The first song I heard from Jet Black Roses was "PsychoBoogieHoochieCoo," and it reminded me of the R&B and Funk music I listened to in the 1980s. It turns out that, technically, Jet Black Roses are a multifaceted Southern Rock band with a vast array of influences.

Jet Black Roses (JBR) consists of brothers Trey and Andrew Bentley, who are from Calhoun, Georgia, just south of Atlanta, and guitarist Tyler Cates, who hails from North Carolina. They come from musical families. Trey and Andrew were raised with traditional country music, and their mother, Faye Pierce Bentley, recorded with the famed Nashville duo Barry and Holly Tashian, as well as worked with Pedal Steel guitarist Al Perkins of the Flying Burrito Brothers and numerous other bands.

Tyler grew up with classic rock, and his influences were legends like the Isley Brothers and Prince.

"It was a natural, weird fit. You wouldn't think it would work, but if you look at the Eagles, they have elements of R&B, Country, and Rock," Trey stated.

They have a unique sound and don't want to be pigeonholed. They want people to say, "Hey, that's the Jet Black Roses."

When Andrew was ten and Trey was fourteen, they performed at a church event called Youth Explosion, which drew 2,500 attendees. "The bass was bigger than Andrew was," Trey recalled. It was their first taste of what it would be like performing as a band.

Eight years later, they were at Babyface's studio in LA and were writing songs with JQ Smith. He told them, "You guys need a guitar player who can hear all your crazy ideas because you guys are full of wild ideas, and [you need someone] who won't think that you're crazy and can hear what you're actually thinking. And if he can sing, that's just another plus."

That's when Tyler Cates was introduced to the brothers.

Trey stated, "You know, Tyler's not our blood brother, but I'll tell you, blood couldn't make us any closer to him." The affection and synergy they share is reflected in their music. When you hear their tight harmonies, you would think they were all related.

The trio are also prolific songwriters, as were their parents. For a southern rock band, the guys from JBR take lyric writing very seriously. Trey explained, "I feel like as a songwriter and as a musician, you've got to do your due diligence, and it's your job to really bear your soul for the audience."

While the band has been together for a while, it was two years ago that they met veteran producer and sound engineer Greg Archilla (James Brown, Collective Soul, Matchbox Twenty, Neil Young, among others), and all the pieces fell into place.

One of the first songs JBR released was "Carolina Blue," written in response to the massive flooding that occurred in Western North Carolina in September 2024 following Hurricane Helene.

Tyler told the brothers, "I feel like we should do something, and you know we don't need to make any money off of it." The band raised thousands of dollars through the emotional tune, which was used to aid the ongoing rebuilding and relief efforts in the area, as well as providing Christmas gifts for children who might have otherwise gone without.

The song "A Song Of A Southern Man" showcases JBR's amazing harmonies and clever lyric writing. The inspirational song is a history lesson as it talks about farming, creek beds, and railroads being laid on sacred ground. It is a powerful rock opera that could proudly be on any southern rock band's setlist.

"King of Fools" is a spirited rock anthem about living in the moment and making questionable choices. Recorded at Treesound Studios in Atlanta, the band captured the song in one take, preserving the raw energy of their live performance.

Their most popular song to date is the aforementioned "PsychoBoogieHoochieCoo," which boasts unmatched energy and a superior horn section that is sure to thrill enthusiasts from the R&B, Funk, and Rock worlds, as well as their devoted fanbase. You've got to hear the song until the end to appreciate it fully.

This week JBR has released another anthem, "Barefoot Gypsy Mama."

Blending bluesy electric guitar, raw and raspy vocals, and a driving beat, "Barefoot Gypsy Mama" captures the untamed charm and pride of the Southern spirit. It's an authentic, no-frills southern rock track that embodies exactly what Jet Black Roses stand for: real music, real stories, and real musicianship.

With major tour slots alongside rock legends like Styx, Sammy Hagar, and Collective Soul, the self-proclaimed "Coolest Dad Rock Band" in America is carving out their own lane. They recently capped off CMA Week in Nashville with a high-energy set at Luke Combs' bar and are set to bring their southern swagger to the NASCAR pre-race show on June 28.

In an era where music can feel over-polished and overly manufactured, Jet Black Roses is committed to authenticity. They write their own songs and play their own instruments. You won't hear AI, autotune, or the same eight bars looped for three minutes. "We're doing it the way our heroes did it—real singing, real playing, real blood, sweat, and tears," says the band. 

Jet Black Roses is more than just a band—they're a movement.  They are rock n roll with a country soul. The band pairs a tough, timeless rock aesthetic with songs that are grounded in honesty, grit, and life experience. "There's a realness and depth to our music and to who we are that cuts through the rough-around-the-edges image," they explained.

With a vast catalog of original songs at their disposal, the band's biggest problem is deciding which song to release next. From what I've heard so far, I'm eager to see what else they have in store. This is only the beginning for Jet Black Roses.

You can follow Jet Black Roses on their website, Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and all streaming services.

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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, Facebook, and X.