Otis - Tough Times (2014)

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has a storied music history and a large catalog of renowned artists. While it's most famous for producing more country music stars per capita than anywhere else in the United States, musicians all across the spectrum —from bluegrass to rock and roll—have called Kentucky home. Out of this musical melting pot comes the blues based, rock 'n' roll band OTIS.

With Boone Froggett on guitar and vocals, John Seeley on bass, Alex Wells on guitar, and Dale Myers on drums, the members of The Otis Band are staying connected to their Kentucky roots. Growing up around traditional instruments like piano, fiddle, and guitar instilled in them an appreciation for country-rock, bluegrass, gospel, and folk music. Kentucky's rich musical heritage led them to discover the Rock and Blues heroes that continue to influence the bands original material today.

While it would be easy to categorize the work of OTIS as Southern Rock, being from Kentucky, their musical background is much broader. In addition to being guided by the classic rock giants of the 1960s and 70s era, the members of OTIS draw inspiration from true greats—people like Muddy Waters, Leadbelly, and the artists of Motown—to create their own unique rock and roll sound.

After releasing Tough Times: A Tribute to John Brim,—Former Chess Records Blues Recording Artist— in 2014, OTIS joined Cleopatra Records in 2017, with the release of their second album Eyes of the Sun. A chance meeting with ZZ Top's Billy F. Gibbons led to the legend listening to Otis and becoming a fan—even handing their albums off to the likes of Buddy Guy and Jeff Beck! Four songs from Eyes of the Sun were also included in the soundtrack of the 2020 film Street Survivors.