The Best Country Music Act Is A Band That NOBODY Knows About... Yet

To me, there were two good things that came out of the pandemic: 

1. A TON of dogs found their forever homes. If you tried to adopt a dog during the pandemic, which I did, you know what I'm talking about. Shelters weren't begging people to take dogs off their hands like they typically do. Instead it was the opposite. Lots of places had wait lists. Thank god I got as lucky as I did

2. There was a TON of new music that I discovered. That's how I found Eric Lindell, a Louisiana blues guitarist who's now touring with the band Dragon Smoke. Check him out. He fucking slays:

Back when we had the Sirius partnership, we opened our show with the song "Josephine" by Eric Lindell and I had a shit ton of people reach out to me asking who it was. Great summer music vibes.

There were a lot of others. Cory Wong, Taj Mahal, Giacomo Turra. Lots of awesome acts. But it wasn't until yesterday I discovered a band named "49 Winchester" and as they say, "it's better late than never". 

If you're into red dirt country a la the Turnpike Troubadors, this band has your name all over it. Here's their Spotify link: 

I'm very on record as not being the biggest fan of country music. I just think there's a time and place for it. If I'm sitting on a pontoon boat at a lake house for the 4th of July, bombs away. If I'm at a bar in January get it the fuck off TouchTunes. But there are certain country bands I can listen to year round because rules don't apply to them. The aforementioned Turnpike Troubadors is one. After listening to 49 Winchester for the last 4-5 hours this morning, they're another.

Each song is COMPLETELY different from the last. Some slow bluesy vibes a la Skynyrd. Some poppy vibes. Some slow jam vibes a la Jamey Johnson. Outstanding guitar. Great piano. 

Another band fired my way is a more popular act that goes by The Whippoorwill. Same vibes:

Do yourself a favor and check them out, and when you're done with that, check out our music podcast:

It's myself, a complete nobody, diamond certified producer Kenny Carkeet of Awolnation (Sail!!), Colin Budny of Foxtrot and the Get Down, and Dante the Don. We've had a ton of big acts on the show. Ice Cube, Patrick Carney of the Black Keys, Chris Shifflet of the Foo Fighters, Cory Wong, Neon Trees, KONGOS, X Ambassadors, Fitz and the Tantrums, Armani White, The Revivalists, and a lot more. It's a good show and I learn a fuck ton when I hear those guys talk about music and the music industry. You will too. There's nothing better than discovering new music.