He knew he had to do his part to double-check she was exposed to a wider audience.
I heard her voice on some previous recordings but then seeing her live shes just believable, says Prine.
I just love her voice.
Credit: Laura E. Partain
Ill get too freaked out if I think about it too much, she says with a laugh.
But I do realize how absolutely special it is and I realize how incredibly lucky I am as well.
Luck has played only a small part in Waldons success.
Andrew Lepley/Redferns; Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images
Shes been grinding it out on the Nashville scene paying her dues for years.
I didnt really do a lot of campus stuff.
She graduated to balancing bartending with playing those bars and releasing two albums independently to burgeoning acclaim.
I paid for my last record essentially from bartending at a tourist bar, she says.
And while it was admittedly hard work, shes grateful for putting in the time.
Nothing fazes me anymore.
Except maybe the recognition of John Prine.
We really started seeing a difference in the crowd and were like, Wow, somethings happening here.
People were actually singing the lyrics!
I mean just all these other records, he just keeps reinventing himself.
And part of that reinvention is sharing some of his spotlight with you.
Did that come out of the blue?No, these kinds of relationships build over time.
Thats not the way that I think when I put sequences together.
Was there a specific catalyst?Just everything all at once.
I had a moment where I wasnt really sure what was going to happen in my career.
There were some really exciting moments in 2017 and then there was some stuff that was semi-depressing.
You have to keep on your true north and you dont look left or right.
Im so thankful for the support.
That tune is definitely about embracing yourself, even if it doesnt fit the mold.
I always call it my hillbilly zen.
It feels like Bob Dylan really emerges as an influence on this album.Bobs very important.
I have so many influences.
Its like Dolly [Parton].
If Dolly did a disco record, shed still be Dolly.
But Bob was a huge influence when I first started writing songs.
Is that really him?Yes.
He leaves me voicemails all the time.
He leaves voicemails to you saying I heard my daughter on the radio?
Thats so sweet but also funny that he says to you my daughter.Yeah, he talks like that.
You have to know my dad.
I wanted the album to feel like an experience.
[Laughs]Janet Jackson,The Velvet Rope.Thats where Im getting it!
I feel like I just havent really had my Coal Miners Daughter.
I didnt have that one tune and I just wanted to do that on this record.
It feels like myFreewheelin Bob Dylanlike This is who I am.
And Ive never really told yall who I was.
But this is a good place to start.
