people emotionally, whether that’s tapping their feet or wiping their eyes.”
A Songwriter’s Mind
Wilbert also gave a glimpse into his songwriting process. He explained that he often gets ideas while traveling. “For example, just yesterday I had an idea from my recent travels. I just got back from Wisconsin and I thought, ‘Man, what a cool idea. Woke up in Wisconsin.’ You don’t hear songs about Wisconsin very often.” Wilbert has a friend whom he often collaborates with when a good idea comes along and they frequently write together.
Although he prefers performing to writing, he continues to draw inspiration from everyday life and his Midwest upbringing.
A Career Fueled by Passion
Wilbert has earned a notable spot as one of the most-played independent artists on both the Music Row Breakout and CDX True Indie charts this year. Reflecting on the milestone, he said, “If the major radio stations would play independent artists, we would hold our own very well. I think our music stacks up against anybody in the genre.”
His musical roots trace back to a childhood surrounded by music in a small Indiana town. His parents, both educators, kept music playing around the house. “I remember sliding back and forth on their hardwood floor in their bedroom to Paul Simon’s ‘Slip Slidin’ Away,’” he recalled with a laugh.
Even washing dishes was a musical experience. “My older brothers and I had to wash the dishes. After dinner, I had a little radio and it was right there by the sink, and I always turned it on to turn to the country station. So when I was doing dishes, I was hearing music.”
Though he resisted at first, his father signed him up for choir class in high school. “Apparently, I was singing as soon as I was talking,” Wilbert said.
Honoring Tradition While Moving Forward
Dave Wilbert’s Live From America (It’s Saturday Night) captures the soul of small-town life, the joy of weekend get-togethers, and the enduring strength of the American spirit. With this release, he reaffirms his place as a torchbearer for traditional country music, offering both longtime fans and new listeners a heartfelt and uplifting experience.
For more information or to stream the album, visit Dave Wilbert’s official site or follow him on social media.
