Stars and Stripes Vol. 1, despite its title, is The Beach Boys' only foray into the genre of country music. Their twenty-fifth studio album, it was released in 1996. With the genre increasing in popularity in the mid-1990s, The Beach Boys decided to place their music in a country context by having some of its stars guest on new incarnations of some of their classics.

At the time, Brian Wilson had recently remarried and in his most stable state in over two decades, he was persuaded to join the project alongside the remaining Beach Boys and co-produce the album. Although no one knew it at the time, it was the last time the band would record an album with either Brian, Carl Wilson or Al Jardine, making Stars and Stripes Vol .1, almost certainly, the last studio album by The Beach Boys.

Most of the acts rounded up were not mainstream country superstars who had crossed over into the pop market, although Toby Keith has since emerged as one. Willie Nelson was easily the most recognizable name on the album, and Timothy B. Schmit was best known for his time in The Eagles. Tammy Wynette had recorded a version of "In My Room" with Brian Wilson, but it was saved for the projected Stars and Stripes Vol. 2, which never appeared.

Released in August 1996, Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 easily outsold Summer in Paradise, but was not the hit everyone involved hoped it would be. Consequently, with the addition of the chilly critical reaction, potential further volumes in the series were scrapped.

Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 is currently out of print. The most recent edition was released in 2005 in the Netherlands.

Track listing/Featured vocalist(s)

1. "Don't Worry Baby" (Brian Wilson/Roger Christian) – 3:16
• with Lorrie Morgan
2. "Little Deuce Coupe" (Brian Wilson/Roger Christian) – 2:50
• with James House
3. "409" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love/Gary Usher) – 2:20
• with Junior Brown
4. "Long Tall Texan" (Henry Strzelecki) – 4:02
• with Doug Supernaw
5. "I Get Around" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) – 2:29
• with Sawyer Brown
6. "Be True to Your School" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) – 3:18
• with Toby Keith
7. "Fun, Fun, Fun" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) – 2:20
• with Ricky Van Shelton
8. "Help Me, Rhonda" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) – 3:10
• with T. Graham Brown
9. "The Warmth of the Sun" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) – 3:18
• with Willie Nelson
10. "Sloop John B" (Trad. Arr. Brian Wilson) – 3:45
• with Collin Raye
11. "I Can Hear Music" (Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich/Phil Spector) – 3:14
• with Kathy Troccoli
12. "Caroline, No" (Brian Wilson/Tony Asher) – 3:19
• with Timothy B. Schmit

Singles

• "I Can Hear Music" (River North 3011), August 1996 - #16 US Adult Contemporary Chart
• "Don't Worry Baby" - #73 US Country Chart
• "Little Deuce Coupe" - #69 US Country Chart
• "Long Tall Texan" - #69 US Country Chart

Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 (River North 76974 2096) hit #101 in the US during a chart stay of 8 weeks.

Sources

• Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 CD booklet notes, Robert K. Oermann
• Allmusic.com