Stoned Soul Revival

The Wilson County Fair, which kicked off the 2010 season this past Friday, has an impressive history going back more than 150 years. One reason the fair continues to thrive year after year is its impressive lineup of varied musical guests. Wilson County's own Charlie Daniels will headline The Wilson County Fair on Monday, August 13 at The Expo Center, performing a set to benefit Joseph's Storehouse Food Ministry. In addition to Daniels' Monday night concert, fair attendees can also hear music from a number of other local and established entertainers. T. Graham Brown will be featured alongside Danielle Reed at the Fiddler's Grove Opry, while the Fiddler's Grove Back Porch Stage will showcase Andy May and Friends. Members of The Hillcrest Baptist Church will be performing at 6:00pm on the Entertainment Stage. If classic country or gospel isn't your thing, no worries, The Wilson County Fair's got you covered with a set from relative newcomers and local favorites, Stoned Soul Revival.

As she readied for tonight's performance, my friend Amanda Bennett, lead vocalist of Stoned Soul Revival took a few minutes out of her day to talk to me about the boys in the band and tonight's performance. I first met Amanda a couple of years ago when she made the move to Nashville from Huntsville after transferring for a job. In the time I've known her I've discovered she's a truly creative individual. Not only is she a great singer, she's a talented songwriter and a passionate painter to boot.

Over the past three years, Stoned Soul Revival has undergone a few changes in the lineup, "I'm the only original member still here, confessed Amanda. During that transitional period, Amanda says the group has evolved and honed it's sound to become what she describes as a funk band. "We used to play mostly typical cover songs and blues music."

While talking to Amanda, I found it interesting that she offered up nicknames for everyone in Stoned Soul Revival except herself. There's bass player Seth Thomas, whom she referred to as Preacher Man; Josh Pessar, aka Mr. Pink on guitar and Troy "T-bonimous Stanky Danky Train" Jones on drums. It's also interesting to note that Amanda is the sole female member of Stoned Soul Revival. When I brought up the subject, Amanda laughed it off with this statement, "As for the guys in the band, well they often forget that I'm a girl. Trust me, they over-share! They just treat me like one of them. I don't know if that's good or bad!"

As for her take on the boys in the band, Amanda tells it like this--Thomas, who just so happens to her cousin, joined the band two years ago when he was filling in for an absent former member at one of their gigs. Sounding like the proud (or is that bratty?) cousin she is, Amanda quickly points out, "He's the youngest member of the band."

Amanda calls drummer Jones the clown of the group. After moving to Nashville to pursue a career in music, Jones joined Stoned Soul Revival two years ago thanks to a posting on Craigslist.

According to Amanda, Pessar is the "level-headed one." Hailing most recently from San Francisco, Amanda describes Pessar as "a phenomenal guitarist who has played with several people over the years." Like his band mate Jones, he too joined Stoned Soul Revival as a result of a Craigslist posting. He's been with the group for nearly a year.

As for Amanda's involvement in the band, she explained, "I moved here for a job, not for the music business." "I had never performed until a few years ago when the original group started," she further revealed. Three years ago, Amanda and a few co-workers decided to form a band to take part in a benefit show for another friend. "We all worked together and thought we would get together to do a few songs for the fundraiser."

After a few of the founding members moved from the Nashville area, the current lineup decided to refocus. "This is what the core of us--me, Seth and Troy wanted to do all along, said Amanda. "We found Josh on Craigslist, and here we are."

Having recently added a horn section lead by Diego Vasquez, Stoned Soul Revival is well on their way to securing their spot in the ever-growing non-country Nashville music scene. With influences ranging from Sly and the Family Stone, The Ohio Players, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Rufus and Chaka Khan to The Meters and Galactic, those not yet familiar with Stoned Soul Revival might do well to heed Amanda's warning, "We are known for our high energy engaging shows. People can expect to come t the shows nice and clean, but leave dripping with sweat and swollen feet!" Simply put, Stoned Soul Revival will make you wanna get up and dance.

Beyond tonight's Wilson County Fair appearance, Stoned Soul Revival just finished recording a demo at Bombshell Studio, and are happy to be part of the Red Ridge Entertainment family. Much like the Wilson County Fair itself, Red Ridge Entertainment books a huge variety of artists including Lynn Anderson, David Ball, The Forester Sisters, Johnny Lee, Ty Herndon, Nelson, The Shirelles and fellow Wilson County Fair headliner, T. Graham Brown.

The Wilson County Fair continues through this weekend. For more information on the fair, CLICK HERE. For more about Stoned Soul Revival, CLICK HERE.
- The Examiner