EPK
Press Kit Bio
Hughes Taylor is a blues-rock guitarist and songwriter from Macon, Georgia, known for his fiery sound and masterful guitar work rooted in the spirit of legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and the Allman Brothers. With raw riffs, soulful grooves, and a voice that cuts through with conviction, Hughes has carved out a sound that’s both timeless and unmistakably his own.
His latest release, Roasted (2025), is a two-part album over three years in the making. Part I: Dark Roast (2024) explores the heavier, moodier side of blues rock, while Part II: Light Roast brings a vibrant, upbeat energy—together forming a full-bodied experience that earned a Blues Blast Award nomination for the single “Ballad of Big Bill McGuire.” The album was recorded across Georgia and mixed at the legendary Capricorn Sound Studios, drawing on influences like Gov’t Mule, Joe Bonamassa, and Steve Gaines.
Hughes’s 2021 album Modern Nostalgia won the Atlanta Blues Society’s “Best Self-Produced CD” and received international acclaim from outlets including Blues Blast Magazine and Blues Matters. His earlier work—including Restless (2018), Hear My Melody (2016), and the covers record Good Blues, Fast (2019)—showcases his dynamic range and deep love for the blues-rock tradition.
In 2020, just before the pandemic brought live music to a halt, Hughes toured the UK as support for the Heather Findlay Band, earning high praise from press and fans alike. The final shows were captured and released as Live in the UK (2021) on CD and digital.
From teenage basement recordings to international stages, Hughes has lived and breathed music his whole life. Now, with Roasted on the road, he continues to fire up crowds across the country with his authentic sound and commitment to creating music that resonates across generations—proving that blues-rock is alive and well.
Full Bio
Hughes Taylor is an acclaimed guitarist and songwriter hailing from Macon, Georgia, known for his fiery brand of blues-rock and his masterful command of the guitar. Drawing inspiration from legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and the Allman Brothers, Hughes’s music blends raw guitar riffs, soulful grooves, and expressive vocals that captivate audiences worldwide.
After nearly two decades of honing his craft, Hughes Taylor’s latest project, Roasted, marks a new milestone in his musical journey. This full-length LP, released in Spring of 2025, is a culmination of years of evolution and collaboration, shaped by the twists and turns of remote recording, lineup changes, and countless hours of refining the material. Roasted is a melding of two parts: Dark Roast, released in May 2024, which dives deep into the heavier, darker side of blues rock, and Light Roast, which embraces a more upbeat, vibrant energy. Together, these two halves form a complete musical experience that showcases Hughes’s growth as both a guitarist and a songwriter. Recorded across multiple studios in Georgia and expertly mixed at the historic Capricorn Sound Studios, Dark Roast earned Hughes a Blues Blast Award nomination for his single “Ballad of Big Bill McGuire” and set the stage for Light Roast. The album features an electrifying blend of blues-rock with influences from the likes of Gov’t Mule, Joe Bonamassa, and Hughes’s personal favorite guitarist, Steve Gaines.
Before Roasted, Hughes’s 2021 album Modern Nostalgia earned global acclaim and airplay, winning the Atlanta Blues Society’s “Best Self Produced CD” award and receiving rave reviews from notable outlets including Blues Blast Magazine, Blues Matters Magazine, and more. His previous original work, including the 2018 album Restless, and the 2016 debut Hear My Melody, reflects his deep dedication to his blues roots while incorporating contemporary influences. His 2019 album of classic blues-rock covers Good Blues, Fast garnered acclaim across the country, showcasing Hughes’s dynamic take on the power trio format.
In January 2020, Hughes and his band toured the UK, supporting the Heather Findlay Band. Their popularity surged, attracting positive reviews from music press, until the pandemic brought live performances to a halt. Fortunately, the final shows of that tour were recorded, leading to the release of Live in the UK on CD and digital in early 2021.
Officially beginning his musical journey at age 12, Hughes dedicated countless hours in his bedroom to mastering his craft, playing alongside recordings of his guitar heroes. By 14, he was writing original material and recording demos in his parents’ basement while simultaneously developing his live act by playing anywhere, anytime, with anyone. He was already performing professionally before he could legally drive, and by 18 years old, music had become his primary source of income.
Now, as Hughes and his band tour in support of Roasted, they bring their high-energy performances to stages across the country, continuing to captivate audiences with their authentic sound and passion for blues-rock. Hughes Taylor remains committed to creating music that resonates across generations, blending classic influences with his unique voice and vision.
Press
Robin Askew, Bristol 24/7
“When your name is Hughes Taylor and you call your band The Hughes Taylor Band, you’re signalling to the world that there will be no fancy costumes, elaborately dressed stages or grand entrances here. It’s all about the music, man. Fortunately, the guitarist is prodigiously talented in this area, leading a sprightly trio who eschew the turgidity that so often infects those beard-stroking purist blues.” https://www.bristol247.com/culture/music/review-heather-findlay-thekla/
Aaron Irons, The Creek FM
“Hughes Taylor’s Modern Nostalgia is an ambitious collection of songs recorded at the storied Capricorn Sound Studios. Assembling a truly impressive array of musicians to bring his sonic vision to fruition, Taylor leads the charge with blazing guitars and a bluesy style that checks all the boxes for classic rock aficionados and modern Southern Rock enthusiasts.”
https://thecreekfm.com/2021/07/01/modern-nostalgia-hughes-taylor/
Hans Werksman, Here Comes the Flood
Blues guitarist Hughes Taylor plays what it says on the tin on his latest album, Modern Nostalgia. It is a mix of Chicago blues, a pinch of funk, and quite a lot of Southern rock. He makes it sound fresh and new, thanks to folks at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, GA, where the album was recorded. Taylor channels the fluidity of Stevie Ray Vaughn and throws in a bit of Hendrix and Rory Gallagher every now and then to spice things up. He has grown as a vocalist – this is his fourth full-length, and as per usual he switches easily between acoustic (No Evil Love) and electric (Quarantine Blues, Prettiest Thief). This album has all the trappings to get him to the next level. He has got the licks and the hooks to venture outside the borders of his native Georgia.”
https://www.herecomestheflood.com/2022/01/hughes-taylor-modern-nostalgia.html
Blues Matters Magazine
“Modern Nostalgia plays out like a rewrite of the Blues roadmap of the past 50 years, but it also shows reverence to the past. A Chicago shuffle retains all its traditional hallmarks, Texas blues retain their Lone Star signature, and a classic road song is still a classic road song. But it’s taylor’s keen songwriting sense that elevates everything and breathes new life into it all. Across the album’s 12 songs, it becomes quickly apparent he’s as adept at self-editing as he is at playing; there are no wasted notes it all still feels loose and casual with an innate sense of precision.”
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Interviews
Videos
Music
Contact
Hughes Taylor:
hughes@hughestaylormusic.com
Booking Inquiries:
Road Dawg Touring Co.
doug@road-dawg.com
1 303 717 4816
booking@hughestaylormusis.com
For everything else:
info@hughestaylormusic.com
Photos
- Photo by Stephen Schmidt
- Photo by Stephen Schmidt
- Photo by Stephen Schmidt
- Photo by Stephen Schmidt
- Photo by Stephen Schmidt
- Photo by Stephen Schmidt
- Photo by Howard Rankin
- Photo by Howard Rankin
- Photo by Howard Rankin
- Photo by Howard Rankin
- Photo by Howard Rankin
- Photo by Howard Rankin