The Bo Keys

History

In 1998, Scott Bomar was asked to assemble a backing band for former Stax artist and songwriter Sir Mack Rice. His concept was to form an updated version of the quintessential Memphis sound embodied by players like Charles "Skip" Pitts and Ben Cauley, a formidable task he confronted by recruiting the very musicians who served as his inspiration.

The Bo-Keys have performed live at various festivals, including The Ponderosa Stomp, London’s Barbican Performing Arts Centre, and Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Nights Swing Series.

In the Spring of 2003, The Bo-Keys recorded their debut album, critically acclaimed The Royal Sessions, at Willie Mitchell's Royal Studio. The group would go on to perform the score for the Academy Award winning film, Hustle and Flow, as well as the song "Kick It" for the Paramount/Nickelodeon animated feature, Barnyard.

In 2008, The Bo-Keys appeared in the film Soul Men, including an on-screen performance with stars Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac. Bomar produced three songs for the film's soundtrack, most notably Anthony Hamilton's "Soul Music," which was nominated for a Grammy.

In 2010, The Bo-Keys were featured on Cyndi Lauper's Memphis Blues, on which Bomar served as producer. The album was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Traditional Blues Album.

The band's second album, Got to Get Back!, was released on June 21, 2011.

In 2012 The Bo-Keys featuring Percy Wiggins on vocals recorded a version of "Stuck in the Middle with You" for a fund raising cd titled "Super Hits Of The Seventies" for radio station WFMU.

The song “I’m Still in Need” featuring Percy Wiggins from the Writing on the Wall EP was in the film Grudge Match (2013).

Band members

Discography