Quarto Valley Records has released “Lone Star Blues,” the 3rd single off the upcoming new album Brother Johnny, an all-star tribute to Johnny Winter organized by his brother Edgar Winter. Listen here. The album is now available for pre-order.
“Lone Star Blues” features Edgar Winter and Keb' Mo', a perfect pairing for this personal and biographical song Edgar penned especially for this tribute. Edgar’s gritty singing and Keb’s impeccable guitar works to transport the listener to a small smokey back room club and the lonesome dirt road that leads there.
“Well I was born in Beaumont left when I was in my teens…….I was playing music, searching for just what life means…”
“I don’t think this album would be complete without at least one, heartfelt, personal tribute--from me to my brother--in the form of a song,” Edgar wrote in the album’s liner notes. “So I wrote this about something I know Johnny felt deep in his heart......The idea of being a star yet feeling all alone….. and then the perfect title, ‘Lone Star Blues’ came to me” which as a native Texan carries a double meaning.
“When it came to a special guest artist for this one, there was one and only one person I wanted to do it, and that is Keb’ Mo’. Keb’ Mo’ is a real blues man who feels it heart and soul. He has his own unique style that is absolutely perfect for this song.”
Brother Johnny is a powerful sonic journey, traveling the course of Johnny’s musical life, impeccably directed, as only his brother Edgar could. The guitar-driven album celebrates the expansive styles Johnny was known for - the 17 tracks were carefully curated by Edgar and producer Ross Hogarth to represent Johnny’s evolution as an artist, honoring his great legacy while also incorporating a personal tribute from brother to brother, and for which Edgar penned two new songs.
Joining Edgar on the inclusive project is an impressive array of renowned musicians who knew, or were inspired by Johnny, including: Joe Bonamassa, Doyle Bramhall II, Robben Ford, Billy Gibbons, David Grissom, Taylor Hawkins, Warren Haynes, Steve Lukather, Michael McDonald, John McFee, Keb' Mo', Doug Rappoport, Bobby Rush, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Ringo Starr, Derek Trucks, Waddy Wachtel, Joe Walsh, Phil X, Bob Glaub and Sean Hurley on Bass, and Gregg Bissonette on Drums. There were also invaluable musical contributions from Kenny Aronoff, Tim Pierce, Billy Payne, Doc Kupka, and David Campbell.
Brother Johnny will be available on CD and digitally across all platforms on April 15, 2022. Double 180-gram vinyl will be available in mid June 2022.
The album’s first single, “Johnny B. Goode”, was released on January 7, 2022 and features Edgar, Joe Walsh, David Grissom, Bob Glaub, Gregg Bissonette and Phil X. Listen to it here.
The 2nd single, "Mean Town Blues," was released February 18, 2022, just before February 23, what would have been Johnny's 78th birthday and features Edgar Winter singing, Joe Bonamassa on slide guitar, Sean Hurley on bass, and Gregg Bissonette on drums. Listen to it here.
