By Tam Music 
About the song
Jackson Browne Reunited with The Section – “Running On Empty”
For longtime fans of 1970s singer-songwriters, seeing Jackson Browne reunite with his legendary backing band The Section is nothing short of a musical homecoming. Their performance of “Running On Empty”—a song synonymous with American road culture, restless youth, and Browne’s own nomadic spirit—feels like stepping through a portal into one of rock’s most iconic eras. And when these musicians come together again after decades, the chemistry is so powerful, so natural, that it’s as if time folds in on itself.
The Section—Danny Kortchmar (guitar), Craig Doerge (keyboards), Leland Sklar (bass), and Russ Kunkel (drums)—were more than just sidemen. They were architects of the California rock sound. They backed James Taylor, Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, and countless others. But with Jackson Browne, something deeper happened. They didn’t just accompany him—they helped shape the emotional terrain of his songs.
Reunited, they breathe the same effortless synergy into “Running On Empty” that made the original 1977 recording unforgettable.
A Song That Defined a Generation
“Running On Empty” captured what it meant to live fast, dream big, and chase meaning through endless miles of American highways. The song wasn’t about exhaustion—it was about longing, searching, and discovering who you are somewhere between one town and the next.
When Jackson Browne performs it with The Section again, every line feels heavier, wiser, and more reflective. The boyish urgency of his 1970s vocals has matured into something richer, tinged with memory and understanding.
“Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels…”
Now sung by a man who has spent over fifty years on that road, the lyric lands with profound authenticity.
The Section: A Reunion of Giants
Watching The Section reunite behind Browne is like witnessing the reassembly of a classic engine: every part fits perfectly, every sound locks into place, every groove feels eternal.
Russ Kunkel – Drums
His drumming is the heartbeat of the performance—steady, understated, but full of character. He gives the song propulsion without ever overpowering it.
Leland Sklar – Bass
With his iconic beard and unmatched feel, Sklar plays each note with melodic sensitivity. His bass line doesn’t just support the song—it narrates it.
Craig Doerge – Keyboards
Doerge’s piano textures add warmth, nostalgia, and space. The shimmering chords transport listeners back to the 1977 tour where the song was famously recorded on the road.
Danny Kortchmar – Guitar
Kortchmar’s rhythm guitar adds grit and movement. His playing is unfussy, full of attitude, and deeply rooted in blues and Americana traditions.
Together, The Section elevates “Running On Empty” from a hit song to a living piece of musical history.
A Performance Filled with Joy, Memory, and Meaning
The reunion doesn’t feel like a nostalgic novelty—it feels like a celebration. Browne smiles more. The band members exchange playful glances. There’s a looseness, a warmth, a sense of old friends slipping back into a familiar language.
And the audience feels it too.
Many were born long after the 1977 album was recorded, yet they sing along to every word. Others lived through that era and find themselves overwhelmed with emotion.
The song becomes a bridge between generations.
Why “Running On Empty” Still Matters Today
Half a century later, the song’s themes resonate as strongly as ever:
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the rush of chasing dreams
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the weight of time
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the longing for connection
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the search for meaning in motion
We may not all be on cross-country tours, but everyone knows what it feels like to keep going when you’re tired, to push forward when life demands it, to find strength in the journey itself.
Jackson Browne and The Section capture that universal experience with every chorus.
A Legacy Honored, A Friendship Rekindled
The reunion affirms something fans always sensed:
Jackson Browne and The Section were more than collaborators—they were musical soulmates.
Their reunion is not just about reliving the past. It’s about honoring a shared legacy, preserving a sound that shaped American music, and reminding modern audiences what musicianship built on trust and intuition truly looks like.
“Running On Empty” becomes, in their hands, both a time capsule and a living, breathing anthem.
Final Reflection
Jackson Browne reunited with The Section is more than a performance—it is a testament to five decades of artistry, friendship, and the enduring power of song. As the final notes ring out, there’s a sense of fullness, not emptiness. The journey continues. The road stretches on. And the music, ageless and honest, keeps moving forward.
In a world that often feels fast, unstable, and uncertain, Browne and The Section remind us of something simple and profound:
We’re all running on empty sometimes,
but the music carries us farther than we think.