Singer-songwriter Kelsey Waldon joined Doug Gertner on KGNU ahead of her July 9th performance at the Larimer Lounge in Denver. Waldon discussed her deeply personal new album Every Ghost, which explores themes of addiction, generational trauma, and healing. Released on John Prine’s Oh Boy Records, the album reflects Waldon’s roots in Americana and country music, and her evolving sound. She also shared memories of Prine, including their duet on a Nanci Griffith song and a memorable bourbon tasting. Waldon, joined by her band The Mule Skinners, promises a heartfelt 90-minute set, with support from Mariel Buckley and Amy Martin. (Interview: 7/7/25)
Doug Gertner: It’s the lead cut from my guest this morning, Kelsey Waldon, who should be joining us right now. I just want to say—Kelsey Waldon, in my mind, is the consummate Americana artist. The way you seamlessly blend country and folk with voice and vulnerability—it just makes me stop cold and listen intently. We’ve got Kelsey coming in on Wednesday, July 9th, at the Larimer Lounge in Denver.
And we’ve got Kelsey Waldon on the phone right now. Welcome to KGNU.
Kelsey Waldon: Thank you so much for having me. That’s a kind thing to say. I’m happy that it does that for you. If I’m not doing that, then what am I doing?
Doug Gertner: Well, that tune we just heard, “Ghost to Myself,” is effectively the title cut off your new release Every Ghost.
I know I’m not the first to notice that, on this album, you’re encountering every ghost of your past—all the skeletons in your closet: addiction, generational trauma. Ultimately, you find peace in the process. As I listen to the album over and over, it all comes together.
Talking to you today—you’ve been there, you’ve done that. I wonder if you can talk about what inspired you to write this very personal, intimate, yet totally musically satisfying album, Every Ghost?
Kelsey Waldon: Yeah. You know, I’m just writing about life. I don’t really think I just sat down and was like, “Oh, this is gonna be my tell-it-all album,” or whatever.
I think I just wanted to dig deep. I feel like I’ve been dialing in my sound for a long time. And it’s such a journey. I know a lot of other people say “Americana,” ’cause that’s what it is now.
You know, it’s like roots music. To me, that’s what country music used to be—it was every element of soul. I think bluegrass is country, absolutely. To me, it’s like a wide umbrella of what that used to mean.
And I mean, in my heart of hearts, I feel like I’m a country artist—but that’s probably not what it’d be called today.
Doug Gertner: Yeah, that country has evolved. Like you say, roots, Americana—it’s all in the bin, in the hopper, and in play with you.
Kelsey Waldon: Oh, for sure. I just feel like it’s American roots music. That’s what country music always was. I think it is really personal—just because I had things actually happening. And sometimes it’s not really ghosts in my past.
They were ghosts that are still happening—right now. Stuff that I even kind of hid away, had unfinished business with, and it came back around.
Yeah. And it’s crazy—I didn’t really have the title. I never do with my records. I didn’t really have the title or understand what I was… you know, what the album even was, I feel like, until it was done and in front of me. And then I was like—Every Ghost. That’s it. That’s the name.
Doug Gertner: I’m talking with Kelsey Waldon, and she’ll be playing Denver’s Larimer Lounge this Wednesday at 8 p.m. in a KGNU Presents show. And we’ll have a pair of tickets to give away to a caller at the end of our call with Kelsey today.
We’re talking about this album, as you said, Every Ghost, and I note that it’s on John Prine’s Oh Boy Records. What’s your history with the label? And if I can ask, do you have a favorite story of the late, great John Prine?
Kelsey Waldon: Sure. Well, history with the label is—I released my first record, White Noise/White Lines, with Oh Boy in 2019.
They’ve been my true blues. I’m so proud to be on Oh Boy Records, obviously. And I can humbly say I was the first artist signed in a really long time. I actually got to know John, which was amazing. I still miss him a lot. I don’t think a lot of us have processed that even—that that happened.
Doug Gertner: Yeah, folks remember that we lost him early in COVID, and the pain just kept on coming after that.
Kelsey Waldon: Yeah. It was awful. It was so chaotic, you know, the way he passed.
I don’t think he was supposed to go. My favorite memory—I mean, it’s amazing—I got to sing on a duet. I mean, the last song that he ever recorded—we did a Nanci Griffith song together, which was amazing.
Doug Gertner: Another one we lost too soon.
