Five Finger Death Punch who had a hit with a cover of Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s first charting song ‘Blue on Black’ has re-recorded the song in a special new Country-fied version. Joining FFDP is Shepherd, Queen legend Dr. Brian May, Country Music star Brantley Gilbert. Mixed by frequent FFDP collaborator Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Shania Twain, Disturbed). You can purchase and stream ‘Blue On Black’ today worldwide via Prospect Park (North America) and Eleven Seven Music (ex. North America). The artists also premiered an official music video for how they made the track, which you can watch now. The artists and their respective labels are donating all proceeds from the collaboration to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which honors America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.
FFDP’s Zoltan Bathory commented:
“To raise awareness for and support first responders is a cause that’s always been close to our hearts. These brave men and women leave their homes every morning not knowing if they’ll ever see their families again. Yet they make a conscious choice to do so for the greater good. What better way to make a difference than to join forces with some of our friends in country, blues and classic rock who happen to be some of the biggest names in those genres and together celebrate these heroes.”
Gilbert says: “‘Blue On Black’ is a song my band and I have covered off and on for years… songs are certified timeless when you can come back to them. It’s always a staple each night and one of my favorite songs to perform. When the opportunity came up to sing on FIVE FINGER’s version, with both Kenny Wayne and Brian May of QUEEN, I jumped at the chance… Who wouldn’t?! It incorporates so many different musical perspectives, but our collaboration just works brilliantly.”
Gary Sinise, the Golden Globe- and Emmy Award-winning actor and founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation, expresses his gratitude to the artists, saying: “I want to send my thanks to FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, Brian May of QUEEN, Brantley Gilbert and Kenny Wayne Shepherd for their support of the Gary Sinise Foundation and our efforts to give back to our nation’s first responders. I’m so grateful to have all of these incredible artists from different genres coming together to support our mission with this great song, ‘Blue On Black’. I believe while we can never do enough to show our appreciation and gratitude to our nation’s defenders and the families who sacrifice right alongside them we can always do a little more. And you all are doing just that. So I salute you, and I thank you all. God bless.”
Kenny Wayne Shepherd adds: “When FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH approached me about teaming up with them to do a special version of ‘Blue On Black’, I was thrilled to do it. When they told me Brantley Gilbert and Brian May were also going to be part of it, I was honored. This is a powerful collaboration of rock, country and blues artists and a true testament to the commonalities these musical styles share, and I think the fans will appreciate and enjoy it as much as we do.”
Allen Kovac, CEO of Eleven Seven Label Group, Tenth Street Entertainment and FFDP’s manager for close to a decade, adds: “From Johnny Cash’s ‘I Walk The Line’ and THE ROLLING STONES’ ‘Honky Tonk Woman’ to THE EAGLES and Willie Nelson, country and rock have shared an audience, and created some of the biggest and most successful records of all time. It’s time to bring it all back again for first responders. Let’s tear down the walls!”
“We are proud of our nearly 12-year legacy with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH,” adds John Bowen, general manager of Prospect Park, the band’s North American label. “We are excited to release a single that will open new eyes and ears to what we believe is an incredible song, interpreted with phenomenal skill by all of the artists involved. We are also proud of the conscientious nature of this release, in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation. Rock is dead? We don’t think so.”
Big Machine Label Group — home of country superstar Brantley Gilbert and one of the biggest labels in country music — is also fully supportive of the country-rock single. Founder and CEO Scott Borchetta offers: “Maybe you didn’t see this coming… or maybe you did… Two American superpowers come together to create a megaton track that will have both the Brantley Gilbert nation and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH fans screaming for more. Unleash the beast.”