It was February 5th, and the New York air was cold and dank. By sunset, the snow would be blowing down Broadway horizontally at about 20 mph. I stepped into the entryway of 11 West 60th Street, pushed the elevator button and shivered. This wasn�t the kind of surroundings I normally associated with country and western music.

Neither was what awaited me on the second floor. Atlantic Records has spent the last twenty-five years building a sterling reputation for jazz, soul music, and, in the 60�s, rock. Album covers line the office walls: Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Cactus, Doctor John. .. The receptionist looked up. �Uh, the Willie Nelson session?� She tilted her head: �Down the hall.