Blackberry Smoke has been carrying the flag for Southern rock since the turn of the millennium, blending gritty riffs, country soul, and Americana storytelling into a sound that’s unmistakably theirs. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, the band formed in 2000 under the leadership of singer-guitarist Charlie Starr, whose vision was to fuse the legacies of icons like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers with a modern edge. Over two decades later, they’re still going strong, with their latest album, Be Right Here, released in February 2024, and a tour that’s taking them across the country—including a stop in Roanoke, Virginia, on March 27, 2025, as reported by WFXRtv. But beyond the stage lights, Blackberry Smoke’s journey reflects their deep ties to Georgia and the ways they’ve put their home state on the musical map.
The band’s story begins in Atlanta, a city with a rich musical heritage that spans genres from OutKast to the Georgia Satellites. Starr, joined by guitarist Paul Jackson, bassist Richard Turner, and drummer Brit Turner, kicked things off with a debut album, Bad Luck Ain’t No Crime, in 2003. Keyboardist Brandon Still rounded out the lineup soon after, cementing the quintet that would build a cult following through relentless touring and a string of acclaimed records. Their early days were scrappy—self-releasing music and grinding it out on the road—but that hustle paid off. By 2012, Angelfire Records signed them, and albums like The Whippoorwill and Holding Onto Hope showcased their evolution into a polished yet authentic Southern rock outfit.
Georgia runs through Blackberry Smoke’s veins. Their music is steeped in the state’s landscapes—think dusty backroads, sprawling pines, and the humid nights of the Deep South. Songs like “One Horse Town” and “Ain’t Much Left of Me” paint vivid pictures of rural life, while their latest effort, Be Right Here, recorded partly at Georgia Mae studio in Savannah, doubles down on that connection. Produced by Grammy winner Dave Cobb, the album captures the band’s live energy, honed over years of playing dive bars and arenas alike. It’s a love letter to the present moment, a theme Starr has emphasized, especially poignant after the loss of founding drummer Brit Turner to glioblastoma in March 2024. Kent Aberle has since stepped in, keeping the rhythm alive as they push forward.
Blackberry Smoke’s success has been a boon for Georgia, amplifying the state’s reputation as a musical powerhouse. Atlanta, already a hub for hip-hop and R&B, gets a nod for its rock roots through their rise. Their tours—like the current “Be Right Here Tour”—draw fans to Georgia venues, from the Tabernacle to the Fox Theatre, boosting local economies and shining a spotlight on the state’s cultural offerings. They’ve become ambassadors of Southern identity, exporting Georgia’s laid-back swagger and musical heritage to audiences worldwide.
The band’s staying power hasn’t come easy. They’ve weathered lineup changes, the death of a core member, and the ever-shifting music industry, all while staying true to their sound. Eight studio albums in, they’re still packing houses, with the Roanoke show already selling out sections of the Berglund Center. Tickets there start at $39.50, and the buzz is palpable—proof that their grassroots approach still resonates.
For Georgia, Blackberry Smoke’s popularity isn’t just cultural bragging rights; it’s economic fuel. High-profile bands draw crowds, and crowds mean business. Tour stops in Atlanta or Savannah pump money into hotels, bars, and restaurants. Even on the road, their Georgia roots inspire fans to visit, boosting tourism. Take Albany, Georgia, a smaller city in the state’s southwest. While not a tour stop, it benefits indirectly from the halo effect of Georgia’s musical fame. An Albany, GA slip and fall accident attorney, for instance, might see a subtle uptick in cases tied to this fame—think fans slipping on spilled beer at a local bar hosting a Blackberry Smoke tribute night, or tourists tripping on unfamiliar sidewalks while chasing Southern rock vibes. It’s a niche ripple, but it underscores how a band’s stardom can trickle down to local livelihoods, one gig at a time.
