With new music on the way, 2024 is going to be a big year for Kelsey Waldon.
The Western Kentucky songstress, one of the most impressive artists coming out of the Bluegrass State’s bustling country music scene, blessed fans with a surprise single and a big announcement on Tuesday.
Titled “Hello Stranger,” Waldon’s latest single is a steel-soaked, honky-tonking masterpiece featuring fellow Kentuckian S.G. Goodman, and it comes as her first original release since 2022.
In accompaniment of the new track, Waldon released a music video giving fans a brief look into the process of recording this one. Check it out here:
The new tune came with great news in tow, as Waldon subsequently announced “Hello Stranger” is the lead single from her forthcoming record There’s Always a Song, her sixth studio album and first since 2022’s acclaimed No Regular Dog. With the release date set for May 10th, There’s Always A Song will feature eight brand new songs and is sure to be a strong project from one of country music’s most underrated artists.
As one of the torchbearers of the classic county sound, Waldon took to Instagram to announce the new project and provide some insight into the inspiration behind the album.
“‘There’s Always A Song’ will be coming out May 10th, 2024 on Oh Boy Records. Whenever I feel uninspired or burnt out creatively, I often think back on what has inspired me most and has been partly the reason for my deep dive into country music while also helping my understand my place in it.
I have been inspired by all kinds of music spanning many genres, but there is something about old time songs & bluegrass music that resonates so deeply within me. It feels like home and it never goes out of style. Songs like these were here long before me and I believe will be here long after me. It’s a resilient type of music that stands the test of time.
It was important for me to do these songs justice in my own voice and share my well of inspiration while also collaborating with some good friends who are carrying their own rightful torch.
The first single ‘Hello Stranger’ with my great friend, queen, fellow Western Kentuckian, the mighty S.G. Goodman is out now.
‘Sometimes the road seems weary and long, but in my heart, there’s always a song’ – Traveling the Highway Home
– KW”
Make sure to be on the lookout in the coming months for more new music from Waldon leading up to the May 10th album release. If you aren’t familiar with Waldon’s music or haven’t given her catalog a proper listen-through yet, I highly recommend you dive on in as There’s Always A Song approaches.
Here are a few of my favorites to get you started.
“Tall and Mighty”
“Backwater Blues”
“Anyhow”
