Lead singer & Rhythm Guitarist, Bennie Gray, has been singing since he was a child. At age 14, he began to take his God given talent more seriously, which later led him to join the Dry County Band. During the three years with Dry County, Bennie became a crowd pleaser. Following his departure from Dry County, he begin singing solo and playing acoustic guitar. Bennie has a passion for writing songs. He has already written a total of ten original songs and continues to write original music that he hopes everyone can relate too. He has written several songs that relate to his life and how he lost his dad at age 12. These songs definitely touch a place in your heart and bring a tear to your eye. Aside from his songwriting and singing, Bennie is also a good entertainer. He won Entertainer of the Year for 2007 at the Georgia Country Gospel Music Association Awards.
Lead Guitarist, Robbie Akins, has been affiliated with music since he was a child. Being the talented musician that he is, Robbie can play lead guitar, rhythm guitar, piano, bass guitar and drums. He has been playing lead guitar since he was 16 years old. He has played in several different bands throughout the years. Before the formation of Southern Thunder, Robbie played piano for the Willing Vessels. After eight years in the gospel music industry, he decided to take a break from traveling. While taking some time off, Robbie met Bennie and begin to play lead guitar with him at some of his solo shows. Together, they decided to take things a step further which led to the formation of Southern Thunder. Aside from playing lead guitar, Robbie is also a great vocalist. He is featured on several songs such as "Keep On Smiling" and "Wonderful Tonight." Robbie and his wife Judy reside in Rockmart, GA.
Lead/Backup Vocalist, Amy Gray, is married to Bennie. She has been singing since the age of 2. Although she has never previously sang in a band, she has a strong musical background with ties to different genres of music. Since the formation of Southern Thunder, Amy has co-written three songs with Bennie, one with Miranda and one with the entire band. Amy won 2007 Songwriter of the Year at the Georgia Country Gospel Music Association Awards for the song she and Miranda wrote "Raining Whiskey." She has a great Alto voice that contributes to the amazing harmony the group has. Over the past year, Amy’s strong vocals have become a crowd favorite. Amy and Bennie reside in Douglasville, GA.
Lead/Backup Vocalist, Miranda Thompson, is Robbie’s daughter. She has been singing since she was 2 years old. Before the formation of Southern Thunder, she sang soprano for the Willing Vessels. After eight years in the gospel music industry, Miranda took a short break from singing. While taking some time off, her family met Bennie and Amy and the rest was history. Her strong soprano voice contributes to the tight harmony that Bennie and Amy have. Miranda wrote seven original songs while singing with the Willing Vessels and the number continues to climb. Although she’s now writing songs for a different genre the songs are still crowd favorites. Miranda had the honor of performing her newest song, "Home" at the Georgia Country Gospel Music Association Awards as she opened for 2006 Nashville Star winner, Chris Young. At the awards ceremony, Miranda won 2007 Songwriter of the Year for co-writing "Raining Whiskey." In addition to winning Songwriter of the Year, she also won 2007 Female Vocalist of the Year and Most Promising Entertainer of the Year. Miranda and her husband Jacob reside in Rockmart, GA.
Bassist, Kyle Pitts, is Robbie’s newphew and Miranda’s cousin. He has been playing bass since he was 7 years old. Before the formation of Southern Thunder, Kyle was the lead singer and lead guitarist for a band called Fishing For Compliments. During that time, he wrote six original songs. In addition to playing bass, he also plays rhythm guitar and lead guitar. His guitar solos have become a crowd favorite. Kyle was honored to play rhythm guitar for Miranda as she performed her newest song, "Home" while opening up for 2006 Nasvhille Star winner, Chris Young. Aside from playing bass and guitar, Kyle is also a great vocalist and is featured on several songs. He is a talented musician who lives to sing and play music. Kyle and his girlfriend Brandy reside in Cedartown, GA.
Lead Guitarist/Vocalist, Frankie Hilburn is no stranger to the music industry. He has a very strong musical background, from playing guitar in a band to promoting concerts such as "Rockstock." He has been playing guitar since he was 9 years old. In 1977, Frankie was one of the founders of the Sweet Southern Band. He sang and played lead guitar with Sweet Southern for a total of twenty nine years. Over the years, he has written a host of original songs that everyone can relate to, including "Bettin’ I’ll Get Over You" and "Everybody’s Got To Have a Hero." After these two songs were judged by BMI for the Georgia Country Gospel Music Association Awards, Frankie won 2007 Songwriter of the year. One of the songs scored 95 out of 100 which is excellent. Aside from playing guitar and songwriting, Frankie is a excellent vocalist and is featured on several songs. He and his wife Joy, reside in Rockmart, GA.
