Willie Nelson released 'Heroes' on May 15, 2012, his first album for Legacy Recordings. The record was produced by Buddy Cannon and recorded at Pedernales Recording in Spicewood, Texas, and Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.
The album features collaborations with artists such as Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, and Nelson's daughter Paula Nelson. It includes covers of songs by Tom Waits, Pearl Jam, and Coldplay, along with original compositions.
The song 'Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die' became a minor hit on the country charts. The album reached number 4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 18 on the Billboard 200.