Photo Credit: Jody Stephens

Ketch Secor is inviting fans and listeners to join him by the river. 

After releasing his debut full-length solo album, Story The Crow Told Me, on July 11, 2025, the roots music pundit has turned over the official visual equalizer for the album feature, “Old Man River.” The track underscores the changes Secor has experienced during his 25-year tenure living in Nashville. As the city expanded, the river continued to flow, providing a soothing outlet for respite from urban life—a place to cast a line, strum the guitar, and let the mind wander. These methods of relief are represented in the video as Secor’s personal source for alleviation.

“Nashville’s a river town, and folks down south will tell you there’s nothing like taking your worries to the banks of something far mightier than yourself. So, I buzzed down to Shelby Bottoms and the muddy Cumberland River for my new video for ‘Old Man River.’ It’s a place I’ve long sought refuge. A quick roll of my pant legs and a couple catfish later and I’m soaked to the gills in baptismal waters. Hope this song cures what ails you. It sure did me,” Secor tells Relix. 

Like his intent to seek a natural sanctuary in the sanctified waters of his city of choice, the track seemingly transmutes into a modern layer, akin to Alison Krauss’ O Brother, Where Art Thou? stunner, “Down to the River to Pray,” or Natalie Merchant’s “Where I Go;” river songs that celebrate the power of the cold current, and its ability to heal. 

“While the jib cranes went whirling and the dynamite blasts shook the earth I leaned against the motel billboard sprouted up in my yard, chewed a wad of Mail Pouch, and watched as a mid south city became a national boom town. Everyone wanted in. Bus benches advertised singers; public access TV held square dances; bands, venues, festivals, whole genres were born and died before they ever learned to walk. Where was the bread crumb trail the great ones left behind for us to follow? If I had been born in Athens I would have taken my worries to Aristotle’s Lyceum or Plato’s Academy. But I was from the Athens of The South, so I took my troubles to the river and left ‘em there,” Secor adds. 

Story The Crow Told Me differentiates a new chapter for Secor, a solo entry outside of his decorated Old Crow Medicine Show tenure. Aptly personal and inspired by his 25th anniversary in Music City, the set pulls in local talent, a Rolodex of Nashville’s finest to fill out the 12-piece album, including Molly Tuttle and Marty Stuart, who also assisted on “Old Man River.”

Stream Story The Crow Told Me. Watch the official visual equalizer for “Old Man River,” below.