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Competition: Win 2 Tickets and a meet & greet...

Competition: Win 2 Tickets and a meet & greet with Black Stone Cherry

Next Monday Portsmouth Guildhall welcomes American rockers Black Stone Cherry who are touring with their latest album ‘Kentucky’. The mammoth tour includes over thirty shows in venues across the biggest European cities, including London, Madrid, Paris, Munich and Stockholm to name just a few.

The four piece consisting of Chris Robertson (lead vocals/guitar), Ben Wells (guitar), Jon Lawhon (bass) and John Fred Young (drums/percussion/piano) were formed back in 2001. It was a decade ago that they really made themselves known with their self-titled debut album which was recorded near their hometown of Edmonton, Kentucky.

We spoke to were fortunate enough to chat to John Fred Young who told us a bit more about him and the band.

Tell us about how you initially got involved with music and who influenced you most?
I grew up watching my Dad and Uncle from The Kentucky Headhunters play music and that was my biggest influence. My Uncle Fred bought me a drum kit for Christmas one year when I was around 4 years old. I used to beat them until the neighbours called my Mom and asked if I could take a break!!  My Dad tried teaching me guitar when I was around 12 and I couldn’t make bar chords so I got discouraged and would just keep playing drums. During the summer months I would go on tour with The ‘Heads and got to see them play and was introduced to life on the road.  Growing up they also introduced me to tons of classic rock bands and blues artists; Albert King, Muddy Waters, Aerosmith, Zeppelin to name a few. Without the teaching of my Dad and Uncle I would not have had the music education I have now if it weren’t for them.

For those who are new to your music, which three tracks would you encourage them to check out first and why?
I would suggest ‘Rain Wizard’ off the debut record released in 2006. It is a delicious nightmare of a track!  Then also ‘Reverend Wrinkle’ off 2008’s ‘Folklore and Superstition’ album.  The song is about an old man who lives back in the woods and I think the music is some of the best we’ve written.  And ‘Blame It On The Boom Boom’ off the ‘Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea’ record (2011).  Everyone who likes to have a fun and party will love to discover that anthem!

For those fortunate enough to have tickets to this tour what can they expect from your live show?
We pride ourselves in making our live show an unforgettable energetic experience! Hopefully everyone who comes and sees a Black Stone Cherry show will always leave feeling like they have gotten their money’s worth and had a wonderful rock n roll time!

Black Stone Cherry’s current album ‘Kentucky’ is available now  and available to buy online, on iTunes and to stream on Spotify.

We have a great opportunity for one lucky reader to win not only a pair of tickets for the Guildhall show but a chance to meet the band as well! A lucky runner-up will also win a pair of tickets to the gig. All you have to do is send your answers to the following question to stuart@strong-island.co.uk. The deadline for the competition is midnight on Thursday 18th November with the lucky winner to be contacted directly on Friday morning.

Q) To be in with a chance to win all you need to do is name the capital of Kentucky?

If you don’t want to leave it to chance then there are limited number of tickets still available for £31.30 from the Guildhall’s website www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk. You can also find out listings of upcoming events on the site.

Find out more about Black Stone Cherry and stay up to date on future announcements on Facebook, Twitter @BlkStoneCherryInstagram, and  YouTube.


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