Debbie Bond and "Radiator" Rick

A little bit of soul, some down home blues, clever lyrics, excellent musicians and angelic voice. That's what you experience with Debbie Bond. A true original in every sense of the word. (Maxwell Russell, host of the Shoals Songwriters Showcase, May 2014)

Straight from Spain’s Tarragona Blues Festival to Oxford’s Famous Monday Blues at the Jericho, Bond and her backing band were far from tired or jaded. Still high on the festival vibe, she produced a cracking set that showcased her growing talent as one of the leading– and few – female blues players on the US circuit.

Bond has clearly paid her blues dues. Formerly with the late Willie King for the last seven years of his life, she has also toured and played extensively with Johnnie Shines and Eddie Kirkland. Her band for the night included her partner and former Willie King band-member, Rick Asherson, on keyboards, harp and backing vocals, together with Richard Blanchard on sax and Sam Kelly on drums.

Bond’s vocals were strong, throaty and well-paced while Asherson’s growling backing vocals meshed nicely and his keyboard work was inventive and engrossing. His harp solos were always grippingly good, demanding attention and admiration.

. . . a polished, liquid and relaxed session. It’s fitting that she includes some of her late mentor, Willie King’s stuff in her sets but she is now clearly in a position to shake off the past and roll ahead on her own account. (Iain Patience, Blues In Britain, November 2013)

We are an Alabama-based band playing original soulful bluesy Americana - please click here for our YouTube channel. We have had many great reviews for our recent CD, "That Thing Called Love", which had considerable airplay in the US and Europe. We have just returned from a great tour in the UK and France and are looking forward to doing more in Europe next year.

The group is based around Debbie Bond (guitar, vocals and songwriting) and "Radiator" Rick Asherson, on keyboard, keyboard bass and harmonica. We play many lineups, from a two-piece semi-acoustic set to full band with drums, sax and background singers.

Debbie's background includes playing with many Alabama traditional blues artists, including Willie King, Johnny Shines, Eddie Kirkland and many more. Rick worked with Willie King for many years, including several tours in Europe and performing on, and producing, his last two CDs - Jukin' At Bettie's and One Love. Since Willie King died in 2009, we have been focusing on our original music, touring widely and producing two, critically acclaimed CDs.

We have a straight forward set up and can bring our own equipment for venues up to a capacity of around 500.