Artist Information
Biography
The Blacktop Kings are the product of a seed planted in September of 2006 in the peaks of the Rocky Mountains where vocalist Cole Harris and guitarist Jeff Mitchell crossed paths at a local bike rally. As conversation flowed from bikes to blues, it became apparent that the two Milwaukee residents shared something more than a common employer, the desire to assemble a hard driving Southern blues influenced rock band.
After the collapse of Cole’s project Alabama Son, conversation gave way to collaboration as Kevin Rand was recruited for Bass Guitar, and Chris Rehorst took his spot behind the drum set. The then complete package of Harris; formerly of Alabama Son, Wiseguys, and Trial By Fire; Mitchell, formerly of SUPEREGO, Eye 2 the Son, Boneyard, Black Dog, Josie & the Big Dogs, Nemesis, and currently of Dflowers; Rehorst, formerly of Mercury Mayhem, True Logic, Handsome Devils and currently of Dflowers; and Rand formerly of SUPEREGO and Boneyard combined influences to derive their unmistakable form of gutsy, gritty, hard driving, Southern, Blues Rock.
Since, the group has labored to assemble an arsenal of tunes from artists like The Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jimi Hendrix, and Robin Trower just to name a few. Their unique mix of Blues, Southern Rock, Classic Rock, and Metal made its public debut in early 2007 at Knucklehead Pub in Eagle, WI under the working name of Javelinas. The raw soulful performance solidified the group’s resolve to share its aggressive take on classic style with anyone who would lend an ear.
The Milwaukee based group recently completed a brief studio demo, recorded in “live take” style, aimed at exposing the unique power of The Blacktop Kings musical stylings. The future of the group entails the expansion of its cover set as well as the addition of likeminded original works.
Instrumentation
Cole Harris – Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar
Dave Merrill - Keys, Backup Vocals
Kevin Rand – Bass Guitar
Chris Rehorst – Drums
Jeff “Mitch” Mitchell – Lead Guitar, Backup Vocals
Discography
Studio 3-Song Demo, recorded in “live take” style, aimed at exposing the unique power of The Blacktop Kings musical stylings.
Track samples availiable at www.theblacktopkings.com.
Songs: Saturday Night Special, Whipping Post, 30 Days in the Hole
Live Recordings are from Northern Lights Theater in Milwaukee in September of 2008.
Links
Video
Press
Setlist
the BLACKTOP KINGS - SONGLIST
1. BAD COMPANY – BAD COMPANY
2. BLACK SABBATH - WAR PIGS
3. BLACKFOOT - HIGHWAY SONG
4. BLACKFOOT - TRAIN TRAIN
5. CREAM - SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE
6. ERIC CLAPTON - BEFORE YOU ACCUSE ME
7. FLEETWOOD MAC - OH WELL
8. GOV’T MULE - 30 DAYS IN THE HOLE
9. GOV’T MULE - SMOKESTACK LIGHTNING
10. GOV’T MULE - THORAZINE SHUFFLE
11. JIMI HENDRIX - FIRE
12. JIMI HENDRIX - MANIC DEPRESSION
13. KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD - SLOW RIDE
14. KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD - TRUE LIES
15. LYNYRD SKYNYRD - FREE BIRD
16. LYNYRD SKYNYRD - SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL
17. LYNYRD SKYNYRD - SIMPLE MAN
18. LYNYRD SKYNYRD - WORKIN’ FOR MCA
19. MOLLY HATCHETT – FLIRTIN’ WITH DISASTER
20. MOUNTAIN - MISSISSIPPI QUEEN
21. RAM JAM – BLACK BETTY
22. ROBIN TROWER - TOO ROLLING STONED
23. STEVE MILLER – THE STAKE
24. STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN - COLD SHOT
25. STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN - LEAVE MY LITTLE GIRL ALONE
26. STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN - Sky Is Crying
27. STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN - SUPERSTITION
28. STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN - TEXAS FLOOD
29. STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN - VOODOO CHILE
30. STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN / JEFF BECK - GOIN’ DOWN
31. THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND - MIDNIGHT RIDER
32. THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND - TROUBLE NO MORE
33. THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND - WHIPPING POST
34. THE BEATLES – COME TOGETHER
35. THE EAGLES – THOSE SHOES
36. ZZ TOP - CHEAP SUNGLASSES
37. ZZ TOP - JUST GOT PAID
Basic Requirements
Calendar
| Date | Time | Venue | City | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 23, 2012 Saturday | 12:00 AM | Shopiere Tap | Clinton, WI, US |  |
| Aug 3, 2012 Friday | 3:30 PM | Wisconsin State Fair | West Allis, WI, US | |
| Aug 5, 2012 Sunday | 2:00 PM | Wisconsin State Fair | West Allis, WI, US | |
| Aug 11, 2012 Saturday | 4:00 PM | Wisconsin State Fair | West Allis, WI, US | |
| Aug 12, 2012 Sunday | 2:00 PM | Wisconsin State Fair | West Allis, WI, US | |