Blues Access: The Neal Family

Raful and Shirley's Clan

CHILDREN

Kenny Neal
One of the most popular blues artists in the world with four albums on Alligator Records. In 1991 he won a Theater World Award for his role on Broadway in the Langston Hughes/Zora Neal Hurston play Mule Bone. He was featured in and appeared on the cover of BLUES ACCESS #14.

Fredrick Neal
Has been Kenny's regular keyboard player since he was in his teens. A good singer, he sounds a bit like his dad. Fredrick is the proud owner of the convertible Cadillac from the movie Crossroads, which he bought from Little Milton.

Larry Neal
Plays drums with Kenny around South Louisiana. Also works with his dad some as both drummer and harmonica/front man. Some consider him the equal of his father and Kenny in stage presence.

Graylon Neal Hoffman
Respected and rocking drummer who has played on Kenny's albums, toured with Fenton Robinson and worked with many of the great local Baton Rouge acts.

Raful "Lil Ray" Neal
Greatly respected blues and jazz guitarist. Currently leading his own band around Louisiana when not working with Bobby "Blue" Bland or his dad. In the past has worked with Little Milton and Bobby Rush. Father of Joshua and Trellis.

Noel Neal
Moved to Chicago and stayed there to play bass with James Cotton in his regular band for many years. Has also worked with Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Johnny Winter, Koko Taylor, Lucky Peterson, Lonnie Brooks and other mainstays of the Second City scene. He can be heard playing with various artists, both live and in the studio; lately Larry McCray and Sherman Robertson have been using Noel.

Ronnie Neal
Strong percussionist. Good singer. Has been erratic, but now seems ready to go to work with other family members.

Charlene & Darlene Neal
Identical twins who occasionally sing and dance with the family. Charlene is mother of Tyree.

Jackie Neal
Flamboyant, crowd-pleasing singer. Obviously has family gift for stage presence. Works with family and on her own gigs.

Darnell Neal
Has been bass player with brother Kenny's band since his teens. Also worked some with Baton Rouge flash-in-the-pan Troy Turner.

GRANDCHILDREN

Tyree Neal, 14
At the age of two had his photo in the paper playing harmonica at the Baton Rouge Blues Festival. Tyree has played that festival since age three -- on guitar, bass, drums and vocals.

Joshua Neal, 14, bass

Trellis Neal, 10, drummer

CHILDREN
Kenny Neal One of the most popular blues artists in the world with four albums on Alligator Records. In 1991 he won a Theater World Award for his role on Broadway in the Langston Hughes/Zora Neal Hurston play Mule Bone. He was featured in and appeared on the cover of BLUES ACCESS #14.	Fredrick Neal Has been Kenny's regular keyboard player since he was in his teens. A good singer, he sounds a bit like his dad. Fredrick is the proud owner of the convertible Cadillac from the movie Crossroads, which he bought from Little Milton.
Larry Neal Plays drums with Kenny around South Louisiana. Also works with his dad some as both drummer and harmonica/front man. Some consider him the equal of his father and Kenny in stage presence.	Graylon Neal Hoffman Respected and rocking drummer who has played on Kenny's albums, toured with Fenton Robinson and worked with many of the great local Baton Rouge acts.
Raful "Lil Ray" Neal Greatly respected blues and jazz guitarist. Currently leading his own band around Louisiana when not working with Bobby "Blue" Bland or his dad. In the past has worked with Little Milton and Bobby Rush. Father of Joshua and Trellis.	Noel Neal Moved to Chicago and stayed there to play bass with James Cotton in his regular band for many years. Has also worked with Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Johnny Winter, Koko Taylor, Lucky Peterson, Lonnie Brooks and other mainstays of the Second City scene. He can be heard playing with various artists, both live and in the studio; lately Larry McCray and Sherman Robertson have been using Noel.
Ronnie Neal Strong percussionist. Good singer. Has been erratic, but now seems ready to go to work with other family members.	Charlene & Darlene Neal Identical twins who occasionally sing and dance with the family. Charlene is mother of Tyree.
Jackie Neal Flamboyant, crowd-pleasing singer. Obviously has family gift for stage presence. Works with family and on her own gigs.	Darnell Neal Has been bass player with brother Kenny's band since his teens. Also worked some with Baton Rouge flash-in-the-pan Troy Turner.