In the past two decades, Black Stone Cherry has set a new standard for Southern rock, revitalizing the tradition with burly riffs and stirring rock hooks. Since their formation in 2001, the four-piece brotherhood has remained Chris Robertson, vocals/guitar; Ben Wells, guitar/vocals; Jon Lawhon, bass/vocals; and John Fred Young, drums.

Though not blood relatives, the guys grew up together, immersed in the culture of shit-kicking rock n’ roll. Young’s dad Richard, and his Uncle Fred, are two founding members of the iconic country-fried rock n’ roots band The Kentucky HeadHunters, and the high school-aged boys came up bashing away on their instruments in the group’s notorious Practice House, a 1940s bungalow.

On Wednesday 29th September 2021 – the year of the band’s 20th Anniversary – Kentucky’s favorite sons, Black Stone Cherry, realized their childhood dream of playing at the legendary Royal Albert Hall, London. Sat on the stage at the iconic Victorian building, singer-guitarist Chris Robertson pauses, looks around and says, “When you’re a kid, and you see your heroes’ playing places, and then all of a sudden you find yourself sitting on the stage, it’s pretty emotional. But we’re gonna royally rock it this evening. You better believe that.” From clubs to arenas and Festival headline performances, no one puts on the kind of show that these boys do. Hit after hit – it’s all killer – the rapturous crowd roar back. Black Stone Cherry was one of the first international bands to tour the UK following the Covid19 lockdown restrictions being eased, and they gave every single fan in there that night a euphoric dose of happiness.

The band have always belonged to the fans and vice versa, which is why when you hear those songs emanate from the stage and then sung back, every fan in the world can close their eyes and remember either being there or imagine being there and the sheer joy and pride in the boys for realizing a dream. New band member Steve Jewell Jr replaces founding bass player Jon Lawhon and criss-crosses the stage with Ben Wells and Robertson projecting boundless enthusiasm. This is a band absolutely revels in playing together, and it comes across in each song.