Will Oldham (born 24 December 1970, Louisville, Kentucky) is an American songwriter, actor, and musician. His music is often (perhaps inappropriately) placed under the genre of " alternative country". Oldham attended Brown University.
Oldham has recorded under many names, including Palace, Palace Music, Palace Brothers, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Bonnie Billy and Will Oldham. He often plays and records with other musicians, including Dave Pajo and his brothers Ned and Paul Oldham, but is generally the chief creator of the music. He has also been involved in musical projects and bands such as Box of Chocolates, The Amalgamated Sons of Rest, The Anomoanon, The Boxhead Ensemble, and Continental OP (with David Pajo).
Oldham has said that the Bonnie 'Prince' Billy moniker has many references. These include Bonnie 'Prince' Charlie, an 18th century Jacobite; Billy the Kid, the 19th century American outlaw also known as William Bonney; and the American singer Nat King Cole.
He has also appeared in several films, such as the 1987 film Matewan, Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure, Thousand Pieces of Gold, Elysian Fields, Radiation, Julien Donkey-Boy, Old Joy, June Bug, and most recently The Guatemalan Handshake (due to be released in 2006). He is also the photographer of the cover image of the album Spiderland by Slint.
Collaborations with other artists include: Bill Callahan (Smog) Alasdair Roberts (Appendix Out) Jason Molina (Songs: Ohia/Magnolia Electric Co.) Johnny Cash PJ Harvey Joanna Newsom Rian Murphy Björk and Matthew Barney The Renderers Matt Sweeney Sage Francis David Boulter and Stuart A Staples (Tindersticks) Tweaker Silver Jews-Tanglewood Numbers album, he played guitar on certain songs. Tortoise The Anomoanon Nicolai Dunger