Friendlytown

Not many people start new bands in their 80s, but legendary guitarist, producer, and songwriter Steve Cropper isn't slowing down any time soon. The triple-threat musician was recently nominated for his first solo Grammy for the debut from his tight and tuneful rock n' soul quintet, Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour.

Cropper has wasted no time in following up this success with the sophomore album, Friendlytown, out August 23 on Provogue. Always pushing ahead and never repeating himself, Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour is now introducing its new lead guitarist, none other than ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. Also stopping by Friendlytown is Queen guitarist extraordinaire Brian May, and country-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Tim Montana who has balanced a successful solo career with high-profile collaborations with Gibbons and Kid Rock.

"If your booty is not shaking in the first two bars of this album you're already dead in a chair," laughs Cropper. "I feel so good about this batch of songs. They're packed with radio hooks, and we have Billy Gibbons, Brian May, and Tim Montana playing on the album--it's like guitar heaven."