HEADLINE: A family affair

BYLINE: HEATHER JOHNSON

BODY:
Former husband-wife duo Bonnie and Delaney reunite to perform with daughter Bekka Bramlett

BY HEATHER JOHNSON

The Rage

A family reunion of monumentally melodic proportions will take place tonight at 3rd & Lindsley when former husband-wife duo Bonnie and Delaney Bramlett share the stage with their daughter, powerhouse vocalist Bekka Bramlett.

"They haven't sung together since I was like 12," Bekka says of her folks, who divorced about 30 years ago.  "I'm flipping out, I'm so happy."

In the late '60s and early '70s, Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett issued five earth-shaking, R&B-flavored rock albums and shared the stage and/or studio with greats such as Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Leon Russell and Gram Parsons.

The duo's best album (according to most critics and fans, including Tennessean entertainment editor Tim Ghianni) is On Tour with Eric Clapton.

That album came about back in 1970 after Delaney and Bonnie toured as openers for the fabulous supergroup Blind Faith. Clapton was a member of that group (as were Rick Grech, Steve Winwood and Ginger Baker.)

According the Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, Clapton spent time on the Delaney and Bonnie tour bus. When Blind Faith's short life came to an end, Clapton invited Delaney and Bonnie to England, where they toured together.  Among the notables who played with them during the tour of England were Dave Mason and George Harrison.

Delaney and Bonnie and friends also played for a brief time with John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band.

But back to Bekka . . .

With boundless talent and a passion for blues, soul and gospel in her blood, daughter Bekka worked as a backup singer and solo artist before joining Fleetwood Mac as Stevie Nicks' replacement in 1993.

A collaboration with post-Lindsay Buckingham guitarist Billy Burnette led to the critically acclaimed Almo Sounds album, Bekka & Billy.

Besides singing with acts such as Vince Gill, Billy Joel, Jonny Lang and Faith Hill, Bekka recently starred in the Tony-nominated musical Ain't Nothin' But the Blues, staged earlier this year at the Ryman. She also enjoys a songwriting career, writing hits for artists Wynonna, Jessica Andrews and Faith Hill.

Some of the soulful singer's live favorites can be found on her new CD, What's In It For Me, available at shows and on her Web site, www.bekka-bramlett.com.

By the way, besides her mom and pop, Bekka is expected to be joined on stage by some mighty influential musical friends.

Stay tuned.

Tennessean entertainment editor Tim Ghianni contributed to this story.

GETTING THERE

Bekka Bramlett will be performing with some very special guests, including her mom and pop, Delaney and Bonnie, tonight at 3rd & Lindsley, 818 Third Ave. S. Former Thompson Brothers (the band is former - they're still brothers) Matt and Andy Thompson open the show at 8 p.m., followed by Bramlett and company at 10 p.m. Cover $15. Call 259-9891 for more info.