Photo by Harrison Hudson (Blount Floyd in rear)

If Americana / Southern Rock bands are your thing, then I’m sure you know about Music City-based Great Peacock. If not, it’s time to discover the hard-working trio of front man / guitarist Andrew Nelson, bass player Frank Keith IV, and today’s subject, guitarist / harmony vocalist Blount Floyd.

Great Peacock have just shared the third single, “Heavy Load” from their upcoming self-produced and self-funded album, “Forever Worse Better”, which they are set to deliver on October 9. You can give the song a listen right here! Peacock covers all the bases with a range of musical styles from rockers to ballads and everything in between. And while I’ve got you listening, check out “All I Really Want is You,” one of my favorite songs of 2018 that can be found on their acclaimed “Gran Pavo Real.”

I know that Blount and the guys miss playing shows. For now, let’s all get ready to settle in with this fine new record soon to drop. Thank Blount for stopping by and to Frank for being a long-time supporter of this space.

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

I was born and raised in Dothan AL and moved to Nashville in early 2005.  When I first moved here, I really wanted to engineer records for a living, not really to play. I started playing in my brother’s band just for fun and slowly started to get more serious about it over the next few years.

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital? 

The first record I remember loving and having was Def  Leppard’s Hysteria but the first one I remember asking for my birthday was Hank Jr’s The Bosephus Box.  I got it at our local mall’s record store that changed names every few years.  The last thing I bought was a gift for my brother’s birthday was Lucinda Williams, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. I had to Amazon it because Grimey’s and the Groove didn’t have it. My firsts were cassette tapes but now I pretty much only buy vinyl if I get something physical.

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

My dad used to take us to the big Country shows in the 90s at the Civic Center in Ozark, AL.  The first one I remember seeing and have a vivid memory of was George Jones, I can think back and just feel the subwoofers shake when he went for those LOW notes and feeling it, well you know where. The last one was January 24, our last live show we played. I cannot even believe that! It is the longest I’ve ever been between playing since starting to play out in my high school band when I was 15.  We were busy with our record through February and March, so I didn’t go out to any shows before the tornadoes. Wow, that really just drove it home about how long it has been.

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame?

Justin Hammel. He’s the DJ at Acme Radio and does the 615 on Lightning 100.  Not many people have fostered our local music scene as much as he has, and he has a star in my heart.  Also, I honestly can’t believe they have enshrined Keith Urban before Keith Whitley in this city. No offense to Urban, I like his tunes, and I even cooked him and his wife breakfast at Frothy Monkey. I also might have secretly touched his original gold top once. Don’t tell anyone. 

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

My day gig is at Frothy Monkey at 12th South in the kitchen, but I have had two drinks on the seasonal menu. Ha-ha!  The best pizza in town is hands down Manny’s or Joey’s House of Pizza.

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?

Man, that’s like asking what state has the best barbecue, an impossible question to answer.  I originally was gonna say “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” but I found out it was actually recorded in Cincinnati, so let’s go with Hank’s “Move It on Over” (Yes, I am laughing as I’m writing this).

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

Speaking of Cincinnati, Dixie Chili.  Oh, wait If you mean Nashville there isn’t much not in a bar for late night food, so I would always wind up at fast-food row when I lived in East Nashville.  I recently moved out in the country. There is definitely no late-night grub here.

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you.

I would pick nobody. I hate writers’ rounds. They are so awkward and would hate to put anyone through it.  Imagine just sitting on stage when someone else plays a tune – anyone would feel uncomfortable.

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

The OG Basement and The Five Spot, so many memories.

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here?

Nick Recio, the drummer on all our records who moved away to Huntsville. I want him back so we can jam like the old days.

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

We are releasing our third full-length record on October 9 and are trying to figure out how doing that makes sense in today’s landscape. We want to play live but we want everyone to be safe. So, figuring this out has obviously been a challenge. We’ve got some ideas, so here’s to thinking outside of the box 2020!  You’ll see us! Unfortunately, probably not on one of our beloved indoor small rock clubs, but we’ll figure it all out together.