The Kenneth Brian Band - Keys to the Kingdom (2022)

Since his first album release in 2002, Kenneth Brian’s modern Southern Rock and Americana infused style, timeless song-craft, layered with gritty vocals and guitar prowess have helped earn him a loyal fan following and the respect of fellow musicians. Kenneth’s musical styling and dynamic live performances also attracted the attention of some of his mentors like Lucinda Williams, Billy Gibbons and current bandmate Steve Ferrone of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Since 2013, he spent two years touring with multi-Grammy winner Lucinda Williams, who describes the sound of the live band as “somewhere between Lynyrd Skynyrd and Drive-By Truckers”. He has also opened for ZZ Top, Steve Winwood, and Blackberry Smoke. Whether in intimate Honky Tonks or stately, sold-out theaters, Kenneth and the live band continue to captivate audiences with powerful, resonating guitar tones and a tight rhythm section.

Kenneth’s sixth studio album ‘With Lions,’ released May 19th 2017, includes 11 songs all written by Kenneth and pays tribute to his mentors as well as his musically rich and culturally significant Southern heritage. The single “You’re Not Mine” is an edgy anthem with heavy-hitting guitar solos and powerful vocals. “Beautiful Storm” is an emotionally evocative track that showcases Kenneth’s spell-binding competency with a slide.

Rock ‘n’ roll royalty Steve Ferrone (Drums, Tambourine, Shakers) and Scott Thurston (Keyboards, Piano) of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers don’t just lend their talents for the album but, Ferrone sits behind the drum kit when he’s not touring with Tom Petty. Kenneth and Steve met a couple of years ago at a gathering thrown by a mutual pal. Not long after, he needed a drummer for a Hollywood gig and Steve sat in with the band. He has worked with Kenneth to hone the sound and helped him the right players. And as they say, the rest is history. Handpicked by Steve, drummer Chris Cano plays with the KBB when Ferrone is on the road with the Heartbreakers. Popular session bass guitarist and Disresputable Few member, Paul Ill, joined the band at Steve’s urging and perfectly rounded out the Kenneth Brian Band sound. “Those two were the perfect combination for what I do,” said Kenneth. “Their influence has helped elevate my playing and just being around Steve is a master class on how to be a successful artist and a decent human being,” he continued. In true KBB form, the sound of the new album honors a distinctive blend of Southern Rock that is both progressive and rooted in tradition.

While Kenneth currently resides in Los Angeles, he originally hails from the South. Born in Virginia, he spent some of his formative years in Alabama before his family settled in the musically rich town of Gainesville, Florida. From a very young age, he realized his passion for creating music and has pursued it with vigor. He penned his first country song on an old guitar at the ripe age of 4 and became serious about the guitar at age 11.

After moving to Nashville in 2001, Kenneth hit the road with a new sound steeped in tradition.

‘With Lions,’ out May 19, 2017 on Robo Records, was recorded at Dave’s Room Studio in Hollywood, California. David Bianco (Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Tom Petty) produced, mixed and engineered the album. It was mastered at legendary Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California by mastering engineer Kevin Bartley.