BIO
Gold Artist Award, Grinde Award Winner, two #1 MP3 chart-toppers in two different musical genres, “Sugar & Spice” Music Video was used for the 2010 NME (First For Music News) Award Show. That is just a few of Lightnin’ Rod Wilson’s musical accomplishments.
He has shared the stage with members of The Allman Brothers, Bob Seger, The Steve Miller Band, Cher, Stevie Nicks, Boz Scaggs, and Steppenwolf.
As a young dreamer growing up in a small town in Southeast Michigan, it was not always so. While playing in several local bands, Rod soaked up the Midwest music environment of rock, blues and Motown like a sponge. During the mid eighties he toured constantly throughout the Midwest as a Contemporary Christian Artist promoting four different album releases. It was during this time, that his music began to receive some radio airplay and good reviews. Then he took a break from his career for a few years to concentrate on songwriting and absorbing the blues. In 1999, many of his previous albums were re-released. Four songs went into the top ten of the internet radio charts, “Dark Clouds”, became a #1 Christian rock song.
In 2003, he put together a blues-rock trio playing throughout Michigan and Ohio. They even performed several times at the infamous “Papa’s Tavern”, known as the launching place for American Idol Runner-up, Crystal Bowersox.
In 2004, with the release of “All-American Blues”, radio stations around the world were playing Rod’s music. “Dreamful of Blues”, became a #1 MP3 song in the general blues category. His newest release, “After The Storm”(2008), picked up where All-American Blues left off, with great reviews and airplay around the world. In 2009, he was awarded both the Grinde Award and Gold Artist Award for the CD.
“After The Storm” was mastered by Robyn Robins, the former keyboard player for many years with Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band. He has over 60 gold and platinum albums to his credit.
Rod’s music has been called “Bob Seger Meets Eric Clapton at Muddy Waters’ House”. Although, those who try to pigeon-hole his music will be left scratching their heads. Always a blues rocker at heart, his music also has shades of soul, Motown, gospel and acoustic influences.
Then there are the Thunderbolts, a top notch group of veteran musicians who have played with the likes of Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Mitch Ryder, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, members of Bruce Springsteen’s band, Crystal Gayle, Holly Dunn and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, just to name a few.
The Thunderbolts are a rare commodity of true musicianship lacking in today’s music scene.
Contact info:
Email: lightninrod@lightnin-rod.com
www.lightnin-rod.com