Steve Cropper On The New "Friendlytown" Album, Royalties & More - "Paltrocast" Exclusive

Photo bySteve Cropper

Not many people start new bands in their 80s, but legendary guitarist, producer, and songwriter Steve Cropper is not planning on slowing down any time soon. The triple-threat musician -- recently nominated for his first solo GRAMMY for the debut album from his tight and tuneful rock n’ soul quintet, Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour -- recently announced details of his highly anticipated sophomore album, Friendlytown, as due out on August 23, 2024 via Mascot Label Group/Provogue. Friendlytown made headlines when it was announced that it had contributions from Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Queen guitarist extraordinaire Brian May and country-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Tim Montana alike.

Cropper notably produced Friendlytown with producer, bassist, multi-instrumentalist, and longtime friend Jon Tiven (Wilson Pickett, Don Covay, Frank Black). Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour is rounded out by lead vocalist Roger C. Reale, Nashville first-call drummer and percussionist Nioshi Jackson, and the aforementioned Reverend Billy Gibbons. Producer, artist developer, and studio co-owner Eddie Gore (Aaron Goodvin, Keb Mo, Jonathan Singleton) engineered the album and contributed organ.

Back to the man's rich history, Steve Cropper has won two GRAMMY Awards from his seven nominations. He has been ranked the number two greatest guitarist of all-time -- behind Jimi Hendrix -- by England’s Mojo Magazine, and number 36 in Rolling Stone Magazine’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list. Cropper’s name is synonymous with the world-famous soul label Stax Records, and he was featured in HBO’s new documentary, Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.

While at Stax, Steve Cropper co-wrote hits, played guitar behind and/or produced the likes of Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Bill Withers, Sam & Dave, Albert King, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas and Johnnie Taylor. Post-Stax, Cropper produced and/or played on sessions for Jeff Beck, Jose Feliciano, Yvonne Elliman, John Prine, Tower Of Power, John Cougar Mellencamp, Paul Simon, Ringo Starr, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Elton John and Steppenwolf, to name a few key artists.

In August 2024, I had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Cropper by phone, and highlights from that conversation are embedded above; the conversation is also set to air via the Long Beach, New York-based Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz television series. More on Cropper can be found online by clicking here.