Premiere: The Proven Ones: You Ain’t Done

Sometimes, they're Gone to Stay

L-R: Kid Ramos, Willie J. Campbell, Brian David Templeton, Jimi Bott, Anthony Geraci. Photo: Tony Kutter

Aptly named, The Proven Ones include five formidable blues musicians, collectively amassing dozens of awards, hundreds of recordings, thousands of hours on the road and millions of fans worldwide. This video, from their upcoming album, You Ain’t Done, not only entertains but introduces each member individually: guitarist Kid Ramos, vocalist Brian Templeton, keyboardist Anthony Geraci, bassist Willie J. Campbell and drummer Jimi Bott.

“We wanted to stretch the boundaries for this record,” Templeton explained. “”We love many styles and naturally want to indulge in them as well. I believe it’s going to break down a few walls.” Indeed, the boys have cooked up the blues mixed with rock, soul and country, with pinches of Latin, pop and a smidgen of punk in this tasty stew.

The assertive stomp of the “Gone to Stay” video introduces us to the band, the members, the lifestyle, the music and a whole lotta fun, all in 3:32. About the song’s actual message, drummer Jimi Bott told Elmore, “Most of us have had relationship gone bad. One person is trying to hang on and the other knows they have to let it go and move on for good. They are, and have to be ‘Gone to Stay’!”

Members of TPO:

Kid Ramos (guitar) is a recipient of The Orange County (CA) Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in addition to 14 Blues Music Award nominations.

Brian Templeton (vocals) has starred in Boston’s music scene for 40 years, including time with the Radio Kings and the Original House of Blues Blue Monday Band, as well as collaborations with Jerry Portnoy, Sonny Rhodes, James Cotton and Otis Grand.

Anthony Geraci (keyboards) is an original member of Sugar Ray and the Bluetones and Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. He received a Grammy Nomination for his album Super Harps, and numerous Blues Music Award nominations, including the Pinetop Perkins Piano Award five years in a row and an unprecedented six personal Blues Music Award Nominations in 2019.

Willie J. Campbell (bass) has performed with The Fabulous Thunderbirds and The Mannish Boys, and has recorded with Sugaray Rayford, Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Cheech and Chong. He has been nominated by the Blues Foundation for Best Instrumentalist six times.

Jimi Bott (drums) has been nominated by the Blues Foundation for Best Instrumentalist an amazing 20 times, winning the Blues Music Award in 2015. A member of the Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame, after winning the Association’s Blues Drummer of the Year Award for 12 consecutive years, Bott asked to have his name taken out of the running. The award is now called The Jimi Bott Blues Drummer of the Year Award, and Bott presents the award to whomever wins.