© image Anna Emslie
The Band
Southern Deal
Southern Deal
From rock, blues, country, folk and soul, the 'Dealer’s musical tastes and abilities have it covered. Those ingredients come together as a musically delicious gumbo that'll more than satisfy - then leave you wanting more!
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Soaring and gutsy blues inflected vocals from Karen del Rio mean Southern Deal lead from the front. Johnny Rock's driving bass and Jimi Mac's thunderous drums provide the foundation for the 'Deal's unique sound. Joint guitar leads from Tennessee Trevor Roche and 'Johnny G' Emslie complete the sonic canvas.
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Get some Southern Deal in your life - you're gonna love it!
Johnny Rock - Bass
“I saw Led Zeppelin when I was 14. That was the start of my obsession with rock ‘n’ roll. I soon bought a guitar and played in a number of bands during my teenage years.
A decade later, in the late 1980’s, I helped form a successful blues/rock band, The Incinerators. This is where I met Karen Del Rio, who became the band’s singer. About this time I switched to bass guitar and found my forte in creating thunder on 4 strings. I now play a Fender Jazz bass through a Fender Rumble 500 amp.
My influences are many but two watershed events stand out. In ’76 I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd , and in ’88 Steve Earle, who made me start to appreciate country music. So here I am in Southern Deal, playing and enjoying the best of southern rock, country and blues.”
Karen del Rio - Vocals
"I can't remember a time when I wasn't singing, either at home or at parties. But it wasn't until my early 20's that I joined my first band - a rock covers outfit playing pubs and clubs.
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I developed a passion for the blues and this took me to my second band where my path crossed with Johnny Rock's. We were playing ZZ Top, Janis Joplin and early Fleetwood Mac.
I love to sing all styles, including a bit of opera, but where I am now in Southern Deal, combining blues and country with the guitar power of southern rock, is where my heart is."
'Tennessee Trevor' Roche
- Lead Guitar
"I’m 14 and sitting in my friend's council flat…..he picks up his gold top, flicks and few switches and my eyes lit up.
I was hooked!
He went on to join Hazel O’ Connor and I’ve been in bands ever since.
Steely Dan is my 'go to' band, just pipping Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. Can’t play like any of them but still give it my best shot.
Gear - well currently Woolworth's Strats meet expensive Lazy J boutique combo and the occasional pedal abuse."
Jimi Mac - Drums
I listen to blues, hip hop, jazz, soul and 60's rock. A while ago I started to play my son's drum kit because it was collecting dust.
This was the beginning of my road to Southern Deal. You are never too old to learn new things!
'Johnny G' Emslie
- Lead Guitar
"After boogieing my way through early years, the ZZ’s Reverend Billy G became my main man, via Rory G and others. So expect swampy, greasy, bluesy playing and tones.
Bands have included The Suspects and The Neil Hooper Band, plus ongoing stints with the Rhythm Bandits (yeah, still boogieing!).
Gear obsessed since forever, currently rocking a ’58 Sonic Guitars Explorer, McGuire Telecaster, and ‘58 Gibson Murphy Lab 335, though others make frequent appearances.
A Tone King Imperial MkII is the main noise generator plus a variety of ever-changing talent boosters on the floor."