Oh Boy Records is excited to announce the release of two new tracks from the upcoming album My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall, which will debut on April 12 under the label founded by John Prine.
Collaborative Album Celebrates the Black Female Experience in
Country and Folk Music with Additional Contributions from
Valerie June, Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell, Sunny War, Adia Victoria and More
About the new releases and the album My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall”:
Today’s releases feature a spoken-word version of “XXX’s & OOO’s,” a landmark track that became the first #1 country hit penned by a Black woman when Trisha Yearwood recorded it in 1994, now reimagined by Alice Randall’s daughter, Caroline Randall Williams; alongside Valerie June’s unique take on “Big Dream,” a song originally performed by Samantha Mathis.
Reflecting on the original release of “XXX’s and OOO’s,” Caroline Randall Williams shared, “I was six when the song first came out, and it felt like my mom and her friend Matraca were telling our story—the journey of a single mom and the challenges she faced. To me, it proved that country music was, and always has been, a genre where Black women could find their voice. Now, decades later, it’s a privilege to add my own interpretation to this song, celebrating its legacy as a testament to the enduring spirit of Black women in country music.”
Caroline also played a crucial role in the album’s development, overseeing the selection of artists and tracks to ensure a rich and unified listening experience.
Alice Randall chose Oh Boy Records for its alignment with her vision of celebrating Black narratives within country music, a vision deeply understood and supported by Fiona Prine at the label.
Watch and listen to Caroline Randall Williams’ “XXX’s and OOO’s” here
Valerie June brings her distinctive fusion of folk, blues, and soul to “Big Dream,” delivering a performance that both honors the original and infuses it with her own artistic essence. June’s interpretation is a call to remember the transformative power of dreaming. “Alice Randall’s lyrics remind us of the magic in our personal aspirations. This song is an invitation to dream without limits, echoing the sentiment that if we can envision a divine feminine in a male-dominated world, then anything is possible,” June commented.
Listen to Valerie June’s “Big Dream” here
“My Black Country” Tracklist:
1. Small Towns – Leyla McCalla
2. Girls Ride Horses Too – SistaStrings
3. Went for a Ride – Adia Victoria
4. The Ballad of Sally Anne – Rhiannon Giddens
5. Solitary Hero – Sunny War
6. I’ll Cry for Yours – Miko Marks
7. Many Mansions – Allison Russell
8. Get the Hell Outta Dodge – Saaneah
9. Who’s Minding the Garden – Rissi Palmer
10. Big Dream – Valerie June
11. XXX’s And OOO’s (An American Girl) – Caroline Randall Williams
About Alice Randall’s Book “My Black Country”:
Coinciding with the album, Alice Randall’s book, “My Black Country,” will be published on April 9 by Simon and Schuster. The book, which began in 2020, celebrates the legacy of Black artists in country music and accompanies the album, featuring a collaboration of Black female artists covering Randall’s influential songs. Produced by Ebonie Smith, the album features an impressive roster of artists including Rhiannon Giddens, Adia Victoria, Allison Russell, Valerie June, Leyla McCalla, Caroline Randall Williams, SistaStrings, Miko Marks, Sunny War, Saaneah, and Rissi Palmer, making “My Black Country” a pivotal project that honors the rich, yet often overlooked, contributions of Black culture to country music.
Alice Randall will promote the project with a book tour starting next month, featuring stops in major cities and discussions with notable figures like Charlamagne Tha God and Rosanne Cash. For more information, visit [Alice Randall’s Tour Information](https://www.alicerandall.com/tour).
About Alice Randall:
Alice Randall is a pioneering figure in Nashville, celebrated for her contributions as a professor, songwriter, and author. With a career that has significantly impacted the landscape of country music, Randall’s work has been performed by icons like Trisha Yearwood and Johnny Cash. Drawing inspiration from the rich history of Black country music artists, Randall’s “My Black Country” is both a tribute and a celebration, spotlighting the indelible impact of Black culture on the heart of American music.
