Night Without Love is Wilder’s eleventh album, and it was recorded at George Bradfute’s Tone Chapparal studio near Nashville. Alongside Webb are a crew of like-minded friends, including genius guitarist Richard Bennett (Emmylou Harris, Mark Knopfler), spectacular harmony vocalist Rick Schell, and Bradfute, whose multi-instrumental wizardry adds layers to the aural proceedings. Legendary artist Flournoy Holmes created the album’s cover art. Fans may know of Holmes’ other well-known work, such as the cover of The Allman Brothers Band’s Eat a Peach, or the engaging designs wrapping Webb’s own Doo Dad outing.

Webb has been an early adopter of using all manner of media to make an impression. He was one of America’s first satellite DJs, as a leading personality on XM Radio’s XM-12 “X-Country” (Cross Country) channel. He starred in cult movie classics featuring the character of “Webb Wilder, Private Eye,” co-created by his old pal R.S. Field. All those years ago, Field (a man of vision to be sure) was key in helping a young John Webb McMurry transform into “Electrifying Artist, Webb Wilder.”

Beginning with 1986’s classic debut It Came From Nashville, Wilder emerged as a barnstorming hero who delivered a peculiar mix of Rockabilly, poetry, and tomfoolery. These days, some folks call Wilder’s music Americana, though it is as impacted by mods and British Invaders (of the guitar-wielding kind) as it is by the Country music he’s heard all his life. It’s also influenced by the Blues and R&B sounds recorded by his Aunt Lillian, who founded Trumpet Records and recorded Elmore James and Sonny Boy Williamson. To throw more genres in the mix, Paste Magazine put It Came From Nashville on their list of the “50 Best Southern Rock Albums of All Time.”