About
Meet BJ
Georgia born BJ Wilbanks is a prolific and extremely talented songwriter/producer. He creates music that fuses the roots of Americana, Motown, Funk, Blues, and Country into an intoxicating blend that is all his own. Critics and fans have referred to his style as “Back Porch Soul.” His 2017 self-titled, debut album received high acclaim by American Songwriter, All Music, and many other major music outlets. His genuine sound and success as an artist has lead to him performing shows with music legends Gladys Knight, Drivin N Cryin, and funk rock legends Mothers Finest.
BJ’s gregarious personality is palpable on record, often channeling other charismatic musical personalities like Otis Redding, Sturgill Simpson and current retro revivalists like Leon Bridges. His self-titled album, (released 2017), captures the refined analogue production qualities of yesteryear, complete with swampy southern bass and Stax-inspired horn sections. It is of a reminiscent of bygone era when music was so good, it transcended genre.
“The best music brings the most unlikely people together,” BJ asserts. “You know it when you feel it, it’s music from the soul.”
tv & film Song Placements
The Rookie
“Tied Up & Twisted”
Big Sky
“Right Back Home”
Ghosted
“Country Livin’”
Seal Team
“Anything She Wants”
The Big Door Prize
“Healing My Blues”
Queen Sugar
“Healing My Blues”
For more information on using BJ’s existing song catalog for sync licensing in Film & TV or to commission something completely new or different, please use the button below:
Press kit
PREMIERES
“Georgia-based musician BJ Wilbanks brings together Southern rock and soul with an unabashedly vintage sound on his self-titled debut album.”
Chris Stephen– AllMusic.com
“…Sultry, retro-soul tune…”
– American Songwriter on I Can’t Help It
“Fans of Chris Stapleton, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Delta blues will find much to like in the Georgia-born singer-songwriter.”
– The Boot on “Livin’ Off The Land”
“BJ Wilbanks’ distinctive style plays on the rich sounds of slow-burning 60’s rhythm ‘n’ blues. One listen to the Stax brass & honeyed nostalgic harmonies and you’ll get the picture…smoldering Motown vibes with a touch of Southern roots.”
– Paste Magazine
“He has a rare voice and we LOVE his Motown vibe mixed with rock and blues.”
– Music Update Central
“Vintage sounds are powerful in the ‘back porch Soul’ of Atlanta, Georgia-based singer/songwriter BJ Wilbanks. He is joined by Donna Hopkins on his latest single, the pair coming together in the decision to “Don’t Fight the Feelin’”, promising to express themselves and to ‘let their freak flag fly’.”
– The Alternate Root Magazine
“BJ Wilbanks is the kind of smoky soulful voice that has been lost in the realm of rock ‘n roll. His new song “Don’t Fight the Feelin’” demands that soulful voice to be heard.”
– Brian Furman, RARAs Farm’s Music Blog, November 26, 2017
“It just might be impossible to listen to BJ Wilbanks and “Don’t Fight The Feelin’” without your day getting a little brighter.”
– Carrigan Drallos, Almost Real Things
“I Can’t Help It is a slow-burning charmer with velvety, disarming vocals from Wilbanks that wind around cool-tone electric piano parts, acoustic guitar strumming, wavering electric guitar lines, and a subdued measured drums.”
– Delusions of Adequacy, March 21, 2017
“there’s indescribable raw emotion in his tracks.”
– Christina Masucci, Audible Adixion, November 21, 2017
Your Global Texan Chronicles Weekly Top 10, November 20, 2017
“Make no mistake: he is all about the craft, and has the chops to prove it.”
– Brooke Daly, That’s Why We Musyc, July 17, 2017
“He is the real deal with authentic and original rock n’ roll that borrows from the periphery and makes it his own. It’s really good stuff, perfect for the beginning of summer, a stroll down the block, or a drive with the top down.”
