Kenny Neal (born October 14, 1957),[1] is an American bluesguitar player, singer, and band member.
Neal was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of Raful Neal, and he comes from a musical family. He has often performed with his brothers in his band.
Career
Neal preserves the blues sound of his native south Louisiana, as befits someone who learned from Slim Harpo, Buddy Guy, and his father, harmonica player Raful Neal.[2]
In 1987, Neal cut his debut album for the Floridarecord producer Bob Greenlee — an updated swamp feast initially marketed on King Snake Records as Bio on the Bayou. Alligator Records picked it up the following year, retitling it Big News from Baton Rouge!![1]
In September 2006, Neal announced he was taking a year's break from recording and performing, due to an undisclosed illness.[4] He returned to the public eye at the Monterey Blues Festival in June 2007. He has children named Kenny, Syreeta, and Micah.[5]
In 2010, he was touring with the Efes Pilsen Blues Festival.[6]
In 2016, Neal's album Bloodline received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album.[7] Neal recorded Bloodline in Nashville, Los Angeles and Baton Rouge. He co-produced it with Buddy Guy’s Grammy-winning producer, Tom Hambridge.[8]
