Thursday, September 11th Honky Tonk Happy Hour AmericanaFest Unofficial Showcase at The Underdog 4-8pm
3208 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216
Artists: Chuck Mead and the Stalwarts | John Surge and the Haymakers | Matt Axton and Bad Moon | Country Honk
Twang City is LA’s premier promoter of country and Americana shows including the presentation of the Western Edge - the ‘80s show paying tribute to the ground-breaking LA artists from that seminal decade.
The Twang City showcase features Mead and his crack band being joined by Ohio’s Country Honk, an official AmericaFest showcase act, and two LA bands on tour, Matt Axton & Badmoon and John Surge & The Haymakers.
Mead is what you’d call a country singer with a rock n roll heart, founder of the celebrate BR5-49. He’s also a renowned songwriter, producer, music director, musicologist and architect behind the rebirth of Lower Broadway and the Global Neo Traditional Country music movement.
This Kansas native and fixture on the Nashville scene has been at the forefront of what has come to be known as Americana Music for the better part of 30 years. Perhaps best known for co-founding the famed ‘90s Alternative Country quintet, BR5-49, whose 7 albums garnered a CMA Award for Best International Touring Act and three Grammy nominations, helped build an indelible bridge between authentic American Roots music and millions of fans worldwide.
Cleveland’s Country Honk kicks off the show featuring songs from their critically acclaimed album Bad Decision. This band delivers the heart and grit of classic country with a modern twist. Inspired by legends like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, and Dwight Yoakam, the band mixes sharp songwriting, rich harmonies, and toe-tapping rhythms. Whether on vinyl or live on stage, Country Honk’s music takes listeners on a journey through life, love, and regret.
"Country Honk is the local band that deserves a national and international audience." — Saving Country Music
L.A.’s Matt Axton is the son of legendary singer-songwriter Hoyt Axton and his mother, Donna Axton, wrote Heartbreak Hotel! He celebrates the tradition carved by his parents while paving his own distinct musical journey. His music, with his band Badmoon, is a powerful mix of classic storytelling folk with modern guitar-driven Americana rock twists. Matt’s distinct baritone voice, unique finger-picker guitar style and wealth of legacy stories lands perfectly in an intimate listening room, a late night honky-tonk, or theater setting.
John Surge & the Haymakers also hail from L.A. and are know for high energy California Country, weaving together classic country, rock ’n’ roll, blues and folk styles into a spirited feel good blend, a great fit for any venue from main stage to bar room, listening room to coffee house. The band’s latest EP featured the single “You Don’t Know Me,” which went into heavy rotation on Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country with DJ Sunny Sweeney calling it “Real country sh#t. Country as a stick!”
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