Watch The New Lyric Video for "If This Means War"

Magnolia Medicine

The magnolia symbolizes resilience, so it is no wonder that Brother Cane have chosen to highlight the mighty tree for it’s return to original recorded music for the first time in twenty eight years. Magnolia Medicine also sees the return of the creative partnership of singer/lead guitarist/ principle songwriter Damon Johnson and award-winning producer and songwriter Marti Frederiksen. 

Stream The First Single "If This Means War"

After forming in Birmingham, Alabama Brother Cane was ubiquitous on rock radio throughout the mid to late nineties. Their debut self titled Virgin Records album birthed three hit singles, “Got No Shame”, “That Don’t Satisfy Me” and “Hard Act To Follow”. Followed two years later by the hit “And Fools Shine On” from the album Seeds, and then “I Lie In The Bed I Make” from the 1998 album Wishpool. which also went to number one on rock radio. Wishpool would be the band’s final full length release until now. 


Written and recorded in Nashville, Magnolia Medicine sees Johnson, original bassist Glenn Maxey, drummer Jarred Pope, guitarist Tony Higbee, and keyboardist Buck Johnson put forth an eleven track effort steeped in all of their various influences. 


For the past twenty five years Johnson has been the lead guitarist on global tours for John Waite, Alice Cooper, Thin Lizzy and now currently filling the enormous hole left by the late Gary Rossington in Lynyrd Skynyrd. These experiences have helped provide the inspiration and source material for Magnolia Medicine. Opening track “If This Means War” leans heavy into an aggressive stance that announces that this is no meek or half assed attempt for Brother Cane to reenter the world of rock and roll. This return is sonic, soulful and it is not messing around.


The swampy “Take A Chance” is vintage Brother Cane in that it was cowritten by Johnson and Frederiksen. The song is a perfect example of the ineffable relationship between a musician and his creative partner. A strong riff from Johnson and a soaring melody from Frederiksen have always been the magic sauce that makes Brother Cane tick. This is further proven on the riotous and infectious “Nothing To Lose”.


While Magnolia Medicine is a deeply personal album to Johnson, such as on the breathtaking “The Wolf On The Mountain”, which explores the complications of mental illness infecting a family and a community against the backdrop of mournful drop D tuning, ultimately the album feels like a family endeavor. Johnson has described the current lineup as close friends that are like brothers. This vibe carried the project through to the highlight track “Prince Charming” which is a haunting and hopeful tribute to Gary Rossington. Featuring a stunning guest vocal from Skynryd’s Johnny Van Zant, the song, whose title is a reference to Rossington’s nickname, is in effect a hymn. It holds space for the pain of losing someone you love and admire while also making you feel like they are in the room with you just waiting for another hug. 


Another tribute of sorts is the track “Miracle” which pays homage in tone and spirit to the great American songwriter and artist Tom Petty. You can also feel the pull of Bruce Springsteen in the song “Are You In There Anymore”. After multiple decades in the music business Johnson knows where he came from and he knows what he likes. His love of music is genuine and here he and the band acknowledge their heroes while being unapologetically themselves.


Johnson recounted that the title Magnolia Medicine came to him after he and his wife rehabilitated a Little Gem Magnolia tree that was dying in their backyard. After they almost lost hope that the tree would survive they began treating it with a special fertilizer and finally one beautiful single white blossom appeared at the top of the tree. A southern flower, a tree resurrected. So here is Brother Cane, a southern band, reborn. 


Magnolia Medicine is set for release in early 2026 on Double Dragon Records distributed by DSR/Virgin Music Group

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Magnolia Medicine

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