Memphis Royal Brothers

Memphis Royal Brothers Band features compelling original songs, played by music legends, out of the very heart of American music… with a tremendous story to tell.

Crafted in Clarksdale, Mississippi— that Delta town that is the birthplace of the blues and the place where that baby the blues had called rock n’ roll began changing the world, The Royal Brothers first goal was to craft a signature sound out of rock, Mississippi Delta blues, Memphis soul, R&B, Nashville… and have it all come together in the church.

With demos that proved the songs and the unique sound valid, the emerging project moved out of the Delta and into the very place where Memphis soul music began. Yes, it was purposeful to record at historic Royal Studios in Memphis—with Grammy Award winner Boo Mitchell as a co-producer with Richard Bolen— and use the very best talent possible, not only to record it, but to become it.

Think of The Royal Brothers as one big spiritual family, which is exactly what it is, a creative collective of remarkable people with extraordinary talent… that loves to make music together. 

This is authentic American music spawn from its roots that IS new; music from our hearts reaching out to yours. 

The 17 songs, range from good time revelry to poetic poignance to towering soul spirituals. There’s even a real live alligator mixed into a track! They will make you laugh, think, reflect; make you move, bounce, groove and dance. There is even a wonderful tale about each one to tell. All heard, this is a revival, and a joyful declaration that will make you happy… just to be alive.

The players include 6 Grammy Award winners and nominees, and, yes, an Academy Award winner too. They are legends all, each with recognition and a following of their own.

They have played on thousands and thousands of albums and national tours, ranging from the best known and cherished rock n roll, blues, soul, R&B, country, jazz, and Americana country artists and musical acts of all time.

The principal Royal Brothers singer is Marcus Scott, formerly of Tower of Power. There are five other featured singers, including Grammy Award winners Bobby Rush and Jim Lauderdale and Grammy nominee Charlie Musselwhite. Wendy Moten (protégé of Vince Gill and Julio Iglesias) sings on 3 songs, and Memphis based Lil Rounds (American Idol) makes her original music debut.

Multiple featured instrumentalists include Grammy nominee Luther Dickinson; today’s version of the Memphis Horns, led by Marc Franklin, and featuring sax solos by both Lanny McMillian and Kirk Smothers. Harp solos are by Bobby Rush and Charlie Musselwhite, and stunning keyboard parts from Stax and Royal Studios legends Charles Hodges and Lester Snell also signify each Royal Brothers song as well.

At its music foundation, the Royal Brothers is a powerful rhythm section of unstoppable groove that is Stax legend Steve Potts on drums, Jackie Clark on bass, and Stax legend Michael Toles and Gary Bolen on guitars.

The songs crafted by songwriters Gary Bolen and Wes Hamil are of such stir and emotional power they caused this musical family to happen. Plus, Oscar, Grammy and Johnny Mercer Songwriter Hall of Fame winner, and current President of ASCAP, Paul Williams co-wrote with Wes on multiple Royal Brothers songs as well.