- Brian Furman, RARAs Farm’s Music Blog, June 6, 2017
“…this self titled release is a clear success, capturing a warm sound and an emotive singer who inhabits his songs.”
– Rock The Body Electric, May 23, 2017
“Working late. Took a short break. Found this. 100% my thing. Made my day!!! Check out the full album by @BJWilbanks”
– @Songpickr, A&R President of SONY
“Wilbanks’s rhythm and blues soul style will make you wish you could rewind to that simpler way of life…”
– Walter Price, Global Texan Chronicles
“Southern rock meets soul on Georgia-based musician BJ Wilbanks’ upcoming self-titled album. Hear it now and get some healing.”
– albumstreams.com
Gibson Wilbanks’ Delight on Romantic- “Oh Sweet Baby”
-Billboard Country Music- Exclusive
Creative Loafing- Atlanta, GA Article
PRESS
“Recording Artist and Georgia native BJ Wilbanks is about to release a new album in April! He shared the details with our Ebony Steele!”
– Coffee With America, TV Spot!
“The album oozes that sweet and mellow r&b sound while blending it with a little blues, a little Motown, a tad of country and a whole lot of heart & soul.”
– OnStage Magazine- Album Review
Best of 2018, Albums
– Ulrick Parfum, Soul Bag Magazine
“BJ Wilbanks delivers an excellent business card with this album.”
– Peter Marinus, Blues Magazine,
Listed among the Best of 2017: Indie & Rock Artists
Underestimated Artists 2017
…his latest efforts will draw lots of fans from the blues, rock, and soul corners of the music world.”
– Audible Addixion,
“…BJ Wilbanks delivers the goods in this instant Roots-music classic.”
– JP’s Music Blog, March 28, 2017
“I Can’t Help It is a slow-burning charmer with velvety, disarming vocals from Wilbanks that wind around cool-tone electric piano parts, acoustic guitar strumming, wavering electric guitar lines, and a subdued measured drums.”
– Delusions of Adequacy, March 21, 2017
“…good music that transcends taste and preference.”
– Slickster Magazine , March 20, 2017
“…soul-rock verve with brassy angles giving shape to the malleable melodic curves…”
– EARMILK on “I Can’t Help It”
“Cool blues define the sound of BJ Wilbanks. His voice has just the right kind of weathered soul to make his lyrics believable.”
– Ear To The Ground Music
“Back Porch Soul from the man outta Georgia…hit play on a couple songs from his upcoming April 28th self-titled debut.”
– The Morning After
“Fans of Chris Stapleton, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Delta blues will find much to like in the Georgia-born singer-songwriter.”
– The Boot on Livin’ Off The Land, March 10, 2017
“I Can’t Help It doet ons denken aan de betere soul, van Leon Bridges tot Marc Broussard.”
– Gobsmag, March 9, 2017
“Verses that flow like silk through a soundscape that encompasses a certain old school meets new school feel perfectly.”
– Wolf in a Suit on “I Can’t Help It”
PODCASTs
Episode 323: The Digital Void – The Steel Woods, Todd Adelman And The Country Mile, Pokey LaFarge, BJ Wilbanks, Pete Mancini
– The Americana Rock Mix
“BJ Wilbanks is releasing an album this upcoming week (April 28th, to be exact), and there couldn’t be a better moment than this lovely Saturday afternoon to listen to “I Can’t Help It” once more.”
– Queenbeetch.com, April 22, 2017
INTERVIEWS
“good music that transcends taste and preference.”
– Slickster Magazine , Exclusive Interview
BJ WILBANKS: DREAM TOUR
– Mariah Spiering, Digital Tour Bus
Centerstage Magazine
– Conversations with Missy
“With his soulful vocals, big horn sound, and Southern swagger, Wilbanks’ tunes will charm the sass right out of you, and set your soul aflame.”
documents
Download BJ’s One Sheet
Download BJ’s Concert Rider
Download BJ’s Stage Plot