music.wikisort.org - Musician

Eli Hudnall Cook (born April 24, 1986) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. He is known for an eclectic style, with a focus on blues and blues rock. His deep, rich baritone voice and guitar playing have drawn widespread acclaim.[1]

Eli Cook
Performing at the Jefferson Theater (Virginia) on July 16, 2022.
Background information
Birth name	Eli Hudnall Cook
Born	(1986-04-24) April 24, 1986 (age 36) Lynchburg, Virginia, United States
Genres	Blues folk rock blues metal country rock grunge R&B[1]
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter guitarist record producer
Instrument(s)	guitar vocals
Years active	2000s–present
Labels	C.R. 8 Records Cleopatra Records Valley Entertainment
Website	elicook.com

Life and career

Early years

Cook was raised in the backwoods of Faber, Virginia, near the Blue Ridge Mountains.[2] Inspired by a lack of television and his parents' diverse record collection, he picked up the guitar at age 13, imitating the styles of Mississippi John Hurt and Fred McDowell.[3]

Two years later, he began performing acoustic blues at Rapunzel's Coffee House in Lovingston.[4] As a student at Monticello High School, his first power trio, 'The Red House Blues Band' (an apparent nod to Jimi Hendrix's Are You Experienced? track), was formed with rotating membership.[5] By age 18, Cook was playing church revivals solo, and touring the bar scene with his band throughout central Virginia.[6] Because of this, he built a reputation as a prodigy of both electric and acoustic performance, and was often featured in local publications.[7]

Recent years

Cook plays gigs mostly around Virginia, and resides in Charlottesville.[8][9]

Noteworthy Appearances

Cook’s first break happened in 2007 when he was asked to open for B.B. King at multiple shows.[3] Since then, he has shared the stage with Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, Robin Trower, Parliament-Funkadelic, Shemekia Copeland, Gary Clark, Jr., and Roomful of Blues.[2][3] He has performed on the Millennium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts[2] and at the South by Southwest Festival in 2014.[1] Cook has also opened for John Mayall at The Hamilton in Washington, D.C.[10]

Releases

Three of Cook's first four albums, Moonshine Mojo, Electricholyfirewater, and Static in the Blood, were independent releases that each displayed unique moods: guitar focused country rock, blues metal, and experimental R&B, respectively.

Valley Entertainment internationally reissued his 2005 recording, Miss Blues' Child, in 2007.[11] It included Cook's versions of Jimmy Reed's "Baby What You Want Me to Do" and Bukka White's "Fixin' To Die."[12]

2011 saw the release of Ace, Jack & King, which showcased a mix of the various genres for which he is known.

In 2013, Cook signed a recording contract with Cleopatra Records.[11] The ensuing album, Primitive Son (2014), contained guest appearances by Vinny Appice and Artimus Pyle (drums); Tinsley Ellis, Eric Gales, Leslie West, Pat Travers and Harvey Mandel (guitar); Sonny Landreth (slide guitar); Rod Piazza (harmonica); and Reese Wynans (Hammond B3 organ). The album was co-produced by Greg Hampton.[13]

In August 2017, he released High-Dollar Gospel on the C.R. 8 Records label to a positive reception.[14]

Equipment

Cook performs solo on a resophonic guitar by National and a 12-string acoustic guitar made by Rockbridge Guitars in Charlottesville, Virginia. Both instruments are electrified supplementally. With the band, he plays a customized Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster.[15]

Acclaim

Blues Matters! magazine featured Cook on the cover of its October/November (No. 86) issue. He was listed in its 2015 Writer’s Poll as the third most "Favorite International Blues Solo Artist."[16]

Most of his albums have been reviewed favorably in the press, including positive reviews in Vintage Guitar magazine.[17]

Leslie West said of recording with him, “I have heard quite a few guitar players that are young and just starting out. When I was asked to play a track with Eli Cook I wanted to see if there was something there. Believe me when I tell you THERE IS SOMETHING THERE! I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did playing on it. Eli is on his way!”[18]

Tinsley Ellis called him a “triple threat, obviously a great guitarist but also an emotive singer and an innovative songwriter. He’s in the vanguard of young, 21st-century blues rockers!”[1]

AllMusic stated in their review of Miss Blues' Child, "he has what it takes to be the best blues singer of his generation."[19]

Discography

Studio albums

• Moonshine Mojo (2004)
• Electricholyfirewater (2007)
• Miss Blues' Child (2007)
• Static In The Blood (2009)
• Ace, Jack & King (2011)
• Primitive Son (2014)
• High-Dollar Gospel (2017)

EPs

• All Night Thing (2020)

Singles

• "Baby Please Don't Go" (2014)

See also

• List of electric blues musicians

References

External links

• Official website
• "All Night Thing" music video
• "Miss Treatinest" lyric video
• "Born Under A Bad Sign" live
• "Catfish Blues" live
• "Baby Please Don't Go" music video

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