Southern Avenue To Release ‘Family’ New Album
GRAMMY-nominated Memphis-based roots, blues, and soul band Southern Avenue will release their Alligator Records debut album, Family, on Friday, April 25, 2025. Today, the band has revealed the album art for Family as well as the full track listing. Family will be available on CD, translucent green vinyl LP and at all streaming services. The radio focus track, “Upside,” will hit the airwaves on March 10.
Southern Avenue is unlike any other band on the scene today, featuring three Memphis-born sister singers who perfected their vocals in church before embracing their own sonic identity: lead vocalist/songwriter Tierinii Jackson backed by her two harmonizing, multi-talented musician sisters, Tikyra (TK) on vocals and drums and Ava on violin. percussion and vocals. Israel-born and bred guitarist/songwriter Ori Naftaly (who is also married to Tierinii), provides funky grooves and raw Memphis guitar.
Naftaly founded Southern Avenue in 2015, two years after arriving in Memphis to perform at the International Blues Challenge with his solo band. The first time he saw Tierinii Jackson, the city’s premiere vocal powerhouse, he didn’t hesitate, saying, “I saw my entire future flash in front of me.” The two shared a few initial sessions, then TK joined on drums and Southern Avenue was born. “We’ve been a family ever since,” Tierinii says.
On Family, Southern Avenue’s fourth album, the band unleashes one memorable performance after another, all delivered with soul-healing power and fueled by Tierinii’s soaring vocals, warm sister harmonies, Naftaly’s deeply rooted guitar playing and TK’s forceful, propulsive drumming. From triumphant opener Long Is The Road to the emotionally resonant Found A Friend In You to the raucous Rum Boogie, the songs, with their seamless blend of roots, blues and soul grooves, are stirring and original. From the irresistible Upside to the fierce determination of Flying to the closing, declarative We Are, Family reveals honest, universal truths about the unshakable power of togetherness.
Family was recorded in Memphis at the famous Royal Studios (Al Green, Ann Peebles, Bruno Mars). It was produced by GRAMMY winner John Burk (Ray Charles, George Benson, Melissa Etheridge) and recorded and mixed by multi-GRAMMY-winning producer and engineer Boo Mitchell (Snoop Dogg, Bobby Rush, Cedric Burnside).
According to Naftaly, “Family is the story of how we found each other, held on through the highs and lows, and built something stronger than we ever imagined. It’s about the moments that test you, the people who lift you, and the belief that even through the hardest times, something beautiful is waiting on the other side.”
As frontwoman and songwriter Tierinii Jackson explains, the music is an unbreakable bond between the musicians themselves as well as with their growing legion of fans. “Our music is our expression of life. Our songs reflect our thoughts and feelings, baring our souls. Because we write and create this music together, it bonds us as a family in a way that transcends bloodlines. When our listeners connect with our music, they become a part of our healing journey, making them family too. The bonds we share with our listeners give us a reason to keep going, to share our unapologetic truths. Our fans provide us with the safe space to be vulnerable, and for that, we are forever grateful.”
Southern Avenue is named after the famous street that runs through the center of Memphis, leading past the original home of Stax Records. But it was still a surprise to the band when they became the first Memphis group signed to the newly reformed Stax label, which released their self-titled debut album in 2017. In 2018 the band won the Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist. Their follow-up, Keep On, received a GRAMMY nomination. Constant touring has brought Southern Avenue to destinations across North America, Europe and Australia, and earned them non-stop adulation from fans, press and fellow musicians. In 2024, the band joined the Outlaw Music Festival tour, performing alongside Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan.
The first single released from Family, “Found A Friend In You” (released in September of 2024 and featuring Luther Dickinson on bass), continues making waves at radio. The song has garnered critical praise and airplay from some of NPR Music’s most influential stations including WFUV in New York and WMOT Roots Radio in Nashville. It was the #1 most-played song on SiriusXM’s Jam On channel and has remained in heavy rotation since its release. The second song released from the album, unveiled in January, was “Rum Boogie,” which also received a strong and supportive welcome at radio.
On February 13, NPR’s Mountain Stage broadcast a live Southern Avenue performance and named the new track So Much Love as their Song Of The Week. Additionally, the group recently received a Blues Music Award nomination for Band Of The Year, marking the third time they has been nominated for this high honor.
Southern Avenue will hit the road in support of Family, with a tour that will take them all across the country and around the world. The first round of dates has just been announced.
2025 FAMILY TOUR
March 19, 2025
Live at Hub City Vinyl
Hagerstown, MD
March 21, 2025
Rams Head On Stage
Annapolis, MD
April 04, 2025
The Foundry
Athens, GA
April 05, 2025
Springing the Blues Festival
Jacksonville Beach, FL
April 10, 2025
Cervantes’ Other Side
Denver, CO
April 11, 2025
The Basement at Oskar Blues
Colorado Springs, CO
April 12, 2025
“Bud Light Rocks the Boat” Free Concert Series
Steamboat Springs, CO
April 26, 2025
Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival
Bessemer, AL
May 03, 2025
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans, LA
May 10, 2025
Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival
Knoxville, TN
May 24, 2025
Strangecreek Campout
Greenfield, MA
June 01, 2025
Thirty-Second Annual Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest
Augusta, NJ
June 07, 2025
Iowa City Arts Festival
Iowa City, IA
June 13, 2025
New York State Blues Festival
Syracuse, NY
June 21, 2025
Red Wing Roots Music Festival
Mount Solon, VA
Jun 22, 2025
Nelsonville Music Festival
Nelsonville, OH
July 31, 2025
Notodden Blues Festival
Notodden, NORWAY
Southern Venue website
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