Johnny & the Mongrels - Creole Skies (2020)

Johnny & The Mongrels is a high-powered, New Orleans-influenced band that is "the perfect combination of a funk filled heart & a deep bayou soul." Its founders, currently based in Fort Collins, Colorado, are singer/songwriter Johnny Ryan and singer/bassist/songwriter Jeff Bostic. Their debut LP, "Creole Skies,” was produced by JoeBaby (Snapped on the River Music) and Scott Sharrard (formerly of The Gregg Allman Band). The record features a heavy-hitting lineup of veteran rock and R&B musicians, including guitarist Sharrard, keyboardist Bill McKay (Derek Trucks Band, Leftover Salmon), drummer Eddie Christmas (Jon Cleary, New Orleans Suspects), and Erica Brown on background, along with guest musicians Roddie Romero, Charlie Wooton and Lee Allen Zeno. The album was recorded at the famous Dockside Studio in Maurice, Louisiana, home to eight Grammy-winning albums.

The Mongrels have already played many prominent venues and music festivals across the nation, sharing the stage with national touring artists including Sharrard, George Porter Jr, Ivan Neville, Bob Malone (John Fogerty), Deanna Bogart, Shakedown Street, Samantha Fish, Honey Island Swamp Band, and Bobby Messano (Steve Winwood).