Banger Nation

JOHNSON CITY — Five months following the final performance by its original lineup, The Twang Bangers are back.
The new-look group returns to Capone’s in downtown Johnson City on Thursday, June 3 for the venue’s ‘Blue Plum’ kickoff show with special guest James Wesley, the most recent addition to Nashville’s Broken Bow Records.
The Twang Bangers reformed in April with four returning members, Wes Holtsclaw (Vocals), Tyler McCoy (Acoustic Guitar), Abe Spear (Steel Guitar), Clint Riddle (Lead Guitar), and two new additions, Brent Strange (Drums) and Burl Williams (Bass).
“After our final show, many people kept asking for our return,” said Wes Holtsclaw, lead vocalist. “Those words of encouragement and support have brought us to this point. We may look a little different, but the show will be even better this time around.”
Since forming in 2008, the group has drawn a large following throughout the Tri-Cities area. The band presents a unique blend of alternative southern & country music — a style encompassing everything from Garth Brooks and Allman Brothers to Tom Petty and Townes Van Zandt.
Five of the band’s six members are current students or alumni of East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass, Old Time and Country Music program.
Wesley makes his Tri-Cities debut fresh off the release of his newest single, “Real”, which hit country radio stations nationwide May 24. His debut single, “Jackson Hole”, was released in December and reached No. 41 on the Billboard Country Music chart in March.
The Kansas native signed to Broken Bow, home of Jason Aldean, in November. Label CEO/President Benny Brown said Wesley has “all the traditional values of a true country artist, yet adds a contemporary flair to his sound.”
Wesley puts those core values into his music with a whiskey-smooth voice and sings directly to real people about real things that profoundly affect real lives.
The show begins at 9:40 p.m. Tickets are $6 and may be purchased at Capone’s the evening of the performance. - GoTriCities