Darren "Lightnin'" Thiboutot Jr. (born September 5, 1997) is an American guitarist, known for his work with Memphis Lightning. He has also shared the stage and or recorded with

Eddie Kirkland Eddie Kirkland (August 16, 1923 – February 27, 2011) was an American electric blues guitarist, harmonicist, singer, and songwriter. Kirkland, known as the "Gypsy of the Blues" for his rigorous touring schedules, played and toured with John ...

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, Paul Nelson,

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and many more.

Early life

Thiboutot was born in

Maine Maine ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the United States, and the northeasternmost state in the Contiguous United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Provinces and ...

to his mother Deb, and father Darren "Big Red" Thiboutot. His father was a session and touring blues drummer in the 1990s for artists such as

Tab Benoit Tab Benoit (born November 17, 1967) is an American blues guitarist, musician, and singer. His playing combines a number of blues styles, primarily Delta blues. He plays a stock 1972 Fender Telecaster Thinline electric guitar and writes his own ...

, and The Hoo Doo Kings among many others. Thiboutot started playing guitar at the age of eight, learning from teachers, heroes and influences including Eddie Kirkland, Magic Sam, Nokie Edwards, Roy Buchanan, Chuck Berry, Roy Nichols and many more. Developing his own guitar sound and known for his use of a guitar straight to an amplifier, without any effects pedals. Thiboutot was diagnosed with a form of cancer, lymphoma at the age 18 but has been in remission for seven years. Currently he records and tours with his band Memphis Lightning.

Career

Thiboutot began his professional music career and has played with his band Memphis Lightning since he was 12 years old, with his Father Big Red. His band Memphis Lightning was originally called The Blue Jets before a rebrand. The Blue Jets featured Thiboutot on guitar, his father Big Red on drums and Slow Driver on bass. They were also the founding members of Memphis Lightning, and served as the members for 10 years. Thiboutot initially only played guitar in the band, eventually leading to some vocals before becoming the frontman and primary songwriter. His playing style has been compared to Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan, meeting the crazy stage antics and showmanship of artists such as

Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English musician. He is known as the lead singer and one of the founder members of The Rolling Stones. Jagger has co-written most of the band's songs with lead guitarist Keith Richards; Jagge ...

and

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. Since starting his career, he has shared the stage with and or recorded with other artists such as

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, Paul Nelson,

Joanna Connor Joanna Connor (born August 31, 1962)] is an American Chicago-based blues singer, songwriter and guitarist.] Early life Connor was born in Brooklyn of New York City, and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts. After moving to Chicago in 1984, she w ...

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, Tammi Savoy, Jamiah on Fire and The Red Machine, among others. In 2016, Thiboutot represented the state of Maine in The International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase. In 2019, Thiboutot began touring nationwide with his band Memphis Lightning. In 2022, Memphis Lightning won best self produced album at the

International Blues Challenge The International Blues Challenge (IBC) is a music competition run by the Blues Foundation. Notable blues artists that have competed in the IBC over the years also includes Fiona Boyes, Eden Brent, Michael Burks, Tommy Castro, Sean Costello, ...

Discography

* ''The Road Is My Home'' with Memphis Lightning (unreleased) * 2021 – ''Borrowed Time'' with Memphis Lightning * 2019 – ''Live and Raw'' with Memphis Lightning * 2019 – ''Come Back Home (Live Single)'' with Memphis Lightning * 2017 – ''Trouble'' with Memphis Lightning

References

External links

Memphis Lightning official website

Memphis Lightning official discography

Event/Article for Memphis Lightning Show

News Article on Memphis Lightning for Maine News Center 207
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thiboutot Jr, Darren 1997 births Living people Guitarists from Maine American blues guitarists American male guitarists 21st-century American guitarists 21st-century American male musicians