[REMINDER] Catch George Porter Jr. w/ Don Gallardo & Lilly Winwood | TONIGHT @ Exit/In

A true pioneer of funk thanks to his seminal ’60s and ’70s group The Meters (who remain intermittently active to this day), legendary artist George Porter Jr. has, over his six decade spanning career, cemented his legacy as one of the preeminent performers of his generation, prolifically weaving between high-profile session and collaborative work, several great post-Meters bands (and offshoot The Funky Meters), and, of course, a great solo career. George will bring his New Orleans funk and r&b to Nashville’s own Exit/In tonight, Aug. 23, and if you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll want to make it one of the summer’s must-see shows! Tapped to support are Nashville singer-songwriter fave Don Gallardo and rootsy singer on the rise Lilly Winwood, and tickets are available here while they last! Find out more about the show below.

GEORGE PORTER JR.

Best known as bassist and founding member of seminal New Orleans funk outfit The Meters, who, in their initial run from 1965-1977, helped pioneer the sound, George Porter Jr. has long been a legendary, important, and influential fixture in r&b and funk as a whole. Acclaimed in their day and ahead of their time, The Meters achieved a respectable amount of success in the ’60s, going on to attract the eye of big name stars like Paul McCartney and Mick Jaggers by the ’70s, the latter of whom took them out to open for The Rolling Stones on tour. By ’77, however, personal differences caused the group to split, prompting Porter to form a new band, Joyride, the first of many subsequent projects over the past 40 years. By ’89, The Meters had reunited, and have stayed intermittently active since, occasionally coming together for shows and fests, and even releasing some live albums, however, it’s offshoot project The Funky Meters, featuring Porter and his Meters bandmate Art Neville, who’ve more consistently kept the spirit and sound alive with an eye towards the future. A highly-acclaimed and sought after session player, George has performed and recorded with a wide array of artists like Soul Rebels Brass Band, Dr. John, Paul McCartney, Robert Palmer, Patti Labelle, Jimmy Buffett, David Byrne, Harry Connick Jr., Earl King, Warren Haynes, Tori Amos, Dead & Company, and more, and has kept his other post-Meters band The Runnin’ Pardners active since the early ’90s, along with a vibrant solo and collaborative career. A true living legend, any funk fan should make this show a must-see!

DON GALLARDO

Local singer-songwriter and longtime site favorite Don Gallardo hails from Northern California, and spent years cultivating his career on the west coast before relocating to Nashville around a decade ago. Walking the line between classic rock, retro singer songwriter, and more contemporary flavors of alt country, folk, and Americana, Gallardo is a diverse and multi-faceted performer with a lyrical depth and warm and unique vocal style which helps him weave between genres and provides an immediate relatability. Over the last 10 years of numerous full-lengths, live albums, and EPs, most recently last year’s excellent and earnest full-length Still Here, Gallardo has achieved critical praise from a variety of national media outlets, and has had his work prominently featured in film and television. A seasoned and road-worn performer as well, Don regularly collaborates with prominent local artists, sees himself backed by a great variety of players, and has consistently remained a dependable, prolific local live fixture, and one we recommend catching any chance you get!

LILLY WINWOOD

Though born in Nashville, singer-songwriter Lilly Winwood, the daughter of classic rock legend Steve Winwood, spent her formative years raised in her father’s native England, occasionally returning to Music City to visit her mother’s family throughout childhood. In 2015, however, the young artist, now 23, hopped on a plane for a “vacation” home to Nashville, and decided to stay, laying down roots and beginning her own musical journey as a solo artist. On her 2017 debut EP, Silver Stage, Winwood channelled a similar vibe to her father in her ability to deliver an English take on American folk and roots music, attracting positive buzz and subsequent teamups with artists like Boo Ray and Don Gallardo (who she’s been frequently performing with as of late). With an Allen Thompson produced full-length on tap to arrive later this year, it’s definitely a perfect time to get hip to Lilly Winwood if you’re not already.

George Porter Jr., Don Gallardo, Lilly Winwood will perform tonight, Aug. 23 at Exit/In. The show is 18+, begins at 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.), and tickets are available to purchase for $25.