Kelsey Waldon: The Honest Voice from Monkey’s Eyebrow
Born and raised in the tiny, famously named community of Monkey’s Eyebrow in the northwesternmost corner of Kentucky, Kelsey Waldon is widely regarded as one of the most honest and authentic voices in modern country music. Her childhood steeped in the sounds of traditional country, bluegrass, and folk carried her all the way to one of the genre’s most prestigious corners today.
Meeting the Legacy of John Prine
Kelsey Waldon is one of the rare artists to sign with the legendary Oh Boy Records label, founded by John Prine in 1981. Personally taken under Prine’s wing, Waldon continues to produce some of the finest country music on the planet, masterfully interpreting works by giants such as Bill Monroe and Hazel Dickens.
“Every Ghost” — A Homage to Her Roots
“Every Ghost” stands as a heartfelt tribute to Waldon’s origins. Adorned with abundant fiddle and pedal steel guitar, the track draws attention with its stories of falling and getting back up again. While its musical texture carries traces of Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, and Prine, every note remains unmistakably 100% Kelsey Waldon.
Rather than chasing the glitz of Nashville’s pop-country world, Kelsey Waldon has chosen to be the voice of the working class, rural life, and the pursuit of social justice. On her 2022 album No Regular Dog, working with producer Pete Anderson, she pushed honky-tonk sounds to a harder, more textured level. In her 2024 project There’s Always a Song, collaborations with S.G. Goodman and Margo Price once again proved the collective power of the folk tradition.
Apartment No:26 Note
Kelsey Waldon is one of the few true poets who has managed to preserve the dusty, sincere soul of country music without being swept up in Nashville’s “pop-country” winds.
Being the first new artist signed to Oh Boy Records in the last 15 years is a clear testament to how thoroughly her talent has been recognized.
If you love Loretta Lynn’s direct storytelling or Sturgill Simpson’s modern take on traditional sounds, Kelsey Waldon will be more than a discovery—she’ll become a true companion on the road.
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