Last time Sonny Knight and the Lakers stopped by The Current, they performed with legends. This time around — their third performance in our studios — the eight-piece band performed as luminaries themselves.

In support of their new Sooner or Later album, Sonny Knight and the Lakers — Sonny Knight (vocals), Eric Foss (drums), Blair Krivanek (guitar), Nick Salisbury (bass), Sam Harvey-Carlson (keys), Cole Pulice (saxophone), Tony Beaderstadt (trombone) and Riley Helgeson (trumpet) — stopped by The Current to perform live in-studio and to chat with host Andrea Swensson of The Local Show.

Not only is Sooner of Later Sonny's second album with the Lakers, but it's also his second act. He first released an album in 1965 as a 17-year-old and was re-discovered in 2012 when Knight joined the reunited Valdons — who appear on the new album — for soul revue shows in support of the Twin Cities Funk & Soul compilation. It was then that Eric Foss of Secret Stash formed the Lakers with Sonny Knight.

So what has kept Sonny Knight inspired and invigorated after all these years?

"These young guys," said Knight. "There's a certain magic that seems to happen when we all come together."

Stream the full in-studio session to the the story of how Sonny Knight and the Lakers came to cover Lonnie Mack's "Why?," the last song they performed in The Current studio (their first introduction was not Lonnie Mack's original recording).

Songs Performed

"I Could Never Get Tired"
"Sooner or Later"
"Why?" (Lonnie Mack cover)

All songs off Sonny Knight and the Lakers' album Sooner or Later, out now via Secret Stash.

Hosted by Andrea Swensson
Produced by Andrea Swensson
Engineered by Mike DeMark
Visuals by Nate Ryan
Web feature by Leah Garaas

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