The Sully Band – “Let’s Straighten It Out”

San Diego Celebrates

One of the marks of a true performer is the “the show must go on” attitude, and in the wake of an earth-shattering week, The Sully Band rallied and performed one of their most remarkable performances at the Belly-Up Tavern in Solana Beach. This bittersweet show celebrating their album “Let’s Straighten It Out” not only portraited importance for the album release, but also was a tribute to Russ Stolnak, AKA “Russ T Nailz who passed suddenly just the week prior, while filming a musical performance with members of The Sully Band for the anniversary show of “On the Air.” Although carrying the grief of losing a cherished friend, longtime business partner and “partner in crime” the Sully Band performed a show that left nothing to be desired. This concert was truly a celebration of life and accomplishment.

The entrance to the Belly-Up Tavern was buzzing, Hollywood style, March 17, 2022 (St Patrick’s Day) complete with photo ops for VIPs including San Diego’s Mayor, Kevin Faulkner, partners in the project, the band and family members. You could feel the anticipation as the line formed for what was about to be an amazing show. Having not seen this Blues/Funk/Soul band play live, this writer had no idea what to expect of this mainstay band in the San Diego music scene.

Backed by a 9-piece monster band of musical genius, and fronted by local icon, Robert “Sully” Sullivan, namesake of the band, you can’t go wrong. Sully as a front man keeps the momentum going and is nothing short of cool, bluesy, and charismatic. His gutsy vocals add the frosting on the cake over the driving beat of the rhythm section and blazing 4-piece horn section as he channels the true feel of classic R&B. From the first song the crowd was engaged and dancing. This band is nothing short of a “must see” and San Diego agrees! The Sully Band was appropriately awarded “Best Live Band” at the 31st annual San Diego Music Awards in 2020.

Just who is this charismatic San Diego icon anyway?

Sully is no stranger to the San Diego media and music scene. He is not only a stellar entertainer and showman, but this multi-faceted man has much to his credits in media endeavors as well. Sullivan’s wheelhouse includes a career as a business news pundit and a television/radio news executive as well as the owner and operator of Loft 100 Studios in Carlsbad, CA, where he currently produces a show called “On the Air.” Sully cohosts the show with two well-known talents, “Little Tommy” Sablan, (radio legend and Executive Producer of Content for KUSI) and the late Russ “Russ T Nailz” Stolnak, (comedian and radio show host, famously know as “Russ T Nailz,” DJ on 91X.) Sully and Russ also co-hosted “The Big Biz” show together for over 25 years, a nationally syndicated show simulcast daily in over 50 million television homes internationally. “On the Air” features San Diego based newsworthy stories, people of interest and also showcases local musical talent.

Going back, San Diego native, Robert “Sully” Sullivan had a dream. Excited about music at the tender age of 6, Sully’s desire to play R&B began when he learned to play his first song on his nylon string guitar, “Dock of the Bay” with his dad, and did his first gig at the age of nine. Passionate about music he went on to play throughout high school, thinking he may just become famous, so he went on to pursue a bigger dream pounding the pavement in Los Angeles to cut a record deal. But life moving forward took him in a different direction. His talent in business led him to become a self-made entrepreneur with credits as a newspaper publisher, investment banker, business consultant and then a national radio/TV personality. After a 35-year detour, this “blue eyed soul man” has finally found his niche. Dreams DO come true, and all roads have lead Sully back home, and home is where Soul Music lives for Sully. Maybe it’s all about timing and now he has come full circle, incorporating his talents, drive for success and musical passion back to his greatest love which is quite evident in the production of his new album, “Let’s Straighten It Out.”

The Album

Released March 11, 2022, this album is a tribute to the R&B “Groovement.” Sully coined this phrase, describing his music for good reason. The feel of these classic tunes effortlessly gets you on your feet to “groove and move!”

