ALBUM OUT JUNE 27 – PREORDER
FIRST SINGLE SINNER IS OUT NOW – LISTEN
Civilians (AU/NZ) is thrilled to represent six-time GRAMMY nominee Robert Randolph—the most innovative and influential pedal steel guitarist of his generation. Randolph will release, Preacher Kids, on June 27, and the brawny, blues-rocking first single, “Sinner,” is out now. (*Randolph has signed to SUN Records for the rest of the world.)
The past few years have seen Randolph as a whirlwind of talent — contributing to major musical moments across genres. Randolph performed with Luke Combs on a Charley Pride tribute for CMT and played on Jon Batiste’s We Are, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year. He also worked on the Elvis movie soundtrack, performed on the Zac Brown Band’s tour, and was welcomed back for the second consecutive year to provide the theme music for Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football. Most recently, he celebrated the Grammy win for Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, for which he contributed pedal steel on “16 Carriages” and “Ya Ya.”
For Preacher Kids, Randolph teamed with producer Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker). The album marks an epiphanic moment in Randolph’s career as he stretches out as a solo musician, showcasing his powerful ability to fuse gospel roots with Americana, country, and soul. Preacher Kids reflects the culmination of a career spent bridging musical worlds and breaking boundaries, embracing a raw yet refined sound that speaks to his remarkable journey as a Black musician reshaping the traditions of roots music.
“This album’s gritty and swampy roots vibe makes it the perfect record to kick off my journey with Sun Records,” Randolph said. “It’s a full-circle moment for me to join a label that has played such a historic role in shaping Americana and country music.”
A lone, powerful beat and a tease of steel guitar opens the album’s first single, “Sinner.” Then, you can almost hear the musicians find their parts; as if the song is being written as it’s being recorded. It’s an exciting discovery moment for all.
“Over the years, I have heard people talk about how Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin would just roll the tape and write songs while jamming. That’s what we did on this album,” Randolph says. “Everybody was like ‘what was that thing you played?’ and we’d be like ‘we just made it up!’”
“Sinner” is purposeful with its burly blues-rock riffs, its instantly memorable chorus, and its gospel-flavored sing-a-long vocals. Having musicians from similar backgrounds helped ignite songwriting magic.
“All of the people in the band are preacher’s kids. This record brings together all of these gospel references of our stories, of coming out of church and going into the blues and rock worlds,” Randolph said.
Preacher Kids gets to the core of Randolph’s signature blend of gospel, rock, blues, and soul. It’s a euphoric celebration of the salvation of rock n’ roll, and, at times, feels like the swamps of the Delta reaching for the altar of the church. Recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles, the album is steeped in the influence of Randolph’s collaborators, from Jennings to guest artists like Margo Price and Judith Hill. It reflects Randolph’s mission to carry the storytelling traditions of roots music into the present.
Raised in a close-knit, music-loving family, Randolph started his musical journey in the House of God Church in Orange, New Jersey. It was there that he learned to play the pedal steel guitar, or “Sacred Steel,” a cornerstone of the church’s musical tradition. As a teenager, he honed his skills during church services, channeling the soulful, ecstatic energy of worship through his instrument. It wasn’t long before Randolph began taking that energy outside the church, bringing his gospel-infused style to secular audiences and blazing a trail in the jam band, rock, and blues scenes, as well as being embraced by the world of country music.
Since then, Randolph has earned six GRAMMY nominations fronting the Family Band, as well as building a reputation as a producer and a composer. He has amassed 13 Emmy Awards for music scores featured in sports broadcasts across major TV networks. He has collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including Dave Matthews Band, Santana, Norah Jones, Ozzy Osbourne, Eric Clapton, Rob Thomas, Hank Williams Jr., Elton John, Leon Russell, Raphael Saadiq, Robbie Robertson, Taj Mahal, Metallica, and Sheryl Crow.
For Preacher Kids, Randolph steps into his own as a solo artist, uniting the raw energy of his church upbringing with the expansive, genre-blurring collaborations that have defined his career.
Track List:
- Big Women
- 7 Generations
- Gravity
- Like to Love You Baby
- Choir Woman
- Sinner
- King Karma (featuring Margo Price)
- When Will The Love Rain Down (featuring Judith Hill)
- All Night Lover
- Roosevelt Pool
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