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Writer's pictureStevie Connor

Eddie 9V's Road to 'Saratoga': New Album, New Horizons


Atlanta-based guitarist Eddie 9V


Blazing a trail through the vibrant heart of American roots music, Atlanta-based guitarist Eddie 9V is set to take listeners on yet another unforgettable journey with his new single, "The Road To Nowhere".


This latest track is the gateway to his upcoming album, Saratoga, slated for release on November 22nd via Ruf Records. A rich, sonic tapestry of blues, rock, Southern soul, and funk, Saratoga promises to showcase Eddie's evolution as an artist, pushing boundaries and deepening his musical roots.


Already making waves in the UK, Eddie will hit the road this November and December, joining forces with Robert Jon & The Wreck for two electrifying dates at Oxford’s Academy 2 (Nov 30) and Nottingham’s Rock City (Dec 1). Fans will then catch him headlining across the UK, including dates in Newcastle, Edinburgh, London, and Manchester, where True Strays will join him on stage for the last two shows. Tickets are now available through Eddie's official site and Alt Tickets, where fans are eager to experience this next chapter of his live showmanship.


Since his first note on a Georgia stage, Eddie 9V (born Brooks Mason) has been a force of nature in American roots music. From his early days in local clubs to his recent transatlantic fame, his music has resonated with fans and critics alike. UK’s Classic Rock magazine has heralded Eddie as "a man who genuinely inhabits golden-era American roots, playing the most instinctive blues you’ll hear all year." His last album, Capricorn, earned him the top spot on the rock charts — before the legendary Bonnie Raitt knocked him down a notch, a memory Eddie recounts with a grin.


Eddie’s musical journey started at age six with a small guitar that sparked a lifelong love affair with the blues. From there, he steeped himself in the sounds of Muddy Waters, Freddie King, and Rory Gallagher, artists whose grooves have left an indelible mark on Eddie's own playing style. His early band days with The Smokin’ Frogs and The Georgia Flood brought him local recognition, leading to the defining moment when he rebranded himself as Eddie 9V—a moniker that’s stuck and sparked intrigue ever since.


Eddie’s catalog boasts records that have struck a chord with audiences worldwide. His 2019 album, Left My Soul In Memphis, caught the attention of critics, followed by the rollicking Little Black Flies in 2021, described as "like having all your best mates in the speakers." But Capricorn was the breakthrough album that affirmed Eddie’s unique place in the blues landscape, recorded at the historic Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia, and praised for its raw power and authenticity.


With Saratoga, Eddie ventures into new terrain, blending his blues core with Americana-inspired songwriting and a wide array of guest musicians bringing horns, fiddle, and lap steel into the mix. Teaming up with his brother and fellow musician, Lane Kelly, the two self-produced the album at their Echo Deco Studio in Atlanta. The new songs—crafted in their home studio and on location in Denver — feature a refined focus on storytelling, capturing a deeply American experience while playing with new textures, beats, and vocal arrangements.


From the opening title track, Saratoga pulls listeners into its atmosphere. Disco-style harmonies blend with slide guitar and horns, evoking both nostalgia and escapism. Other highlights include “Halo,” with Eddie’s signature falsetto, and “Cry Like A River,” which brings vintage soul into the present. Tracks like “Delta” and “Red River” highlight Eddie’s storytelling prowess, taking listeners on a journey through complex emotions and scenes of the American South.


The album wraps with “The Road To Nowhere,” a tremolo-laden country ballad that may be Eddie’s most reflective track yet. Alongside an inspired cover of Mac DeMarco’s “Chamber Of Reflection,” these final tracks illustrate Eddie’s journey, not just as a musician, but as an artist unafraid to venture off the beaten path.


Eddie 9V’s road trip continues with Saratoga, promising to turn every corner of Americana, blues, and soul into a musical destination. As he notes, “Capricorn was a big jump for us. But I’m already writing new songs, y’know?”


Atlanta-based guitarist Eddie 9V


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