Video Premiere: Oliver Wood and Katie Pruitt Unveil Soulful Tribute with “Have You No Shame”

In an exclusive premiere today, Oliver Wood and Katie Pruitt unveil a heartfelt, live, in-studio video performance of “Have You No Shame.” The poignant track was penned by the late Atlanta-based musician Donnie McCormick, a profound influence on Wood during his formative years in the city’s vibrant music scene.

“Donnie McCormick has been a huge influence on me and is one of my favorite musicians of all time,” Wood shared with Relix. “He was a mentor as I was coming up on the Atlanta music scene, and even inspired me to write songs about him like ‘Postcards From Hell’ and Stumbled In.’ Playing his music is the best way I know to keep his spirit with me and to share it with others who never got to see or meet him.

A co-founding member of The Wood Brothers, Wood introduced the song to Pruitt, fostering a collaboration that brought “Have You No Shame” to life. Recorded and filmed earlier this year at The Studio Nashville, the performance is a preview of Wood’s upcoming studio album, tentatively scheduled for 2024. For now, the video release stands as the exclusive medium to experience the emotive power of the song, which also features bassist Ted Peccio and drummer Jano Rix.

Of Pruitt’s presence on the track, Wood said, “She always loved our song ‘Postcards from Hell,’ so we taught her ‘Shame,’ and she sang it with us every night on tour and really owned it. She never got to see Donnie, but she embodies his intensity and emotion when she sings this tune. The end always gives me chills. I only wish Donnie was still around to play it with us. He’s still with us in the music, though, and I hope Katie is still singing this and passing it on long after I’m gone, too.”

Pruitt added to the story, saying, “I explained [to Wood] how I got offered a sketchy record deal before moving to Nashville and his song ‘Postcards From Hell’ served as a North Star that encouraged me to turn down the deal and stay true to myself. Oliver then told me about the man who inspired ‘Postcards from Hell,’ one of his songwriting idols, Donnie McCormick.” She continued to share how Wood explained that Donnie “used to play on an old chicken coop and sing the blues with his entire soul,” and that they “both thought it was only right to pay our respects to the man who reminded us both why we should never read postcards from hell.”

Wood is currently on the road with The Wood Brothers, embarking on a Southeast tour this week, followed by European shows in February, he remains deeply connected to the roots of his music. It was recently announced that Pruitt is slated to perform at Railbird Music Festival in June of the upcoming New Year.

Watch Oliver Wood & Katie Pruitt’s rendition of “Have You No Shame” below.