Video Premiere: Mike Zito ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’

Photo: Mike Zito by Scott Lukes

We are pleased to exclusively premiere the video for “Don’t Bring Me Down” by Mike Zito, from his upcoming album, Resurrection, out July 16 on Gulf Coast Records/Hillside Global. The album is produced by Grammy winner David Z.

Multi Blues Music Award-winner and co-owner of Gulf Coast Records, Mike Zito takes on internet trolls and social media provocateurs in his funky new song and video “Don’t Bring Me Down.” A blues rocking tune with great groove, Zito fires on all cylinders with top-tier guitar work and Rockstar vocals. His poignant lyrics about the spread of negativity on social media will hit home for many. Conveying his pertinent commentary through great rhythm, tasteful guitar and vocals, he nails his message dead on. Hot, contemporary blues rock at its best.

Mike Zito says, “The song ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’ is my anthem to social media and all of its yuck. It used to be fun, but now it’s all about politics, religion, political correctness, arguing, ads – Facebook is like the old mall now, nothing good anymore but I still go thinking I might see something I missed.

“My son, Zach Zito, is a killer video editor and creator and his girlfriend, Cassie Ferrick, is a wonderful young actress. Zach created the video and concept with the song in mind and Cassie is our lead actor suffering through “Fakebook” and all of its energy draining bullshit. It’s a fun, lighthearted look at what our life is like today in 2021 in the USA….and the world. Sitting around trying to find something hopeful on the social media, only to fail miserably…..hour in, hour out,” he adds.

Watch “Don’t Bring Me Down”

The 11 tracks on Resurrection not only showcase Zito’s strengths as a composer with eight original songs that sparkle, but also as an interpreter of other compositions, with electrifying takes on tunes from JJ Cale, Eric Clapton and Willie Dixon. Producing the new disc is the celebrated Grammy-winner David Z., best known for his long-standing work with Prince and his contributions to albums by Etta James, Billy Idol, BoDeans, Buddy Guy, John Mayall and many more.

On Resurrection, Mike Zito (vocals, guitar) is joined by musicians who’ve played with him for the last several years, including Matthew Johnson (drums), Doug Byrkit (bass guitar), Lewis Stephens ( piano, organ), Zach Zito (acoustic guitar), Lisa Andersen (backing vocals) Eric Demmer (saxophone) and Fernando Castillo (trumpet.)

Mike Zito’s last CD, Quarantine Blues, was recorded during the heart of the coronavirus pandemic and served as a healing love letter to his fans around the world that heralded better days ahead if we’d all just stick together. His album prior to that was a tribute to fellow St. Louis native and rock ‘n’ roll legend, Chuck Berry, and featured an array of guest guitarists ranging from Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout and Eric Gales, to Robben Ford, Luther Dickinson and Sonny Landreth, as well as Berry’s own grandson.

Mike Zito is one of the most lauded artists in the contemporary blues arena today and rightfully so, but for him, the thing that counts the most is maintaining his honesty, authenticity and integrity. Those are the qualities that have steered Zito’s career since the beginning and continue to define every effort he’s offered since.

His Blues Music Award-winning song in 2009 “Pear River” marked Zito’s first collaboration with Cyril Neville, with whom he’d later work in Royal Southern Brotherhood. A steady succession of critically acclaimed albums followed, culminating in 2011’s Greyhound, which was nominated for Best Rock Blues Album at that year’s Blue Music Awards ceremony in Memphis. Two years later, he signed with Ruf Records and released Gone to Texas, the story of how he gained his sobriety, offered an emotional homage to the state that left an indelible imprint on his entire life.

From 2010 to 2014, Zito also played an integral role in the super group of sorts, Royal Southern Brotherhood. The group released two albums and a DVD, Songs from the Road – Live in Germany, winner of the year’s Blues Music Award for Best DVD. He also made his mark behind the boards by producing albums for Samantha Fish, Albert Castiglia, Ally Venable, Jeremiah Johnson, Jimmy Carpenter, and many others. His album, Make Blues Not War debuted on the Billboard Blues Album chart at number one and garnered Zito recognition as the 2018 Rock Blues Artist of the Year by the BMAs. First Class Life followed suit and also entered the charts at number one.