Fiery Southern rockers Black Stone Cherry originally hailed from a small rural town in south central Kentucky.
According to the bandmembers, none of whom were born before 1983, the lack of anything to do in their hometown, coupled with a rich musical background in their community and families, led them to start playing music. Lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Robertson met drummer John Fred Young (the son of Kentucky Headhunters' Richard Young) in school, and the two played music together throughout high school. In June of 2001, Black Stone Cherry officially formed with guitarist Ben Wells and bassist Jon Lawhon. They began holding shows at clubs in the area, and after a short while they gained a large all-ages following.
The band recorded its first album for In de Goot/Roadrunner Records, and after returning from the recording session, Black Stone Cherry held a homecoming concert at the local high school. Their self-titled debut album was released in July of 2006, followed by Folklore and Superstition in 2008. It performed well on the charts, both in America and across Europe. The band's third album, 2011's Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea, was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Howard Benson (Daughtry, Three Days Grace). It peaked inside the Top 40 of the album charts in their home country, and hit the top spot in Great Britain. The band toured the globe in support and won fans as far away as Japan.
In 2013 the country duo Florida Georgia Line covered the band's "Stay" and hit the number one spot on the country chart. Later that year the band reentered the studio with producer Joe Barresi. In April of 2014, Black Stone Cherry issued a preview single, "Me and Mary Jane," which entered the chart at number 29 before their fourth album, Magic Mountain, was released in May. After American and U.K. tours, the band took a break in early 2015. They played the summer festival circuit and reentered Barrick Recording Studio, where their eponymously titled debut album had been cut. Thank You, Live, a DVD from their Magic Mountain tour, was released in October. In December of 2015, the new single "The Way of the Future" was released, and "In Our Dreams" arrived in January of the following year. The self-produced album Kentucky, which Black Stone Cherry called a back-to-the-roots affair, was released in April of 2016. ~ Megan Frye, Rovi
