Kelsey Waldon Reimagines Bluegrass Classic ‘Uncle Pen’ With Amanda Shires

Kelsey Waldon shared a cover of Bill Monroe’s bluegrass classic “Uncle Pen” featuring Amanda Shires and more. The track is set for the Kentucky native’s upcoming album, There’s Always A Song, arriving on May 10 via Oh Boy Records/Thirty Tigers.

There’s Always A Song sees Waldon dipping into “the earliest pages of the country and bluegrass music songbooks,” as per a press release. The album features guest turns from Shires, S.G. Goodman, Margo Price and Isaac Gibson from 49 Winchester. The new version of “Uncle Pen” contains backing vocals from all the guests.

Waldon’s take on the bluegrass standard also boasts doubled up fiddle from Shires and Kelsey’s fiddle player Libby Weitnauer. Waldon detailed the Bill Monroe nod.

“’Uncle Pen’ is one of my favorites. First of all, I love the fiddle and this is a bluegrass song literally about fiddle tunes and Bill Monroe’s Uncle Pen playing those fiddle tunes…on his fiddle (of course). The fiddle has become an important part of our live show and my sound, and I really wanted to feature my incredible fiddle player, Libby Weitnauer. The versions I first came to know as a kid were from fellow Kentuckians Bill Monroe and Ricky Skaggs. I then fell in love with the Goose Creek Symphony version of it sometime later on in my life. So, we really took from the Goose Creek version to make this one my own, with a sort of half-time feel and a little psychedelic flair. We had the band and every guest who collaborated sing on the last chorus to encourage the spirit of joyful community, just like you were at a pickin’ party or a festy jam. I thought of my friend Amanda Shires to double the fiddle part because I’ve always wanted to work with her and we always talk about how much we love the fiddle, and she killed it and added such a breath to it! You can never have too many fiddles.”

Listen to Kelsey Waldon and company on “Uncle Pen” below:

Kelsey Waldon is hitting the road this spring and announced support for the tour will be provided by Hannah Juanita and Nat Myers at select shows. Check out Kelsey’s itinerary below with ticket info.