Influences
Kid Rock, Hank Jr. , Lynyrd Skynyrd , Allman Brothers, Confederate Railroad, Bob Seger, The Wreckers...Just to name a few... All Country, All Southern Rock, All Classic Rock... We have so many influences!!!
Southern Thunder formed in June of 2006. They are a Southern Rock/Country Band based out of Rockmart, Georgia. From Southern Rock, to Country, to Funk Music, this 7 piece band is sure to have something that everyone will enjoy. The band performs original music but also does cover songs from artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, CCR, Guns N' Roses, Mother's Finest, Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Georgia Satellites, Black Crows and many more. Southern Thunder is not your usual all male country, rock band. They bring something different to the table. In addition to the phenomenal 4 peice band and strong lead vocals, they have two female vocalists that complete the group to form the excellent harmony the group portrays. Southern Thunder appreciates every opportunity they have to share their talents. Over the past year, they have become a crowd pleaser. The band was named 2007 Band of the Year by the Georgia Country Gospel Music Association and 2008 Horizon Band of The Year by the North American Country Music Association International. Once you see them perform, you will grow to love them and agree that they are truly a remarkable band.
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Thanks for the add, we appreciate the support! Feel to drop by our pages anytime. Be sure to also check out the hot new track "No Drinks" by Slave (He's in our top 8). We look forward to hearing from you. Until next time, peace! www. myspace. com/AmenProductions
Freedom Fest 4th of July Woodstock Ga, PLEASE JOIN ME!
I will be performing with the Red White and Blues Band This Friday "July 4th"
Freedom Fest will be from 11am to 3pm, Please join TRWABB and I in The City Park for Live Music, delicious food, magicians, cake walks, watermelon seed spitting and hot dog eating contests, craft vendors, moon walks, Kids Activities, and so much more!
Click on link below for more info and directions, Hope to see you there,
Lead singer & Rhythm Guitarist, Bennie Gray, has been singing since he was a child. At age 14, he began to take his God given talent more seriously, which later led him to join the Dry County Band. During the three years with Dry County, Bennie became a crowd pleaser. Following his departure from Dry County, he begin singing solo and playing acoustic guitar. Bennie has a passion for writing songs. He has already written a total of ten original songs and continues to write original music that he hopes everyone can relate too. He has written several songs that relate to his life and how he lost his dad at age 12. These songs definitely touch a place in your heart and bring a tear to your eye. Aside from his songwriting and singing, Bennie is also a good entertainer. He won Entertainer of the Year for 2007 at the Georgia Country Gospel Music Association Awards.
Lead Guitarist, Robbie Akins, has been affiliated with music since he was a child. Being the talented musician that he is, Robbie can play lead guitar, rhythm guitar, piano, bass guitar and drums. He has been playing lead guitar since he was 16 years old. He has played in several different bands throughout the years. Before the formation of Southern Thunder, Robbie played piano for the Willing Vessels. After eight years in the gospel music industry, he decided to take a break from traveling. While taking some time off, Robbie met Bennie and begin to play lead guitar with him at some of his solo shows. Together, they decided to take things a step further which led to the formation of Southern Thunder. Aside from playing lead guitar, Robbie is also a great vocalist. He is featured on several songs such as "Keep On Smiling" and "Wonderful Tonight." Robbie and his wife Judy reside in Rockmart, GA.
Lead/Backup Vocalist, Amy Gray, is married to Bennie. She has been singing since the age of 2. Although she has never previously sang in a band, she has a strong musical background with ties to different genres of music. Since the formation of Southern Thunder, Amy has co-written three songs with Bennie, one with Miranda and one with the entire band. Amy won 2007 Songwriter of the Year at the Georgia Country Gospel Music Association Awards for the song she and Miranda wrote "Raining Whiskey." She has a great Alto voice that contributes to the amazing harmony the group has. Over the past year, Amy’s strong vocals have become a crowd favorite. Amy and Bennie reside in Douglasville, GA.
