Nothing stays the same, and after five years, four albums, countless gigs, thousands and thousands of miles and achieving things they had only dreamed about, the Black Cadillac Kings were going through some major changes.
Vic Picks and Otis Dean Oliver, recently announced their retirement from the band. Remaining members, Shane Thornton and Chris Garrett, were sad to see their brothers go, but remain dedicated to keeping the music of BCK alive.
“We love them (Vic & Otis), like brothers,” says Thornton, “and wish them all the luck in the world, at whatever they do now. We’re very grateful for the time we had, and the music we made together.”
Longtime friend, and fellow musician, Paul Walborn, had been a part of many projects, through his musical career, and had also filled in on bass for the Black Cadillac Kings many times over the years. Thornton and Garrett rallied to bring Walborn on board full time.
“Walborn made a name for himself as the number one guy in the region to have as your bass player,” says Thornton. “Yes, a wanted man, if you will. With his amazing rhythm, skills, talent, and sub-sonic wallop, we knew that he was the man for the job.”
Originally starting out on piano and guitar, Walborn began playing bass guitar in junior high school and continued through his high school years.
He has performed with many bands including The Ken White Big Band, Country Club, The Basin Boogie Band, and has opened for Dierks Bentley, Keith Anderson, and Phil Vassar, while playing with Marv Strom in the De’leah Wiles Band.
Wanting to stay a blues-based band, Garret, Thornton and Walborn, knew the perfect guy to step in for lead guitar – Virgil Robinson. The guys met Robinson through their friends, the band Hecktic Week. The two bands had played some festivals together, and Robinson even filled in for Thornton at a BCK gig at one point.
“BCK shared another show at the Jackson County Fair, where Robinson rocked with the Hank Shrieve Band and left the BCK boys with smiles and melted faces,” says Thornton. “No question, he was the guy.”
Robinson, originally from Silver City, New Mexico, has been playing music professionally for more than fifty years.
The new Black Cadillac Kings are moving onward and upward, recently signing with Chance’s Now Management & Promoting Company.
After “Baby Loves My Hotrod”, winner of Best Rock Song at the 2018 World Songwriting Awards, “420 Girl”, nominated for Band Single Of The Year at the 2019 ISSA Awards, (BCK did take home the crystal 2019 ISSA Award for Entertainer Of The Year), and their new single, “Sheep” that recently hit number one on Music Mafia Radio’s Top 30, it will be tough to top, but BCK is working on new music, and is committed to making the best blues-rock you’ve ever heard.
Look for new music in 2020, and in the meantime, get out and attend some of the countless shows they do each year in Oregon, and across the U.S.
Find out more about the band at their website, BlackCadillacKings.com, and follow them on social media via the links below.
#BlackCaddyKings
Check out the #FandomVideo for 420 Girl!
