OVERVIEW:
Contemporary blues band Mojo:Saint features guitarist & singer Billy Earl McClelland at the helm w/ top-drawer sidemen David Brazeal (drums) & David Stough (bass). Multiple gold record recipient McClelland & lifelong friend Brazeal formed M:S to play the music that moves them most -- the blues.
ROCK/BLUES RECORDING ARTIST: BILLY EARL MCCLELLAND:
Cusseta, Alabama native and perennial favorite, Billy Earl McClelland, has garnered for himself a hard-earned reputation as a top-notch singer, songwriter, session guitarist and producer during his prolific four decades.
Billy Earl’s notoriety started with Alabama groups W. C. Doan and Co. and Wolfe. The song, “Old Photographs,” written by Billy Earl, Kix Brooks (Brooks and Dunn), and former bandmate, Ken Beal became a hit for Capitol Records’ Sawyer Brown bulleting through Billboard Magazine’s country charts in the spring of 1988. McClelland’s guitar skills are showcased on the 1988 hit country duet, “High Ridin’ Heroes,” by David Lynn Jones and Waylon Jennings.
Billy Earl’s songs have been recorded by Hank Williams Jr., Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker, Delbert McClinton, Lacy J. Dalton, Sawyer Brown, Billy Branch and T. G. Sheppard. As a session guitarist, McClelland has performed on recordings by Jerry “Boogie” McCain, B. J. Thomas, Hank Cochran and Willie Nelson, Tony Joe White, Brenda Lee, Chet Atkins, Hank Snow, Elnora Spencer, Mel Tillis, Ronnie Spector, Dr. Hook, Townes Van Zant, Nancy Sinatra and Billy Joe Royal - just to name a few.
Billy Earl performed in most of the Southeast’s major club venues in the early seventies, winding up in Atlanta, Georgia in 1974. It was there that he got his “foot in the door” of the recording business, eventually landing a full-time staff position at the Sound Pit. His cohorts in that legendary staff band have since graced the stages and recordings of such luminaries as Bette Midler, Olivia Newton-John, Paul McCartney and Wings, and the Crusaders.
After a brief return to Auburn, Alabama in 1975, he decided that Nashville was the place he needed to be as Country Music had left its traditional sound, moving more toward Rock and Blues influences. There he met veteran producer, Chips Moman (Elvis Presley, B. J. Thomas, Billy Joe Royal, etc.), a fortuitous happenstance that led to performances on hundreds of sessions for major stars, even a roommate friendship with Bonnie Bramlett (Delaney & Bonnie & Friends).
McClelland’s raw-edged vocals and guitar virtuosity brought him to the attention of Electra Records’ Jimmy Bowen, who signed him to a recording contract, resulting in the critically acclaimed album, Zero Hindsight.
Billy Earl performed with Nashville club favorite, Blue Monday, with whom he recorded the Kent Records album, Murdered by Love, which was the first release of newly recorded blues material for the Kent label in years. McClelland then released the album, For the Fathers of Rock and Roll, on Personal Records, followed by his critically acclaimed CD Judgment Day.
McClelland has also performed with rock ‘n’ roll legend Bo Didley, Blues God Father Robert Jr. Lockwood, toured with Blues’ great Delbert McClinton and shared billings with, Albert Collins, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee and The Allman Brother’s Band. Billy Earl also served for several years as Tanya Tucker’s lead guitarist and bandleader.
Through it all, McClelland maintained his lifelong passion for the Blues. For years he’d travel to Memphis where he played as a session guitarist at 3 Alarm Studios. “I’d spend the day in the studio, and then sit in with Don McMinn at the Rum Boogie and play all night,” says the busy Bluesman. In 1996, McClelland moved to Memphis and worked as a songwriter and session guitarist, performing sessions for veteran producers like Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughn, SANTANA, etc.), Jim Dickenson (Bob Dylan, etc.), (Skip McQuin) and others. Billy Earl has even worked in Handy Park for tips with Mr. Levy Williams and the Gut Bucket Blues Band. “Mr. Levy let me play after noting that every band should have a white boy in it -- I was proud to be his”.
McClelland produced the first two Big Bill Morganfield (son of Muddy Waters) albums for MojoBlues Records USA and Taxim Records for European release. Five star reviews for Big Bill and Billy. Billy Earl Engineered and Co-Produced with Alabama Blues Artist, Debbie Bond an album of Alabama Blues Artist Music from the Heart of Dixie also for TAXIM RECORDS Europe.
McClelland has stayed involved writing songs and recording in his personal studio. He has been jamming with his friend Steven Seagal in Memphis and acting like a proud papa for his close friend Taylor Hicks’ American Idol success. And most recently, he formed Mojo:Saint with Alabama-area regional favorites and very good friends, David Brazeal (drums) and Larry Key (bass). Billy Earl and Mojo:Saint will continue wood-shedding through summer 2006 and then will roll-out their new show in the fall. A Mojo:Saint live recording is planned for a mid-October 2006 release on Jammates Records.
Memberships and Recognitions:
The Blues Foundation Corporate Sponsor
The Atlanta Blues Society
Memphis Chapter NARAS
Alabama Hall of Fame Achiever
DRUMMER, VOCALIST AND SONGWRITER: DAVID BRAZEAL:
Born March 1st, 1957 in Valley, Alabama, veteran drummer David Brazeal has played in country, pop, R&B, and rock bands since he was 13 years old. Not a “note-reader”, but a “feel player”, it is Brazeal’s natural pocket that meshes so nicely with the Blues, his personal choice of the musical genres. David has played from Canada to Key West and all points in between, working in run-down bars while also performing in some the best around. Brazeal has drummed with singer/songwriters Bruce Channel, ("Hey Baby") and Kevin Welch – even with Little Jimmy Dickens while living in Nashville. He recently had the opportunity to travel to Memphis to jam with Steven Seagal (yes, the movie star), Robert Jr. Lockwood, one of the greatest Bluesmen of all times, and Brother Al who played with Bob Marley. David Brazeal has devoted his life to drumming, and has the mature chops to play the beat with the very best. Brazeal, along with rock and blues recording artist Billy Earl McClelland and veteran bassist Larry Key have recently formed Mojo:Saint. The contemporary blues band will release its first CD, a live recording, fall 2006 on the Jammates Records label. David is married to Lisa and has one step-son, Bert Jones; one step-daughter, April Henley; and two grandchildren, Hannah Henley and Logan Jones.
BASSIST DAVID STOUGH:
Born March 26th, 1951 in Prattville, Alabama, veteran bassist David Stough has been paying his musical dues for the last 40 years. Playing nightclubs from Texas to Michigan and Kansas to the Carolinas with such artists as Chuck Berry, the Coasters, Platters, Drifters, Roy Head, Henson Cargill, and Johnny Tillotson, Stough’s studio work spans from Oklahoma to Alabama where he’s recorded tons of music for a long list of artists. David’s even done session work with the acclaimed Vince Gill. For the last eight years David Stough has played in and around Montgomery with guitarist David Williams.
David Stough has devoted his life to music, and in September 2006 prayers were answered and dreams became realty when Billy Early McClelland rang him up to talk about holding down the bass duties for his and David Brazeal’s contemporary blues band, Mojo:Saint. “D2”, as he is now known, responded with “it’s about time man, I’ve been trying to reach you for months. I’m the guy to fill your slot.” The trio immediately scheduled a series of rehearsals, and after the first tune of the first rehearsal the deal was sealed -- David Stough was an official “Saint”. October 14th marked the group’s first public performance when they headlined the blues segment of the LaGrange Georgia Jazz & Blues Fest. D2 and his fellow Mojo:Saint brothers will now go into the studio to write new material for the group’s debut recording, scheduled for release early in 2007 on the Jammates Record indie-label. David is married with three sons, one daughter and six grandchildren.
Website
http://www.mojosaint.com
DISCOGRAPHY:
Floral Park Bootleg, Jammates Records, 2006
Blues From the Heart of Dixie, Taxim, Compilation, 2006
Even More Good Whiskey Blues, Taxim, Compilation, 2005
Now And Then, Then And Now, Chips Moman Records, 2001, as a member of Billy Joe Royal's band.
Judgment Day, MojoBlues Records, 2000
Nineteen Years Old: A Tribute to Muddy Waters, Taxim, 1999, as a member of "Big" Bill Morganfield's band.
For the Fathers of Rock and Roll, Personal Records, 1986
Murdered for Love, 1986, as a member of the band Blue Monday
Ready or Not, Electra Asylum Records, 1980
Zero Hindsight, Electra Asylum Records, 1980
Billy Burnette, Polydor Records, 1979, as a member of Billy Burnette's (of Fleetwood Mac) solo group.
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