Delta Moon

Delta Moon

Delta Moon is an Atlanta blues rock group formed in the late 1990s by Mark Johnson and Tom Gray, who live within a few blocks of each other in the city’s Inman Park neighbourhood. The band develops arrangements of classic blues and original songs for two slide guitars, and soon adds singer Gina Leigh alongside a changing line-up of percussionists, drummers and bassists. Its music is rooted in blues and rock, with a strong Southern influence.

Early releases and touring

The band releases its debut CD, Delta Moon, in March 2002 and then begins to play farther from Atlanta. In June 2003 it issues Live, recorded at Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta. After a year of touring across North America and England, Delta Moon releases Goin' Down South in June 2004. Drummer Scott Callison, who has played with the group in its early days, rejoins in 2003.

Recognition and line-up changes

Delta Moon wins the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2003, after competing against more than 50 other acts. That summer, Creative Loafing readers vote it Best Overall Music Act in Atlanta. In fall 2004, Gina Leigh leaves and Kristin Markiton becomes the group’s new female singer six weeks later. The 2005 release Howlin' becomes the band’s most successful CD to date.

Members and related work

Tom Gray plays lap steel guitar, keyboards and vocals. He is originally from Arlington, Virginia, and has written songs recorded by Cyndi Lauper, Carlene Carter and Manfred Mann, among others. He also leads the 1980s rock band The Brains and records and performs with a wide range of other vocalists and groups. Mark Johnson plays guitar, moves south from Ohio, and has previously played with The Rude Northerners and The Crawdads before helping to found Delta Moon. He names the band after a visit to Muddy Waters’ cabin near Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Performance style

The group is known for live shows built around dual slide guitars, original songwriting and an improvised, Southern roots approach.