Red Hands and Eric Gales achieve rare milestone on Billboard chart

Red Hands and Eric Gales have achieved a rare Billboard chart milestone as their collaborative album Kinfolk debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Blues Albums chart and the Billboard Gospel Albums chart.

Released on June 12, Kinfolk blends blues, gospel, and soul influences, helping the album connect with audiences across multiple genres. Landing at the top of both charts is an uncommon accomplishment and highlights the project’s appeal.

Eric Gales shared his excitement about the achievement in a statement to Blues Rock Review.

“I am extremely proud of and happy to be a part of this amazing project with Red Hands,” said Gales. “I’m floored to wake up and find out we are #1 not only on the Gospel Billboard charts, but also #1 on the Blues Billboard charts!!! Wowowow. I’m so grateful!!! I’m looking to begin to spread the EG “DNA” on everything I can!! Thanx so much for the continued support.”

Red Hands also thanked fans for their support in a message posted on Facebook.

“The amount of love you’ve shown this album has been crazy, and grateful honestly feels like too small of a word. Thank you for embracing these songs, these stories, and this reminder that people are still the assignment.

Huge love to @Ericgalesband, the 🐐, for believing in this project and bringing your heart to it. We’re honored to have shared this moment with you, family.”

The chart-topping success adds another milestone to Gales’ career, coming off Grammy wins as part of the Sinners soundtrack, with the acclaimed guitarist continuing to push beyond traditional genre boundaries. Gales was also just announced to take part in Buddy’s Got the Blues: A 90th Birthday Concert Celebration for Buddy Guy, on October 1, 2026, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.