The Derek Trucks Band

Florida slide-guitar hotshot Derek Trucks was already a seasoned road hog by the time he, at age 15, formed The Derek Trucks Band with bassist Todd Smallie in 1994. As the nephew of The Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks, Derek was steeped in Southern blues rock, but he was not a one-trick pony: His group’s eponymous 1997 debut album was influenced as much by Hindustani classical music and John Coltrane’s jazz as by his uncle’s venerated combo. The Derek Trucks Band hit their euphoric, eclectic stride on 2002’s Joyful Noise (three years after Derek joined The Allman Brothers Band himself) and discovered soulful new depths with the addition of vocalist/songwriter Mike Mattison on 2006’s Songlines. The band continued to add layers of funk, gospel, and blues, winning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album for 2009’s Already Free. After releasing a remarkable live summation with 2010’s Roadsongs, The Derek Trucks Band went on hiatus when their namesake formed the Tedeschi Trucks Band that year with his talented spouse, singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi.