King Cotton…
King Cotton will be performing this Thursday, July 23rd at Pier Park’s Summer Concert Series. Here’s a taste
In 1996, King Cotton was formed in Tallahassee, Fla., by the nucleus of vocalist Tony Young, bassist Todd Bevis and drummer Tom Corbett. During the early years, the band experimented with a couple of different guitarists and even a keyboard player. But the band’s goal has always been to take traditional blues and put a modern spin on it. In December 1997, King Cotton recorded and released its debut CD “10′ Tall,” at Possum Tracks Sound Studio in Sopchoppy, Fla. – the “second home” of Tom T. Hall.
During the next three years, the band sold more than 3,300 copies of “10′ Tall” while playing the festival and club circuit within the tri-state area (Florida, Georgia and Alabama). The album was a “Top 10″ seller for several weeks on local charts and received air play from more than 30 radio stations within their touring region. King Cotton also was voted “Tallahassee’s Best Blues Band” in 2000 by Break Magazine.
King Cotton’s second effort – “Ultra Blues” – was released in 2001. It too was recorded at Possum Tracks Studio – this time by legendary Nashville singer/song writer Linda Hargrove, who engineered, mixed and oversaw the entire project. The CD was mastered, care of EMI/Capitol Records, at Oceanway/JVC Mastering on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, Ca.
The band logged more than 600 shows during 1997-2003, while sharing the stage with national acts including the likes of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Styx, 38 Special, Survivor, Molly Hatchet, Edgar Winter, Clarence Carter, Percy Sledge, George Clinton, Atlanta Rhythm Section, the Outfield, Rick Derringer, Tracy Lawrence and Daryle Singletary.
King Cotton’s style is rooted in the blues, but it mixes southern rock boogie and tinges of outlaw country to form its own infectious, North Florida sound. Mixing old school feeling with a contemporary flavor, King Cotton’s music is a fresh sound enjoyed by all ages, and its high-energy, live performances leave audiences not only hearing the music – but feeling it as well.
After taking a short hiatus from 2004-2006 and then making some recent personnel changes, a new lineup of King Cotton has been formed. Newcomers Frank Jones on guitar and Clyde Ramsey on organ and harmonica have given the band a much-needed shot in the arm and given the group back its original, old-school sound.
King Cotton will be performing live at Pier Park Thursday at 7 PM