Highway Wolf’s “Jet Airliner” Takes Flight with A Fresh Honky-Tonk Twist
San Francisco, CA | May 15, 2026 — San Francisco’s Highway Wolf lets their new single, “Jet Airliner,” fly today across all platforms, reimagined with elements of traditional bluegrass and country sounds. Inspired by Paul Pena’s original version and shaped by years of attending bluegrass festivals, the group brings a Nashville honky-tonk approach to the track. The fourth release from their upcoming album, Lone, Never Alone, the musical project is breaking down barriers with their reimagined cover of “Jet Airliner.”
Artwork by Josh Clark
Producer and creative partner, Tal Morris, says, “Picture a bunch of folks on a bare wood dance floor in a Nashville bar having fun with their boots on. The middle solo section grew out of this idea, as we also heard an acoustic Bluegrass treatment for the song.” Rather than choosing between the two directions, he adds, “we figured, let’s have both!”
That dual influence is apparent from the very beginning. The track begins with syncopated piano by Earmonn Flynn, joined by a dynamic ensemble that includes Angeline Saris on acoustic and electric bass, Tal Morris on electric and acoustic guitar, Barbara Higbie on mandolin and fiddle, Dave Zirbel on dobro, and Mick Hellman on drums. From there, the arrangement moves into the familiar “Jet Airliner” lyrics, layered with pedal steel and banjo. A “vintage radio show” interlude introduces featured vocals from Hellman’s daughters, Avery and Laurel Hellman, alongside Devon Baldwin, whom the group affectionately titled “The Tumbleweed Princesses.” Highway Wolf creative partner Amber Morris also lends her sultry voice to the track.
“In cinema, it's common to have ‘flashbacks from the past’ as a story unfolds,” adds Tal Morris, “so we decided to create a music vintage flashback within the song.”
A jet-wooshing effect carries listeners seamlessly back into the next verse, reinforcing the track’s sense of motion and narrative. As the song draws to a close, the full ensemble brings the listener back to the present with a cohesive, grounded finish. Previewing the release on Talking Hendrix, Edward Wrobleski notes, “This version [of ‘Jet Airliner’] by Highway Wolf literally takes off like a jet airliner and doesn’t let up until the final note.”
“Jet Airliner” is now available on all digital streaming platforms. Listen Here.
Highway Wolf is a unique musical project led by Mick Hellman, Amber Morris, and Tal Morris, who create a sonic experience through this collection of reimagined classics. Highway Wolf takes us on a transformational journey, relatable to anyone who has been challenged by The Call and all that comes with answering The Call. The songs are of the human experience, and through the howling and longing of the Highway Wolf, we come to understand these stories through another lens.