From the swamps of southeast Georgia, born in Waycross, and raised on Southern Rock and Blues. Josh Kirkland still calls his Mother "Mama" and speaks with a cool softness, not only is he a southern gentleman, he is one intense guitarist. Josh became fascinated with the guitar at an early age, after receiving his first guitar for his 13th birthday, he began cutting his teeth on the popular rock music of the 80's but soon found himself being drawn toward the blues. Josh's father who played Hammond B-3 organ in several local bands during the 70's not only wanted his son Josh to learn the music of his own generation, but to also learn the southern rock and blues based music that he himself came up playing. Josh was soon hooked on Duane Allman's slide guitar playing, he then discovered the music of Stevie Ray Vaughan which led him to all of the blues masters and the innovative Jimi Hendrix, the rest is history. Josh Kirkland's debut cd release is a six string odyssey, full of searing guitar riffs & soulful deep southern rooted vocals. You hear all of the influences, but there is more. Josh has evolved his own distinctive style. The Josh Kirkland Band's music is a mix of Blues, Southern Rock, Jazz, Funk, R&B/Soul, Country etc. A typical Josh Kirkland Band show features songs for everyone, including original songs and covers ranging from a twangy Johnny Cash song to a jammin' Allman Brothers tune to a hard driving Jimi Hendrix cover complete with Kirkland playing screaming guitar solos with his teeth and behind his back. Truly, Kirkland is the type of player that has to be seen. Over the years Josh has supported such acts as Rick Derringer, Pat Travers, Jerry Reed, and the Marshall Tucker Band. In 2005 Josh Kirkland was selected as one of the top ten blues artists worldwide in the "Blues Idol" competition. Most recently, the Josh Kirkland Band performed at the 2006 Wanee Festival in Live Oak FL, supporting the Derek Trucks Band, Robert Randolf, the North Mississippi Allstars, Gov't Mule, the Allman Brothers Band etc. http://joshkirklandband.com/