'Signs of the Times', the latest release from Kingdom Brothers

November 1st, 2021 Kingdom Brothers, the popular five-piece blues band from St. Louis, announces the release of its third studio album, Signs of the Times. Produced by bassist Bob Walther, the album, available in CD and through all streaming services, features eight all-new original tunes and five of the most requested songs covered by the band in their live show. Showcasing the talents of vocalist Chris Shepherd and guitarist Ron Roskowske, with the solid rhythm section of Walther, drummer Rusty Parker, and keyboard player Stan Gill, Signs of the Times offers something for blues lovers of all kinds, a wide spectrum of styles, from Shepherd’s made-for-the-dance-floor title track and Roskowske’s bouncy instrumental, South Broadway Boogaloo, to Walther’s poignant ballad, Just One More Day, and the timeless Sam & Dave cover, When Something is Wrong with My Baby. The decision to return to the studio with a follow-up album to their 2016 offering, Times Hard, came with the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, when area restaurants and night clubs were cutting back on their seating, their hours, and their budgets, some closing completely. Times Hard had brought the band worldwide attention, with airplay on independent and underground radio stations across the Midwest and as far away as Australia’s east coast, where Kingdom Brothers were welcomed for a two-week tour of live venues in 2019. Months later, facing the economic downturn and loss of bookings, the band started working on new original songs by Shepherd, followed by great new grooves by Roskowske with lyrics and arrangements by Walther, Gill and Parker. The band added these to their occasional St. Louis area performances, testing and perfecting them in front of live audiences for the studio. The initial recording sessions for Signs of the Times were paid for with proceeds from a combination of money earned through performances and individual band members chipping in. In early 2021 the band decided to run a fundraising campaign through their website, kingdombrothersband.com, by offering perks like advance downloads, signed CDs, T-shirts, and private house concerts for the donors. The response was overwhelming, completely funding the project and enabling the band to finish recording, mixing, mastering, and duplication by the end of September. Signs of the Times was recorded and mixed at Sawhorse Studios in South St. Louis, under the skilled hand of engineer Chris Turnbaugh, mastered by Kevin Nix and is published by CD Baby. The cover logo was designed by Preston Butricks at Mystic Rhythm Media, and was incorporated into the overall album design by Scott Palermo at A. Skeetz production. Signs of the Times is available streaming at all major platforms (check kingdombrothers.hearnow.com for a player and list) The CD is available through Amazon.com, locally at Vintage Vinyl, and at Kingdom Brothers shows.