“Sherman and I wanted to keep this album as close to the spirit of the Holmes Brothers that we could by including blues, Gospel and r&b and harmony vocals but also trying to include songs written by the Holmes Brothers.”

Andreas Werner:

One Step Ahead Of The Blues

Born in New Jersey in 1939 and raised in Virginia, Sherman Holmes launched his musical career in 1959 as a founding member of The Holmes Brothers. The band built a devoted following throughout New York and the tri-state area before signing with Rounder Records in 1989, a deal that propelled them to international acclaim. They later joined the Alligator Records roster for five more releases and, in 2014, received a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship — the nation's highest honor for traditional artists. Following the deaths of bandmates Willie “Popsy” Dixon and Wendell Holmes in 2015, Sherman channeled his grief into new work, forming The Sherman Holmes Project and releasing The Richmond Sessions in 2017. Now, at 87, he returns with “One Step Ahead of the Blues” (Nola Blue Records), a new collection that includes two previously unrecorded Wendell Holmes originals, along with a fresh take on The Holmes Brothers' “I'm So Lonely” that came together in the first take. Slated for release October 9, 2026, One Step Ahead of the Blues will be available on CD, limited-edition vinyl (Bandcamp exclusive), and digital formats. “Our goal was to make an album that would appeal to Holmes Brothers fans by mixing up a stew of blues, gospel and R&B,” says producer Andreas Werner. “I knew that my studio band, the Funky Chester Rhythm Section, would be the perfect band to bring the project to life.”

(Andreas Werner & Sherman Holmes / Photo © by Jim Hegan)

Recorded at Nashville's legendary Creative Workshop, the album features Lynn Williams on drums, Paul Ossola on bass, Harvey Thompson Jr. on keyboards and Werner on guitar. The Blind Boys of Alabama add their voices to bring an additional gospel dimension to the music, while the Muscle Shoals Hornsround out the ensemble. From the beginning, it was Sherman's wish to bring in Catherine Russell, Joan Osborne, Ada Dyer and Amy Helm — the women the Holmes Brothers lovingly christened the “Honorary Holmes Sisters.” Each brought her own beautiful voice and spirit to the project. “Sherman Holmes is the real deal, a true blues philosopher,” Werner says. “It has been my honor and privilege to collaborate with him on this album and to call him my friend.”

Interview by Michael Limnios                   Archive: Andreas Werner: 2022 interview

Special Thanks: Andreas Werner (Crazy Chester) & Sallie A. Bengtson (Nola Blue)

You first met The Holmes Brothers in 2004 in Zurich and reconnected with Sherman in 2019 in Memphis. How did this friendship evolve into such a deep creative partnership for this album?

When Sherman and I got together in Memphis, it was after the passing of Wendell Holmes and Popsy Dixon which signified the end of the Holmes Brothers. In the meantime he had gotten the opportunity to make a fine bluegrass album but he hadn’t found a way to properly pick things up where the Holmes Brothers had left off. Sherman and I had a really good time in Memphis. We talked about the Holmes Brothers and music in general, had some tasty barbecue at the Cozy Corner and just really hit it off as friends. I casually asked him what his current recording plans were, assuming that some people would have shown interest in making an album with him. He told me that he didn’t have anything in the works, so I offered up that I’d be interested in working with him in the studio. To my surprise, he immediately said that he very much would like to do that. That was an honor for me and I took it as a call to action. Over the next few meetings we mapped out how such an album could and should take shape.

It is noted that you were drawn to Sherman Holmes' musical history and personal philosophy. What is the most important life or musical lesson you learned while working alongside him?

Right from the start I learned that Sherman is not only an excellent musician and singer but also an extremely smart, well read and witty person. We had some really deep and inspiring conversations that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to have between musicians. There were great stories he shared from his life in the Holmes Brothers but he also told me about what it meant to be a black touring musician in the days of segregation. One time he blew my mind by showing me a copy of the Green Book (the almanac that laid out the black-friendly contacts and businesses for touring musicians) and pointed out some of his most significant entries. He also told me that his great-grandmother, on whose lap he sat as a toddler, was a slave when she was a toddler herself. I’m not sure that there is one particular lesson I learned that stands out but the fact that Sherman and I can have conversations seemingly without any boundaries has been a beautiful and enriching traveling companion.

“The main focus was to honor Sherman’s legacy with the Holmes Brothers and create an album that would appeal to the Holmes Brothers fans. Most of the decisions we made, we made in regard to that.” (Cover artwork by Anessa Arehart for the 11-track album ‘One Step Ahead of the Blues’, Nola Blue Records, 2026 | Andreas Werner with his ‘Keeping The Blues Alive’ award, Memphis TN)

The press release mentions that the new rendition of "I'm So Lonely" emerged magically on the very first take. Could you describe the atmosphere in the studio at that moment?

