"One of the nation's finest bands in ANY genre. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.”
Grahame Rhodes, The Liverpool Echo.
Formed 25 years ago by ex-members of the bands of Otis Grand, Paul Lamb, Big Joe Louis, James Hunter and Camden legends The Poorboys, The Cadillac Kings have built a huge reputation for entertaining audiences with a unique mix of self-penned rhythm & blues, roots rock & roll, swing and humour! In that time they have played at over a thousand different venues - clubs, ballrooms, concert halls, theatres and festivals across the UK and Europe, from the Canaries to the Arctic circle, from Band on the Wall to the Albert Hall.
On stage they have appeared as chosen openers or supports for acts such as John Mayall, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rod Piazza, Lazy Lester, Magic Slim, Louisiana Red, Larry Garner, Nappy Brown, L’il Ed & His Blues Imperials, Little Feat & Delbert McLinton to name but a few!
Since 2001 they have released six award-winning cds, including in 2004 The Times’ blues cd of the year for their album Highway 17, and in 2009 Canada's‘Real Blues’ Magazine's award for the best non American blues cd for Trouble in Store.
Their 2017 cd The Secret of My Success reached the number one position in the USA’s Cashbox Blues & Boogie chart, and stayed there for four weeks above acts such as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Coco Montoya, John Primer and Samantha Fish. The UK Independent DJs association voted The Secret of My Success one of the top three releases of that year alongside Kaz Hawkins and Joe Bonamassa.
Last year the band released Crash and Burn their sixth album of original roots R&B. Receiving unanimous praise and five-star reviews from blues & roots magazines in the UK, Europe & the USA. It went straight in at #2 in the UK IBBA Blues charts, #5 on the Australian National Roots music chart, and within two weeks was Amazon’s top blues seller. The album was recorded and mixed by veteran Decca engineers Dave Williams and Richard Manwaring whose previous work includes albums with Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Eric Bibb and Fleetwood Mac. At the time of writing the album has just been nominated for best blues cd of 2023 in the UK Blues Awards.
The bandʼs popularity on Youtube has resulted in videos scoring hits in the millions, with their band original Betty Lou receiving over four million hits.
The current line-up, together for over 15 years, features singer-songwriter, slide guitarist, harp player and founder of the band Mike Thomas, alongside sensational pianist & accordionist Tim Penn, together with Mal Barclay one of the UK’s most versatile and gifted guitarists, backed up by the hugely experienced rhythm section of Paul Cuff on bass and Jason Reay on drums.
“Their latest album confirms my opinion that the Cadillac Kings are the top rhythm and blues band on the UK scene” John Mitchell,Blues Blast Magazine, USA.
“A wonderfully tight blues, roots and swing outfit - even better they’re home grown!” John Clarke, The Times
Mike Thomas: vocals, harp, slide guitar
Mal Barclay: lead guitar, vocals
Tim Penn: piano, accordion, vocals
Paul Cuff: bass
Jason Reay: drums
