Rev. Billy F. Gibbons
Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Reed
Eric Clapton
Johnny Winter
Leslie West
Albert King
Elmore James
Howlin' Wolf
Hubert Sumlin'
Muddy Waters
George Harrison
Michael Schenker
David Gilmour
Mike Pender and John McNally
Kent Pearson is a veteran guitarist from the South Eastern U.S. With family roots in south-central Georgia, he spent his time growing up in Florida's Jacksonville area and, later, Tampa Bay. It was there that he formed his first band, The Lovin' Kind, at the age of fourteen after playing guitar for just one month. Shortly after, Kent played bass with Tampa Bay's premier "psychedelic" rock act, The Ravens. Under the management of regional concert promoter, A.J. Perry, The Ravens, opened for some of the biggest acts to play Tampa Bay during the mid to late 1960's, includingThe Who [their first U.S. "Herman's Hermits" tour] and The Yardbirds with Jimmy Page [Faulk Theater, Tampa, Aug. '68], The Hollies, Neil Diamond and Sonny and Cher.
The Ravens - Clearwater, FL - 1969 (Kent on far right)
In 1970, after a brief excursion working as an assistant to Jimi Hendrix's personal tailor "Michael and Toni"), Kent moved to Boston in order to immerse himself in a more "urban" musical environment.
Since that time, Kent has played with artists which include The Allman Brothers Band,
Little Joe Cook, members of The Outlaws, Bumps Blackwell,
(Little Richard's producer and co-writer of his biggest hits),
Cheap Trick, Leslie West, Jon Butcher Axis, and others.
During the 1980s, the emphasis was switched from performance to songwriting. One of the group's most interested in Kent's material was Liverpool's Mersey-era hitmakers,
The Searchers, including the song "She's Only Lonely Tonight" in their set list for their US tour as well as their 25th Aniversary concert at the London Paladium.
Frank Allen, Kent Pearson, John McNally
October of 2004 saw Kent's return to Florida.
Since then he's hosted the regular Monday night blues jam at Ka' Tiki, on Treasure Island's Sunset Beach with Roadhouse Rockers for three consecutive years, playing with many of the Tampa Bay area's finest players.
Thanks for making me feel welcome at the KaTiki Monday Night Jam. I've played down there more times than I can remember over the last 15 years, and it's good to get back to cozy surroundings. All the best...
Thanks a million Kent for joining our ministry of Blues. It's all about peace, love, understanding, and GROOVE! Hope to perform for you sometime. Enjoyed your tunes. Wishing you the very best in Blues and life! -Big Daddy
Hey Kent, Thanks for the add. It's an honor to be one of your friends. Your sounding great. And I see you have been rockin' a long time. Keep it going on. Ray
