THE RIDGE RUNNERS

MODERN OUTLAWS: VIRTUAL SUPERGROUP OF TRI-STATE MUSICIANS SET TO DEBUT COUNTRY BAND WITH ATTITUDE JUNE 3 AT LAMASCO

In a non-descript home on Evansville's east side, there's a serious rehearsal session in progress. It's early May and the members of the Ridge Runners - Brian Hart (lead vocals/guitar), Mike Mitchell (bass/vocals), Fred Hunt (guitar/vocals), Bill Sievern (keyboards) and Brad Wireman (drums) - are dialing in the set of songs they're planning to unveil at Lamasco Bar & Grill in a month's time. The fledgling band has only been in existence for 60 days, but given their veteran status as performers, it's all coming together rather smoothly, apart from a few expected kinks. Considering the résumés of the musicians involved, this could easily be termed a supergroup of sorts - chances are you're familiar with many of the past and present tri-state acts with which these guys are associated, including McFly, Nobody's Cousin, The BackBeats, Mudpit Poets, Hog Maw, Love Junkies and BSR. Not to mention Hart previously won a songwriting contest that afforded him the opportunity to open up for Blake Shelton at the Big O Fest in Owensboro. So, yeah, there's a lot of talent in the room.

It was Mitchell who got the ball rolling nearly a year ago. Always looking to reinvent himself musically, he approached Hunt about forming a country band with attitude - and he specifically wanted Hart to handle lead vocals. The Mudpit Poets singer's gruff yet soulful delivery seemed tailor-made for the "modern outlaw" sound that Mitchell had in mind. Songs by current artists such as Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Cody Jinks, Shooter Jennings and Sturgill Simpson fit the bill, but so did throwbacks from Travis Tritt, Hank Williams, Jr. and Delbert McClinton. Eventually, even pop-oriented selections from Old Dominion, Brad Paisley and Morgan Wallen got the green light after Wireman sourced his daughter for suggestions. After all, attitude can only get you so far - you still have to please all factions of the crowd.

But as the Ridge Runners blow through another run of country rockers on this pleasant May evening, absolutely blitzing a Whiskey Myers track before grooving on some old school Travis Tritt and building to a crescendo with McClinton's "Every Time I Roll the Dice" - sure to be a showstopperthere's no question that this band is ready for primetime.

So put your cowboy boots on and don that 10-gallon hat - or just dress normally; whatever you're comfortable in - and head to Lamasco on June 3 for the debut performance of the Ridge Runners. If you can't make it, don't despair - the band also has a big showcase booked for July 22 at KC's Time Out Lounge and more gigs to follow, including three in September. Yeehaw!

For more info, follow The Ridge Runners on Facebook.