Alice Randall and Oh Boy Records are proud to release My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall, out now on the John Prine-founded label. This collaborative album celebrates the rich legacy of Black contributions to country and folk music, featuring reinterpretations of Randall’s most beloved songs by some of the strongest Black female voices.
For over four decades, Alice Randall has been a trailblazer on Nashville’s Music Row, making her mark as one of the few Black female songwriters in the city. With hits like Trisha Yearwood’s “XXXs and OOOs,” Randall has left an indelible mark on the country music landscape. Despite her immense talent and influence, Randall’s songs have historically been recorded by artists who do not reflect her own identity. My Black Country seeks to change that by reclaiming Randall’s work and amplifying Black narratives in country music. Each track on the album offers a powerful reclamation of Randall’s work and a celebration of Black culture in American music.
With My Black Country, I aimed to amplify the voices too long overlooked and rewrite history within the country genre. The remarkable women on this record have breathed new life into my songs, embarking on a journey of rediscovery and redemption.
Alice Randall
This project isn’t just about music; it’s about paving the way for a more inclusive future in country music and reclaiming the rightful place of Black artists within the genre.
Alice has released the companion memoir of the same name via Simon and Schuster. In 2020, Alice decided to start writing the book to honor the pioneering figures of Black Country and to chronicle her four-decade journey on Music Row with the intention to pay homage to the genre’s overlooked history. After discussions with Rhiannon Giddens and Allison Russell, the project evolved into a collaborative effort with a group of Black female artists re-recording Randall’s impactful songs, and releasing an LP to accompany the book.
Led by producer Ebonie Smith, the album boasts a stellar lineup of featured artists: Rhiannon Giddens, Adia Victoria, Allison Russel, Valerie June, Leyla McCalla, Caroline Randall Williams (Alice’s daughter), SistaStrings, Miko Marks, Sunny War, Saaneah, and Rissi Palmer.
Alice was adamant about partnering with a label that aligned with their vision. Enter Oh Boy Records. Founded by John Prine, whose music sustained Alice in her darkest hours, Oh Boy represented more than recognition. Fiona Prine, a powerful ally, understood the importance of reclaiming Alice’s envisioned Black narratives.Alice is currently on a book tour in support of the project, stopping in New York, D.C., Nashville and more. Stops include conversations with special guests like Charlamagne Tha God, Rosanne Cash, and more. For more details, head here.
Alice Randall, a distinguished professor, songwriter, and author with a “lively, engaging, and often wise” (The New York Times Book Review) voice, stands as a trailblazer in Nashville, making her mark as one of the few Black Country songwriters in the city. Her notable contributions extend to legendary artists like Trisha Yearwood and Johnny Cash. Drawing inspiration from the first family of Black country music, including DeFord Bailey, Lil Hardin, Ray Charles, Charley Pride, and Herb Jeffries, Randall finds solace in their history. My Black Country emerges as a celebration of the quintessentially American music genre, highlighting the profound influence of Black culture on the country.
