Don Bryant & The Bo-Keys

For the vast majority of his long and legendary career, Memphis’ Don Bryant thrived in the shadows, songwriting for other soul artists including the 5 Royales, Al Green, and his wife Ann Peebles. Under the tutelage of Willie Mitchell, Bryant became one of Hi Record’s secret weapons and an underappreciated singer in his own right, but fame largely eluded him. Unexpectedly, Don Bryant would finally receive his well-deserved time in the spotlight with the release of his critically acclaimed 2017 album Don’t Give Up on Love, his first secular album since 1969. Backed by the Bo-Keys, a soul revivalist outfit that includes many fellow Hi Records alumni, the album proved that Bryant’s voice and songwriting skills both remained exceptionally strong. In 2020, Bryant released his follow-up You Make Me Feel, which was hailed as a retro soul masterpiece.