Interview: Diane King on “Sky”

Americana Highways, September 2025

Diane King has a new album on the horizon, Sky. Diane’s journey involved an experience with a lymphoma scare, and then finding new love, and then finding a producer, Stephan Oberhoff, to believe in her songs as much as she did, and dive in to work on her new album. This album reflects the highs and lows of emerging back into the music scene and, more generally into life and love again, after a time not knowing how her voice would hold up, or even how she would hold up. Sky is the glorious result. The album is set to release on Friday September 19. We had a chance to chat with Diane a bit about the music, the process, and more.

Americana Highways: You have a new album out in September called Sky. Did you go into this planning to do an album and writing with that in mind or did the whole thing come together more organically?

Diane King: SKY came together more organically. I had these songs playing in my head and knew I needed to get them recorded so everyone else could hear the music the way I was hearing it. I was very fortunate to find Stephan Oberhoff, an amazing producer who was willing to be a true partner and co-producer on the project. Together, we created what I was hearing for each of the songs.

AH: What background information can you give us about the album?

DK: This one is the culmination of quite a journey. I was diagnosed with lymphoma for the first time in 2011. Obviously, I had to put my music to the side during treatments and a couple of recurrences. Since there was a lot of trauma to my neck and throat, I had to work to regain my voice. Two years ago, I did a yard concert for a friend’s birthday. It was a simple thing with just me and my acoustic guitar. Afterwards, several folks in the audience urged me to record again. It was the nudge I needed, and things were lining up because I met Stephan shortly after that concert.

AH: What kind of theme or themes run through the songs?

DK: The experience of life, the good stuff and the tough stuff. I wrote several of the songs on the album at the beginning of a new relationship. Those songs are about new feelings, the kind you have when you find your “forever person.” Everything is lighter and brighter, so some of the songs are up-beat, while others are ballads. I also know that life isn’t always easy. Sometimes there’s deep loss and heartbreak, so I included songs that speak to those experiences, too. Life is full of happiness and hurt, so the album reflects that reality.

AH: Which songs are standout tracks to you and why?

DK: Well, there are a few standouts for me. First, I really love “Riding Out the Storm,” because of the country feel of it and the instrumentation. I wrote it on the mandolin, and Wanda Vick really brought it to life in the studio with her musicianship and creativity. I also love the harmonies, and the message of perseverance during hard times and coming out on the other side.

I’m so happy with the way “Until Now” turned out. We had it almost fully recorded, but I just wasn’t settled with it. So, Stephan and I went back into the studio. I said, “Stephan, this song needs to sound the way a firepit smells.” By then, he was used to my way of expressing what I had in my head. I wanted more of an acoustic sound with the warmth coming from simple harmonies. And the build up at the break gets me every time I hear it.

My Love and I enjoy traveling. “Anywhere with You” is an homage to many of the places we’ve visited. I had shared with Stephan that I heard an accordion on this one, along with mandolin and fiddle, all accompanying my nylon string guitar. The first time I played the song for him, he picked up his accordion – yes, the man has an accordion and can play it beautifully – and accompanied me. For me, the accordion has a very European feel to it. I wanted to bring that feel into the song since many of the places I reference are in Europe. I go back to all these places in my mind every time I hear it. I hope it creates imagery for people when they hear it. And, I love that it’s a waltz!

“Love Like This” is an upbeat, happy song about all kinds of love. We had so much fun recording this one. Like “Riding Out the Storm,” I love the combo of instruments and the Americana feel of it.

AH: Talk to me a bit about the recording process. Who did you work with in the studio and what were the sessions like? How was the vibe and how did the songs come together?

DK: My co-producer, Stephan Oberhoff, has a great studio just west of Nashville. It’s called Creation Station East since he relocated from Los Angeles a couple of years ago. I love the feel of his studio, because it’s intimate and a perfect space for creativity. Stephan was such a partner on this project! He understood my vision and helped me be my best. And, he treated my songs with such respect and care. It was fantastic!

