KENNY NEAL
Few musical artists today have the privilege of growing up surrounded by music the way that American Bluesman Kenny Neal did or the distinguished provenance that his surname immediately invokes especially within the blues circuit.
Indeed, the Neals, a large and ever-expanding musical family with deep roots in Louisiana, are considered blues royalty with bragging rights that include a multi-generational musical legacy now spanning four (4) generations. It’s a family history that’s long and Baton Rouge strong!
But being a part of that dynastic musical legacy comes with great responsibility and it’s something that Kenny Neal, a 50+ year veteran musician, does not take lightly. This is why, after years of living away from his home state, Neal heard a calling to return and responded to that calling by moving back to the place he lovingly calls “home”.
It is also why, after so many years of touring and being away, he recently moved back to LA to fulfill his dream…a dream to give back to the very same community that gave him his start. This is a man who knows where he came from and has never forgotten his humble origins or the local townspeople who supported him, his music career and his iconic family for over half a century now. It is a small, tight-nit community that has never failed to show up for the Neals or faltered in showing them their love.
Born October 14, 1957 into a large, musically gifted family, little Kenny caught the music bug at the tender age of three and has never looked back. The oldest of ten children, Neal was the first of many to be exposed to the blues as a very young child. It’s a style of playing and geographically specific sound that his late dad Raful not only introduced him to but also played himself and he’s been playing that same shade of blue ever since. And while Neal has stayed true to that hue, he has still managed to bring his own fresh spin. Something that we have coined “new old” blues to help distinguish it from others.
Then, there are the names – those legendary, iconic, names that so very few people alive today could actually say they met, hosted in their childhood home or played with in a band. So many, in fact, that it would take more time than I have today and a brand new printer cartridge to print the list of names.
Not to name drop or divulge any secrets that aren’t meant to be shared publicly but icons Buddy Guy, Lazy Lester and Slim Harpo were just a few of the many musical luminaries that often stopped by the Neal homestead. One of the many stories circulating these days, as told by Kenny Neal himself, is one involving the legendary Slim Harpo.
According to Neal, although he was barely old enough to talk and still just a toddler, Harpo gifted him his first Harmonica hoping to quiet the youngster in the midst of a crying spell. Could that simple gesture, a small act of kindness by Harpo have forever shaped Neal’s future as a career musician? One could certainly argue that it did given Neal’s long and successful run as a working musician.
If there’s any doubt that the early exchange with Slim sealed his fate, by the time he turned 13, Neal was already playing gigs after his dad officially hired him to play bass in his band. In addition to harmonica and guitar, Neal also experimented with other musical instruments and quickly mastered the trumpet and piano.
Soon after, at just 17, he was recruited by Buddy Guy to play bass in his band – an opportunity that he embraced and eagerly accepted. Neal toured extensively with Guy and following the tour, he focused on perfecting his guitar playing.
From there, Neal headed north to Toronto, eventually relocating to the city with four of his brothers and formed the Neal Brothers Band. While there, they regularly backed many well known blues artists and Neal subsequently went on to front the Downchild Blues Band, one of Canada’s best and most lauded blues groups.
After a lengthy stint in Toronto, Neal headed back to the US and inked a record deal with King Snake Records. It was 1987 and the album “Bio on the Bayou”, Neal’s official debut album, marked only the first of many to come.
One year later, in 1988, Neal signed a multi-album record deal with Alligator Records – a working relationship that lasted nearly a decade and saw the release of six albums.
Never one to be satisfied with staying in one place for too long and fearing complacency, Neal sought his next professional challenge and found it on Broadway starring in the musical production “Mule Bone.” His performance (1991) garnered critical acclaim and earned him a Theatre World award.
Two years later, in 1993, Neal visited Africa on behalf of the US government on a tour that included live shows in seven countries. After a well earned break, Neal signed with Telarc Records and released the first of three albums with them in 1998.
Although no one can deny that Neal’s musical journey is the stuff of legends, it’s important to note that not all of it has been fun, smooth or remotely perfect despite his otherwise happy outward appearance and undeniable “joie de vivre”. But looks can be deceiving and life’s curveballs can be fast and merciless at times – especially when you don’t see them coming.
