About the Band
The Backtrack Blues Band hails from the Tampa Bay region of Florida and has been performing original blues music since 1980. As one of Florida's longest running blues acts, Backtrack has performed with many blues legends – Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Gregg Allman, Koko Taylor, Johnny Winter, John Lee Hooker, and Robert Cray, just to mention a few.
This five-piece unit has an upbeat, electric blues sound reminiscent of the early Chicago blues scene. Sonny Charles supplies great amplified harmonica and vocals. Kid Royal adds blistering lead guitar and vocals. The solid rhythm section consists of Little Johnny Walter on rhythm guitar, Joe Bencomo on drums, and Stick Davis on bass. The band delivers its brand of original electric blues with the passion and integrity of a group that has spent decades refining its craft.
Backtrack has earned the respect of its musical peers, winning three prestigious Tampa Bay music awards for "Best Blues Band”. Backtrack has appeared at multiple , large blues festival around the world , including many appearances at the award winning Tampa Bay Blues Festival, San Diego Blues Festival, Notodden International Blues Festival, Norway, Utah Blues Festival, Color Line Blues Cruise, Trois Rivieres en Blues, The Donnacona Blues Festival, and Mont- Tremblant International Blues Festival in Canada, Springing The Blues, Gasparilla Music Festival, Myakka River Blues Festival, St John Blues Festival in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Treasure Island Music Festival, Kool Jazz Festival, Ranch Jam 2015, and more. They are very accustomed to performing at outdoor music festivals and large concert venues and theaters.
BUY New CD
A new album buy the Backtrack Blues Band , "A Day By The Bay" , on Gulf Coast Records
Pre Order A Day By The Bay Now!
Buy your CD now and it will be signed by Sonny Charles - the band's founder, vocalist and blues harp master!
Gulf Coast Records Announces the Signing of Acclaimed St. Petersburg-Based Backtrack Blues Band, and Will Release Their Label Debut CD, A Day by the Bay – Live, on April 14th
Florida's BACKTRACK BLUES BAND has released its new album, "A Day By The Bay" on the prestigious Gulf Coast Records label. It's an energetic album of the band's best original songs recorded live at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival. This record is the ultimate "party" album, and is guaranteed to lift your spirits and get you moving!
The album features great harp and vocals from Sonny Charles and amazing Texas-style guitar and vocals by Kid Royal. It's a double dose of blues stylings, with harp and guitar leading the charge!
The rock solid rhythm section combines Joe Bencomo on drums, Stick Davis on bass and Little Johnny Walter on guitar. Adding to the mix is Wayne Sharp ( Michael Burks / Elvin Bishop ) on B3 organ and the Backtrack Angels - Latonya Oliver and Dana Merriwether - on backing vocals.
This is a modern blues record that draws heavily from classic Chicago blues, with flavorings of Texas blues guitar! It's a true winning combination, and this is an album you'll play over and over again.
Please support the BACKTRACK BLUES BAND and Gulf Coast Records - buy this exciting record today!
"Backtrack Blues Band is a veteran band that delivers a powerful and energetic sound. From the lead guitar and harmonica sound, to its incredible rhythm section, they are a force to be reckoned with!"
— Gene Fontana, Riverfront Blues Festival, Delaware
"Backtrack Blues Band just opened for John Nemeth on the main stage at the Tremblant Blues Festival in Canada. They really delivered the goods! Seasoned veterans in the blues, Backtrack went through songs from their new CD and the crowd responded enthusiastically.
You will feel the heat with Backtrack Blues Band. Guaranteed!"
— Brian Slack, Festival Director, Tremblant International Blues Festival and Trois-Rivieres Blues Festival, Canada
"Backtrack Blues Band was one of the very top bands at this year's Utah Blues Festival. They really got our crowd up and dancing. I would strongly recommend booking Backtrack at your festival - you won't be disappointed!"
— Tripp Hopkins, Producer - Utah Blues Festival
"Backtrack Blues Band became a favorite with our audience, playing Chicago-inspired, crowd pleasing, harmonica and guitar driven classic electric blues. The band had people dancing in the aisles, with encores at every show!"
— Jostein Forsberg, Notodden International Blues Festival