Music
Press
Whiskey River Kings voted Best Band of the Tennessee Valley and Best Rock Artist or Band for 2012. - The Valley Planet
This group of gentlemen showed up to meet me and my photographer at (ironically enough) the scene of their very first show just a couple of short years ago. Dressed in bow ties, vests, blazers and fedoras, these guys are as friendly as they are talented and fashionable. Hailing from Huntsville, they are still glowing about recently being voted best rock band, best overall band AND second place as best blues band in Valley Planet's Best of the Valley Readers' Poll. If that weren't enough, their lead vocalist, Frankie Gardner, also placed second in the best male vocalist category. All this before the ink was dry on their contract with Dirrty Apple Records!
The Whiskey River Kings music is a blend of Traditional Irish and American folk music with poetic lyrics spinning tales of every day struggles. Frankie and his crew were brought together by their love of old time folk, bluegrass and good old fashioned blues. By mixing these styles, blending in some Southern rock and scorching solos, they have created a style all their own.
They originally wanted to be called "The Whiskey Saints" but that name was spoken for. So...after some discussion and deliberation, they came to the conclusion that "everyone is a king after a fifth of whiskey" and "The Whiskey River Kings" name came of that premise or some facsimile thereof...
In Frankie's words, they "picked the bones" of a former band called "Flux" adding a progressive, funky sound to the folk act. "Frog" showed up one day for an audition and though they weren't looking for a saxophone player, he "blew them away" adding yet another unique dynamic to their Southern rock basted with Irish whiskey sound.
Whiskey River Kings count Flogging Molly, Bob Dylan, Old Crow Medicine Show and Jimi Hendrix among their influences with An Abstract Theory and The Dirty Swagger as some local Muscle Shoals area favorites. They play regularly at The Broken Clock on South Memorial Parkway and their sophomore CD is set for release in late March. You can visit their fan page on Facebook by typing The Whiskey River Kings in the search bar, visit their website www.whiskeyriverkings.com and preview some of their music on Reverbnation, songs and CDs can be purchased through ITunes.
Whiskey River Kings are:
Frankie Gardner: lead vocals, banjo, harmonica and rhythm guitar
Dave Gist: lead guitar
Dan Williams: bass and harmony
Taylor Moore: drums and harmony
Steven "Frog" Hudson: Saxophone - The Valley Planet
Discography
St Jameson - March, 2012
Fire & Whiskey (Single) - February 2013
Photos
Bio
The Whiskey River Kings has been a project of Frankie Gardner for years before it's current incarnation. A love for Traditional Irish and American folk songs sparked a passion for writing poetic lyrics that tell stories of everyday struggle and strife. Frankie and the rest of the boys came together because of their love of old time folk, bluegrass and blues, poignant lyrics, and a passion for reviving these styles and mixing them with southern rock and soaring solos in order to bridge the gap between old and new and bring to life once more to these styles, rather than let them be lost to the ages.
With the addition of rock/fusion drummer Taylor Moore and alt rock bassist Daniel Williams, The Whiskey River Kings stumbled upon a sound unlike any other band in their hometown of Huntsville, AL, earning them a good deal of local acclaim. Frankie's mix of folk, country, and blues songwriting coupled with the rock styles of Taylor and Dan have made for a combination that has become their trademark. Their original music pulls from a wide range of influences, from Dylan to Hendrix, and pairs upbeat rhymes and rhythms with both serious and fun themes, all the while getting you out of your seat and on to the dance floor.
Their debut album "St. Jameson" was released March 30, 2012. Featuring the guitar genius of Dan Halbrooks, The album is a sampling of songs that showcase the wide array of influences that they mash together into an unforgettable and unmistakable style that is all their own.
In December of 2012, the Kings welcomed a new member into the fold: Steven "Frog" Hudson, Jr. on saxophone. This addition added a new element to the sound, bringing in Jazz and jam band overtones. In January 2013, the Kings were fortunate enough to add the talents of Dave Gist on lead guitar, adding yet another fresh dynamic by incorporating blues with progressive rock.
The Whiskey River Kings signed with Dirrty Apple Records in February of 2013. They are currently playing the southeast while working on recording their upcoming second album, "Fire and Whiskey," expected to be released in late spring of 2013.
Band Interests
Smoking, drinking whiskey and beer (and water occasionally), good home cooking, sweet tea, and good times.
Artists We Also Like
Bob Dylan, Flogging Molly, Bourbon and Shamrocks, Old Crow Medicine Show, Modest Mouse, Blitzen Trapper, Gaelic Storm, Dropkick Murphys, The Dubliners, The Pouges, Old Blind Dogs, BB King, Eric Clapton, The Elders, DMB, City & Colour, Andy Asteroids
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