Righteous Hillbillies

Don’t let the name Righteous Hillbillies fool you, they are neither “Country nor Blue Grass”. Righteous Hillbillies are a rock ‘n’ roll band launching a revival of the Southern spirit of blues boogie, soul groove, along with the primal and visceral energy of rock ‘n’ roll power. Their hometown of Joliet, Illinois is not the likeliest headquarters for one of America’s best Southern Rock bands, but Righteous Hillbillies put the map of convention in the shredder a long time ago. With every Allman Brothers or Stax-Volt style lick, and impassioned and intense shout in a mode and method similar to Chris Robinson, Righteous Hillbillies are an axe shredding, ace dealing demonstration of Southern Rock vitality and the value of authenticity. After a recent live performance at a music festival, music critic David Masciotra, author of Mellencamp: American Troubadour, said, “Righteous Hillbillies stole the show. Their high level of skill, energy, and intensity will make anyone dance in one moment, and then knock the wind out of them the next.”
The lineup of Righteous Hillbillies consists of Brent James, a singer and songwriter bringing together such seemingly disparate elements as hard rock, country, with rhythm and blues to form an unforgettable style. Also keeping the rhythm on guitar, James is a charismatic but commanding front man, steering the Southern Rock ship to conquer new territory at every concert. By his side is Nick Normando, a prodigy and gifted lead guitarist who received his baptism in blood while growing up playing the blues. Righteous Hillbillies have now cut the leash, and Normando is free to run with the pack, bringing all his ferocious power and unpredictable virtuosity to the stage and studio. Jeff Bella pours the foundation on the bass, knowing when to inject color and character into the music, behind Bella is Barret Harvey – a thunderous powerhouse whose drumming ability is steady as a pulse, but equally dynamic. Trained in rock ‘n’ roll and jazz, Harvey adds a unique ingredient to the Hillbillies tonic. Elevating the rhythm of Righteous Hillbillies with a tone of gospel is Chris Bartley, whose keyboards and organ give every song a soulful texture on top the jagged edge of rock ‘n’ roll.
Righteous Hillbillies released their first record of original, instant classics in 2008. They followed up their self-titled debut with a stunning sophomore effort, Trece Diablos, in 2012. Like a brilliant poker player, they upped the ante in 2015. Righteous Hillbillies who threw all their talent in a bag and took it to Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, showing that they can stand in the same studio as the legends who made Muscle Shoals famous: Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Bob Seger. Citing all of those icons as influence, Righteous Hillbillies’ new record, The Muscle Shoals Sessions, gives listeners the thrill of hearing a band on top of their game, and exploring all the high points of American music, from rock to rhythm and blues. The songwriting shines like a new diamond, and the performances are flawless. In 2016 they did it again... The cover photo of the new Righteous Hillbillies record is a beautiful shot of a long, desolate road leading into a tree lined tunnel. More than a perfect complement to the record title, Two Wheels Down a Lost Highway, it is actually an invitation. Pack your bags, leave your inhibitions in the dust, and ride into the rock ‘n’ roll emporium of pleasure, aggression, and avid enlargement of each moment. Rock ‘n’ roll has always pulled off the parlor trick of offering listeners an escape, but not an escape from reality – an escape into a reality larger than the one of the everyday. Rock ‘n’ roll, in its best moments, communicates the intensity of life that is available to those ready for the ride. Now the band is promoting their latest album “Playing with Fire” and celebrating a Grand Prize Win for Best song “Bound to Change” featured in the 2019 April/May issue of Relix magazine.
The Righteous Hillbillies are prepared to raise the stakes from entertainment to that old time rock and roll religion. If it doesn’t get you dancing, moving, and singing, you might as well sign your “do not resuscitate” order at the nearest opportunity.