When I first pressed play on Ping Rose’s album Conjure Man, I knew I had stumbled onto something special. I shared it with a few co-workers—musicians themselves—and the reaction was unanimous: this was the real deal. The record is a raw yet refined blend of blues, rock, and soulful storytelling, featuring standouts like “Don’t Drink Me Dry”, “Salty”, “Much Left to Lose”, and the title track, “Conjure Man”. Each song carries powerful vocals, intricate guitar work, and a richness that makes it hard to choose a favorite. So naturally, I had to sit down with Ping to dive into his story and inspirations. I paired Ping’s music with a warm Bourbon Peach Cobbler that is perfect during the last bits of Summer weather as it gives way to fall.
Music has been part of Ping’s life since childhood. He grew up singing in the church choir, played in school bands, and even earned a scholarship to play guitar in college. Later, at a liberal arts high school, music electives kept him grounded in his passion, further shaping his path. Though he didn’t major in music performance, his college scholarship was a testament to his skill and dedication. Ping’s influences are as eclectic as his sound. On one hand, he draws from blues greats like Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and Prince, alongside jazz fusion legends such as Al Di Meola. On the other hand, his roots stretch into the 90s alternative scene, with bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, and Incubus leaving their mark. He even began as a “metalcore kid,” thrashing on heavy riffs before blending everything into his unique blues-forward style.
For Ping, blues isn’t just about the traditional “woke up this morning” vibe—it’s mythic, layered with history, fantasy, and storytelling. He calls it a spectrum, fusing retro authenticity with modern rock energy. Ping’s artistry extends beyond sound into visuals and storytelling. A lifelong comic book fan, he brings sci-fi, fantasy, and retro aesthetics into his music videos. His wife even helped conceptualize the video for “Don’t Drink Me Dry”, complete with subtle “Easter eggs” inspired by the cinematic world of comic book movies. These touches reflect his love of detail and narrative, giving fans more to engage with than just the music.
One of Ping’s strengths is bridging the gap between musicians and general listeners. Some artists create work that resonates mainly with fellow musicians, but Ping has found a middle ground. His songs impress seasoned pros while still capturing the hearts of casual listeners.
As one listener put it after hearing Conjure Man: “This isn’t just cool—it’s incredible.”
Ping isn’t chasing fame or viral numbers. Instead, his focus is on quality, connection, and growth. He’s currently preparing a new video for the title track “Conjure Man” and has plans for one more single before moving on to his next record. Impressively, he plays most of the instruments himself, from bass, guitar, to programmed drums and vocals.
When he’s not recording, you can find him performing live. He holds a residency at Black Rabbit in Nashville every Friday and tours regularly, working as a sideman for artists like Amythyst Kiah. Festivals are on the horizon, and while Ping doesn’t crave the spotlight, he thrives on sharing music that blends his passions for blues, rock, and comic-inspired artistry. Ping Rose is a reminder that great music doesn’t have to fit into one box. With Conjure Man, he’s crafted something timeless yet fresh, rooted in history but alive with modern energy. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or simply a lover of sound, his music is proof that the blues still has endless stories to tell.
Ping Rose Linktree
When it comes to food, he truly loves it all—but when nostalgia comes into play, nothing compares to a classic soul food spread. For him, that lineup is unbeatable: fried or baked chicken, salmon croquettes, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, greens, cornbread, rice, and of course, peach cobbler. But he’s quick to add that not everyone’s soul food hits the same—it all depends on who made it and where it came from. At home, though, it’s always perfect. Peach cobbler, especially when made from scratch by his mom or dad, will forever reign supreme.
On a day-to-day basis, he leans toward clean eating—bowls, wraps, smoothies, and anything fresh off the grill. He and his wife are big fans of Wild Berry’s acai bowls, a love affair fueled by a buy-one-get-one special they happily tore through. Snacks are usually lighter too: fresh berries, homemade nut-filled granola, or fun finds from Trader Joe’s, like chocolate toffee coated in dark chocolate and pistachios. He’s not much of a sweet tooth, but when he does indulge, it’s pies and cobblers over cakes every time. Apple pie is another favorite, kept simple with no ice cream on top—just the pie, warm and classic. Still, peach cobbler holds the crown. Texture matters to him, so no a la mode, just the pie or cobbler, and nothing beats that golden crust straight out of the oven.
In honor of Ping Rose’s love of soul food, I’ve created the perfect homemade bourbon peach cobbler. It’s warm, fragrant, and deeply comforting, with notes of cinnamon and vanilla. To give it a little edge, I’ve paired it with one of my favorites, Boone’s Bourbon—crafted by one of our Lhyme-featured artists, Tyler Boone, and of course, used The Peach Truck fresh peaches. It’s the bourbon I turn to for cooking, cocktails, and sipping alike. Together, the peach cobbler and bourbon capture everything Ping’s about: rooted in tradition, rich in flavor, and touched with a bit of boldness. Check out the recipe below!
Bourbon Peach Cobbler
Ingredients for Peach Cobbler:
• 7 fresh peaches (about 6 cups), peeled and sliced
• ½ cup golden sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup tbsp bourbon (I used Boone’s Bourbon)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Ingredients for the batter:
• 1 cup self-rising purpose flour
• ¾ cup golden sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup whole milk
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- As the oven preheats, place the stick of butter in a 9×13 baking dish and put it in the oven while you prepare the cobbler.
- Toss peaches with sugar, brown sugar, bourbon, vanilla, cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Let it sit 10 minutes so the bourbon infuses and juices thicken slightly.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk until smooth. It should resemble pancake batter.
- Remove the baking pan from the oven; the butter should be melted by now. Pour the cobbler batter into the heated baking pan over the melted butter.
- Pour the peach mixture over the cobbler batter.
- Bake for 40 – 45 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Serve warm and enjoy! (You can add ice cream or whipped cream if you prefer on top as well)
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