Premiere – Kim Wilson & The Fabulous Thunderbirds: “I’m Not Ashamed”

Blues Rock Review is pleased to premiere “I’m Not Ashamed,” the release-day track from Kim Wilson & The Fabulous Thunderbirds featured on the new album Antone’s 50th Presents Chicago Bound.

Out now via Blues Till 2 Recording Co. and distributed by Select-O-Hits, Chicago Bound serves as the culmination of Antone’s 50th anniversary celebration. The project brings together generations of musicians connected to the legendary Austin blues club while paying tribute to the music and artists that helped shape its history.

For “I’m Not Ashamed,” Kim Wilson & The Fabulous Thunderbirds take on the Bobby “Blue” Bland classic. Wilson and the Thunderbirds have deep ties to Antone’s and bring their Texas blues sound to a song closely associated with one of the artists honored by the project.

Wilson’s relationship with Antone’s stretches back to the early days of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, who emerged from Austin’s blues scene in the 1970s. The band became one of the most prominent acts to come out of that community, carrying a combination of blues, R&B and rock to a much larger audience while maintaining strong connections to the music that inspired them.

Their performance of “I’m Not Ashamed” fits naturally within Chicago Bound, an album built around the musical relationships that developed through Antone’s over the past five decades.

The album features an extensive lineup of artists from the Antone’s musical family, including John Primer, Lavelle White, Anson Funderburgh, Billy F Gibbons and the BFGs, Doyle Bramhall II and Lurrie Bell. Ivan Neville and CC Adcock are joined by Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Jimmie Vaughan for “One Step At A Time,” while Kam Franklin teams with Rodd Bland & the Dreamers for “I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me).”

Its cover artwork, illustrated by Diana Ray, depicts a Chicago-bound tour bus filled with musicians heading toward the next gig. Ray’s artwork has been part of Antone’s visual history for decades, making the image another connection between the club’s past and its next chapter.

Listen to Blues Rock Review’s premiere of Kim Wilson & The Fabulous Thunderbirds’ “I’m Not Ashamed” below.

CHICAGO BOUND TRACK LISTING:

1. John Primer – Chicago Bound
2. Ivan Neville & CC Adcock, with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, ft. Jimmie Vaughan – One Step At A Time
3. Kam Franklin with Rodd Bland & the Dreamers – I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me)
4. Doyle Bramhall II – Give Me Back My Wig
5. Kim Wilson & The Fabulous Thunderbirds – I’m Not Ashamed
6. Anson Funderburgh – Backstroke
7. Clifford Antone – The Blues Is So Big (Interview)
8. Billy F Gibbons and the BFGs – Hangin’ On A Cliff
9. Lurrie Bell – Act Like You Love Me
10. Lavelle White – Baby What’s Wrong
11. John Primer & Lil’ Ed Williams ft. Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith – Got My Mojo Working