Proponent of the Tulsa live music scene and founder of the Sunday Bluegrass Brunch residency at Tulsaโs famed Mercury Lounge, Johnny Mullenax prepares to bring his unique take on the Tulsa sound across the pond this month in a UK debut for him and his band.
With a stellar line-up featuring Andrew Bair (keys), Thomas Trapp (acoustic guitar), Luke Callaway (drums), Paul Wilkes (bass), and Michael Schembre (fiddle), the band will take to three stages during their visit, including a performance at the award-winning Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival in Colne, Lancashire.
โWe are all so excited to be coming over to the UK this summer to see how British folks like to party!โ says Johnny.
โWeโre equally excited for all of our shows and canโt wait to spend some time in Manchester and London, but I think playing at the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival will be a special one for us. Weโve heard a lot about it and weโre all looking forward to meeting and sharing the stage with some amazing musicians over the course of the weekend.โ
With two EPs recently released โ This Jointโs For You (2023) and Friend Like You (2024) โ audiences can expect a punchy, groovy, high-energy, all-original, refined rock โnโ roll set that brings the Tulsa sound with a twist, and definitely gets the party going. There may even be some sneak previews from the bandโs upcoming EP.
โEveryone in the band has a really eclectic taste in music, and we all find inspiration from so many different areas. Personally, Iโm a big fan of genre-bending bands, and I think this comes across in the music I write. Thatโs why I struggle sometimes to try and explain our sound. Yes, we take on the Tulsa sound, but we draw a lot of influence from country, bluegrass, rock โnโ roll, funk, and even jazz.
โI think the best way to describe us would be as a feel-good country funk band with jazz roots. Weโre just a bunch of fun-loving, good-time-having boys from Oklahoma giving our all at every show to give working folks a space to let loose. Whenever we play, thereโs really only one goal โ light the place up, play our hearts out, and give 110% every time we get on stage. I think thatโs what resonates with people, and itโs the reason weโve all been given this gift to play music.โ
Listen to Johnny Mullenax on the major streaming platforms, visit johnnymullenax.com to learn more about his story and music, and see him and his band perform live alongside fellow Tulsa artist Paul Benjaman on:
20th August โ Blues Kitchen, Brixton
21st August โ Blues Kitchen, Manchester
24th August โ Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, Colne, Lancashire
