Don Henley, founder of the Eagles, released Cass County on 25 September 2015, marking his first solo album in 15 years. The record, named after the East Texas county where Henley grew up, represented a deliberate return to the country influences that shaped the Eagles' early sound. Recorded in Nashville and featuring collaborations with major country artists including Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill and Trisha Yearwood, the album topped the country charts and reached number three on the Billboard 200.

The album balanced Henley's original compositions with carefully selected country classics, including a cover of the Louvin Brothers' "When I Stop Dreaming" and a version of Billy Sherrill's "Too Far Gone". Notably, Henley wrote the standout track "The Cost of Living" specifically for Merle Haggard, and the country legend's appearance on the recording was a highlight of the project. Henley stated that making the record had been more enjoyable than any album in his career, crediting the collaborative spirit and calibre of the Nashville musicians involved.