Broken Spoke makes the cover of George Strait's new album

Word about a new George Strait album isn't news; initial reports started circulating late last year that the Texas country legend would release a record in 2019. But the image that'll be on the cover just went out this morning, and it's a big deal for one longtime local establishment.

A photo of Austin country dance hall the Broken Spoke will grace the cover of "Honky Tonk Time Machine," due out March 29 on MCA Nashville, the label announced this morning. The Spoke will celebrate its 55th year on South Lamar Boulevard this fall.

The album will include "Sing One With Willie," the song Strait and Willie Nelson sang together at a star-studded Nelson tribute show in Nashville three weeks ago. Strait wrote many of the songs on the record with his son, Bubba Strait, and Nashville songwriter Dean Dillon, a longtime Strait collaborator.

Also appearing on the new record is Strait's grandson, Harvey Strait, who joins his grandfather for the track "God and Country Music."

Strait did a farewell tour in 2014 after announcing he was mostly retiring from the stage, although he noted that he'd continue writing and recording and would play occasional special shows. One was last year in Austin to help the Erwin Center celebrate its 40th birthday.

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He's booked several shows in 2019 as well. This weekend he closes out a Las Vegas run, with more to come there later this year in addition to shows in Georgia and Ohio before a two-night stand at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth Nov. 22-23.