Jeremy Lyons
Jeremy Lyons has entertained thousands on the streets of the Crescent City, armed with no more than his voice and National guitar. His band the Deltabilly Boys, a favorite of the New Orleans club circuit, has toured Europe and the US, and released six critically acclaimed albums. Whether performing solo or with a band, Jeremy is never lacking for sound, presence, or style. He is widely respected as an impeccable slide and fingerstyle guitarist, and as a very strong singer with a voice of his own.
Jeremy got his start playing his National guitar in a group on the streets of the French Quarter, performing acoustic blues, hillbilly and swing. (The group was known as "The Big Mess Blues Band," fronted by singer/slide-guitarist Augie Junior.) Jeremy was making a living, immersed in the music, and learning from some of the city's finest talent.
Eventually, Lyons formed the Deltabilly Boys with drummer Paul Santopadre and fellow busker Greg Schatz on upright bass. Hundreds of gigs a year in smoky New Orleans dives and international festivals solidified their new sound, a mix of Delta-style slide, fast finger picking and steady New Orleans beats and classic Rockabilly. Jeremy, playing on vintage electric guitars, even began stretching out on surf and western instrumentals.
The Deltabilly Boys' most recent album Death of a Streetsinger showcases the band' return to a rootsy, acoustic format, with all original songs inspired by Jeremy's experiences on the New Orleans streets. A sort of "street opera."
Hurricane Katrina hit the reset button for Jeremy Lyons. He relocated with his family to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has begun gigging in the North East. Paul and Greg are back in New Orleans, so the Deltabilly Boys currently play together only on occasion. Nowadays Jeremy frequently performs solo. He also has two newer band projects. The "Bright Moments" is similar to the Deltabilly Boys, but features "Washtub" Robbie Phillips on 1-string electric bass diddley-bo, plus a drummer. "The Elastic Waste Band" includes Members of the 90s progressive rock band Morphine, Dana Colley and Jerome Deupree on electric baritone sax and drums, respectively. (Click here for more information about Jeremy's bandmates.)
MYSPACE:PHOTO CREDIT: Felix Rust