PERFORMING ORIGINAL BLUES MUSIC SINCE 1980
Recorded live at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival on April 10, 2022, the new live album showcases the band that consists of Sonny Charles on harmonica and vocals, Kid Royal on lead guitar and vocals, Little Johnny Walter on rhythm guitar, Joe Bencomo on drums and Stick Davis on bass. On larger shows, the band is joined by Wayne Sharp on B3 organ and the Backtrack Angels on backing vocals. These seasoned musicians combined have garnered a Grammy Award, two Blues Music Awards, a Keeping the Blues Alive Award, and three Tampa Bay Music Awards for “Best Blues Band. “
Backtrack Blues Band is one of America’s longest running and most accomplished blues bands. The group is now booking world-wide festivals and concerts. A six-piece, authentic, energetic blues band with harp, guitar, B3 organ, vocals and a relentless rhythm section that will get your crowd on their feet! These guys have a Grammy Award, two Blues Music Awards, and a Keeping the Blues Alive Award among them.
Since 1980, a resume that includes concert appearances with Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, George Thorogood, Junior Wells, John Lee Hooker, Jeff Healey, Robert Cray, James Cotton, Little Milton, Johnny Winter, Delbert McClinton, Gregg Allman, Albert Collins, Dave Mason, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and many more. Backtrack Blues Band’s history of top concert appearances make them well-suited for festival and large venue appearances.
Seven albums of original blues music that have charted in the top 10 on Living Blues and Roots Music radio charts. Their 2018 album was nominated by Downbeat Magazine as one of the best blues albums of the year.
Backtrack has earned the respect of its musical peers, winning three prestigious Tampa Bay music awards for “Best Blues Band”. Backtrack has appeared at multiple, large blues festivals around the world, including appearances at the award-winning Notodden International Blues Festival, Tampa Bay Blues Festival, Utah Blues Festival, Riverfront Blues Festival, Springing The Blues, Mayaka River Blues Festival, Camping With The Blues Festival, Tremblant International Blues Festival, Trois Rivieres en Blues, Donaconna Blues Festival, Eldorado Blues Festival, Val D’Or, Canada, St John Blues Festival, USVI, Kool Jazz Festival, Color Line Blues Cruise ( Norway ), and many more.
Gulf Coast Records Announces the Signing of Acclaimed St. Petersburg-Based Backtrack Blues Band, and Will Release Their Label Debut CD, A Day by the Bay – Live, on April 14th
Florida's BACKTRACK BLUES BAND has released its new album, "A Day By The Bay" on the prestigious Gulf Coast Records label. It's an energetic album of the band's best original songs recorded live at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival. This record is the ultimate "party" album, and is guaranteed to lift your spirits and get you moving!
The album features great harp and vocals from Sonny Charles and amazing Texas-style guitar and vocals by Kid Royal. It's a double dose of blues stylings, with harp and guitar leading the charge!
The rock solid rhythm section combines Joe Bencomo on drums, Stick Davis on bass and Little Johnny Walter on guitar. Adding to the mix is Wayne Sharp ( Michael Burks / Elvin Bishop ) on B3 organ and the Backtrack Angels - Latonya Oliver and Dana Merriwether - on backing vocals.
This is a modern blues record that draws heavily from classic Chicago blues, with flavorings of Texas blues guitar! It's a true winning combination, and this is an album you'll play over and over again.
“Backtrack Blues Band was one of the very top bands at this year’s Utah Blues Festival. They really got our crowd up and dancing. I would strongly recommend booking Backtrack at your festival - you won’t be disappointed!”
— Tripp Hopkins, Producer - Utah Blues Festival
“Backtrack Blues Band became a favorite with our audience, playing Chicago-inspired, crowd pleasing, harmonica and guitar driven classic electric blues. The band had people dancing in the aisles, with encores at every show!”
— Jostein Forsberg, Notodden International Blues Festival
“Backtrack Blues Band is a veteran band that delivers a powerful and energetic sound. From the lead guitar and harmonica sound, to its incredible rhythm section, they are a force to be reckoned with!”
— Gene Fontana, Riverfront Blues Festival, Delaware
“Backtrack Blues Band opened for John Nemeth on the main stage at the Tremblant Blues Festival in Canada. They really delivered the goods! Seasoned veterans in the blues, Backtrack went through songs from their new CD and the crowd responded enthusiastically. You will feel the heat with Backtrack Blues Band. Guaranteed!”
— Brian Slack, Festival Director, Tremblant International Blues Festival and Trois-Rivieres Blues Festival, Canada