Arlo McKinley, Jeremy Pinnell

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David McClister

Arlo McKinley

With song titles like “Suicidal Saturday Night,” “Gone for Good” and title track “Die Midwestern,” you might guess (correctly) that Arlo McKinley's Oh Boy Records debut is not a party time record. But McKinley's song cycle of post-highs and hard times in the heartland will resonate with anyone who has witnessed the hollowing out of small town America. It's Americana for the end of empire. With Jeremy Pinnell.

$15.

media release: Gifted singer-songwriter Arlo McKinley released his debut solo record at age 40 on John Prine’s Oh Boy records - after he almost gave up on music altogether, his story is one of hope and sincerity, and he is living proof that great songs will reach the right ears eventually, even if it takes time.

McKinley’s Die Midwestern is deeply rooted in street soul, country, punk, and gospel and draws on personal stories, set against the backdrop of his hometown of Cincinnati Ohio. McKinley’s songs bleed truth and emotion from a heart scarred by wild nights and redeemed by soulful Sunday morning confessions. His lyrics are laid bare, stark and arresting in their honesty, and often penned from real-life experience.

McKinley has been making a name for himself around the country, humbly sharing stages with kindred musical spirits John Moreland, Jason Isbell, Justin Townes Earle, and contemporary rising singer/songwriters Tyler Childers, Ian Noe and Colter Wall, eventually attracting the attention of Oh Boy, who signed him in March 2020.

Arlo McKinley is the last artist John and his son Jody signed together to their label Oh Boy records. Jody Whelan shared, “John was reserved in his praise for songwriters. I played him a couple of Arlo’s songs and he heard Bag Of Pills and said, “that’s a good song” which for him, was very high praise. He loved Arlo’s voice, this big guy with a sweet, soulful, gospel voice. He loved the dichotomy of the hard life lived, presented through such beautiful songs..."

McKinley’s Die Midwestern remains an album of hope and he knows first hand how his music can connect with his growing audience. "I’m just another lost, hurting person in this place - I just like to sing about it.”

Mr. McKinley will be kicking off the lengthy Road To Redemption Tour on November 4 in Memphis. The tour runs until December 29 with stops in Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, North Dakota, Nebraska and Ohio. 

Arlo has a slew of talented artists joining him on different dates throughout the tour, including; Logan Halstead, Jeremy Pinnell, Drayton Farley, Darrin Hacquard, Ritch Henderson,  Justin Wells, and Senora May.