Artist description It’s a case of art imitating life. Then life imitating art imitating life. It all comes full circle with the release of Chris Thomas King’s The Legend of Tommy Johnson Act 1. The CD was inspired, in part, by his character in the Oscar nominated Coen brothers’ movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?". In his acting debut King plays a lead character, Tommy Johnson, a blues musician who, as legend has it, sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads. According to Ethan Coen, "Chris has not just a great voice but a great voice in a high register…We lucked out with Chris." The Legend of Tommy Johnson Act 1 is a back-to-the-basics blues showcase featuring Kings’ take on songs by the real Tommy Johnson with “Canned Heat Blues” and Blind Willie Johnson’s “Trouble Will Soon Be Over”. Highlighted also is a wide selection of originals such as the mischievous “Do Fries Go With That Shake” in the house rockin’ blues tradition and the rollicking “John Law Burned Down the Liquor Sto’ ” which will be featured in the film as well as the soundtrack of “Down From The Mountain”. Most of the songs on The Legend of Tommy Johnson Act 1, which is King’s 8th career CD, were written in his trailer on the movie set as he listened to the delta blues music from the 1920’s. King wrote and recorded this CD in character, including the titles song “O Brother Where Art Thou”, which he wrote for the film. The mythical group in the movie, The Soggy Bottom Boys, led by the star George Clooney often sang this song to entertain themselves between scenes on the movies set.

Music Style Blues, Country, Americana

Musical Influences Tabby Thomas, Willie Dixon, Albert Colins, Buddy Guy

Similar Artists Willie Dixon, Albert Colins, Buddy Guy, Tabby Thomas, Robert Johnson

Artist History While the legend of Chris Thomas King started years earlier, it wasn’t until 1986 that he released his first album, entitled The Beginning for Arhoolie Records. In 1987, King was one of the featured artists on the national Antones tour, which starred Willie Dixon, Albert Collins and Buddy Guy. When Warner Brothers heard the buzz on young Thomas following the tour they quickly signed him and released Cry of the Prophets, in 1990, on their Sire label. A few years later Chris Thomas, as he was known then, began working on his 3rd album, Simple, released by Hightone Records and was followed up 21st Century Blues ...From Da Hood which was met with great critical acclaim. Subsequent releases include Chris Thomas King, Red Mud and the Crescent City funk endowed, 2000 release, Me, My Guitar and the Blues. King may not have acted before this movie, but he certainly has lived the part, at one point even living out of his car. His journey eventually led him back to home state, Louisiana. He views the return to his roots as delving a spiral deeper into his heritage. "Being around blues musicians like my dad…has just reinforced all the positive feelings I have about where I live and the music produced here," King says. "I feel like I’m a part of the tradition now and that makes all my travels and troubles well worth it." It is nowhere more evident than on The Legend of Tommy Johnson Act 1, where King plays all of the instruments including a scorching guitar, driving percussions, harmonica and mandolin, all the while singing with soulful determination.

Group Members Chris Thomas King

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Harmonica, Piano

Albums The Legend Of Tommy Johnson Act 1

Location New Orleans, LA - USA

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