Produced by 7-time Grammy Award winning producer, Chris Goldsmith (Blind Boys of Alabama, Ben Harper, Charlie Musselwhite, Big head Todd) and released via Belly Up Records, marketed and distributed by Blue Elan Records, this album is the embodiment of the roots of vintage soul, blues, funk, and R&B of the 60’s and 70’s. This soul infused collection of R&B classics brings it all home with the heartbeat of what Soul is all about. In this carefully chosen collection of deep R&B tracks, the Sully Band has found a way to reinvent each song with their own interpretation. And what is interesting, is that the album consists of many “live” versions that were recorded mostly in 5 days, only possible with the expertise of an “A-List” cast of musicians.

The Band

This is no ordinary “cover band.”

This eclectic multi-cultural 9-piece ensemble of musical talent is composed of some of the finest musicians Southern California, with impressive musical credits and associations.

James East: Bass/Vocals multi-Grammy Award winner (Eric Clapton, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Babyface, Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendez and Al Jarreau) just to name a few.

Jeff Snider: Lead Guitar multi-Grammy award winner (Frank Zappa, Toto, Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Mary J. Blige, Spinal Tap, Ozzy Osbourne.)

Dennis Cruzan: Trumpet (Be Bop Boys in 1946 and 1947, Tadd Dameron, Charles Mingus, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker)

Steve Dillard: Trumpet/Flugelhorn (Doc Severinsen, Burt Bacharach, Kenny G, Dennis DeYoung (StyX), Lynyrd Skynyrd.)

Tres Hodgens: Drums/Percussion (attention from several notable artists: Lester Abrams, writer for the Doobie Brothers, Billy Davis & Marilyn McCoo, Black Mambo)

Mark Hattersley: Keys/Vocals (Tony Gwynn, David Van Such, Randi Driscol, Steven Ybarra, Patrick Moraz, Greg White Jr., Larry Groupé, Josquin des Pres)

Tripp Sprague: Sax/Flute/Harp (Kim Carnes, Todd Rundgren, Willie and Lobo and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek, Kenny Loggins, The Little River Band, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, 4 tops).

April Leslie: Saxophone, an in-demand woodwind specialist and recording artist genres classical, jazz, pop, soul, big band.

Tomoka Nomura-Jarvis: Saxophone (“Jimmy Kimmel Live” with Fat Joe, Remy Ma and Ty Dalla, Arman Hovhannisyan, Japanese blues singer Kenichi Mikawa, Buffalo (NY) Philharmonic Orchestra, Dortmund Symphony Orchestra (Germany), and Bemus Bay Pops Orchestra (New York).

Jon Hartford: Lead Guitar (San Diego Symphony, Rick Springfield, Poison)

Ignacio “Nacho” Sobers Percussion/Vocals, a rumba quino master, Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist and most sought-after percussionists in Southern California

In addition, the album features two high profile San Diego based musicians with credits of their own:

Rebecca Jade: featured lead vocalist on “When The Battle Is Over,” Rebecca has collaborated with Elton John, Sheila E and David Koz. She was also awarded Song of the Year at the 2022 San Diego Music Awards for “Bad Wolves” with Jason Mraz.

Anthony Cullins: (AKA The Fallbrook Kid), featured guitar soloist on “If You Love Me Like You Say.” Anthony now 20 years old, is a “beyond his years” blues guitar phenom who made his way in the San Diego music scene since the age of 15.

“Let’s Straighten It Out”

Album Tracks

When the Battle is Over… Aretha Franklin

Halleluiah I Love Her So…Ray Charles

Ice cold Daydream…Temptations

I Wish It would Rain…Temptations

Nothin’ From Nothin’…Billy Preston

If I Could Only Be Sure…Nolan Porter

Gimme Little Sign…Brenton Wood

If You Love Me Like You Say…Albert Collins

Let’s Straighten It Out…Latimore

Higher and Higher…Jackie Wilson

On Sale Now @ Sullyband.com

Truly this band has made the grade and has all the ingredients of success with a combination of top notch musicians, a soulful and heartful lead vocalist, local and national shows ahead, and now the release of “Lets Straighten it Out.”

The future of the “Groovement” movement awaits!

Jump on board the Soul Train….