Labeled, whether fairly or unfairly, as "the Rolling Stones of country," Blackjack Billy were formed in 2011 in Nashville by songwriters and singers Rob Blackledge and Noll Billings and songwriter, producer, and recording engineer Jeff Coplan. The three, each of whom had either already started a solo career or garnered publishing deals, or both, met in Nashville and began writing songs together. With bassist Patrick Cornell and drummer Brad Cummings aboard, Blackjack Billy were born, specializing in what the band calls "redneck rock." An independently released debut single, "The Booze Cruise," appeared in the spring of 2013. ~ Steve Leggett