Photo Credit: Joshua Black Wilkins

Today, Old Crow Medicine Show announced the August 25 release of their new studio album, Jubilee, due via ATO. The new collection of music features guest appearances from some of the industry’s finest talents, including Mavis Staples, Sierra Hull, and Willie Watson; the latter is featured on the album’s preview and first single, “Miles Away,” which dropped this morning. Listen now.

The lead single off the impending collection was co-written by bandleader Ketch Sector and bluegrass virtuoso Molly Tuttle and featured guest vocals from the band’s co-founder and former member, Watson. “This is one of those rearview songs where objects in the mirror are closer than they appear. 25 years of making music on the road means you’re always coming back to the same places as a different person; there’s a reminder of your past self and the choices you made back when,” offered Ketor. 

He continued, “Molly Tuttle and I wrote this one together and when it was through, I asked my Old Crow co-founder Willie Watson to make his first appearance on an Old Crow record in years. After all, this is a song about amends, of bygones being bygones, and of renewal.” “Miles Away” marks the first time Watson has recorded with Old Crow Medicine Show in over 10 years. In addition, he will also hit the road with the band this fall, performing as an opening act and joining them on stage. 

The band’s eighth studio album acts as a companion to their critically acclaimed 2022 release, Paint This Town, which hit #1 on the Americana Radio Albums Chart and debuted at the top of Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums Chart, harnessing their traditional sound to the modern era. “Being the type of songwriters and performers that we’ve always been, we tend toward the topical material and what’s going on right now—the issues currently faced by our species, our country, our beloved Southlands. So as long as these things keep happening in our world, and as long as banjos are around to be plucked and fiddles are there for us to drag a bow across, you can bet we’ll still be interested in making this kind of music. At this point, it’s just our second nature.” 

In addition to the release of today’s single, the band has also delivered an adjoining music video. Watch below. 

Jubilee Tracklist

1. Ballad of Jubilee Jones 

2. Miles Away (ft. Willie Watson) 

3. Keel Over and Die 

4. Allegheny Lullabye 

5. I Want It Now 

6. Smoky Mountain Girl

7. Belle Meade Cockfight (ft. Sierra Ferrell) 

8. Shit Kicked In 

9. Daughter of the Highlands 

10. Wolfman of the Ozarks 

11. Nameless, Tennessee 

12. One Drop (ft. Mavis Staples)