Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is a name you may not be familiar with now, but that will change. Hailing from Brown County, in the heart of Indiana, the Big Damn Band doesn’t look or sound like your traditional country/blues band. They’re a three piece band with a sound bigger than anything you’ve ever heard.

The Reverend Peyton struck me as intimidating until he opened his mouth to speak. Once we started talking, I found him to be one of the more genuine musicians I’ve had the honor of chatting with. His larger than life sound on stage only accents the giant of a man he is. The Rev is truly a one of a kind treasure in music and in life.

Joined on stage by his wife, “Washboard” Breezy Peyton (washboard) and Aaron “Cuz” Persinger (Drums & Bucket), The Rev brings a no holds barred, unapologetic sound that grabs you from the first cry of his slide guitar and doesn’t let go. The three piece band’s sound is brought to life thanks to the Rev’s fingerstyle method of guitar playing.

Though fingerstyle guitar isn’t heard as much in music these days, it’s the only thing Rev’s known.

“I’ve been playing since I was 12 years old and I think it’s the hardest style of guitar playing. It’s a lot different than flat picking or just strumming cords. Fingerstyle, when at its best, is two or three melodies happening at once. You can really get a huge sound out of one instrument. “

And a huge sound it produces indeed. It has hints of Mark Knopfler, Derek Trucks, Ry Cooder or J.J. Cale in sound, but with passion and dedication that can’t be matched. It’s truly hard to label the sound that the Big Damn Band makes.

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“I always just say country blues. Breezy or our manager Matt will usually give a longer answer. Its core is country blues. You’ve just got to play it with a lot of heart and passion. I try to take finger style country blues to new places. I try to make music that matters now and will matter a hundred years down the road.”

Some might find the music of Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band hard to label, but this writer has found the exact way to describe it. You take a splash of Country, a dash and the Blues and add just a touch of good old fashion punk rock.

The sound the band makes is so diverse and fresh that it’s no surprise to see the bands they’ve toured with. The Big Damn Band has toured with rock bands Clutch and Flogging Molly, to blues greats Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi to even back to back years on the Vans Warped Tour.

“They, like us, believe that we can go out there and give it some hell and get the kids into it. It worked. It paid off.”

Altogether, the Big Damn Band has released six albums and an Ep. The latest, Peyton on Patton, is a tribute to blues great, Charlie Patton. Patton, considered by many to be the “Father of the Delta Blues,” gets the respect and proper treatment on this latest album.

“I’ve been listening to him since I was 12 years old. I wanted more people to know who Charlie Patton was. I’m not much for rehashing songs, but this was different. I wanted to pay tribute to Charlie while introducing our fans and new fans to his music.”

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band might just be the best known secret that’s ready to be told. Their music transcends genres and their sound is one of a kind. A music lover will find a treasure in their music and pure bliss in their live show. Rush out and get anything and everything you can get your hands on from the Rev, Breezy and Cuz, and sit back and be blown away.

Now enjoy one of my favorite tracks by Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band titled "Clap Your Hands." Do yourself the favor of getting up and dancing.

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