The Road to Red Bluff Fest: John Mark Turner of Blues Old Stand April 18, 2025 12:28
Interview by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
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Red Bluff Music & Arts Festival represents one of Montgomery, Alabama's latest annual celebrations, and we're counting down the days to the third installment on May 16th - May 18th. The 3rd annual festival will be held at Red Bluff Bar (Friday) and Riverwalk Amphitheater (Saturday & Sunday), featuring a wide variety of national and regional acts across a diverse musical spectrum.
As we prepare for this year's festival, we're catching up with each of this year's performers to gain and share some additional insight for anyone planning to attend the festival. The series continues today with John Mark Turner, the lead guitarist of Blues Old Stand. The Montgomery natives will be kicking things off at Riverwalk Amphitheater on Saturday, May 17th. While these guys have performed countless shows in the Capitol City, this is definitely one you do not want to miss.
Blues Old Stand just recently celebrated its 35 year anniversary. That’s a feat very few bands accomplish. Can you tell me about how the band originally came together?
John Mark: So, Dave P and Scott and Bebeaux and Brian were all high school friends who used to get together and play music. We kind of all learned to play together. Brian's older brother, Al Jordan, ended up opening 1048 Jazz & Blues in Montgomery, where Dave P got a bartending job.
This allowed Dave and the guys access to a lot of great musicians passing through, and eventually, they earned their way on to the stage at 1048. They needed a band name so they named it after the small town where they would sometimes go on weekend nights to commune. They ended up with the highway sign, Blues Old Stand.
You guys became a staple in Alabama’s live music scene in the 90s. I was fortunate enough to catch a few of those epic 1048 shows in the early 2000s. Which memories stick out when thinking back on the band’s early days on the road?
John Mark: Early days on the road were always adventurous. Traveling in various vehicles with random hangers on (usually). Just trying to get everyone and all the equipment to the same bar or frat house in time to set up and play.
There were blow outs, snow storms, equipment fires, and always a lot of beer and smoke (laughs). The best of times traveling with friends and what became the first group of BOS supporters, who thankfully, still do their best to come see us when they can.
I know y’all had the opportunity to play alongside some killer bands over the years. Can you share a few highlights from some of your favorite shows and festival appearances?
John Mark: Favorite shows along the way would be the old Sandy Creek Amphitheater shows opening for Widespread Panic and such, The Spoleto Festival in Charleston (SC), City Stages festival in Birmingham, and Jubilee City Fest in Montgomery.
We also got to play some shows with acts like Merle Saunders and Col. Bruce Hampton & Aquarium Rescue Unit, who we really looked up to. All of those nights at 1048 in Montgomery, where the entire bar would be packed until 4:00 AM. Those were a blast.
You guys recently released a new single, “Pass The Peace,” which I believe is the first of its kind in quite some time. What can you share about this tune and the story behind it?
John Mark: "Pass the Peace" was written very quickly, with an impending studio date set up. Last year, a large hurricane was bearing down on south Florida, where some band family was. There was tension all over the US and the world. We ended up pretty much throwing a lot of our musical styles into one song, because at the time it was the only song we were planning on recording. Basically, it's just Dave P's lyrical stream of consciousness, set to a funky James Brown type groove with a rock chorus and jammed out extended coda.
Blues Old Stand is set to kick things off on Saturday afternoon at Red Bluff Music & Arts Festival on 5/17. What can those who might be seeing their first BOS performance expect?
John Mark: Expect to hear a lean, tight group playing a lot of original material off of our first album. A couple of brand new songs and perhaps a deep cover track or two. A lot of funky blues and dirty rock and roll played with high energy and soul.
Before we wrap things up, I know many are wondering what else is on the horizon for the band in 2025. Any additional plans you can share? Could there be another Capri Theater show in the future?
John Mark: We're planning on a double vinyl LP re-release of our first album, including two brand new songs ("Pass the Peace" + "Escape Yourself") and live material from various parts of our history. More studio work, more live shows and festivals, and yes, there will be a Capri theater show in 2025!
