Singled Out: Hillbilly Vegas' Mr. Midnight Featuring Paul Rodgers

By Editorial Staff | Published: Apr 28, 2026 11:46 AM EDT

Hillbilly Vegas are gearing up to release their new album "A La Mode" on May 8th, which includes their collaboration with Bad Company legend Paul Rodgers "Mr. Midnight". To celebrate Steve Harris and Paul Rodgers tell us about the track and video. Here is the story:

Paul Rodgers: I wrote "Mr. Midnight" a few years ago when I was writing songs - that to my surprise - became an album 'Midnight Rose'. I had no idea that the songs would become an album. But when Sun Records said that they would be interested in releasing a Paul Rodgers album you would have to be mad not to accept. I actually forgot that I had the song and that is why it was not included on the 'Midnight Rose' album. Bassist Todd Ronning from my solo band - who later joined Bad Company - played on the demo track for the song and was familiar with it.

The song started with the guitar riff. I had it floating around in my mind, and I built the song around that. When I was looking for lyrics I was inspired by a feline. Cynthia, my wife, has a number of rescued cats, and there was one black cat in particular named Jasper. His coat was so sleek and black that I nicknamed him Mr. Midnight. You can let your imagination take it from there. When I heard Hillbilly Vegas' recording of 'Mr. Midnight' - Steve (Harris) did such a great job, I felt they had it well covered. I did not want to disturb the flow created in their recording, but I had made a promise to the boys in the band - so I sang some lines, and it turned out very well.

Hillbilly Vegas' Steve Harris: Being part of something like this with Paul, who's had such an impact on how we all hear rock and roll, was an incredible experience that we still can't quite believe happened. His voice, his phrasing and the way he approaches a song...that's the blueprint. It raises the bar, but it also reminds you why you started doing this in the first place, because you realize you're not just making a record, you're stepping into a lineage that guys like Paul built.

The video for "Mr. Midnight" was filmed in Oklahoma and produced by the band. Harris explains: We shot the video in our warehouse and it was directed by Jon Wright. He kept it organic and simple...nothing forced, just capturing the band the way we really are. And having Paul appear in the video... that's just as cool as it gets! It's one thing to share a track with him, but to have him visually be part of it too-that takes it to another level."

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen and watch for yourself below and learn more here