DECATUR, AL (Top40 Charts/ Mark Pucci Media) Southern Shift Records announces an October 18 national release date for Welcome to Alabama, the new CD from The Kenneth Brian Band, with national distribution by Burnside Distribution. Welcome to
Alabama was produced by Johnny Sandlin, the acclaimed producer who's worked with The Allman Brothers Band, Gregg Allman, Elvin Bishop, Bonnie Bramlett, Widespread Panic, Delbert McClinton and Wet Willie, among many others. Special guests on the album include legendary singer Bonnie Bramlett, guitarist Jason Isbell, keyboardist Randall Bramblett (Sea Level, Cowboy, Steve Winwood), bassist Charlie Hayward (The Charlie Daniels Band), guitarist
James Pennebaker (Delbert McClinton) and iconic Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section bassist
David Hood.
The Kenneth Brian Band's smokin' brand of outlaw country music meets southern rock is led by the powerful vocals and incendiary lead guitar of Kenneth Brian. The rest of the band includes
Travis Stephens on rhythm guitar and harmony vocals, Dickey Pryor on drums and Zach Graham on bass.
Nine of the ten tracks on Welcome to
Alabama are originals written by Kenneth Brian. The lone cover is 'Nothin' You Can Do, written by Dickey Betts and originally recorded on the Dickey Betts and Great Southern album in 1977. Brian's version features a rousing vocal duet with Bonnie Bramlett. In addition to the kickin' title track, some of the album's other many highlights include the ballsy, hard-core rocking opening track, 'Something Better;' the crowd-pleasing Lone Star
State anthem, 'Texas by Tonight;' the tender barroom ballad, 'Last Call;' the rumbling 'Tonight We Ride;' and the powerfully-moving 'Prayer for Love' (featuring
Jason Isbell on slide guitar).
In March, The Kenneth Brian Band showcased in front of a packed house during the SXSW
Music Festival held in Austin. His genuine authenticity and modern edge have attracted listeners from all over the world. Kenneth Brian has been called 'The past, present and future of Outlaw Country Music,' by The Gainesville Sun.
Before moving to Alabama, Kenneth Brian spent several years in Nashville writing songs and performing at a number of clubs in
Music City. With eight years of experience playing in an eclectic assortment of country, metal, and punk bands behind him, Kenneth followed his dream up and hasn't looked back since, touring nonstop around the U.S. and Europe. Kenneth's writing draws inspiration from his life growing up on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and his family's West Virginia hard working roots. Brian's lyrics reveal his years spent on the road as a musician - moving forward and looking back on what he'd left behind. The Kenneth Brian Band's music is straight-ahead roots-country with a contemporary sharpness, fueled by a backbeat of raw emotion and rock.
While living in Austin in 2006, Kenneth Brian starred as Hank Williams Sr. in 'Hank Williams: Lost Highway' for a long run at the city's Zachary Scott Theatre, where local station KUT-FM said of his performance, 'His musical talent is no act.' During that time in Austin, he also did session work with Hunt Sales, Will Sexton and several others.
Other Kenneth Brian Press Quotes:
'Kenneth is really unbelievable as a guitar player, he's a real shit-kicking gunslinger with great chops and then he writes songs in that Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt vein of songwriting. It's not only a hell of a rock 'n' roll sound, but the songs are there if you are listening.' - Huntington Herald Dispatch
'Kenneth Brian pushes country rock music to new boundaries.' - Southern Oregon's Mail Tribune
'As much good country soul as a pine-wood pew in a Baptist church come revival time.' - The Times of Acadiana
'Kenneth Brian comes ripping through the speakers like a bat out of hell. The album is a blistering set of rocking swingers that conjure the bars with sawdust still on the floor.'
- Breath of
Fresh Air Magazine
To watch a video of 'Welcome to Alabama,' click on this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqNDa_l-Y0w.
To watch a video of 'Last Call,' click on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoQ5MUZQtZU.
For more information, visit https://www.kennethbrian.com
https://www.myspace.com/kennethbrian
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kenneth-Brian-Band/123281901592
