Fans of the Kentucky Headhunters had an opportunity to see the veteran Southern rock band in person Tuesday evening at Mellow Matt’s Music and More for an in-store record signing to promote the band’s newest album, “On Safari.”

The record store on Smallhouse Road began to crowd with fans several minutes before the band arrived.

Released on Nashville label Plowboy Records, “On Safari” is the 11th album for the quartet, which formed in Metcalfe County in 1968 as Itchy Brother. Three of the four founding members of the Kentucky Headhunters continue to record and tour together.

Lead guitarist Greg Martin said the album title was inspired by a photograph of a young lady who appeared to be on safari that bandmate Richard Young found while going through his father’s belongings after he died last spring.

The Headhunters recently returned from a summer tour through Europe with local band Black Stone Cherry that included performances in England, Scotland and Sweden.

“That was a cool experience to tour where the Beatles, the Animals, the Rolling Stones and all those bands came from,” said Martin, who hosts “The Lowdown Hoedown” weekly radio show on WDNS-FM 93.3. “Growing up in Metcalfe County, I thought playing in the Glasgow Armory would be wonderful, let alone Glasgow, Scotland.”

After two shows this month in Nashville and Russell Springs, the band will take a break over the holidays before going back on the road next year.

Matt Pfefferkorn, owner of Mellow Matt’s, said the Headhunters have inspired a loyal following over the years through their close connection with their fans and their dedication to songcraft.

“I would say that with their musicianship, they’re like a family. They’ve built this up over the decades and they’re getting respect in today’s music,” Pfefferkorn said. “Everybody in southcentral Kentucky backs them and they’re definitely an influential band.”

— Follow reporter Justin Story on Twitter @jstorydailynews or visit bgdailynews.com.