Brother Fat was formed to honor the passing of Count M’Butu, Grammy Award-winning member of The Derek Trucks Band. The band came together to be a part of his memorial show. The name was the fulfilling of a prophecy.

Mark Chester met and became a student of Count M’Butu in the early 2000s, and they became close friends. Not long after, Count told Mark that his buddies used to call him “Fat Larry,” and would address him as “Brother Fat.” Mark told Count, “I love the nickname Brother Fat! Some day I’m going to have a band with that name.”

On August 15th, 2021 Brother Fat came together and played at the “We’re Down for The Count” benefit concert and memorial for Count M’Butu. Totally unrehearsed, and many of the band members playing together for the first time, the chemistry was obvious, and the set was magical. It seemed only fitting that the band carry on, honoring The Count!