This article appeared in the Macon Telegraph on 01.05.01

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January 5, 2001 Section: OUT & ABOUT Edition: HOME Page: 13 ATLANTA BAND BRINGS VERSATILE SOUND TO MACON Thursday night, Riverfront Bluez will host musical royalty when Atlanta's King Johnson stops by. King of what, you ask. King of the bluesy, Mardi Gras, R&B, funky, horn-laced bands, that's what. King Johnson the band, named for famous bluesmen named King (Albert, B.B. Freddie) and numerous Johnsons (including Robert, Blind Willie and a few Luthers) has built a reputation in the Southeast as one of the best upbeat dance-inducing bar bands around. Although born as a basic blues band, over its five-year existence the band has grown musically to include strains of classic R&B, zydeco, jazz, New Orleans funk and boogie woogie.

The band --- guitarist Oliver Wood, bassist Chris Long, drummer Greg Baba, saxophonist and clarinetist Marcus James and tuba/trombonist Adam Mewherter --- is touring behind their upcoming CD called "Luck So Strange," which has drawn comparisons to other genre benders such as Little Feat and Van Morrison. The CD's 13 tracks ably demonstrate the band's versatlity, from the basic blues shuffle of "Mountain" to the Mardi Gras-flavored "Slow Down," the James Brown funk of "Ralph" and the elegiac guitar showcase "Shadow of Wood." Add the band's sparkling harmonies and sturdy songwriting, and King Johnson has something for anyone who enjoys tapping their feet along with the beat. --- Malcolm X Abram What: King Johnson When: 8 p.m. Thursday, January 11 Where: Riverfront Bluez 550 Riverside Dr. Cost: $5 Phone: 741-9970		Oliver Wood of King Johnson will perform at Riverfront Bluez next Thursday.

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