This is a great young band on the way up to the big time.
If you are not familiar, Southern Hospitality is a “super group” made up of Damon Fowler on guitar, J.P. Soars on guitar, Victor Wainwright on keyboards, Chuck Riley on bass, and Chris Peet on drums. Each is a star in their own right and have their own successful bands.
At Damon’s suggestion, they decided to combine forces to take us all to an even higher place. This happened after they became aware of each other through playing some blues festivals together. I suspect they sensed the synergy that the band could have together.
Southern Hospitality made it’s debut opening for Buddy Guy in August 2011 at the Heritage Music Blues Fest in Wheeling, West Virginia and the crowd’s reaction sealed the deal…
“We were all ecstatic about the reaction,” Soars said. “I knew it would be good but not that good. The response was overwhelming. Walking around, people kept coming up and telling us how great it was. It felt good.” “It was a super magical experience and excellent response right from the first number,” Wainwright said. “That was something I’ve only experienced a few times after many years of playing. The reaction was amazing.”
These guys are all in their 20’s and 30’s but show a musical sophistication and reverence for the music they play way beyond their years. But best of all they seem to have a special camaraderie . They almost look like they could be brothers when you watch them on stage. They also each have great individual charisma.
This night at the Side Door at St. Petersburg Florida’s Palladium Theater, was very special, especially for me. I managed to get the best table in the house at this already intimate venue, and as a result the video came out very well.
I recorded the complete night which included two sets, each over an hour long. The band was in prime form and played many songs for the first time in front of an audience. The Side Door was sold out which meant there was no more than 150 people in attendance. I suspect within a few years, you won’t be able to see Southern Hospitality in this intimate a setting.
Enjoy…
