So my buddy's country band is in the running for 2 awards for the Ventura County Music Awards. Best Country Band and Best Live Band. They played a showcase for Best Country Band a few weeks ago and killed it. They wound up being moved to the last slot of the night and given extra time (Each band was given an hour)... because they were the only full band there who can play a 3 hours worth of material (Originals and Covers) without skipping a beat.
And then last night was the Best Live Act showcase. They were basically playing against an 80's style hard rock band (who were pretty good), a newer rock band (who's guitarist is a douchebag I knew in High School, and their music reflected that), and then the band who was supposed to be playing after them was a metal band. Well when my buddy's band went on, they were so tight and got the crowd (which consisted of fans of every genre and from all walks of life) moving enoght that the last act BACKED OUT. So they finished their set and the guy putting on the show ran up to the stage and said the other band backed out... and they were free to play a longer set. Again... absolutely KILLED IT.
Yes they are a country band, but they play a lot of rock too. think my buddy is their secret weapon. He can sing. So they throw a couple songs that are total crowd pleasers into the mix (Walk This Way being one of them).
Oh yea, and during the evening I had a conversation with the dude who's band it basically is (its The Rick Miller Band. He is Rick Miller.. haha). He was telling me how he grew up in a nice quiet southern baptist household listening to country, and then discovered Metallica and Black Sabbath when he was in his teens.. He grew up playing in a bunch of metal cover bands and what not, and then edged himself back into country. He also mentioned Dream Theater out of the blue and how bad ass they are. So the dude is a country artist with roots in metal and appreciates prog. I knew there was a reason why I liked his material.