“I Drew Six” is the latest single from Rev. Greg Spradlin and the Band of Imperials’ new album Hi-Watter. The Band of Imperials is Spradlin’s new project with Los Lobos guitarist David Hidalgo and Elvis Costello drummer Pete Thomas. “I Drew Six”—featuring Hidalgo on rhythm guitar & bass—is a blistering, frenetic gospel-rock rave up with its roots in Hurricane Katrina.
An incredible guitar player, songwriter, singer and bandleader, Rev. Greg Spradlin has been flying under the radar for years—despite recording and performing with everyone from Lucinda Williams to Chuck Berry and John Lee Hooker. Along the way, Spradlin managed to assemble a supergroup with Hidalgo, Thomas, and now-deceased gospel-organ legend Rudy Copeland (Solomon Burke, Johnny Guitar Watson), and Rev. Greg Spradlin and the Band of Imperials was born. Back in 2010, they made an amazing Hurricane Katrina-inspired record called Hi-Watter, mixed by Tchad Blake (Tom Waits, Los Lobos, The Black Keys). But then, as if an act of God, an unexpected series of tragedies and major life events derailed the Reverend’s musical plans. Now—pandemic, and other acts of god be damned—this album will finally see the light of day.