Will Oldham: The 'Prince' Of Kentucky

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Will Oldham, a.k.a. Bonnie "Prince" Billy.

Courtesy of Artist

Will Oldham, a.k.a. Bonnie "Prince" Billy.

Courtesy of Artist

Will Oldham is a bit of a chameleon. The Kentucky-based singer, songwriter and actor has presented his work under a series of monikers, including The Palace Brothers and Palace Music in the early '90s, as well as his current handle: Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Oldham has acted in indie films such as Junebug and Old Joy, and has released 17 albums in the past 16 years.

Embracing elements of folk, Americana, indie rock, punk and country, Oldham embodies the essence of DIY music. His approach to songwriting remains sincere and honest, as his voice exudes a worldly, fragile charm. Beware, Oldham's seventh album as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, sensitively explores new depths of human emotion through a swirl of guitars, vocals and fiddle. With his own brand of heartfelt and softly sung tunes, Oldham has once again topped his previous work with an album that's almost frighteningly beautiful. In a session with host David Dye, Oldham discusses what he feels to be the best way to experience music.

This segment originally ran Apr. 14, 2009.