BLACKBERRY SMOKE
100 PERCENT SOUTHERN ROCK NO SEEDS, NO STEMS
by Joyce Wright Every once in a while a really great band
comes along that just blows you away. Black- berry Smoke is one of those bands. In the finest Southern Rock tradition and a with a nod to the outlaw movement of Country music in the 1970s, Blackberry Smoke has taken to the trail blazed by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Waylon and Willie, The Outlaws and other Southern Rock pioneers and set it on fire. Formed in 2001 in Atlanta, the band con-
sists of Charlie Starr on lead vocals and gui- tar, Paul Jackson on guitar and vocals, Richard Turner on bass and vocals, Brit Turner on drums and Brandon Still on key- boards. It is a fiery combination that pro- duces some kick ass music. Brit, Richard and Charlie had been in another band together and when the band broke up, they decided to stick together. Needing high harmonies and another guitar player, they called Charlie's old friend Paul and they've been smokin' ever since. They added Brandon on keys almost three years ago. Through the years of struggle and pay-
ing their dues, at the end of the day they just love making music together. With songs like "Good one Comin On," "Sanctified Woman," "Son of the Bourbon"and their current single from the album The Whippoorwill, "Pretty Little Lie," you can tell that this band cut it's teeth in bars and on the road. Gritty, rockin' and heartfelt, they can do it all well, so it is no wonder that success is finally coming their way. In addition to touring with Lynyrd
Skynyrd and ZZ Top, they have played Skynyrd's Simple Man Cruise for several years in a row now and are a staple at Bike week in Sturgis. When asked what it was like to hear one of
their songs on the radio, Charlie responded, "It is a great feeling,” and added that he never gets tired of it and hope it happens more and more. Country radio listeners should hope it happens more and more, as well. Nashville, a town not always open to differ-
ent sounds, seems to have welcomed them with open arms. When asked about their ac- ceptance by the powers that be on music row, Charlie said, “Do you mean the "Music Row" where
they have the statues of naked dudes runnin’ around in a circle? We have good friends in Nashville. They've been nothing but great to us. Let's keep it that way, Nashville - don't start none- won't be none. Oh, and shame on anybody who calls it 'Nashvegas'." They play Nashville regularly and have
played gigs in town with the likes of the late George Jones as well as Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes. That should tell you a lot about the enormous talent that is found in this band. They also give back. As Charlie said, "Our
drummer Brit's daughter, Lana Turner, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in December, 2009. We are proud to say after so many friends' support and prayers, and some super tough treatment, she is cancer free.We porScottish Rite, Children's Hospital, The Lana Turner Fund, and Twelve
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