Kelsey Waldon: Oh yeah. But I mean, you know, all the shows, really. I think I just—
Doug Gertner: Did you ever drink?
Kelsey Waldon: We did a bourbon tasting together one time.
Doug Gertner: I thought his drink was vodka and ginger ale.
Kelsey Waldon: Well, it is. It is. For me, that day, it was bourbon. We did something for No Depression. Of course, I’ve been sober now for four years.
Doug Gertner: Congrats.
Kelsey Waldon: Thank you so much. But yeah, his drink was definitely Smirnoff Red Label. He didn’t mess with the—
Doug Gertner: Not Justin. Yeah, well, he’s done so well. Your album’s on Oh Boy Records, which is great. We also love Tré Burt here, who’s on the label. And Colorado’s own Emily Scott Robinson is on Oh Boy Records too.
Talking with Kelsey Waldon—it’s so good to speak with you today. We’re looking forward to your show Wednesday at the Larimer Lounge in Denver. Before we let you go and give away these tickets, I see that Mariel Buckley and Amy Martin are on the bill as well. I’m just wondering what’s in store for our ticket winner and everyone else who turns up Wednesday at the Larimer Lounge. What do you have planned?
Kelsey Waldon: Me and my band, The Mule Skinners—we play, you know, it’s like a 90-minute set. We lay it all on the stage. I feel like we’ve been working super hard to make the show really good. That’s one of my priorities. You can expect to hear every song from Every Ghost.
Mariel and Amy, I think, will be great. I hope a lot of people turn out. We love coming to Denver.
Doug Gertner: We’re working it, Kelsey. Yes, we’re letting people know. We’re talking with Kelsey Waldon, and we’re so grateful to you for calling in today.
She’ll play at the Larimer Lounge in Denver on Wednesday. If you’d like to be there, we’ll take the third caller when the music starts. The main number is what we’re going to use here today. Babs is on the phone—it’s 303-449-4885.
As some folks like to say, keep that number in mind, folks, because we’ll take the third caller. But you’re going to want to call it again tomorrow when we start our summer membership drive. So, 303-449-4885. It’s a pair of guest list tickets for Kelsey Waldon, along with Mariel Buckley and Amy Martin.
8 o’clock tomorrow—show at the Larimer Lounge in Denver, in RiNo, on Larimer and 27th. Just like it sounds.
And we’ll take those calls at 303-449-4885 as soon as the music starts. Speaking of music, I want to go out, Kelsey, on your tune “My Kin,” which—you know, I don’t have to be a rocket scientist to get—this is a pretty deep reflection that you’re making on your own family ties. Before I spin it, maybe you could talk a little bit about the tune “My Kin” off of Every Ghost?
Kelsey Waldon: Sure. It’s really just saying that I’m accepting all those things. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that.
I have deeply inherited amazing characteristics given to me through my kin—the resilience, the good stubbornness, the work ethic. I have, like, you know, so much wisdom.
There are also things that are genetic, and also things that were taught to me—trauma-wise—just like any other person probably has.
Just accepting that and saying, that’s what makes me. That’s what makes me who I am. But also—it’s like, we can break cycles. We can also evolve. And I’m ready to do that. Embracing all the things that make that wonderful.
This album was kind of like—I like to say that I had a mirror up to myself too.
Doug Gertner: You had this mirror.
Kelsey Waldon: Not really being judgmental of anybody else. It’s just that, you know—it’s up to me.
Doug Gertner: Absolutely. I’ve found this has been going on with me for years—as an old guy—I look in the mirror, and the face I see is my father’s. If I don’t turn away, then there’s something to face there about our family legacy and who we bring forward. It’s the best of all our kin.
I’m so grateful to have Kelsey Waldon on the line today. So excited to see her at the Larimer Lounge this Wednesday in a KGNU Presents show. And you’re so lucky, listeners, if you are the third caller at 303-449-4885. We always ask that you have not won anything from KGNU in the last 30 days and that you can go to the show in Denver this Wednesday.
Kelsey Waldon, along with Mariel Buckley and Amy Martin—Kelsey Waldon, thanks for calling in today. We’re going to go out on your tune “My Kin” from your brand new album Every Ghost. We appreciate hearing from you and we’re looking forward to seeing you.
Kelsey Waldon: Thank you so much. Don’t miss the show.
It’s been pretty great out there, so we can’t wait to come to Denver.
Doug Gertner: We can’t wait to see you.
