One of Memphis’ finest blues quintets graced the stage of RJ’s Sports Grill & Bar in Pine Bluff. On July 6, Matt Isbell and Ghost Town Blues Band kicked off an evening full of musical entertainment to a packed house.
Blues lovers from across the state returned to downtown Pine Bluff to partake of the monthly Blues by Budweiser Concert Series sponsored by MK Distributors and hosted by the Port City Blues Society.
Before the show, front man Isbell shared how, with the exception of keyboard player Noah Donoho from Hot Springs, the rest of the group resides in Memphis and have been playing together for 15 years. Donoho came on board three months ago.
In addition to Donoho, players are Isbell on lead vocals and guitar, Matt Kramer on bass, Suavo Jones on trombone and Garrett Marshall on drums.
Port City Blues Society master of ceremonies Dave Sadler introduced Ghost Town naming the long list of honors and awards the band has received. They include 2020 Maple Blues Award B.B. King International Artist of the Year, rising to the number one spot in the 2019 Billboard Blues Album Chart, nominated for the 2019 Independent Music Award for Best Live Album, 2019 Maple Blues Award nominee for International Entertainer of the Year, 2018 Tennessee Music Award Best Blues Band winner, three-time Blues Blast Award nominee, 2018 No. 4 spot on the Billboard Blues Chart and No. 6 spot on the 2018 Heatseekers South Central chart for their “Backstage Pass” CD and 2015 BBMA nominee for Best Blues Band. Sadler further stated how the group continues to tour all over the U.S., Canada and Europe.
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Other honors bestowed on GTBB include being first runner-up in the 2014 International Blues Challenge, barely edged out of the No. 1 spot by 2024 Grammy winner Mr. Sipp. They were also winner of the International Songwriter Competition in 2015.
As they took the stage, audience members rose to their feet to welcome the highly anticipated five-piece group. The band’s first set ran an hour and a half, containing numerous original songs off of their six CDs as well as covers of the Allman Brothers’ “Statesboro Blues,” Z.Z. Top’s “Lagrange” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile.”
Part of Isbell’s performance included his introduction of a “cigar box” guitar the body of which he said was made from his grandmother’s silverware case. He shared how he has built other cigar box instruments for Cindy Lauper, Joe Bonamassa, the Spin Doctors’ Eric Schrenkman and Micheal Leonhart of the group Steely Dan.
Donoho, Jones and Isbell traded solos on organ, brass and guitar. Between peerless horn solos, Suavo charismatically danced while drummer Marshall and bass player Kramer laid down a steady backbeat knitting the whole together as one. Isbell’s raspy, soulful lead vocals were accentuated by bass player Kramer’s vocal harmonies.
Isbell showed his true gift as a band leader, lining out his players in perfect sync, note for note on every number.
During the second set that ran until 11:15 p.m., the band hit their stride, fusing blues and hip hop with rock overtones. Raising the roof on RJ’s, the sound brought dancers to their feet pouring into the aisles and onto the dance floor.
“Living Blues” magazine described the iconic band by saying, “GTBB shows what can happen when the past is distilled through young sensibilities, voices and instruments. This is 21st century blues at its best. The five piece uses an unusual array of instruments, including organ, cigar box guitars, harmonicas, electric push brooms plus brass and percussion.”
Ghost Town Blues Band’s discography includes 2010’s “Dust to Dust,” 2012’s “Dark Horse,” 2015’s “Hard Road to Hoe” and 2019’s “Shine.” In addition, the group recorded two live albums, “Backstage Pass” from a 2018 Memphis show and “Live in Lucerne, Switzerland.”
Upcoming dates on Ghost Town Blues Band’s busy tour schedule include July stops in Minneapolis and Spicer, Minn., Sioux Falls, S.D., Burlington, Iowa, and Willow Springs, Ill. The band returns home to Memphis for an Aug. 1 gig on Beale Street at Blues City Café.
The band has provided the opening act for such musical legends as Steve Miller Band, John Mayall, Keb Mo, Johnny Lang, John Lee Hooker and Booker T. Jones.
The Blues by Budweiser Concert series featured Memphis based Ghost Town Blues Band. They are: Noah Donoho (left) on keys, Matt Isbell on lead guitar and vocals, Garrett Marshall on drums, Suavo Jones on trombone and Matt Kramer on bass. (Special to The Commercial/Richard Ledbetter)