DK Harrell

“D.K. Harrell picks up the baton and carries his [music] into the future, creating formidable electric blues.” –Vintage Guitar

“D.K. Harrell stands tall. His mature musical conversations are inspiring…his voice custom-built for the blues. A funky soul stew of traditional music and contemporary lyrics.” –Blues Music Magazine

Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter D.K. Harrell, one of the most formidable young stars of the current blues resurgence, sounds like no one else on the scene today. With his stinging, single-note string bending, deep soul vocals, and attention-grabbing original songs, the 27-year-old Harrell—a major draw at blues festivals around the world—is already in a league of his own.

Now, with his Alligator Records debut album, Talkin’ Heavy, D.K. Harrell cements his place among the leading voices of the new generation of blues players. This Blues Music Award-winning guitarist with a soul man’s voice and a well-earned reputation as a mesmerizing live performer delivers fresh, emotion-packed blues informed by the tradition he loves and played with the foot-pounding fervor of a revival tent preacher.

Talkin’ Heavy continually surprises with twelve instantly memorable original songs filled with Harrell’s biting guitar work and authoritative, church-born vocals. Produced by studio wizard and musician Christoffer “Kid” Andersen and recorded at Andersen’s now-famous Greaseland Studio, the album shows Harrell as a generational guitar talent with a wide-eyed vision and a street-smart singing style bringing life to the timeless songs he’s writing. He goes deep on the title track, taking a hard look at his surroundings before declaring, “the world is just heavy with the blues.” From blazing album opener A Little Taste to the proudly taking-care-of-business Grown Now to the feel-good groove of Vibe With Meto the foot-stomping closer Praise These Blues, Talkin’ Heavy is an affirmation of the sheer power of modern blues.

D.K. Harrell was born D’Kieran Harrell in Ruston, Louisiana in 1998. He first heard B.B. King at age two and responded by singing along. He sang in his church choir as a boy while continuing to be drawn to the blues. Films like The Blues Brothers, Cadillac Records and Raymade him eager to sing and play. He received his first guitar at 12, and by 16 was writing his own songs. Initially inspired by B.B. King, the youthful Harrell spent hours studying every video of King he could find, learning not just King’s licks but ultimately his tone, his finesse, his stage craft, and his band leadership skills. Harrell’s first paying gig was as an invited guest to the B.B. King Symposium in Indianola, Mississippi—where he played The Thrill Is Gone on King’s iconic guitar, Lucille—backed by members of King’s touring band.