PIPER & THE HARD TIMES - Best Band at the Blues Foundation’

Competing with over 200 acts from around the world, Nashville-based PIPER & THE HARD TIMES 

took top honors when they won Best Band at the Blues Foundation’s annual "International Blues Challenge" held in Memphis from January 16 - 20, 2024. 

 PIPER & THE HARD TIMES won the band challenge finals sponsored by The Nashville Blues and Roots Alliance and held on October, 2023 at the Basement East. There were 5 finalists competing for a chance to represent Nashville and middle TN at the IBCs in Memphis.

 

PIPER & THE HARD TIMES will be appearing:

 

The Nashville-based eclectic and entertaining blues & roots music group Piper & the Hard Times deliver an intense and rhythmically dynamic blues-based music. The blues is the main foundation that defines their work, along with R&B, soul and rock. The band has an instrumental prowess that enables them to improvise with flair, while still creating music that has a melodic appeal and can immediately connect with audiences who want both a high degree of musical competence and songs with a strong groove, catchy hooks and sensibility. 

As the band’s frontman, Al "Piper" Green's lead vocals and charisma combine the flamboyance and earthiness of blues with the power and authority of gospel which represent the two biggest influences in his life. He takes the band and audience on a wild journey every show and does his best to turn the room upside down come showtime. Growing up in a very musically inclined family in Bolivar, Tennessee, he sang in a gospel choir while also hearing the best of soul, pop and rock on the radio. Green contributes to the band's original songs with lyrics based on personal stories and experience which he signs with authority.

Guitarist Steve Eagon grew up in Northern Ohio and has been playing guitar since his teen years. Unlike Green, Eagon did not grow up in a musical family but was drawn to the guitar because of its “coolness factor.” A multitude of artists have served as influences from Muddy Waters' blend of electrified Delta blues to B.B. King's more urban stylings and the dynamic, powerful approaches of Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughan. As the band's principal composer, his writing style meshes multiple elements into an engaging and captivating personal group sound. That collective firepower is also indicative of the closeness shared by Eagon, Piper, and drummer Dave Colella. 

Dave Colella shares arranging duties on the original songs and brings a percussive edge and energy to the group's performances. A drummer since age seven, Colella's prior associations include studies with the great jazz drummer Joe Morello, best known for his years with Dave Brubeck. Colella says that it taught him "how" to play as opposed to "what." His playing also reflects a widespread knowledge and love of multiple idioms, as well as a thorough knowledge of vintage and contemporary blues. With Colella driving the band’s engine, a foundation is created for each band member to add their own flair.

Piper & the Hard Times have been delighting audiences across the South for many years. When you hear them, you're getting a lot more than just inspired covers or retooled bar band material. Instead, you're hearing poignant, inspired and "from the soul" music from these talented guys who love playing, and they bring that energy and vitality to the bandstand each and every night.

www.piperandthehardtimes.com

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PHOTOS OR TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW, PLEASE CONTACT: Karen Leipziger/KL Productions karenleipziger@comcast.net

 

Selected Upcoming Performances:

• FRI., FEB. 9 BOURBON STREET BLUES AND BOOGIE BAR, Nashville TN 10pm
• SAT., FEB. 10 BOGART’S CIGAR LOUNGE, Fayetteville, TN 8pm
• FRI., APRIL 12 PAPA TURNEY’S, Nashville, TN 8pm
• SAT., APRIL 13 THE CAMP, Huntsville, AL 7:30pm
• FRI., MAY 31 GROUND ZERO BLUES CLUB, Clarksdale, Ms
• SEPT. 5-8, 2024  BIG BLUES BENDER, Las Vegas, NV  
• SEPT. 13 - 15 TELLURIDE BLUES & BREWS FESTIVAL, Telluride, CO
• JAN. 2025 LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE