Blackberry Smoke
Georgia's keepers of the Southern-rock flame — Skynyrd swagger with songwriter substance.
Blackberry Smoke formed in Atlanta in 2000, led by singer and guitarist Charlie Starr, alongside guitarist Paul Jackson, bassist Richard Turner and his brother Brit Turner on drums; keyboardist Brandon Still joined later. Brit Turner served as a founding member and drummer until his death in March 2024, after which Atlanta drummer Kent Aberle took over touring duties.
The band works in a Southern rock tradition, mixing electric guitar interplay with country and blues phrasing and a strong emphasis on songwriting and harmony vocals, drawing comparisons to the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd while keeping room for quieter, more acoustic material.
They built an audience largely through steady touring rather than radio, sharing stages with acts including the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Zac Brown Band, ZZ Top, Eric Church and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and touring with Gov't Mule in 2016. Live, the group is known for extended sets and a loose, jam-friendly approach to its catalogue.
The band released its debut album, Bad Luck Ain't No Crime, in 2003, followed by Little Piece of Dixie in 2009 and its first chart entry, The Whippoorwill, in 2012. With 2015's Holding All the Roses, produced by Brendan O'Brien, Blackberry Smoke became the first independently released act in modern history to top the Billboard Country Albums chart, a feat repeated the following year with Like an Arrow, which featured Gregg Allman.
Later albums have continued that run: Find a Light appeared in 2018, and You Hear Georgia, produced by Dave Cobb, debuted at number one on the Billboard Americana/Folk chart in 2021. The band has released eight studio albums, two live albums and five extended plays altogether, along with a concert film, Homecoming: Live in Atlanta.
Blackberry Smoke at a glance
Where is Blackberry Smoke from?
Blackberry Smoke is from Atlanta, GA.
What kind of music does Blackberry Smoke play?
Blackberry Smoke is tagged southern rock.
What festivals has Blackberry Smoke played before?
Blackberry Smoke has played MerleFest 2026.
More southern rock acts
S.G. GoodmanAlabama ShakesMy Morning JacketThe Red Clay StraysLarkin PoeBrothers OsborneJason Isbell and the 400 UnitLee BainsTedeschi Trucks BandThe Warren Haynes IncidentTravis TrittUncle Lucius
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