Rick Nelson’s manager reveals whether final album will ever emerge

Circa 1983, natural-born entertainer and burgeoning pin-up Rick Nelson poses backstage somewhere on his seemingly neverending tour of intimate clubs, theaters, and town halls dotted across the United States. Image Credit: The Shelley A. Mandrusiak Collection / Pinterest

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Rick Nelson was hurriedly putting the finishing touches on his 24th studio album of original material on the day after Christmas 1985. The rockabilly-themed songs were designed as a comeback on recently founded Nashville-based Curb Records after four years of barnstorming, well-received road shows laced with minimal recording activity.

Ironically, upon adding a vocal to Buddy Holly’s “True Love Ways” and overseeing lead guitarist Bobby Neal’s acoustic overdub, Nelson departed Los Angeles later that day for a mini under the radar tour of the Southeast. Not really wanting to leave home during the holidays, Nelson was cash-strapped due to protracted divorce proceedings. The album would have to wait until the New Year.

But fate had deliberately cruel plans. Nelson’s antiquated Douglas DC-3 caught fire — a faulty heater switch was the culprit — while the singer was en route to Dallas for a New Year’s Eve show. The plane landed, completely engulfed in flames. Only the two pilots survived. The rockabilly project was inexplicably shelved and forgotten by all but the most dedicated fans. They have clamored for its release for decades.

No one was really sure of its whereabouts until Greg McDonald, a protégé of Colonel Tom Parker and Nelson’s personal…