I could not be happier with the A-list musicians who showed up to bring these songs to life. Wanda Vick has played on my previous projects. She is a creative genius on just about any instrument. She played fiddle, viola, dobro, and mandolin on this album. Somehow, her musicianship and contributions to my recordings have always been right on the mark and such a big part of the recordings.

I also had the honor of working with people I’ve met over the years and some who Stephan brought in. People like Aaron Currie and Bob Britt brought so much to the recordings with their electric guitars. There was Steve Mackey, whose bass vibe I absolutely love. We also had icons like Jack Bruno and Lynn Williams on drums. Bruce Bouton gave us that “holy smokes” feel with his steel guitar. We had Kevin Bate from the Nashville Symphony play his cello on a few of the songs. And, Stephan played keyboards, accordion, guitar, and sang some background vocals with me.

Harmonies are such a big part of my music. My long-time friend and great vocal talent, Crystal Miller, sang background vocals with me. And new friend, Kacee Clanton, jumped in on Sky background vocals. I played acoustic guitar, and sang all the harmony vocals and background vocals on the project.

We all brought our unique talents to this project and created a great piece of work!

AH: This is not your first rodeo making and releasing music. How has the creative process in general and your songwriting specifically – both music and lyrics – changed and morphed through the years?

DK: I am now creating music – the writing and the production – for me. I want to do it the way I hear it. I’m not trying to make it fit into what is expected. My goal with each song is to create the sound and arrangements that I hear. The experience has been super gratifying and exciting.

AH: Do you find inspiration in different or unique places? What kinds of things typically inspire you to write songs these days?

DK: I’m inspired by everyday life. A song idea usually comes from a conversation, an experience, or an observation. I’ll hear something and think, “Oh, that’s a great song title.” Life has always been a great source of songs for me. I’m a thinker, so I’m always observing and thinking beyond the surface of things. I see them, think on it, and transform those thoughts and ideas into songs.

AH: You’ve done a lot of collaborating over the years – with recordings, in bands, touring, co-writes, on the business side of things, etc. What does working with other artists mean to you, and are there standout collaborations that are special to you? What made them special?

DK: The first deeply meaningful collaboration I experienced was the mentorship from Harlan Howard. Everything he taught me about the craft of songwriting is still with me and in the songs I write today.

Another great experience was the relationship with Wynonna Judd and her team. I worked on the business side, and we worked as a team to support Wy. I consistently saw how much her fans loved her and her amazing vocal talent. There was never a time I went to her shows that I wasn’t blown away by her voice!

I met Crystal Miller many years ago when we both had “day jobs” at the YMCA. We became fast friends and soon formed a trio called Diane King and Little Stone. Then, later, we formed the vocal group Lorena. Her voice is so rich, and she can blend so well with her harmonies. All these years later, we share an unstated knowing of what the other is doing or going to do vocally. That comes with working together for a long time, our love of harmonies, and connecting to the same kind of music.

And, thanks to Crystal, I met Stephan Oberhoff just as I was ready to record the “SKY” project. Stephan and I instantly clicked, and I knew I wanted to work with him. He is so incredibly talented in so many areas. He can play, he can produce, he can engineer, and he listens. I had the music in my head and my heart, and Stephan helped bring it into the world so other people could hear it. I am very grateful to my dear friend and co-producer.

AH: Do you plan to do any touring around the album or do you have an album release show planned? What can fans expect from your live show these days?

We’re very focused on the album release right now, but I do plan to tour. We’ll definitely get the word out as soon as we have live dates on the books. We’re already working on the show, and fans can expect some amazing vocal harmonies, stories behind the songs, and of course, a lot of great original music.

Thanks for chatting with us, Diane King. The album will be available on September 19. Check it out for a cathartic, powerful experience. Find the music here: https://ffm.to/zdnv4q4

Read the Article