A few times when I visited Sherman in Virginia, he would play me “I’m So Lonely”, one of his original songs, on the piano. The Holmes Brothers had recorded it in a guitar-led version on their Simple Truths album. His solo piano version was quite a bit different and significantly slower but we didn’t plan on rerecording anything that the Holmes Brothers had already done. One evening in Nashville after a full session day, we had a little bit of time left before it was time to go home. I had written out a chord chart for “I’m So Lonely” just in case and thought the late hour would make a good setting for giving it a try, even if we wouldn’t need it for the album. I wanted to try it very similar to how Sherman had played it for me in his living room so I thought the trio setting with Lynn Williams on drums, Paul Ossola on upright bass and Harvey Thompson Jr. on piano would be the way to go. I discussed the groove with the musicians and took my seat in the control room, as my guitar playing was not needed. Harvey kicked it off, the band with Sherman on vocals joined in and it was immediately clear that something special was happening there and then. The hairs on my arms stood up and I was just hoping that everyone would make it through the song without any glitches. Lo and behold, that’s what happened, and the moment we captured was too good to be denied its rightful spot on the album.

The album includes two previously unrecorded tracks by the late Wendell Holmes. How did these songs come to light, and what does their release mean for the legacy of The Holmes Brothers?

Sherman and I wanted to keep this album as close to the spirit of the Holmes Brothers that we could by including blues, Gospel and r&b and harmony vocals but also trying to include songs written by the Holmes Brothers. I was hoping we would find something by Wendell who was the main songwriting force in the Holmes Brothers. It would be a way to include him in this album, even though his physical presence was no longer an option. We listened to all the burned CDs we could find at Sherman’s house in the hope we would stumble upon a few things that hadn’t seen the light of day, and we did. I’m glad the Holmes Brothers fans will be treated to another two Wendell Holmes songs and I’m glad Sherman got to collaborate with his late brother one more time.

Following the loss of Willie "Popsy" Dixon and Wendell Holmes in 2015, Sherman channeled his grief into creation. How did this emotional background impact the recording sessions, and how did you manage it as a producer?

I’m not so sure that actually happened. I think his loss mostly paralyzed him for a good while. With the Holmes Brothers the sum was definitely greater than its parts. And I’m saying that without wanting to take anything away from their individual contributions but to stress that their vocal blend and the way they played together was so unique and beautiful that it was simply not possible for Sherman to keep that going by himself. He got the opportunity to make the bluegrass album The Richmond Session which was a wonderful experience for him but unfortunately it largely failed to connect with the Holmes Brothers audience. Afterwards he didn’t really have a steady creative outlet until we started working on his new album, One Step Ahead Of The Blues. Having the opportunity to go into the studio again certainly invigorated him. There were certainly some introspective moments and he missed having Wendell and Popsy along for the ride, but mostly, we just had so much fun and enjoyed making music together.

“Right from the start I learned that Sherman is not only an excellent musician and singer but also an extremely smart, well read and witty person. We had some really deep and inspiring conversations that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to have between musicians.” (Andreas Werner with Sherman Holmes and Larry Campbell / Photo © by James Rice)

You brought together the incredible voices of The Honorary Holmes Sisters Joan Osborne, Catherine Russell, Ada Dyer and Amy Helm. What were your criteria for choosing these specific artists to accompany Sherman?

Sherman wanted to include Joan, Catherine, Ada and Amy from the very beginning. He feels a deep connection with all four and has worked with them in the past. The Holmes Brothers had named them Holmes Sisters to emphasize what they mean to them and I know that the feeling is mutual. Needless to say, they are the cream of the crop and amazing artists in their own right. Joan has a wonderful solo career, Catherine worked with Steel Dan for a long time, Amy is continuing the soulful legacy of her dad Levon and Ada has been on the road with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band for several years now.

Featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Funky Chester Rhythm Section, how did you balance honoring Sherman's six-decade career while creating a fresh sound for new audiences?

The main focus was to honor Sherman’s legacy with the Holmes Brothers and create an album that would appeal to the Holmes Brothers fans. Most of the decisions we made, we made in regard to that. I wanted to include the Blind Boys of Alabama to emphasize the Gospel element and to add male harmonies to the proceedings. Both elements were at the core of the Holmes Brothers’ sound. I knew that my trusty studio rhythm section, The Funky Chester Rhythm Section, would have the sensibility to give Sherman the rootsy undercurrent to shine on. We are influenced by the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section whose members Jimmy Johnson and David Hood had mentored me, and also the great R&B Rhythm Sections like Booker T. & The MGs, The Meters and The Hi Rhythm Section. Sprinkle a little bit of The Band’s Woodstock magic on it and you get the Funky Chester Rhythm Section. I think it’s more of a timeless sound than a fresh sound.

The album is titled One Step Ahead of the Blues. How do you see the future of this musical genre through the work of living legends like Sherman Holmes, and what is Nola Blue Records' vision for this release?

I give Sallie Bengston and Nola Blue Records all the credit for the existence of this album. She believes in good music and good people and is one of a few labels that dares to release music for its musical merit only. Holger Petersen, another great blues and roots music mensch, who ran Stony Plain Records in Canada for a long time, is a great friend of mine. Holger introduced me to Sallie a few years ago and quite a few Stony Plain artists are now on Nola Blue including Maria Muldaur and Duke Robillard. I also know she has a soft heart for legacy artists which is exemplified by her long association with Freddie King’s brother Benny Turner who also has a new album coming out at the very end of the year. Sallie and everyone at Nola Blue believes in Sherman and his new album and is excited to share One Step Ahead Of The Blues with everyone who’s willing to listen.

Thank you Mike, for helping us spread the word about One Step Ahead Of The Blues, which is a true labor of love for everyone involved.

Crazy Chester Records

(Photo: Andreas Werner)