SCORES BIG TIME GRAMMY® NOMINATION – BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES ALBUM – “A TRIBUTE TO LJK” – FOR THE 68TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS®
There is only one Eric Gales, an unmistakable tone, with smokey powerhouse vocals, truly a force of nature. Eric Gales, also known as “Raw Dawg,”is a blues-rock guitar prodigy known for his left-handed, upside-down playing style. Gales picked up the guitar at age four. His older siblings, Eugene and Manuel (Little Jimmy King), taught him songs and licks when he was young, in the style of Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, B.B. King and others. Emerging as a child star in the early ’90s, facing significant struggles with addiction and incarceration for decades, but ultimately achieving critical acclaim. And it also helps that he has a musical superstar in his family, Carlos Santana is his Godfather.
Eric Gales’ time is now. A rule-breaking, genre-fusing force of nature, hailed by giants like Joe Bonamassa, Dave Navarro and Mark Tremonti as one of the best guitarists on the planet. There comes a time when every musician must look their past squarely in the eye. And while Gales’ latest release, “A Tribute To LJK”, is a thrillingly modern record for the here-and-now, it’s also a nod to his bloodline and the roots of his family tree. Eric’s brother, Little Jimmy King died suddenly in 2002 at the age of 37. A left-handed guitarist who strung his instrument upside down just like his brother, his music was a scorching brand of Memphis blues that fused electric blues with the grit of soul, the groove of funk, and the edge of rock.
Eric Gales is feeling pretty confident about the 68th GRAMMY® Awards nomination, he knows the competition in his category is fierce, with Breakthrough: Joe Bonamassa’s album, Paper Doll: Samantha Fish’s album, Preacher Kids: Robert Randolph’s album, and Family: Southern Avenue. But “A Tribute to LJK”, is a very heartfelt project, all about his brother’s legacy. Eric Gales says, “This record has been a long time coming, I wanted it to be the ultimate tribute to my late brother, Little Jimmy King, to keep his memory alive and make sure people remember who he was and still is. All these songs except one are his originals. I wanted to deliver his tunes to the world, through my eyes. And I wanted it to be badass – and that’s exactly how it turned out.” “A Tribute to LJK” features guest appearances by Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Josh Smith, Joe Bonamassa, and the legendary Buddy Guy.
Eric Gales is also a very successful touring artist, having performed internationally for many years. He just finished out 2025 with many tour dates, most of which were sold out shows – in support of his current project “A Tribute to LJK.”
Eric Gales has so many accolades, in 2017 his project “Bookends” reached #1 on The Billboard Charts as well as his last project, “Crown.” He racked up a handful of BMA Awards, he was given the key to his hometown, as well as other notable cities, and got a star on the famously known Beale Street. Eric was also featured in the 2025 film Sinners with composer Ludwig Goransson. Grand Closin’: Features Eric Gales’ guitar work in a powerful, bluesy finale for the film’s score, and Elijah: Showcases his instrumental blues guitar skills, blending them with the orchestral score. Who knows maybe this year an Academy Award will come knocking as well.
No stranger to GRAMMY® nomination experience, Eric Gales was nominated previously for his incredible achievement, “Crown” in 2022, when GRAMMY® Day arrives, Feb. 1, 2026, there could be many surprises, Eric Gales could be one of them.
Eric Gales Q×A
Tell me what it is about this project – “A Tribute to LJK”, that makes it so special.
EG: Its special to me because it’s a snapshot of the memories of my late brother, through my lenses of some if his songs that are dear to my heart.
Tell me what it means to you to be a Grammy nominee for the second time?
EG: Being nominated for a 2nd time is just as humbling and exciting as the first time. It is a huge honor to be nominated period. It’s amazing.
Tell me what it will mean to you to win this nomination?
EG: When I hear, and the winner is Eric Gales! It will be an ultimate rush of gratitude to the highest degree. Getting closer to the day, I am getting more nervous by the day.
Tell me how your music changes lives?
EG: I can only give my perception from what people have conveyed to me that changed their outlook on certain things. As well as people telling me when I performed a rendition of someone else’s music, they never imagined this song done being done that way. Blues music in general touches everyone emotionally, so if my music touches 1 person I am happy.
Talk about your proficiency in blues guitar and how you were able to get to the level that you’re at today.
EG: I just never gave up, always uphill battles. I don’t really have a choice, honestly this is all I know, I am a consummate musician through and through. Also, I am constantly hearing things that inspire me and connecting to them, as well as applying it to my guitar playing. I grew up on this kind of music, and continuing to strive as much as I can, and let the rest handle itself.
You worked on the film “Sinners” which just got nominated for the most Oscars ever – 16 nominations, what does this mean to you?
EG: Yes, I was featured in the film “Sinners” Original Motion Picture Score, alongside genius composer, Ludwig Goransson, known for his work on films like Black Panther and Oppenheimer. “Grand Closin,” which features my guitar work as part of the bluesy finale for the film’s score, and “Elijah”, showcases my instrumental blues guitar skills, blending them with the orchestral score, alongside other collaborators like Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Lars Ulrich, bringing his powerful riffs to the soundtrack for the film Michael B. Jordan-starred in. This is all a first, I am just so excited, to be part of this amazing film, I can’t even imagine.
Where do you see your music in 5 years?
EG: By simply continuing to do more of it, music outside the norm – such as movie scores and other things that brings awareness to the legacy of who Eric Gales is!
