I call them the band that invented the “Bangin’ and Twangin” sound in active rock that so many now emulate. One of the rock format’s true underrated, unsung heroes, Edmonton, Kentucky’s Black Stone Cherry.
My favorite southern tinged hard rocking metal (ish) band of the past 16 years just grabbed the number one most added slot at rock radio last week with their new tune “Celebrate”. A big congratulations is well deserved. It comes just in time for the season of celebrations.
BSC is one of those bands that never disappoints. Back in the day we called it “Southern Rock”. That meant the songs were rich in stories, and featured heavy guitars and the best musicians. They also delivered the goods live.
I saw BSC last Tuesday in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Not only did they deliver, but the “Celebration” vibe was in the room for their 90+ minute set. They blended all of their radio hits with an energetic stage show.
I also recently caught up with Chris Robertson, Black Stone Cherry’s soulful vocalist and frontman. Chris joined me on the Carr Stereo Podcast for a discussion about the new release. The record comes out on March 6, 2026. Chris explains why this EP is special and why “Celebrating Your Damn Self” is something we all need.
Black Stone Cherry’s Chris Robinson
TC: The new EP is titled “Celebrate”. I know you are a big Bob Marley fan, so I made a connection with that.
CR: We started writing this stuff, and for the last several releases, we’ve written just pretty much on the bus. Then we get in the studio and put it together the rest of the way. With this stuff, we decided we wanted to get together, not on the bus. So we started getting together at Ben’s house and just writing songs together.
It was really refreshing to do it that way and not to be confined to the back of a bus. There is something different about the new stuff. I haven’t been able to put my finger on it yet, but it just feels different.
It feels like every time we make music, I kind of end up in the same scenario. I don’t know how to describe it, it’s different, but still sounds like us. There’s just a different energy.
I’m glad because it means we’re not repeating ourselves over and over. I’m super excited for people to hear this stuff. I haven’t really got to talk about it with anybody yet, so this is awesome.
TC: Let’s Talk About “Celebrate”. I felt when I heard it, it was very “living in the moment”. Your vocals are so soulful. Bringing it to church, there’s that beautiful light, and that gorgeous hook. There’s just something really magical about “Celebrate”. That’s a standout track.
CR: Yes, that one, we had that music and the music was really driving and really heavy. We had that melody come up in the chorus and the first word that was said was Celebrate. We wanted to write a song about just celebrating every victory, whether it’s being able to get up in the morning and smile or getting through your day at work.
Every victory in life is worth celebrating to some degree. I think we get away from that entirely too much. We need that.
TC: Don’t you feel we need that now?
CR: We harp on ourselves so much. And if we’re not doing it, the next person is going to harp on you. So “celebrate your damn self”
TC: Seven songs is a lot on an EP. Six new tunes. Then we’ve got this great cover of “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds. I literally listened to it and hit your management company back and said, “I never thought of this song being a metal anthem. I kind of do now.”
CR: I’ve always heard it that way. Like even when I was a kid watching “The Breakfast Club”, I would hear that song. I was like, ‘that’s a rock and roll song, man’.
You know, it’s a pop rock song for the 80s. But I always heard it as a big, heavy rock song.
TC: And Ty Ty’s on it. Tyler from Theory of the Dead Man, Tyler Connelly.
CR: I couldn’t think of anybody better to put on this song.
TC: The EP also delves deeper into emotion and the band’s refined songwriting. The song “Deep” chronicles an extremely painful moment in guitarist Bell Wells’ life. “I’m Fine” which Chris describes as a line we often give, is when everything is NOT really ok.
CR: I don’t know why it’s taken so long for men to be more vulnerable about mental health and things of that nature. But, the most classic line is, “If you’re not doing good is, I’m fine, man.” That was the whole idea behind the song.
Nothing is okay, you know, but you tell the world you’re fine. At some point, you get to where you’re tired of trying to hide everything and you’re just, I’m fine. It’ll be fine. It’ll be what it is, you know. I think we’ve all hit that point.
The “Celebrate” EP is rich in storytelling, killer jams and the live show was a perfect kick off to a rocking holiday season. Check out my full in interview with Chris Robertson below.
Celebrate Your Damn Self and Happy Thanksgiving!
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