Johnny Neel and the Criminal Element, Nashville, TN
Johnny Neel is a Grammy nominated keyboard artist formally with the Allman Brothers Band. His song writing credits range from Delbert McClinton, Willie Nelson, Government Mule, Dickey Betts, Joanna Cotten, Carl Weathersby, Colin Ray, Chef Dave Band, Robert Gordon, Smoky Greenwell, Grease Factor, W.I.N.D., and Montgomery Gentry to name just a few. Most recently Johnny Neel could be seen performing with Bruce Willis & The Excellarators. Johnny Neel's co-write of Good Clean Fun with Greg Allman and Dickey Betts is enjoying platinum status on the Montgomery Gentry CD, My Town. Gun Metal Blue, Johnny's latest release on Breakin' Records, is an eclectic collection of Southern Rock, R&B, Progressive Blues, Blues, Rock and Country that showcases Johnny's soulful voice, piano, Hammond B3, and keyboard synthesizer, combined with his Americana-style songwriting. Johnny is often compared to Dr. John, Ray Charles, Van Morrison and Al Green. Read More by going to www.johnnyneel.com. Johnny met Mile 8 (myspace.com/mile8)in 2001 through a mutual friend and his band, Chef Dave. Frequently sitting in and jamming with Mile 8 led to a musical friendship that would last for years to come. Curt Redding and Randy Boen (myspace.com/randyboen) had plenty of experience backing up Johnny. Russell Wright had stepped in on bass with Mile 8 near its end and developed an immediate connection to Curt and his drumming. When Johnny sprung the idea of this band The Criminal Element was born almost instinctively. These guys were meant to play together. Who knows where this burgeoning experiment will go? "Get on the bus early and ride this thing 'til the wheels fall off!" The band is celebrating the release of Volume II, and is now in the studio recording Volume III. "The basic tracks are laid down. We're listening to it and freaking it out and making something special out of this one."
