Watch Kelsey Waldon’s Honky-Tonkin’ New Video
Far removed from the pop-based Music Row machine, a crop of local Nashville artists is keeping the classic country music sound breathing, playing dive bars and honky-tonks around town and recording music that recalls the genre’s more twangy, sequined era. Recently, Rolling Stone Country premiered a live performance by one of those singers, Margo Price, and today is spotlighting the new video from Kelsey Waldon, a member of our inaugural Country Artists You Need to Know class.
In “One Time Again,” Waldon sings about a jealous man whose apologies are as frequent as his drunken tirades. “It’s about a hazy escalation of emotions, and it’s a true story,” say Waldon, who filmed the video at the Nashville Palace, a music hall and watering hole near the Grand Ole Opry House. Opened in 1977, the Palace was ground zero for Opry artists, who would hide out at the bar following their performances. Webb Pierce supposedly had his own cooler there, and Randy Travis famously got his start washing dishes in the kitchen.
Recently given a face-lift by a new owner — who also operates Robert’s Western World downtown — the Nashville Palace was Waldon’s first choice for the video, directed by Joshua Shoemaker. “It’s a legendary spot and we wanted to give it a little love,” she says. “It’s a really special, joyful place and they take a lot of pride in their history and culture.”
For the video, recorded live in three takes, Waldon is backed by local players Johnny Appleseed, including Brett Resnick on steel guitar. “I love them so much,” raves Waldon of the band. “We had just gotten back from a little tour we did on the road together before we filmed the video.”
“One Time Again” appears on the Kentucky native’s album The Gold Mine, a collection of songs that evoke George and Tammy. Waldon, who is already working on the follow-up, is still surprised by the buzz generated by the independent release.
“I was just making something I’d listen to myself and be proud of,” she says. “It’s my representation of country music.”