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Black Stone Cherry

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Black Stone Cherry
Black Stone Cherry performing in 2018
Background information
OriginEdmonton, Kentucky, U.S.
Genres
Years active2001 (2001)–present
LabelsRoadrunner, Mascot
MembersChris Robertson
Ben Wells
John Fred Young
Steve Jewell
Past membersJon Lawhon
Websiteblackstonecherry.com

Black Stone Cherry is an American rock band, formed in 2001 in Edmonton, Kentucky. They were signed to Roadrunner Records until 2015; the band is now signed to Mascot Label Group. The band consists of Chris Robertson (lead vocals, lead guitar), Ben Wells (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Steve Jewell (bass, backing vocals) and John Fred Young (drums, backing vocals). Black Stone Cherry has released eight studio albums as well as two EPs and have charted seventeen singles on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. Their latest album, Screamin' at the Sky, was released in 2023.

History

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2001–2004: Formation and early years

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Black Stone Cherry originated in Edmonton, Kentucky. Chris Robertson and John Fred Young, son of The Kentucky Headhunters' rhythm guitarist Richard Young, started to play music together early in their teens and were soon joined by Wells and Lawhon. Black Stone Cherry officially formed on June 4, 2001. They then took over the practice house which had been used by The Kentucky Headhunters since 1968 and began to record tracks. They also began holding shows at clubs in the area, and after a short while they gained a large following of people of all ages in the town. In 2003, on Black Stone Cherry Records, the band released their first demo on CD called Rock N' Roll Tape.

2005–2007: Black Stone Cherry

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The band's debut self-titled album was released in May 2006. After the band finished recording, they returned to Edmonton, invited by their former school principal, for a homecoming gig in the gym of the local middle school, which was attended by 1500 people. As the band entered the town, the streets were filled with people holding "welcome home" signs.

In July 2007, they released a second recording, an EP which contained the song "Rain Wizard" along with two previously unreleased tracks.

Their first live album was released on October 31, 2007. It was recorded at the Astoria in London, and copies were sold to the crowd immediately after the concert. The album is a strictly limited edition, and as of January 2013 mint copies were selling for £200 on Amazon.[3]

2008–2009: Folklore and Superstition

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Black Stone Cherry performing in 2009

On August 19, 2008, Black Stone Cherry released their second album, entitled Folklore and Superstition. Four singles from the album, "Blind Man", "Please Come In", "Things My Father Said", and "Soulcreek" were released.

In 2008, the band supported Def Leppard and Whitesnake on their UK arena tour.[4]

In May 2009, they supported Nickelback on their Dark Horse tour.

The band first appeared at Download Festival in June 2008

2010–2012: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

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Their third album Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea was released on May 31, 2011. The album was produced by Howard Benson. The first single was titled "White Trash Millionaire" and was released at the end of March.[5] The band was nominated for Best New Artist at the Classic Rock AwardS in 2011.[6]

The band supported Alter Bridge alongside Theory of a Deadman on a tour of Europe from October to November 2011. Cavo co-headlined a tour with Black Stone Cherry in February 2012 with Rains as support.[7] The band also headlined their own UK tour (which sold out) supported by Rival Sons.[8] They opened for Chickenfoot on their American tour in the spring of 2012.

2013–2015: Magic Mountain

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Black Stone Cherry performing in San Antonio, Texas, in 2014

Black Stone Cherry opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bad Company on their co-headlining tour.[9][10] The band recorded a new album in fall 2013, through early 2014. Magic Mountain was released on May 6, 2014, reaching number five in the UK albums chart. The first single was "Me and Mary Jane". The single along with a selection of Black Stone Cherry's hits, exclusive acoustic tracks, and exclusive live tracks from Download Festival 2013 featured on a special CD: "Black Stone Cherry - Hits, Rarities & Live" which came as bonus content with the June 2014 edition of Classic Rock Magazine.[11] Black Stone Cherry headlined a UK tour with Airbourne and Theory of a Deadman in October 2014, before embarking on a European tour.[12]

The band took a break from touring due to private circumstances, except a one-off home show in December 2014 in Kentucky. The break ended when a US tour began in February 2015. In June, the band were the headliners of Download Festival's second stage, followed some supporting dates at smaller venues in the UK and Ireland.

In June, the band announced a UK arena tour as part of the Carnival of Madness package alongside Shinedown, Halestorm and Highly Suspect.[13]

The band released their first live DVD, entitled Thank You: Livin' Live on October 30, 2015, featuring footage filmed during the Magic Mountain tour cycle.[14]

2016–2017: Kentucky and Black to Blues

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On October 7, 2015, it was revealed that the band had signed to Mascot Label Group and had begun recording the follow-up to Magic Mountain for a 2016 release. The album was recorded in the same location as the self-titled album; Glasgow, Kentucky.[15]

The album, entitled Kentucky, was released on April 1, 2016, and became their second consecutive #1 album on the Billboard Hard Rock albums chart.[16][17] The album's artwork and track list were revealed, and a new single called "The Way Of The Future" was released.[18][19] The video for the first single from Kentucky, "In Our Dreams" was released on February 3 via YouTube.[20] On July 21, 2016, a video for the new single called "The Rambler" was released on YouTube which featured an appearance from Billy Ray Cyrus.[21]

From late May until the middle of June 2017, the ensemble performed with American rock band Letters from the Fire.[22] They released their first EP Black to Blues of cover songs on September 29, 2017, through Mascot Records.[23]

2018–2019: Family Tree and Black to Blues, Vol.2

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In February 2018, the band released their first single, Burnin', from their new album Family Tree which was released on April 20, 2018, through Mascot Records. They released their second EP in the series of covers Black to Blues, Vol.2 on October 19, 2019.[24] They spent a part of the tour supporting these releases opening for Alice Cooper.

