Lightnin Rod & The Thunderbolts

We are a very professional band. As our bio says "The Thunderbolts are a rare commodity of true musicianship lacking in today’s music scene" and we take that seriously. We are professional through every stage of the process. With over 35 years of touring and recording experience we know what it takes to be successful as every day musicians.

Josie Award Nominee for Artist of the Year for 2017. Gold Artist Award, Grinde Award Winner, two #1 MP3 chart-toppers in two different musical genres, “Sugar & Spice” Music Video was used for the 2010 NME (First For Music News) Award Show. That is just a few of Lightnin’ Rod Wilson’s musical accomplishments.

He has shared the stage with members of the Allman Brothers, Bob Seger, The Steve Miller Band, Cher, Stevie Nicks, Boz Scaggs, Steppenwolf, Chuck Berry, Robert Cray, and Mitch Ryder just to name a few.

As a young dreamer growing up in a small town in Southeast Michigan, it was not always so. While playing in several local bands, Rod soaked up the Midwest music environment of rock, blues and Motown like a sponge. He toured with several regional classic rock/blues bands for several years. His first single, “Back On Mulberry Road”, became a cult classic in the southern Michigan area. Several other songs charted on the MP3 music chart.

In 2003, he put together a blues-rock trio playing throughout Michigan and Ohio.

In 2004, with the release of “All-American Blues”, radio stations around the world were playing Rod’s music. “Dreamful of Blues”, became a #1 MP3 song in the general blues category. His second release, “After The Storm”(2008), picked up where All-American Blues left off, with great reviews and airplay around the world. In 2009, he was awarded both the Grinde Award and Gold Artist Award for the CD and “I Guess I’ll Just Sing You The Blues”, went to #1 on the Blues Radio UK Chart. His music has been played on radio stations around the world. He has also appeared on a nationwide TV broadcast.

Rod’s latest release, “Guilty Of The Blues”, was released to critical acclaim. Eight of the album’s thirteen songs have charted on various blues & rock album charts, He has had great reviews from “Blues Matters”, “Blues Blast Magazine”, “The Sound Guardian”, “Rootstime” and “LaHora Del Blues” and other fine publications.

Rod’s music has been called “Bob Seger Meets Eric Clapton at Muddy Waters’ House”. But, those who try to pigeon-hole his music will be left scratching their heads. Always a blues rocker at heart, his music also has shades of soul, Motown, gospel and acoustic influences.

The Thunderbolts are a rare commodity of true musicianship lacking in today’s music scene.

Most venues we play at provide front of the house sound and we bring our own back line equipment.