In January 1972 a newly formed grassroots band The Flatlanders (comprised of the nucleus of Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock) travelled to Tommy Allsup s Odessa, TX studio at the urging of a local radio DJ. The 14 songs recorded on reel-to-reel tape arguably marked the birth of alternative country music. In celebration of their 40th anniversary together, the esteemed founding fathers of Americana will release a collection of these recordings as The Odessa Tapes via New West Records. Includes Bonus DVD: Features 45 minutes of Q&A with the band, acoustic performances, vintage footage