Press release –
lberta-based singer/songwriter Mallory Chipman has had a busy year on the road since releasing her latest album Songs To A Wild God a year ago, but when she’s not playing music she remains a tireless supporter of preserving her home province’s natural beauty.
Much of Songs To A Wild God touches on this theme, most directly with “Old Man River,” which Chipman co-wrote and recorded with Edmonton’s Kaeley Jade to address the threat of long-term drought in southern Alberta. Chipman has now collaborated with videographer Dale Bailey to get the song’s message out to more listeners now that Alberta’s UCP government recently ended its moritorium on coal mining, potentially threatening the water quality for communities along the actual Oldman River’s route, including Lethbridge and Fort Macleod.
Mallory explains, “Kaeley and I co-wrote ‘Old Man River’ in early 2024 in response to reported sights of a dwindling and partially dried up Oldman River and Reservoir that I had read about in the news one morning. Having grown up partially in the Rockies myself, I have long been concerned about protecting the lands and waters in the region, and there is no doubt that the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies in Alberta are experiencing a headwaters crisis. What’s happening with the Oldman River is a perfect example of this.
“When the Alberta UCP government quietly lifted the moratorium on coal in 2025, putting the headwaters under greater risk due to threats of open pit coal mining leading to erosion and selenium leaching, I knew that that was only the beginning for this song. That’s when I reached out to Dale to help bring a visual version of this story to life, and next thing I knew, he, Kaeley, and I were travelling down to the banks of the Old Man to film the video. There is such a rich history of music for social change, and the role of the artist in these conversations is has always been an important one. I strongly believe that music and film can reach people in powerful ways, and I hope ‘Old Man River’ can do just that.”
Mallory continues to keep up a busy touring schedule in support of Songs To A Wild God, and her September dates are listed below. She will also be appearing at the Folk Music Ontario Conference 2025 in Ottawa from Oct. 15-19 as an official showcase artist. For full details and to purchase Songs To A Wild God, go to mallorychipmanmusic.com.
