The HercuLeons
THE HERCULEONS, a new project by esteemed Nashville music veterans John Cowan (New Grass Revival, The Doobie Brothers) and Andrea Zonn (James Taylor, Vince Gill) are releasing their debut album, John Cowan & Andrea Zonn Are The HercuLeons today via True Lonesome Records. The album is an eclectic mix of Americana, singer-songwriter and classic rock styles, propelled by longtime friends Cowan and Zonn’s seamless, powerhouse vocals and decades of experience. Produced with Wendy Waldman, guests include Michael McDonald, Darrell Scott, John Hall, John McFee, Bill Payne and Reese Wynans. (The band name was inspired by their live shows and one of Cowan’s favorite musicians — Cowan praised his new band members’ “herculean” performances and changed the spelling as a nod to his musical idol, Leon Russell.)
Today, The Bluegrass Situation is offering a full-album stream in their weekly ‘You Gotta Hear This’ round-up with longtime friends Cowan and Zonn sharing the way the project came together:
“For me, the making of this record was not about career, revenue streams, or anything else,” Cowan says. “I had been singing with, around, and listening to Andrea Zonn for 20 years. Like most of us, we were stranded during the pandemic. This record was truly born out of our combined desire to once and for all record our voices singing together.”
Zonn agrees, adding: “Like John, I was only too happy to make an entire record with one of my favorite singers, musicians, and humans. With the help of our dear friend [producer] Wendy Waldman, we began exploring ideas, crafting a sound, and pursuing a collection of songs that spoke to our creative and spiritual centers. We’re so thrilled to be sending out into the world, at long last.”
The HercuLeons created a buzz during their Nashville residency at 3rd & Lindsley and wowed the audience at their AmericanaFest 2024 show, which featured the duo backed by a group of Nashville’s finest: Jody Nardone (piano), Andy Peake (drums), Paul Kramer (multi-instrumentalist), and Tom Britt (lead guitar).
Before Cowan and Zonn leave on tour — Cowan as a longtime member of The Doobie Brothers and Zonn as violinist / vocalist with James Taylor, the HercuLeons will debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Wednesday, April 16.
Their debut, Andrea Zonn and John Cowan Are THE HERCULEONS, features the exquisite vocals and world-class musicianship you’d expect from the group, blending Appalachian, soul, rock, and jazz creating to unique blend of Americana with a pop sensibility.
Highlights include originals by Cowan and Zonn with their versions of songs by Susan Warner, Gregory Porter, The Vaughan Brothers, Larry Campbell & William Bell and more.
Singer-songwriter-fiddler Andrea Zonn is a rare breed in modern music. Her precision and grace, encompassing her wide-ranging classical and traditional music styles, has brought Zonn to tour and record with legendary artists over the years. For her contributions to countless records, Zonn has been heralded as a Nashville Cat by the Country Music Hall of Fame. She’s also released two critically acclaimed solo albums.
John Cowan, along with fellow New Grass Revival band mates Sam Bush, Courtney Johnson, and Curtis Burch, and later Bela Fleck and Pat Flynn, introduced a new generation of music fans to an explosive, experimental and ultimately, eponymous brand of bluegrass. New Grass Revival was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2020. Along with his solo projects, Cowan has toured as bassist with The Doobie Brothers since 2010.
