Blackberry Smoke

About

Blackberry Smoke stands as one of Southern rock and country music's most authentic and enduring acts, building on the Southern rock template with doses of outlaw country, bluegrass, gospel, and R&B mixed in to create a sound that bridges generations and genres. Formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2001, the band consists of lead vocalist and lead guitarist Charlie Starr, lead/rhythm guitarist Paul Jackson, bassist Richard Turner, and keyboardist Brandon Still. The band's co-founder and drummer Brit Turner tragically passed away in March 2024, but his legacy and the band's decades of touring credibility continue to define their place as festival headliners and elder statesmen of the Southern rock revival. Blackberry Smoke's extensive discography demonstrates their consistency and artistic evolution across two decades. Their eight studio albums—Bad Luck Ain't No Crime (2004), Little Piece of Dixie (2009), The Whippoorwill (2012), Holding All the Roses (2015), Like an Arrow (2016, featuring the late Gregg Allman), Find a Light (2018), and You Hear Georgia (2021)—showcase their ability to honor Southern rock traditions while incorporating contemporary production and songwriting sensibilities. Each album has expanded their fanbase while maintaining the authenticity that longtime fans cherish, with You Hear Georgia in particular earning widespread critical acclaim for its exploration of Georgia's rich musical heritage. The band's massive live following has made them festival headliners and arena-ready performers throughout the United States and internationally. They headlined the Neon Moon Stage at the 2025 Born & Raised Festival in Pryor, Oklahoma, one of Red Dirt and Americana music's premier events, demonstrating their crossover appeal to country and Red Dirt audiences beyond their Southern rock base. Their appearance at the inaugural Born & Raised Festival in 2021 alongside ZZ Top and Lucinda Williams established them as one of the festival's anchor acts, and their return in 2025 confirmed their importance to the Red Dirt and Americana community. Blackberry Smoke's touring schedule reads like a masterclass in building a sustainable career through relentless road work and consistently excellent live performances. Their shows have made them one of the hardest-working bands in rock and country music, with tour dates spanning small clubs to amphitheaters to major festival stages. This dedication to live performance has earned them a devoted fanbase that spans Southern rock purists, outlaw country fans, jam band audiences, and Red Dirt devotees—all drawn to the band's authenticity, musicianship, and refusal to compromise their artistic vision. As Blackberry Smoke continues to honor Brit Turner's memory while moving forward with new music and extensive touring, they represent an essential bridge between classic Southern rock of the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd era and the contemporary Red Dirt, Americana, and country rock scenes. Their decades of touring credibility, consistent album releases, and ability to headline major festivals make them one of the most reliable and respected acts in American roots music.