Blackberry Smoke has a long held southern rock tradition to live up to, that includes hard partyin’, heart breakin’, and kick-ass rock n’ roll…with a twist. And that is exactly what this long hair, whiskey drinkin’ quintet plans to do.
The band hails from Atlanta, Georgia and made regional waves with the release of their first two independent albums, Bad Luck Ain’t No Crime and Little Piece of Dixie. It wasn’t until the guys got signed to Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Records and they released 2012’s The Whippoorwill that they’re career went into overdrive. Looking back, the boys in Blackberry Smoke have been on the road now for almost five years straight, traveling all over America and even the world spreading the southern rock gospel to whomever will listen.
As the band has continued on their musical walkabout they’ve crossed paths and befriended many of the legends that inspired them to devote their lives to a higher power known as rock n’ roll. They’ve toured with ZZ Top, and even managed to get Billy Gibbons to jam with them on-stage. And these Georgia boys were even asked to perform at the 80th birthday of George Jones, shortly after Jones recorded with the band for a song on their second album.
There’s no question that Blackberry Smoke’s records are filled with songs that paint a beautiful, albeit sometimes blunt, portrait of the American South; but it’s the art of a live show (probably learned from mentor Zac Brown’s full-throttle concerts) that really sets this band apart from the other guys they pass along the highway. It’s unbridled passion and complete sincerity when you see them on-stage, and you can guarantee that there is no other place the band would rather be.
Blackberry Smoke will be performing, tomorrow, May 15th at Mercury Ball room. Tickets are $25 – the show starts at 7:30 and The Delta Saints are opening.
