(Artist Report)

Written by: Ginny Gaines 

Magnolia Bayou is an American rock band from Gulfport, Mississippi, a region known for it's deep Southern culture and musical tradition. The band was formed in 2017 by a group of friends who shared a passion for Southern rock, blues, and the rich musical traditions of their home state. The founding members include Andrew Fulton (guitar, lead vocals), Josh Estes (bass), Cedric Feazell (drums), and Dylan Palmiero (lead guitar). The Gulf Coast has long been a hotbed for a range of genres, from Delta blues to soul, and Magnolia Bayou draws on that heritage to create their own distinct sound.

The band’s name, "Magnolia Bayou," itself reflects this Southern influence. The magnolia, Mississippi’s state flower, is a symbol of resilience, beauty, and tradition, while "bayou" brings to mind the swampy, mysterious landscapes of the South, often associated with the blues. Together, the name sums up the band's mission to combine the traditional Southern Rock and Delta Blues with a bit of a contemporary twist. Their music reminds their audience of the bluesy feeling of artists like Muddy Waters and BB King, but also draws inspiration from the Southern rock legends of the 1970s, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and Allman Brothers Band.

Magnolia Bayou started out playing shows in local bars and clubs. They went to Ocean City, Mississippi and auditioned to perform at Murky Waters Blues Club open jam event. The band performed three songs in a row and were chosen on the spot to perform at Murky Waters in Gulf Port, Mississippi. They were the opening act for Buckcherry for four nights on their Florida tour. Magnolia Bayou played at many music festivals as well. The festivals include Highway 30 Music Fest in Idaho and Festival on the Lake in Alexandria, Kentucky.

In 2018, Magnolia Bayou released their self titled debut album. This album has 8 tracks on it that include "When A Good Dog Goes Bad," "Take Care of Me," "Spider on the Wall," Mr. Green," and "Long Damn Ride." This album was well received and helped them build their fanbase. The band released their second album titled Strange Place in 2020. This album has 11 songs on it that include "Dig Deep," "Sleepin' in the Dog House," "Preachin' Blues," "The Robber," "Tupelo," and "Sweet Magnolia." An interesting fact about how the song "Tupelo" came to be written, Andrew forgot his boots at a gig they were playing In Tupelo, Mississipi. It reminded him that everywhere the band plays, they usually leave something behind, everything from an instrument to clothes and shoes and that's what life on the road can be like sometimes.

Magnolia Bayou is a Southern rock band that's really good at playing traditional music while also trying new things. They're respected by other musicians and fans because they can do both. Their music has been played on the radio in the Netherlands and they were even nominated for 5 award categories for the Mississippi Music Awards. Their music sounds like the old-school stuff you might hear in the South, but they also have a fresh and modern twist. They're like the new generation of musicians who are keeping this kind of music alive while adding their own style. When you see them play live or listen to their albums, you can really feel the Southern spirit and energy in their music. They're one of the most exciting bands to come out of the Gulf Coast area lately.

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