Black Stone Cherry

Black Stone Cherry is an American hard rock band, formed in 2001 in Edmonton, Kentucky, United States. 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), Jon Lawhon (bass guitar, backing vocals), and John Fred Young (drums, backing vocals). Black Stone Cherry has released six studio albums as well as three EPs, and have charted eight singles on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. Their latest album, Family Tree, was released on April 20, 2018 through Mascot Records.

Born and raised in the Bama clay, these boys are as southern as they come. Taught how to bend a string and break a heart by Skynyrd and Hank, brothers James and Frank Ford along with their hometown friends Andrew Davis and Ben Crain formed the southern rock band known as Them Dirty Roses. Piling into an RV with their guitars, a bottle of party liquor (in the cooler), and shotguns in tow, they made their way from Gadsden, AL to Nashville, TN. All living all under one roof, Them Dirty Roses are chasing the quintessential rock and roll American Dream. Their live show calls for a shot of whiskey and a 2 for 1 special -- BUT what that really means is you better be ready to throw back 12 for 6 and shake it with the Dirty Boys.

Vocals + Guitar / James Ford
Guitar / Andrew Davis
Bass / Ben Crain
Drums / Frank Ford

With the release and reception of his album Audio Paint Job, Ayron Jones has had a season of fervent media recognition in 2017. This coming after a year of intense creativity and many personal changes for the gifted singer/songwriter/guitarist.

“There’s nothing more American than rock ’n’ roll,” Jones told the Seattle Times, “And in this time period, we need it now more than ever. Regardless of who is responsible, there’s divisiveness in this country that we’ve never seen since the civil-rights era. Rock ’n’ roll embodies that American blues soul and spirit. Our generation, as millennials, has forgotten what it means to play rock ’n’ roll.”

Featuring his most confessional and rocking songs yet, Ayron also embellishes with fiery blues licks and booming hip-hop vibes. The 14 track Audio Paint Job, showcases Ehssan Karimi on drums and Bob Lovelace on bass. This track, “features the vulnerable and lilting vocals of singer Scarlet Parke, the humbling strings of composer Andrew Joslyn, and the deft, upright bass playing of Evan Flory-Barnes.” (Times)

The title of Audio Paint Job has multiple meanings for Jones. “It’s a story about my mental and spiritual transformation through music.” That internal movement can be found in the dizzying array of styles and sounds through the album’s confessional narrative arc. The ferocious heavy rock contrasts the honeyed nuanced ballads impeccably. Audio Paint Job evokes a wide range of expression in songs that Jones feels will speak to the diverse musical taste of the current times.

Jones credits his relationship with previous producer Sir Mix-A-Lot with introducing him to professional songwriting. He also credits him with eventually moving him ahead to better compositions. However, it was co-crafting the sophomore release with Barrett Martin (Mad Season, Screaming Trees, Tuatara) and Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden, The Gits) that elevated the new sound to match the seriousness of the song topics.

After Jones released his debut he sought out Endino to ask if he would be interested in recording his next album. In doing so, he was led to do a recording project with Martin. “I grew up in Seattle so I knew Jack Endino and Barrett Martin were Seattle rock gods.” He was then enlisted for a band Martin played in that was put together by Emerald City legends Mike McCready and Duff McKagen, called The Levee Walkers. The Seattle super group is based on the Mad Season creative template but has five different singers from around the world replacing Layne Staley. Martin offered to record Audio Paint Job and Jones went for it, with Endino doing the mixes.

Jones has gotten and given a lot of thrills opening for major acts such as Guns N’ Roses, B.B. King, Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy, Rahkim, Jeff Beck, Robin Trower, Spearhead, and many more; and at festivals like SXSW, Sasquatch, and Bumbershoot. He describes the feeling like no other, being on stage front and center with thousands of people watching. He is elated that his feeling that 2017 will be a bust-out year is coming true. “I’m extremely grateful and anxious to see what’s next.” This is only a testament, which confirms big things are ahead for Ayron Jones.