Mike Zito

All Music Guide:

Guitarist Mike Zito was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 19, 1970. He got his start in music by singing at local events at a young age. As a teenager he picked up the guitar and began playing regularly around his hometown. By 2008 Zito was releasing records on his own self-titled label while touring the U.S; this was also the year he signed with Eclecto Groove Records and released Today. Pearl River was released the following year, and Zito was awarded Song of the Year at the 2010 Blues Music Awards for the title track off that album. Zito released his final session on Eclecto Groove, Greyhound, in 2011. A track taken from that session, "Roll On," was featured on the TV show Sons of Anarchy. Also in 2011 Zito formed Royal Southern Brotherhood with Cyril Neville, guitarist Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman), bassist Charlie Wooton (of Zydefunk), and Yonrico Scott (former drummer for the Derek Trucks Band). The group released its self-titled debut album on the Ruf label in 2012, and Zito also debuted his new band, the Wheel, that year., Rovi

Wikipedia:

Mike Zito (born November 19, 1970) is a guitarist, singer, producer, and song writer from St. Louis, Missouri. He is a co-founder of Royal Southern Brotherhood that features Cyril Neville, Devon Allman, Charlie Wooton and Yonrico Scott.

Zito started singing at the age of five and by his late teens he had begun his career in the St Louis area music scene. In 2008, Zito made his international debut on the Eclecto Groove label.

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Contents

Career[edit]

Zito released records on his own label he toured regionally and performed some national dates until signing with Eclecto Groove Records in 2008. In 2008 Eclecto Groove Records released "Today."

“Today” was produced by Grammy award-winning David Z. The musicians on the CD were a lineup of studio musicians that includes bassist James "Hutch" Hutchinson (Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, Joe Cocker); Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch keyboardist Benmont Tench; co-producer/drummer Tony Braunagel (Taj Mahal, B.B. King) and percussionist Michito Sanchez (Nelly Furtado, Steve Winwood). Also appearing on the CD are Joe Sublett (saxophone), Darrell Leonard (trumpet), Mitch Kashmar (harmonica) with Teresa James and Ce Ce Bullard (background vocals).

In 2009 Eclecto Groove released his second CD "Pearl River". Zito and Cyril Neville collaborated on the title track. At the 2010 Blues Music Awards "Pearl River" won "Song of the Year". Pearl River was recorded in New Orleans, Louisiana at Piety Street Studios. "Pearl River" features Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, Reese Wynans, Susan Cowill, Lynwood Slim and Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, with the rhythm section of Lonnie ‘Popcorn’ Trevino Jr. (bass) and Eric Bolivar (drum).

In 2011 Zito fulfilled his recording contract with Delta/Eclecto Groove with the release of "Greyhound." "Greyhound was nominated for "Best Rock Blues" CD at the 2011 Blues Foundations Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN.

Royal Southern Brotherhood[edit]

Zito met Devon Allman while working together at the Guitar Center in St. Louis. The two would be reunited again through manager Rueben Williams, who managed Neville and Zito prior to signing Allman.

Zito, Cyril Neville, and Devon Allman became Royal Southern Brotherhood. The three invited rhythm section in Charlie Wooten on bass and drummer Yonrico Scott to do a short tour and the bands first “official” show was at the “Rock n’ Bowl” in New Orleans. A year slipped by and the “supergroup” released their debut album to rave reviews.

With Jim Gaines as producer (Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray, The Steve Miller Band) Royal Southern Brotherhood recorded the bands debut CD at Dockside recording Studio in Maurice, LA. Allman, Neville and Zito share lead vocals for the new album creating Zito and Allman play twin guitar leads that is one reminder of the bands related sound to the dual guitar leads played by Allman's uncle, Duane, and Dickey Betts in the Allman Brothers Band.

Film/Television[edit]

In 2012 Zito's "Roll On" from the album "Greyhound" was featured on FX's hit T.V. series "Sons of Anarchy"

Solo work[edit]

In 2012 Zito debuted his new band “The Wheel.” The Wheel features Scot Sutherland on bass, drummer Rob Lee, and Jimmy Carpenter on Saxophone.Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page).