Bonnie Blue: Brand New Album, Same Great Sound

Bonnie Blue, a superb Southern rock band out of Jacksonville originally, has been around for a decade, and it’s been seven years since they issued their excellent debut album No Lookin’ Back. Like it did for everyone else, things ground to a near halt during the pandemic, but Bonnie Blue has been busy making music all along. Their brand new album, No Time to Lose, is pure Bonnie Blue.

The band’s current lineup features three original members — Bradley Churchman, guitars, vocals; Willis Gore, guitars, vocals; and Adam Kenneway, bass — now joined by David Silva, drums, vocals; and Alex Sears, keyboards. The new album features original keyboard player John Wilson. The Bonnie Blue Horns are: Wes Bolling, trombone; Jeremy Prince, tenor saxophone; and Robert Bidwell, trumpet.

No Time to Lose opens with some pure Willis Gore on growling vocals and stinging slide guitar on “Breakthrough.” Gore and Churchman share vocal duties on most of the tracks; new drummer sings his composition “Best Friends and Black Eyes.” The Bonnie Blue Horns play on three excellent tracks, including ballads “Movin’” and “Do You Remember.” John Wilson is a star on electric piano, organ, and piano throughout the album.

Kenneway’s bass has always hit just right, and he works perfectly with Silva. Gore and Churchman put their full range of guitar chops on display throughout. Greg Kearney adds slide guitar to “Don’t Mean Much.” Last — but definitely not least — is the presence of master musician Bobby Lee Rodgers. His signature tune “Outer Space” gets a fine treatment from Bonnie Blue, Silva on vocals, and Silva also takes lead vocal as Rodgers guests on “Walk As Fast” with his distinctive Leslie-driven guitar.

No Time to Lose was self-released. It was recorded in Watkinsville, Georgia, at Full Moon Studio, produced, engineered, and mixed by Jay Rodgers and mastered by Joel Hatstat. Album art was created by Art Satisfied Company.

Bonnie Blue’s next show is Saturday, August 24, at Tipsy McSway in Brunswick, Georgia. More shows on the way. In the meantime, dig into No Time to Lose.

Bonnie Blue: Brand New Album, Same Great Sound