Big Daddy Love at Boone Saloon June 6

By Frank Ruggiero

Love is coming to Boone.

Elkin-based jamgrass outfit Big Daddy Love will return to the Boone Saloon Friday, June 6. The show starts at 10 p.m.

Big Daddy Love returns to the Boone Saloon for a concert on June 6. Photo submitted

Hailed for their authentic sound and powerful live performances, Big Daddy Love has been performing since 2006, though their roots can be traced back years before.

Originally a trio, the band was formed through countless jam sessions between Daniel Justin Smith (vocals, acoustic and electric guitar), Dustin Transou (vocals and mandolin) and Derek Reece (vocals, bass, electric guitar and harmonica), debuting at the Wisteria Festival in Castle Hayne as a rock/improv group.

After nearly 50 gigs their first year, Smith, Transou and Reece found themselves influenced more and more by acoustic roots music. The band welcomed two members in 2007, Steve Nalley on drums and Benjamin Kallam on banjo and vocals.

Brandishing down-to-earth vocals and solid instrumentation, Big Daddy Love delivers a unique brand of bluegrass funk, laced with alternative country and rock. Their debut album, Circle Around the Sun, was released in April 2008, and is available at www.bigdaddylove.net.

For more information on Big Daddy Love, visit www.bigdaddylove.net or www.myspace.com/bigdaddyloveband.

The Boone Saloon is located at 489 W. King St. in downtown Boone. For ticketing information, call (828) 264-1811.