NORWICH – The Chenango Blues Association will kick off another year of its popular Summer Concert Series at 7 p.m. Thursday with a new stage, a new line-up and a live performance by Royal Southern Brotherhood in East Park, a band that blends blues, rock and soul as only two legendary rock-n-roll bloodlines can.
Described as amplified soul for a new generation of blues-rock fans, the band features Cyril Neville (of Neville Brothers fame) on percussion and vocals, Devon Allman (son of The Allman Brothers’ Greg Allman) on guitar and vocals, Mike Zito (guitar), Charlie Wooton (bass) and Yonrico Scott (drummer for The Derek Trucks Band). It’s southern rock with a twist of soul and a dash of the blues thrown into the mix, and the quintet has taken the music world by storm following its September performance at New Orleans’ Rock ‘N’ Bowl.
In fact, the group’s self-titled debut album recently entered the Billboard blues chart at number five and the Heatseekers chart – which includes all genres – at number 30.
The various members of the band are as unique as they are talented. Neville spent the 70s performing with brother Art’s legendary funk outfit, The Meters, opening for the Rolling Stones’ 1975 stadium tour; was a key element to the success of The Neville Brothers; and has performed with Bob Dylan, Bono (of U2 fame), Willie Nelson and funk sensation Galactic. Allman, in 1999, hit the scene as the leader of Honeytribe, and his searing, soulful blues-rock guitar stylings have been described as smooth, savage and seismic. Add to that the counterpoint guitar of Zito and the rhythm section of Wooton and Scott, and you’ve got a recipe for success.
Thursday’s performance, sponsored by NBT Bank, is free for music fans of all ages. For more information on the Chenango Blues Association and its Summer Concert Series visit chenangobluesfest.org. Information on Royal Southern Brotherhood can be found at royalsouthernbrotherhood.com.