Swamp blues meets soul as two generations collaborate on a powerful new track out February 28 via Verdict Music
Baton Rouge blues icon Kenny Neal is back with a powerful new release — and this time, he’s passing the torch to the next generation. His new single “Devil’s In The Delta” sees him team up with his son, Micah Willis, marking a milestone collaboration for the Neal family legacy. The track is out February 28 on Verdict Music, distributed by The Orchard.
Equal parts gritty and soulful, the single fuses Kenny’s signature swamp blues grit with Micah’s smooth, R&B-tinged vocals, making for a striking combination of styles and voices.
“Now I know how my Dad, the late, great ‘Blues Man’ Raful Neal, felt when I would share the stage with him,” says Kenny. “Now, several generations later, I’m passing the torch to my own son… continuing the tradition, preserving our rich culture and cementing our legacy.”
A Family Legacy, Reimagined
The song explores themes of connection and temptation — a story wrapped in swampy harmonica lines, moody tremolo guitar, and a hypnotic hook that’s both classic and contemporary. Despite the pair living thousands of miles apart (Kenny in Louisiana, Micah in Utah), the collaboration came to life through remote recording, before Micah joined his father in Baton Rouge to film the accompanying video.
“It challenged me to dig deep and find my bluesy sound,” shares Micah. “I think we both learned a lot from each other working on this project.”
Their creative processes may differ, but the musical result is seamless — a showcase of two artists united by blood, tradition, and the enduring power of the blues.
Neal Family Roots Run Deep
Kenny Neal has long been a torchbearer for the swamp blues tradition, following in the footsteps of his father Raful Neal, a Louisiana legend in his own right. With numerous Blues Music Awards, GRAMMY nominations, and a career spanning decades, Kenny continues to evolve while honouring the genre’s deep roots.
This latest collaboration brings a modern edge to that legacy, while reinforcing the family’s multi-generational impact on the blues landscape.
