1995, The FAT DADDY Band from Roanoke, Virginia has been delivering what many call exceptional Blue Ridge Blues to the valley and beyond. The latest rendition of the band is the effect of many strange twists and circumstances that can only happen to, “A Blues Band”. Kerry Hurley, Vocals, Hoppie Vaughan, Guitar & Vocals, Tom Hearn, Drums & Dan O’Donnell on Bass & Vocals.Firings, fist fights, and flat tires, are only a few of the red hot frying pan adventures that have delivered The FAT DADDY Band from just band that plays blues to, “A Blues Band”. This blues band really does love what they do well documented in their fourth CD release, “LIVE & LOVIN’ IT”.
When Kerry and Hoppie joined The FAT DADDY Band in 2001, the band soon won the Charlotte Blues Society's Talent Competition in Aug 2001 and from there went on to be a FINALIST at the International Blues Challenge 2002 in Memphis, TN. They were named one of the top 6 unsigned blues bands in the WORLD at that time.
The FAT DADDY Band has performed at some of the country’s most respected blues clubs such as, THE DOUBLE DOOR (Charlotte, NC), BOURBON STREET BLUES AND BOOGIE BAR (Nashville, TN), CAJUN’S WHARF (Little Rock, AR),THE BLIND PIG SPEAKEASY (Augusta, GA,) THE TOBACCO COMPANY (Richmond, VA), J.M. RANDALL’S (Williamsburg, VA) MAC’S ON MAIN (Columbia, SC) DANNY’S BLUES SALOON (Oklahoma City, OK), GOODFELLA’S (Hampton, VA), SASSY ANN’S (Knoxville, TN.) THE ELLINGTON (Lynchburg, VA).
The FAT DADDY Band’s success has allowed them to open for such national acts as THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS, TRAIN, SUSAN TEDESCHI, CRAVIN MELON, ZACKK WYLDE, the legendary NIGHTHAWKS, and BOBBY MESSANO AND NEW BLUES ORCHESTRA to name a few. The special Chemistry of The FAT DADDY Band is what sets them apart. Labeling their Blues music is not hard. The band mixes their original music right along with the greats of contemporary and traditional blues artists such as B.B.KING, HOWLIN’ WOLF, MUDDY WATERS, JOHN LEE HOOKER, LOUIS JORDON, FLOYD DIXON, and ELMORE JAMES.
THE FAT DADDY BAND is sure to make you feel good about groovin’ to the blues. It is obvious that this band genuinely enjoys what they do on every performance wherever it may be. “Blues is the roots, without the roots, the tree don’t grow. You know what I’m sayin’!”