Kentucky Headhunters at 3rd and Lindsley 0723201501, photo – Brad Hardisty
Last Thursday night, The Kentucky Headhunters definitely rocked the jukebox and the house at 3rd and Lindsley when they celebrated the release of Meet Me In Bluesland [ Alligator Records] which features recordings made with the late pianist Johnnie Johnson [Chuck Berry]years before his passing.
Kentucky Headhunters at 3rd and Lindsley 0723201502, photo – Brad Hardisty
Fred Young, Kentucky Headunters at 3rd and Lindsley 0723201503, photo – Brad Hardisty
The Kentucky Headhunters had a on and off collaboration with Johnnie which lead to a longtime friendship. The band received a call from Frances Johnson wanting to hear those recording that had been stowed away for all those years. They realized that it was time to go ahead and check out that jam session that took place a few years prior and see what was there. It turned out to be as good they remember it and after some mixing time they secured a deal with Alligator Records for this particular gem.
Kentucky Headhunters at 3rd and Lindsley 05723201505, photo – Brad Hardisty
Upon its release last month, Meet Me in Bluesland was Number 2 on the Billboard Blues charts.
Greg Martin, Kentucky Headhunters at 3rd and Lindsley 0723201506, photo – Brad Hardisty
It was time for a proper Nashville celebration at a large local venue.
Kentucky Headhunters at 3rd and Lindsley 07201508, photo – Brad Hardisty
The day kicked off with a morning interview at WSM 650 when the world got a listen of mid-temp Stones rockin’ “Stumbln’” followed by an interview with Richard Young live on the air.
Richard Young, Kentucky Headhunters 0723201508, photo – Brad Hardisty
It was on thing to hear “Stumblin’” on WSM and another to hear it live. Kind of like hearing The Stones going through “Wild Horses” on a great sounding vinyl recording and then seeing them play it live at LP Field.
Doug Phelps, Kentucky Headhunters at 3rd and Lindsley 0723201509, photo – Brad Hardisty
The set was heavy on the new album with live takes of “Little Queenie”, “Superman Blues” and plenty of rock and roll rooted in the blues.
Fred Young, Kentucky Headhunters at 3rd and Lindsley 0723201510, photo – Brad Hardisty
It’s interesting to think that The Kentucky Headhunters scored big so fast with their guitar oriented Southern Rock at a time when Country radio was hesitant to really give them their due while now, big guitars abound in Country Radio.
Kentucky Headhunters at 3rd and Lindsley 0723201511, photo – Brad Hardisty
The Kentucky Headhunters have been cutting across genres for decades now after their initial success. A lot of fans have followed them through the years while they have picked up many others from their recent successes as could be seen by the wide ranging crowd at 3rd and Lindsley.
Greg Martin, Fred Young, Kentucky Headhunters at 3rd and Lindsley 0723201512, photo – Brad Hardisty
It was a great night for lots of slide and boogie woogie piano with a tight band that has not only played together for over three decades but lives near each other off Headhunter Highway where US 68 meets Kentucky 640.
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Kentucky Headhunters at 3rd and Lindsley 0723201513, photo – Brad Hardisty
Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN
The Nashville Bridge 