From KENTUCKY with LOVE
Edmonton is a small town deep in the US state of Kentucky, with a population of around 2,000. It was near here, out in a cabin in the woods, its walls plastered with posters of music legends, that the seeds of Black Stone Cherry were sown almost 20 years ago. Here, the four fiercely determined kids spent all their time playing music, honing a refreshing sound that elevated their southern rock roots to anthemic hard-rock heights.
In 2005, when they were barely out of their teens, they signed a record deal with Roadrunner and it all kicked off: they released hit after hit, and flew around the world to play with their heroes, becoming famed for their fire-cracker live shows.
Now in their 30s, they’ve achieved more than most bands would have done in a lifetime, while remaining delightfully grounded – still living in their home towns. “We’re no different from anyone else,” drummer John Fred Young drawls. “We just happen to get up on a stage and play rock’n’roll.”
With the band having just released The Human Condition, their seventh album, Classic Rock caught up with all four members – the same line-up since day one – to discover their story, told in their own words.
“In a horse race, we’re the mule, man – we’re slow and steady and we’ll get there our own way.”
I’ve known Chris since I was five. We went to school together. Our dads both played guitar, and we became close friends. When we got into middle school I got interested in
