Ben Sollee Shares Kentucky Derby-Inspired Single & Classic Cover

Kentucky-based composer and cellist Ben Sollee has shared a new Kentucky Derby-inspired single. The newly released composition was issued along with his rendition of a well-known cover song.

Called Kentucky Spring, the two-song release features Sollee’s arrangement of “My Old Kentucky Home” by Stephen Foster. It’s backed by “Shade Of The Spires,” an original Sollee composition written while shooting a video at the famed Churchill Downs racetrack which will again host the historic annual horserace this weekend.

“It’s a simple song but sitting by the first turn of the track, watching the sun turn the shadows of the spires like a clock I thought of the history of the place,” Sollee said regarding the new track. “I thought of triumphs of athleticism and transcending stories of silks over skin color. I thought of challenges we still need to overcome. And the words just came.”

Sollee has a number of live appearances planned in the coming months, and he’ll appear with Elephant Revival tonight at Mr. Small’s in Pittsburgh. Here’s video of Ben performing “My Old Kentucky Home” for Woodford Reserve whiskey:

And here’s footage of a performance of “Shade Of The Spires” at Churchill Downs:

Stream both songs via Bandcamp here: