Preacher Stone - V (2024)

US southern rock n’ rollers Preacher Stone are happy to finally release their highly awaited emotive and inspiring new album ‘V’ (review here) available now on CD/vinyl direct from the band – here courtesy of NoNo Bad Dog Productions and via all digital platforms. “Man, it’s been 8 years since we released our last album and so much has gone on for us and the world since then! We got asked ‘What’s taking so long guys?’” Frontman Ronnie Riddle laughs and exclaims passionately, “We’ve had loves and losses, a global pandemic, but played a heap of shows and tours despite that so we’ve ended up with a lot to say! It’s a reflection of our times, good and bad, and it grew into this epic collection of music that we’re sure all can relate to from any walk of life.You got it folks, ‘V’ has something for everyone who has followed us for years or we’re new to and we’re humbled by the amount of orders we’ve had from all over the world.”

Comprising 10 tracks, the album opens with the band at their rocking best with the trio of the barnstorming, ‘Hard Life PhD’, swinging fun in ‘My, My, My’ and the pedal-to-the-metal rush of ‘Ain’t as Easy As It Looks’. “We write for our friends and fans first and foremost, to try to catch the feelings of things we love, lessons learned the hard way and what we take away from playing each and every show. You know, it may look easy, but it ain’t and that’s part of the fun!”

Featuring the tale of scorned love in ‘Damage Is Done’ and heartfelt ‘Rise Up’ the band all play a part in the creative hubris; “Marty or Ben will come in with a riff or Jim or Wyatt will have a groove and if anyone shouts ‘play that again!’ it usually means we’re on to a good thing, that was the case with ‘Till We Meet Again’ and we just let it fly into this magical, musical place of being lucky to have people in your life. ‘Dance With The Devil’ is another one that tells the tale of a guy that we’ll all know that if you want anything, you want them on your side, a salt-of-the-earth kinda guy that you don’t mess with!”

Kicking boots out of North Carolina USA, their high-octane, 200 proof, rock-n-roll guitar-driven songs about the common man with heart-wrenching smoky bar frequenting tales, and the swagger of their live performances have earned them a legion of faithful fans known as “The Congregation”. Alongside Ronnie and founding member Marty Hill (lead guitar), the band of brothers are steeped in musical heritage with Ben Robinson (guitar), Jim Bolt (bass), the since passed away and sorely missed Johnny Webb (B3 & piano) and Wyatt (drums). The album cover art pays tribute to Johnny and honours him bearing his signature. Their song ‘Not Today’ was featured on two seasons of the hit Fox TV series Sons of Anarchy and 2023 saw them embark on debut UK shows to rapturous acclaim from fans and critics alike. Previous tours include across the United States and Europe having shared the stage with legendary acts Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Deep Purple and more. This year sees the band make a warmly welcomed return to UK shores for an exclusive run of shows with Tom Killner and Sons of Liberty that culminates in a main stage appearance at the much loved Maid of Stone Festival Mote Park, Kent with tickets available via band website.

The penultimate album closer ‘Rain Or Shine’ bears a good time summer vibe deserving to be the soundtrack to a road trip whilst addressing mixed messages from the media on current events, “As a band we live in this world where if we’re OK with you and you’re OK with us, then we should all get along and the more folk that do that, the better and to not pay attention to the garbage out there. ‘Home’ just had to be the last track, our lives are a tapestry of everything we experience woven together and that’s where we all end up no matter what.” The album was recorded at the legendary Gat3 Studios in Charlotte North Carolina, produced and engineered by the multiple Grammy winning Glenn Tabor (Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Kid Rock).

Whilst Preacher Stone are rooted in southern rock history, authenticity and well travelled, with ‘V’ they assure that they’re never a band to rest on laurels. “We really pushed ourselves on this record. We’re super proud of ‘V’ and we can’t wait to share it with all and play it live. It’s our best work yet so grab a beer and play it loud, for your family, friends and neighbours and we’ll see y’all at a show!”