As chronicled in his award winning album: “Let Life Flow”, Neal suffered three major back-to-back blows starting with the death of his beloved Dad and musical mentor (Raful Neal) in September of 2004. Another close relative died shortly thereafter.
Then, just five months later, his beloved sister, Jackie Neal, an accomplished singer, gifted performer in her own right, was brutally murdered – her life cut short, in March of 2005. That very same week, Kennard Johnson, his longtime drummer of 20 years and bandmate, also passed away.
It was so much loss, so much to try to process all at once – another man might not have survived the pain of the collective blows. But Neal channeled all of that angst into his music – his “go to” safe place re-affirming his purpose with newfound resolve and conviction.
Then, after a short reprieve, the unthinkable happened when a casual visit to his doctor in September of 2006 revealed a very serious health issue requiring immediate medical treatment.
Forced to stop touring and ordered to undergo vigorous weekly treatments, Neal again turned to his favorite and most familiar pastime to keep him grounded… his music. And who better to be with during those dark days than his most trusted friends – his old acoustic guitar, a well worn harp & his creative thoughts. By the time his treatment was all over, Neal had written enough material to cut a whole new album and the resulting “Let Life Flow” marked his musical resurrection.
That spiritual epiphany – an existential awakening, if you will, was a transformative, life-changing event that elicited in him not just profound gratitude to the powers that be for granting him a new life but also renewed clarity and insight. “Let Life Flow” captures the spirit of that aftermath.
These days, when not touring or enjoying time with family and close friends, Neal can be found at his home-away-from-home at Brookstown Recording Studio, a recording facility that he opened in 2019 and lovingly refers to as a “lifelong dream”.
Brookstown was fueled by Neal’s desire to create a safe haven for new and aspiring artists in his own community. But the studio is not limited to only new and emerging artists as some well known names have also recorded there while passing through. On January 7, 2019, Neal formally announced:
“First session tonight!! Big news from Baton Rouge at Brookstown Recording Studio. My dreams came true! After 4 decades of touring, 16 abums, 2 Grammy nominations, numerous Blues Music Awards and a lead role on Broadway, I now give back. I created Brookstown Recording Studio for artists needing creative space, supported by great food and accommodations for out of town guests. I have the people and tools to turn your dreams into great sound. I have opened my arms and my studio to enable your creative BEST!”
And for Neal, the idea of “giving back” these days is something that’s never too far from his thoughts. In addition to offering younger artists invaluable career guidance and advice, Neal also makes Brookstown available to them for free in an effort to assist them with realizing their musical dreams. While the use of the studio itself is free, anyone that books a session is required to pay the studio engineer for his time. It is plainly clear that Neal is fully committed to passing the torch to the next generation and helping launch as many careers as possible.
And interestingly, when asked to share his three most memorable career moments, it’s not the Grammy nomination, the Theatre award or a particular music award that comes up. No, for Neal, family is and always has been paramount. He shares a personal story involving his first record deal which unbeknownst to his father, was the subject of a backroom deal. Before Neal agreed to sign on, he conditioned his acceptance on the label giving Raful his very own recording contract.
Not only did the deal materialize, Neal actually produced the album.
The same goes for the inordinately tight bond that he has with his brothers & sisters. On playing music with his siblings, he offers some sound advice: “I can’t fire ‘em, and they can’t quit, but we all have to answer to my Mom,” Neal said. In a world where people don’t place the same value on family that prior generations did, Neal’s love for his family is a rare and refreshing virtue.
Most recently, Neal signed to Verdict Music and has been working on a special project with Micah Willis who happens to be his son. Their latest track “Devil’s In The Delta” was released February 28th (2025) and is available to stream on all major streaming platforms.
The companion music video for “Devil’s in the Delta” premiered on March 13th and is available to watch IN OUR NEW MUSIC PAGE.
Neal is also writing and recording new music slated to be released later this year and will be touring both here in the US and abroad in the coming months. He and his band performed this year (2025) at the New Orleans Jazz Festival as he has done so many times before.
His follow-up single “Let Life Flow” offers a fresh new mix of the previously released 2008 track and features the soulful vocals of Quiana Lynell and the iconic Lee Oskar on Harmonica.
Verdict Music proudly welcomes Kenny Neal and looks forward to SHARING HIS full-length album, DUE OUT later this year. More details to follow soon!