Eric Culberson celebrates blues guitar giants with a Tribute to the 3 Kings at Victory North

Eric Culberson celebrates blues guitar giants with a Tribute to the 3 Kings

Freddie King, Albert King, and B.B. King, three undisputed kings of blues guitar, are being celebrated in a tribute at Victory North.

This is the third annual 3 Kings Tribute, which is organized and led by Savannah blues guitar hero Eric Culberson.

“I got to see Albert and B.B. play—Freddie had passed away in the '70s before I was old enough to go—but that was huge,” Culberson said over the phone. “They have been at the top of my list since I was in my late teens and just getting into the blues…The 3 Kings created their own niche, their own style of blues. Each one sounds differently and the way they approach music is different, but they created their own categories, and I was amazed by it. I learned my best to play like them. To this day, without the 3 kings I probably wouldn’t be playing much guitar.”

Culberson hosted the first 3 Kings Tribute concert 8 years ago at the Lucas Theatre with a massive line-up of area musicians.

“We had about 14 extra musicians that I had to deal with,” recalled Culberson. “I had to figure out who sang what, and I was in charge of material and rehearsal spaces. It was quite a handful and not easy to organize.”

Since the inaugural tribute, Culberson has smartly reduced the show to just his excellent band, a horn section, and few heavy hitter special guests.

Legendary bluesman Tony Coleman is returning this year to play drums. Coleman is an industry veteran who has toured with icons like Otis Clay, Etta James, Albert King, Albert Collins, and Buddy Guy.

“I’ve known Tony for 30 years,” said Culberson. “We were on the same record label, but he’s been B.B. King’s drummer for that long up until the very end.”

Culberson’s band will also be joined by Country Music Hall of Fame keyboardist Bob Wilson, who played with artists like J.J. Cale and Charlie Daniels.

“I met [Bob Wilson] down in Florida,” said Culberson. “He toured with Freddie King. Bob recorded Nashville Skyline with Bob Dylan. Most people probably don’t know who he is, but they know ‘Lay Lady Lay.’ That’s Bob playing organ on that song.”

The rest of Culberson’s band includes Kevin Rose (GAM, Superhorse, Elevated Basement Studio) on guitar, Dominique Harris on drums, and Eric “Big E” Moore on bass. The band also boasts a Memphis style three-piece horn section featuring Justin Golding, Trent Patten and Hani'el Mastriani-Levi.

As a bonus for blues lovers, Tony Coleman will be conducting a drum workshop at Portman’s Music Superstore on the day of the tribute concert from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“The clinic is not just for drums,” insisted Culberson. “He wants all musicians to come out. He loves to play, and he loves to teach. Any musician who is digging the blues, or even if you don’t like playing the blues, you still have a lot to learn from Tony.”

The two previous tributes to the 3 Kings were sold-out events, so be sure to get your tickets early for what promises to be an electrifying, star-studded blues concert. With Coleman and Wilson joining the band, the music of B.B., Albert, and Freddie King will truly come alive.

“Tony loves playing those songs and he also likes to sing,” said Culberson. “He actually sounds a lot like B.B. King when he sings, and he does a pretty good impersonation. And Bob loves, loves, loves to play the blues. They bring a lot of positivity and excitement to the gig.”

If You Go >>

What: A Tribute to the 3 Kings, featuring the Eric Culberson Band and Friends

When: 8 p.m., May 24

Where: Victory North, 2603 Whitaker St.

Cost: $36-66

Info: victorynorthsavannah.com

What: Tony TC Coleman Clinic

When: 5 p.m., May 24

Where: Portman’s Music Superstore, 7650 Abercorn St.

Cost: $5

Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1440119203283198/?ref=newsfeed

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah's own Eric Culberson honors three Blues Kings at Victory North