“Because Blues is our culture and it’s very important to pass it on to the generations to come so they can know where they came from.”

Kenny Neal: Roots and Blossoms of Blues

The Swamp Blues are alive and well in Louisiana and what better source to report on the Blues than Louisiana’s very own multi-Blues Music Award-winner and Grammy nominee Kenny Neal, who’s releasing his new single, “Devil’s In The Delta,” along with his son, Micah Willis, on February 28th from Verdict Music. “Devil’s In The Delta” is being distributed by The Orchard. What makes this track so great, so truly special, and sets it apart from all of Kenny’s prior releases, is the appearance of his son, Micah Willis, an equally gifted singer-songwriter who now officially represents the third generation in a very long, large and distinguished line of Neal-family musicians. “Devil’s In The Delta,” is not just emblematic of Kenny’s musical roots and native home turf, it also represents his signature playing style…the archetypal Swamp Blues sound representative of all things Delta. This masterful collaboration unites two very different singers; but despite their stylistic differences, their voices pair nicely: Neal brings the grit, growl and gravel, while Micah Willis adds the counterpoint through his contrasting soulful vocals.

(Kenny Neal & Micah Willis / Photo © by Austin Smith)

Kenny Neal, the oldest of ten children, didn’t stand a chance of escaping the music bug. His own father, Raful Neal, the family patriarch, was an accomplished and well-known blues musician from Louisiana and the first to break ground and pave the way. Music is quite literally in the family’s DNA. With Kenny being based in Batton Rouge and Micah in Salt Lake City, Utah, the father/son collaboration was largely made possible through the use and reliance of various technologies that allowed them to essentially work together while being thousands of miles apart. If you’re a fan of gritty Swamp Blues laments that feature prominent harp and tasteful tremolos on wanky guitar, give this one a listen: but a word of caution…the Devil comes to life on this track and he’ll want to make a deal – so don’t let him!  

Interview by Michael Limnios                          Archive: Kenny Neal, 2016 interview

Special Thanks: Kenny Neal & Marc Pucci Media

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music?  

We live and learn, and we get better as time goes on with our craft.  I’ve grown a lot and am much more experienced than when I was younger. 

What has remained the same about your music-making process?  

It’s like the way we cook down here in the South, that’s Baton Rouge that I’m talking about. We have what you call a roux, it is the foundation of the recipe. Once you make the roux, you can pretty well add anything you want to it and it’s going to be good. And that’s what I do with my music. I keep the roots of the music there, everything else just blossoms. 

Where does your creative drive come from? 

I enjoy hangin around the local guys talkin shit and I listen and pay very close attention to them. That’s about real as reality can get and I walk away with a lot to work with.  

What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul & emotions? 

In order to make all of the above work and balance it has to be real.

”I learned not to trust everybody, go with your gut feelings. If it looks like a duck, it might be a chicken. You never know. Make sure you know what you’re seeing when reading your contracts.“ (Kenny Neal / Photo © by Philip Gould - Raful Neal & Kenny Neal, father and son, the archetypal Swamp Blues sound)

Why do you think that the Neal Family music legacy continues to generate such a devoted following, since the Raful Neal era to nowadays? 

Because my dad, Raful Neal, planted the seed real deep in each one of us. Not just with music but with love and passion. It was so much fun as a kid, we knew that this was what we wanted to do. Now I’m passing it on. 

Currently you’ve one release with your son, Micah Willis. How did that idea come about? 

He phoned me up and told me he had a blues song he wanted to record and would I be interested in producing and tracking the song. I thought it was a good idea to have my youngest son interested in the Blues. I didn’t hesitate, I went right at it and I really like the song “Devil’s in the Delta”.   

Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new single “Devil’s In The Delta”?  

I thought it was a good experience for both of us. I had fun having him put his heart and soul in the whole project. Some things I wouldn't tell him, I let him figure it out for himself. I also let him believe that he was in control of everything, but little did he know I already had it figured out. Lol!

What are the lines that connect the Blues Bloodline from the late great Raful Neal to you and new generation of Micah Willis?

Now I know how my Dad, the late, great ‘Blues Man’ Raful Neal, felt when I would share the stage with him. As a young kid at the early age of six or seven - and well beyond my childhood years, as a young man - it was truly a thrill to perform alongside my father. He inspired my love of music, especially the Blues and eventually, I followed in his footsteps and launched my own career. Now, several generations later, I’m passing the torch to my own son just like my Dad did with me. I’m so very proud to watch my son Micah take the torch even further… continuing the tradition, preserving our rich culture and cementing our legacy for many generations to come.

”learned not to trust everybody, go with your gut feelings. If it looks like a duck, it might be a chicken. You never know. Make sure you know what you’re seeing when reading your contracts.” (Kenny Neal & Micah Willis, large and distinguished line of Neal-family musicians / Photo © by Austin Smith)

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?  

I like to keep up with the times and write about what we all can relate to. 

What moment changed your music life the most? 

When I was on stage in a little juke joint in Baton Rouge in 1976, on a Friday night, Sam Guy walked up to me, this is Buddy Guy brother, put a note in my top pocket.  I got off stage, looked at the note and it said “call Buddy Guy”.  I went over to a pay phone and called him and he asked me if I’d be interested in playing bass guitar in his band. I only had a two day notice. I told him “hell yeah” and the rest is history. 

What's been the highlights in your life and career so far? 

I had quite a few highlights. First one was going to Broadway, having a lead role in a play called ‘Mule Bone’ written by Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes. Second one was to tour all over Europe and Japan opening for BB King. Third, getting to know Mr. Muddy Waters personally and introducing him to my kids. Fourth, being nominated for two Grammy’s and walking the red carpet, just to name a few, I can keep going but I guess you’ll have to wait for my book. 

Why is it important to preserve and spread the Blues? 

Because Blues is our culture and it’s very important to pass it on to the generations to come so they can know where they came from.   

What is the role of Blues in today’s society? 

Being in a panic when you leave your cell phone at home.  And “oh my God, I don’t have WiFi”. Also, the cost of living haven't much changed, it’s still called The Blues. 

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths? 

I learned not to trust everybody, go with your gut feelings. If it looks like a duck, it might be a chicken. You never know. Make sure you know what you’re seeing when reading your contracts.

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(Kenny Neal / Photo © by Laura Carbone)