Proud Mary

Proud Mary are an English blues/rock band formed in 1998 in Manchester, England. The current line up consists of Greg Griffin (Lead Vocals), Paul Newsome (guitars, vocals), Tony Auton (lead guitar), Nathan Birkett (bass, guitars), Hani Abassi (drums). Proud Mary released their fifth studio album Songs from Catalina on 26 June 2020. Centered around Paul Newsome (Formerly of Manchester Indie band The YA YA'S), and Greg Griffin, Proud Mary were the first signing to Sour Mash Records by label founder Noel Gallagher (Oasis, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds) in 2000. Releasing debut album The Same Old Blues to wide critical acclaim in 2001. The Same Old Blues was recorded at Wheeler End Studios and produced by Noel Gallagher , featuring top 40 singles "All Good Things" and "Very Best Friend", and was predominantly written by Paul Newsome. A gruelling touring schedule followed the release, alongside tour support for among others Oasis, Paul Weller, Stereophonics, The Black Crowes, and Neil Young. The touring line up included Gary Whelan (Happy Mondays) on drums. Love and Light their second studio album was released in 2004 on Redemption Records, again predominantly written by Paul Newsome, and recorded at Wheeler End with other songs being written by Greg Griffin. Two tours followed the release, alongside supporting Ryan Adams, and a MainStage appearance at The Isle of Wight Festival. The album includes fan favourites "Hats Off", "The Blues" and "Mexico". The album featured Andy Rourke (The Smiths) on bass. Mainly due to the heavy touring schedule and Newsome's relocation to Los Angeles, a hiatus followed. During this period, amid inaccurate rumours the band had broken up, both Greg Griffin and Paul Newsome wrote and released solo albums, Glass Bottom Boat (Griffin) and Electric and Palms (Newsome), with Newsome now living in Los Angeles also writing several film scores and commercials.