Smoky White Devils & King Zero

The adrenaline rush of witnessing the birth of a world-class rock band is a rare thing, but the emergence of Nashville’s Smoky White Devils has provided exactly that high-velocity thrill since they formed in 2016. This band of incendiary players has been superheating Music City clubs with high-energy performances that blend the cutting edge of songwriting and rocking sonics with a backbone rooted in the classic sounds, styles and inspirations of some of the most intense musicians and bands of the classic rock era. The result is a musical bridge between the past and present, leading to rock ‘n’ rolls future.

The quartet of veteran players is fronted by Richie Owens on vocals, slide and rhythms guitars, and harmonica. Nick Kane, from the platinum years of The Mavericks, plays lead guitar. Forming the granite-tough rhythm section are Michael “Ferg” Ferguson, consummate session player and touring musician for Country Rock duo, Trailer Choir and bassist John Reed, of longtime Nashville punk rock rebel pioneers Raging Fire.

Owens is also the scion of mountain music royalty. His great-grandfather was the musician who inspired the Jack White character in the movie Cold Mountain. His father, also a picker, managed and wrote songs for Dolly Parton. Owens himself has produced high-profile albums for Parton, the Georgia Satellites and the Kentucky Headhunters, among others, and has several signature instruments under the Washburn brand.

Kane, a Grammy winning musician, has led his own post-Maverick bands and is a master of rock, blues, rockabilly, country and just about any style he dives into with his unrelenting prowess. Reed continues his longstanding musical partnership with Owens, with whom he performed in Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau, and Ferguson has spent time as a session drummer for Dolly Parton as well as performing on stage with artists such as Johnny Solinger of Skid Row.

Together they have forged an unforgettable style and as Smoky White Devils, they are ready to raise some hell.


In a time where rock and roll seems to only fall into two distinctive categories, candy sweet pop rock and ear-splitting heavy metal, the musical emotion of King Zero defiantly stands apart from both genres. Bringing a sound reminiscent of the music you grew up hearing, yet still originally fresh and inspiring, the five individuals who make up the band blend a diverse and varied background into their own unique alternative sound. Texas Rock-n-Roll outfit King Zero’s latest single “Drive” brings back the era of straight-ahead riff-driven rock accompanied by heartfelt lyrics, melodic hooks, well-crafted songwriting, and soulful vocals that is reminiscent of artists like Tom Petty, Eagles, Faces, and with a flare of Ryan Adams. It’s King Zero’s simplicity and dynamics that’s the real treasure here. It feels as if you stumbled into a bar circa 1976 and discovered your favorite new band.