Preacher Kids Robert Randolph

• 1 Big Women 05:00
• 2 7 Generations 05:56
• 3 Gravity 04:53
• 4 Like To Love You Baby 03:40
• 5 Choir Woman 03:51
• 6 Sinner 04:13
• 7 King Karma 03:46
• 8 When Will The Love Rain Down 05:43
• 9 All Night Lover 04:35
• 10 Roosevelt Pool 04:34
• Total Runtime 46:11

Info for Preacher Kids

Known as the dynamic gospel church-bred lap steel player fronting the Family Band, Robert Randolph establishes himself as a seasoned artist with his debut solo album Preacher Kids on Sun Records. Leaning further into a raw, gritty direction that showcases his unique ability to weave between rock, blues, Americana, and soul. Produced by Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker), the album was recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in LA.

Imagine creating a piece of art that blends nostalgia, improvisation, and a deeply personal backstory, all while representing a musical evolution. Such is the ambitious undertaking of Robert Randolph, a prominent figure in the sacred-steel guitar genre, as he gears up to release his solo debut, Preacher Kids. Set to hit the shelves on June 27, 2025, this album promises to capture the soul of Randolph’s artistic journey—a journey marked by collaboration with some of music’s biggest names, from Beyoncé to Ozzy Osbourne. At its core, Preacher Kids isn’t just an album; it’s a diary reflecting the experiences of those who share the unique story of being “preacher's kids”—a narrative shaped by faith, rebellion, and the rebellious spirit of rock and roll.

Randolph's career began with a fusion of gospel and rock, primarily in a band setting. His project before this new album included his contributions to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, which allowed him to explore beyond the sacred-steel tradition. The experience was pivotal, as he stated in interviews: “Beyoncé already had an idea of what she wanted to do. She wanted to do something with some playing, with some country fire.” This collaboration helped him visualize his unique sound, bringing a fresh, new direction to his work as a solo artist.

After years of playing alongside his Family Band, which blended genres and garnered a loyal following, Randolph's decision to release Preacher Kids heralds a significant transition. Historically, solo albums often bring an artist’s innermost thoughts and styles to the forefront. For Randolph, this means stepping away from the collective sound of the band to embrace a more personal narrative, underscored by his upbringing.

Randolph's new album, as he describes it, embodies a “rock & roll album.” This designation echoes the album's freeform creativity; its tracks emerged from jam sessions where the musicians would explore and experiment musically. “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,” Randolph stated. “That’s what we did on this album. Everybody was like, ‘What was that thing you played?’ And we’d be like, ‘We just made it up!’”

This loose, creative atmosphere is set to characterize the entire album. Songs like the first single Sinner showcase the guitar-driven sound that Randolph is renowned for, highlighting his pedal-steel mastery while integrating elements of funk and rock.

Preacher Kids features contributions from Margo Price and Judith Hill. Price, known for her modern country stylings, collaborates on “King Karma,” while Hill, a versatile R&B artist, lends her unique sound to “When Will the Love Rain Down.” These collaborations not only highlight Randolph's musical versatility but also serve as a bridge between genres, further expanding his audience. The inclusion of a cover, “Like to Love You Baby” by J.J. Cale, signals his respect for musical tradition while injecting his personal flair into recognized classics.

"There are times when hearing new music feels like a religious experience, like something a monk in an ancient text would describe receiving in a euphoric vision. This record is one of those points. At one point, I wrote down in my notes, “the spirit of Jimi Hendrix was in the room while this was being laid down.” Preacher Kids is definitely a contender for album of the year, and I cannot praise it or recommend it enough to blues rock lovers." (Lee Clark, bluesrockreview.com)

Robert Randolph

Produced by Shooter Jennings

Robert Randolph
As one of the most innovative and influential pedal steel guitarists of his generation, Robert Randolph blends gospel, rock, blues, and soul in a way that speaks to both his musical roots and modern-day artistry. His highly anticipated new solo album, Preacher Kids, set for release on Sun Records, marks a pivotal moment in his career. Produced by Shooter Jennings (known for his work with Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker), this album captures Randolph stepping outside of his work with the six-time Grammy-nominated Robert Randolph & The Family Band. Recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles and Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Studios in Nashville, the project features a collective of musicians who, like Randolph, grew up as preachers' kids. Together, they share stories of transitioning from church music to the world of rock and blues, while never losing the powerful spiritual connection that first inspired them. The sessions for this album began as a series of jam sessions, with Randolph and the band focusing on capturing the raw, live energy of their sound. Later, these jams were rounded out with songwriting sessions, where the songs took shape, maintaining the spirit and spontaneity of their original creation. Raised in a close-knit, music-loving family, Randolph kicked off 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. Randolph was immersed in the joy and intensity of gospel music from an early age. 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 he 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. Over the years, Randolph has earned a reputation not only as a pedal steel guitar virtuoso but also as an acclaimed producer and composer. He has also contributed to major musical moments across genres. Randolph performed with Luke Combs on a Charley Pride tribute for CMT, played on Jon Batiste’s We Are, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year, worked on the Elvis movie soundtrack, and performed on the Zac Brown Band’s tour. Most recently, he celebrated the Grammy win for Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, for which he contributed pedal steel in "16 Carriages" and "Ya Ya." His reputation has led to collaborations 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. His talent has also earned him 13 Emmy Awards for music scores featured in sports broadcasts across major TV networks. For the second consecutive year, Randolph was tapped to provide the theme music for Amazon Prime's Thursday Night Football for both the pregame and halftime segments. Though Robert Randolph’s work with the Family Band includes critically acclaimed albums like Unclassified, Colorblind, Lickety Split, and Brighter Days, his current projects are paving the way for a new chapter. Drawing from his gospel roots while exploring new musical landscapes, Randolph effortlessly blends the sacred and the secular. His music connects with fans across different genres, driven by a sound that is both deeply soulful and joyfully alive.

This album contains no booklet.