2020–2022: The Human Condition

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On August 5, 2020, the band announced their seventh album titled The Human Condition,[25] and released the lead single "Again" the following day. The album was released on October 30, 2020.[26] On June 2, 2021, Black Stone Cherry announced that bassist Jon Lawhon will take an indefinite hiatus from music and touring.[27] In June, the band released their cover of Tracy Chapman's classic "Give Me One Reason" as the lead single from the deluxe edition of The Human Condition.[28]

On April 20, the band announced their second live album/DVD, Live from the Royal Albert Hall, alongside the live performance video of "Ringin' In My Head." The concert came at the end of the UK leg of their tour in support of The Human Condition. It was released on June 24, 2022.[29]

2023-present: Screamin' at the Sky

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The band announced their new album Screamin' at the Sky would be released on September 29, 2023.[30] Bassist Steve Jewell would be the permanent replacement of Jon Lawhon for the album and beyond.[31]

Band members

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Current members

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  • Chris Robertson – lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar (2001–present)
  • Ben Wells – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals (2001–present)
  • John Fred Young – drums, percussion, piano, backing vocals (2001–present)
  • Steve Jewell Jr. – bass, backing vocals (2020–present)

Current touring members

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  • Jeffrey Boggs – bongos, congas (2021–present)

Former members

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  • Jon Lawhon – bass guitar, backing vocals (2001–2021)

Discography

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Main article: Black Stone Cherry discography

Studio albums

References

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  1. ^ Megan Frye (July 18, 2006). "Black Stone Cherry - Black Stone Cherry | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  2. ^ Megan Frye (July 18, 2006). "Black Stone Cherry - Black Stone Cherry | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  3. ^ "Buying Choices: London Astoria- 31St October 2007". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  4. ^ "Black Stone Cherry Gigography, Tour History". Songkick. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  5. ^ "Black Stone Cherry : CD cover photograph". Img.photobucket.com. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Rock Access – Rock News » Black Stone Cherry Announce Tour With Cavo". Rockaccess.net. December 16, 2011. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  8. ^ "Hevypetal". hevypetal.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  9. ^ "Rock Access – Rock News » Black Stone Cherry To Tour With Lynyrd Skynyrd". Rockaccess.net. March 4, 2013. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  10. ^ "INTERVIEW: Black Stone Cherry | Download Festival 2013". Downloadfestival.co.uk. June 16, 2013. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  11. ^ "Classic Rock". Loudersound.com. July 18, 2024. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
  12. ^ "Rock Access – Rock News » Smashing Pumpkins & Bush. Nothing More. And More". Rockaccess.net. March 26, 2014. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  13. ^ "Black Stone Cherry, Shinedown, Halestorm and Highly Suspect – UK dates (2016)". Moshville Times. June 10, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  14. ^ "Black Stone Cherry To Release 'Thank You: Livin' Live' Dvd, Blu Ray, Cd In October". Blabbermouth.net. September 2, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  15. ^ "Black Stone Cherry Signs With Mascot Label Group, Begins Recording Fifth Album". Blabbermouth.net. October 7, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  16. ^ "Black Stone Cherry To Release 'Kentucky' Album In The Spring". Blabbermouth.net. December 9, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  17. ^ "Black Stone Cherry Chart History". Billboard.
  18. ^ "Black Stone Cherry: 'Kentucky' Artwork Unveiled; New Song 'The Way Of The Future' Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. December 18, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  19. ^ "Black Stone Cherry "The Way Of The Future" (Official Audio)". YouTube. December 18, 2015. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  20. ^ Black Stone Cherry (February 3, 2016). "Black Stone Cherry - "In Our Dreams" (Official Video HD)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  21. ^ Black Stone Cherry (July 21, 2016). "Black Stone Cherry - The Rambler starring Billy Ray Cyrus (Official Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  22. ^ "BLACK STONE CHERRY Announces 18-Date U.S. Tour". blabbermouth.net. February 23, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  23. ^ "Black Stone Cherry Explore Their Blues Side With 'Black to Blues' EP". Loudwire.com. July 27, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  24. ^ "Black to Blues, Vol. 2 - Black Stone Cherry | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  25. ^ "Black Stone Cherry". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  26. ^ "Black Stone Cherry". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  27. ^ "Black Stone Cherry announce Jon Lawhon's hiatus". Twitter. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  28. ^ "BLACK STONE CHERRY ANNOUNCE EXPANDED DIGITAL-ONLY EDITION OF THE HUMAN CONDITION ALBUM; BAND STREAMING COVER OF TRACY CHAPMAN'S "GIVE ME ONE REASON"". Brave Words. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  29. ^ Lewry, Fraser (April 20, 2022). "Black Stone Cherry launch live album and film recorded at Royal Albert Hall". Louder Sound. Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  30. ^ "Black Stone Cherry Announce New Album Screamin' at the Sky • TotalRock". May 10, 2023.
  31. ^ "BLACK STONE CHERRY announce new album, 'Screamin' at the Sky', reveal new single 'Nervous'". Rockloadmag.com. May 11, 2023.
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