Oh Boy signs Waldon

This marks the first signing in 14 years of a new artist by Oh Boy, which is based in Nashville.

Waldon, a native of Monkey's Eyebrow, Ky. has played shows with Prine before, but none as impactful as their appearance on last night's Grand Ole Opry. After performing her own Opry set, Prine called Waldon back to the stage to sing his classics "Unwed Fathers" and "Paradise" together. Following their duet, in front of a sold-out Opry audience, Prine announced Waldon's new partnership with Oh Boy.

She is expected to release her third album this fall. She released "I've Got a Way" in August 2016 and "The Goldmine" in June 2014.

"It's hard for me to put into words what it truly means to me to be signed to Oh Boy Records," said Waldon. "To have someone like John, who I have looked up to my whole life, who I have set my songwriting standards after and my general music making standards after, to have someone like him endorse my music and care enough about it to make sure it reaches a wider audience. That means everything."

Jody Whelan, Director of Operations at Oh Boy, said of the signing, "It's an honor for us to work with Kelsey. There is an honesty and commitment in her music, both as a performer and songwriter, that we've long admired. Evident in all her work is a strong point of view, and a reverence for the culture and history of country music and songwriting, she is exactly the type of independent-minded artist that Oh Boy Records was founded to support." Prine said, "I am bursting with pride to have Kelsey Waldon recording for Oh Boy Records. Her music continues an important arc of traditional folk and country music. I love Kelsey's singing. Her voice is one of the more authentic country voices I've heard in a long time. I'm looking forward to all the shows we'll be performing together this year."

"All I have ever wanted in a label home was for it to feel real, like a little family, and for a label to really 'get it'. I couldn't ask for a better dream team, in all seriousness. I'm so thankful I kept on my true north," Waldon said. "After everything I've been through up until this point, Oh Boy feels like home."

Tour dates are:
June 28 - Lexington, KY - The Burl (with John R Miller & the Engine Lights)
June 29 - Galax, VA - The Blue Ridge Music Center
July 13 - Central City, KY - Lu-Ray Park and Amphitheater (with John Prine)
Aug. 11 - Lexington, KY - Railbird Festival
Sept. 7 - Raleigh, NC - Hopscotch Festival
Oct. 1 - Hollywood, CA - John Anson Ford Amphitheater (with John Prine)
Oct. 3 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater (with John Prine)
Oct. 4 - Davis, CA - Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts (with John Prine)
Nov. 11 - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - All The Best Festival
Dec. 6 - Orlando, FL - Bob Carr Theater (with John Prine)
Dec. 7 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall (with John Prine)