Down South

As the old saying goes “If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life”. The local Alt/Country/Rock band Down South may disagree with the old saying. Comprised with two Hillsboro natives Chuck McKnew and Erick Taylor as well as Chris Hubbart from Witt and three members from Pocahontas IL, Vance Edwards, Jake Murphy and Eric “SPUDZ” Wright. The band would agree that they love playing and creating original music although it’s not what they do for a living yet. They also know that you have to work hard to get what you want in this life and if you don’t you will never know. The band has had other members and has changed names due to the difficulty of making original music and finding time to make a commitment; it’s just not for everyone. Comprised Founders Erick Taylor and Chris Hubbart started the band under the name Sick Again late in 2010. Although Sick Again didn’t last long the foundation for something completely original and unique was born. Lead sing and song writer Erick Taylor has always had a passion for something different and original; it’s a family trait that has been passed down for generations. After years of listening to his relatives create songs and jam he decided to do the same. Most of his influences are family like Matt Edwards, Mike Prater and Travis Edwards both of Exit 36. After Sick Again parted ways Chris Hubbart and Erick Taylor tried to piece back together what had fell apart. Searching for local talent, it didn’t take long for them to find local Musician Chuck McKnew. Chuck had been playing the local music scene for many years and had made some accomplishments in the business. Playing with many different bands through the years chuck built a talent for drums, guitar and vocals, among other instruments. Chuck and Erick actually attended the same church when they were young; life just took them separate ways until Chuck received a call from his old friend ET. The call was short and to the point “Me and my buddy Hubbz are starting an original band and we want to try and go big doing it” Chuck arrived at Erick’s home that day to try out and show what he had to offer to the band, he showed Erick his original songs Bag and a bottle and Burn it Down. Et and Hubbz would agree it was an automatic decision that he was in, he fit the mold of what the band needed and was searching for. The three together choose the name Down South and so it was. Meanwhile Chris Hubbart was offered a job to play bass in Bond county power house rock band EXIT 36, he toured the local bar scene with them for months while also playing bass for Down south. With the bands connection with Exit 36 the boys from Down South made the decision to bring in Exit 36 drummer Jake Murphy from Pocahontas IL into Down South. Jake murphy also had a desire to create something new and unique that would make some noise in the bigger music scene as well as locally so he was in. As things continued to get better with everyone’s unique input and array of talents the band then made the design to bring in the One and only Eric Wright from Pocahontas IL. Eric Wright had been in the music scene for many years touring from state to state making a living playing music; he also was childhood friends of the Pocahontas super star Gretchen Wilson. He as well as the other members brought an excellent talent to the band and a level of music knowledge that may have been missing. As time went on the band still thought something was missing and that something was guitarist and song writer Vance Edwards of Pocahontas IL. Vance had tampered with music throughout his childhood through the guidance of his father and guitarist for Exit 36 Travis Edwards, Vance had just got home after serving four years over seas serving his country and while he was away took his musical abilities to another level, So all the pieces were in place for the local band Down South. The band started a grueling practice schedule and started working on their first album. A few months went by and Bassist Chris Hubbart ran into an old friend from Chicago IL. Brian Sarsany originally from Witt IL, who knew the ropes of the Chicago music scene and had a few connections in the city. Band members Erick Taylor, Chris Hubbart, Erick Wright and Vance Edwards took a trip up to meet with Mr. Sarsany to get familiar with a few of the venues in and around the Chicago area, after a few drinks and some Chicago pizza pie the boys went back to Brains house for some campfire jams and drinks. The next morning the band packed the guitars up and headed back Down South to southern IL, before they made it out of the city they received a call from Sarsany in his words “ who’s songs were you guys playing me last night?” the band said” those are Down South’s songs we wrote all of the songs we played you”. Sarsany loved the songs and wanted to support the band from a management position to help them get to that next level; of course the band said yes. It was then that Down South started to see the