Joe Bonamassa to Release New Live Album „Now Serving: Live From The Ryman”
Joe Bonamassa, blues-rock star, set to release groundbreaking live performance from Nashville’s landmark venue: “Now Serving: Royal Tea – Live From The Ryman”. Featuring an intro by Jeff Daniels. Includes 12 live tracks from today’s biggest blues guitarist, featuring unreleased versions of songs from Joe’s 24th #1 Album „Royal Tea”.
Last year when COVID-19 put the live touring industry on hold, guitar hero Joe Bonamassa did something unprecedented for his fans – he put together a one-night-only show at the enduring Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN to be livestreamed for fans everywhere. That night he united people across 44 countries worldwide for an outstanding live music presentation of his brand-new album “Royal Tea” before it absolutely was even released. The concert was re-mixed and mastered for physical release as “Now Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Ryman” on June 11th and can be available to have on CD, DVD, Blu-Ray and Double LP. The DVD will include a movie introduction narrated by actor Jeff Daniels. To pre-order, visit shop.jbonamassa.com. The stellar performance includes 12 incredible live tracks, featuring the most effective from his latest studio release Royal Tea, Joe’s 24th #1 record on the Billboard Blues chart, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. It also includes 3 electrifying tracks from his 20th anniversary album a replacement Day Now. Get your serving and relive the thrill time and time again with this once-in-a-lifetime release from one among the foremost celebrated Blues Rock entertainers!
Recalling the magical night, Bonamassa shares,
“I have always wanted to film a show at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Our band has had the respect of playing there now 8 1/2 times over the past 10 years. The audience is often alive and electric, hanging on every word and phrase. It appears like the best, most intimate gig you’ll ever do, but there are 2,300 people sharing this joy and musical journey. I like the place because it may be a national treasure and selfishly near my house. Here’s where I purchase the 1/2 part. We missed you. As great because it is to air that stage in any capacity, YOU the fans make it special. You’re a part of the show and a giant part of it. As this show was being filmed live, almost 100,000 eyes were on us in various forms round the world before of TVs and computers alike. But you weren’t within the room with us.”
In normal times, the legendary venue typically seats 2,300, except for one night only, the 000 crowd was the dimensions of a significant stadium, and in-house nearly every seat was full of a custom cardboard cutout of a lover. The event sold over 17,000 tickets, reaching a worldwide audience and bringing people of all different cultures together during a time when it often felt just like the world was falling apart. Considering the amount of households watching concerts together from home, one ticket could actually account for a complete family, therefore the true number of viewers would likely skyrocket.
Joe continues,
“We played pretty much as good as we could before of these 1700 cardboard cut outs of your faces and tried to imagine you there. For split seconds i’d catch a glimpse of the area and it almost felt normal. Then the song would end and there would be dead silence. Only the footsteps of our crew can be heard. With all of that said, this DVD could be a snapshot of a concert performance within the confines an enormous transformation of the planet. A world that had temporarily deemed us unnecessary. Nobody knows after I will ever go back to to the current stage ahead of a poker hand again, but I sure do know that I do find it irresistible and miss you greatly. This show counts as a 1/2.”
The night at the Ryman should even be celebrated as a happening that brought the music industry together. Between ticket sales and donations during his After Party Showcase, the event raised $32,000 for Bonamassa’s Fueling Musicians program, presented by his non-profit Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation (KTBA). Supporting artists for over a year amid the pandemic, up to now the program has secured $460,000 in funding for qualifying touring musicians who are suffering financial hardship since their careers are placed on hold. The program provides immediate $1,500 cash payments for essential living expenses to assist musicians stay afloat until they will retreat to out on the road. This past weekend Joe hosted his 2nd Annual Stream-A-Thon event, featuring over 35 stunning performances and 3+ hours of music to continue raising money for the cause. The event featured a star-studded lineup including Bonamassa, Toto, Dion, Ana Popovic, Warren Haynes, Bobby Rush, Jared James Nichols, Emily Wolfe and lots of more.
As for the amazing set list for “Now Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Ryman”, Bonamassa has made a career out of taking risks and venturing into uncharted territory throughout his wide-ranging career and outstanding live shows, and therefore the delivery at Ryman Auditorium was nothing wanting perfection. Bonamassa shines brighter than ever, always adding new genre-bending flavor in his guitar playing and his trademark spin on the vocals. It’s no wonder he’s often praised for bringing new audiences to the Blues Rock universe. Bonamassa already has a fantastic catalogue of live and studio releases that still evolve over the years and catch the ears of music critics far and wide. “Now Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Ryman” provides much needed invigoration for live music fans and can give them back the unbelievable feeling of being at a live concert event. With the audio/visual experience they’ll get with this release, they’ll get front row seats for one in every of the simplest touring acts around!
