Rack'em Records

13/02/2026

From Sharon Ely - “A sun halo, or "sunbow," is a rare, luminous ring caused by sunlight refracting through ice crystals, often interpreted spiritually as a sign of divine presence, impending change, or a protective, loving energy from above. It frequently symbolizes a connection between heaven and earth, bringing messages of hope, spiritual awakening, and a call to align with higher vibrations."

Near Fullerville, Texas—just east of the Caprock as you approach the Panhandle—stands a striking and historically significant landmark: Flat Top Mesa. Located on the 27,000-acre Covered S Ranch, the mesa was sacred to the Comanche people. Legend holds that it was near Flat Top Mesa in the 1870s that Chief Quanah Parker made the fateful decision to surrender the Quohadi Comanche Nation to encroaching white settlers.
Much like El Pedernal captivated Georgia O’Keeffe, Flat Top Mesa has long held Joe—and many others—in its spell

On Feb 9, Joe Ely’s birthday, We put some of Joe’s ashes on top of this beautiful Mesa he loved so much
The day filled with this incredible circle around the sun as we shot 11 shot gun shells full of joes ashes into the sky .
This is what Joe wanted just like the song he wrote “You can bet Im gone”

https://youtu.be/qcL6gGOUV_k

10/02/2026

Joe, Lee Miles Buchanan, and I began this song before Joe left us on December 15, 2025. We had always planned to release it on Joe’s birthday.

Joe sings “Tennessee Is Not the State I’m In,” a brilliant song by Butch Hancock, whom he admired deeply. Joe recorded his vocals and guitar in Austin years ago, with Lee Miles later adding his creative and engineering touch. Jim Wilson recently completed the mastering.

We share this today to honor Joe and his love for making music. — Sharon Ely

Listen now: https://30tgrs.ffm.to/notthestateimin

Rack'em Records
Thirty Tigers

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13/12/2025

“I always felt like I wasn’t free to work at my own pace. It took so long for the label and the publishing to come together, and I found that it was easier to do it myself. I could work a lot better at my pace, without a record company holding a magnifying glass to everything. It gives me a lot of freedom, and I can put out things on my label that might not have a home elsewhere.”

Photo: Matthew Fuller

Rack'em Records

14/11/2025

Recently, Joe and I uncovered a hidden treasure trove of recordings in his files, titled "All Other Tributes." As we listened to these incredible tracks featuring Joe and his guitar—sometimes accompanied by Joel Guzman—we decided to reach out to Lee Miles to add his creative touch to a selection of songs. One standout was "Early Morning Rain," which was transformed into a beautiful tribute to the legendary songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. - Sharon Ely

Listen now: https://30tgrs.ffm.to/earlymorningrain

Rack'em Records
Thirty Tigers
Photo by Barbara FG
Special thanks to Matt Eskey

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesEarly Morning Rain · Joe Ely · Gordon LightfootEarly Morning Rain℗ 2025 Rack 'Em Records marketed and distribut...

10/11/2025

“The song alone is larger than life, but this version is of extraordinary beauty.” - Chris McAnger

Now on these music services: https://30tgrs.ffm.to/earlymorningrain

Rack'em Records
Thirty Tigers
Photo by Barbara FG
Special thanks to Matt Eskey

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesEarly Morning Rain · Joe Ely · Gordon LightfootEarly Morning Rain℗ 2025 Rack 'Em Records marketed and distribut...

07/11/2025

RELEASE DAY!
As Joe Ely traveled the world with his band, touring became an all-consuming passion. Whenever he returned home to Austin, he would retreat to his studio next door to lay down tracks for songs he had written on the road, as well as record favorites by other songwriters. Recently, Joe and I uncovered a hidden treasure trove of recordings in his files, titled "All Other Tributes." As we listened to these incredible tracks featuring Joe and his guitar—sometimes accompanied by Joel Guzman—we decided to reach out to Lee Miles to add his creative touch to a selection of songs. One standout was "Early Morning Rain," which was transformed into a beautiful tribute to the legendary songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. - Sharon Ely

Listen now: https://30tgrs.ffm.to/earlymorningrain

Rack'em Records
Thirty Tigers
Photo by Barbara FG
Special thanks to Matt Eskey

05/11/2025

As Joe Ely traveled the world with his band, touring became an all-consuming passion. Whenever he returned home to Austin, he would retreat to his studio next door to lay down tracks for songs he had written on the road, as well as record favorites by other songwriters. Recently, Joe and I uncovered a hidden treasure trove of recordings in his files, titled "All Other Tributes." As we listened to these incredible tracks featuring Joe and his guitar—sometimes accompanied by Joel Guzman—we decided to reach out to Lee Miles to add his creative touch to a selection of songs. One standout was "Early Morning Rain," which was transformed into a beautiful tribute to the legendary songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. - Sharon Ely

Release date Friday, November 7, 2025
Pre-save: https://30tgrs.ffm.to/earlymorningrain

Rack'em Records
Thirty Tigers
Photo by Barbara FG

02/11/2025

As Joe Ely traveled the world with his band, touring became an all-consuming passion. Whenever he returned home to Austin, he would retreat to his studio next door to lay down tracks for songs he had written on the road, as well as record favorites by other songwriters. Recently, Joe and I uncovered a hidden treasure trove of recordings in his files, titled "All Other Tributes." As we listened to these incredible tracks featuring Joe and his guitar—sometimes accompanied by Joel Guzman—we decided to reach out to Lee Miles to add his creative touch to a selection of songs. One standout was "Early Morning Rain," which was transformed into a beautiful tribute to the legendary songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. - Sharon Ely

Release date: November 7, 2025
Pre-save: https://30tgrs.ffm.to/earlymorningrain

Rack'em Records
Thirty Tigers
Photo by Barbara FG

27/10/2025

“Not only is Joe a great songwriter, he is a peerless interpreter of other people’s work too.” - Ken Lush, Uley, Gloucestershire, England

As Joe Ely traveled the world with his band, touring became an all-consuming passion. Whenever he returned home to Austin, he would retreat to his studio next door to lay down tracks for songs he had written on the road, as well as record favorites by other songwriters. Recently, Joe and I uncovered a hidden treasure trove of recordings in his files, titled "All Other Tributes." As we listened to these incredible tracks featuring Joe and his guitar—sometimes accompanied by Joel Guzman—we decided to reach out to Lee Miles to add his creative touch to a selection of songs. One standout was "Early Morning Rain," which was transformed into a beautiful tribute to the legendary songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. - Sharon Ely

“Early Morning Rain” release date: November 7, 2025
Pre-save: https://30tgrs.ffm.to/earlymorningrain

Rack'em Records
Thirty Tigers
Photo by Barbara FG

29/09/2025

SONG OF THE YEAR: "Raining in My Heart," Joe Ely. When a recording like this comes to be, it feels like our life on earth gets to start over. And that maybe we'll all find the true meaning of love and realize we each have one chance around this circle--at least as far as we can say for sure--and it would be crazy not to hold on to that with all our might. Thank you Joe. You've done it again and we're with you all the way. I remember 50 years ago when I would type out and mail contracts for your gigs at Jay's Cockpit Lounge in Louisiana when I was working at Carlyne Majer's AUSTIN TEJAS SOUNDS, and I knew without a doubt I had found my first spot in the whirlwind --music--and it would take me everywhere. What a world.” - Bill Bentley, noted music critic, producer, author

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesRaining In My Heart · Joe Ely · Boudleaux Bryant · Felice BryantRaining In My Heart℗ 2025 Rack 'Em Records mark...