Ryan Michael and The Redneck Romeos
Getting out in the summer is key for everyone in Northeast Ohio, especially the bands that fill their show schedules. Ryan Michael and the Redneck Romeos have had a busy summer playing fairs and festivals and shows all over the state and outside Ohio, too.
The band recently played two back-to-back big shows when they played at the NFL Football Hall of Fame weekend and the next day at Atwood Lake for their annual party. The events had the group playing to thousands over the weekend of shows.
Runaway June and the Redneck Romeos performing at the Hall of Fame VIP Party.
“It was a really good experience for us, we got to play at a VIP Fan Party for Tim McGraw and we actually go to sit in with Runaway June for one song, ” said Ryan Michael during a recent interview with CCM. “We played there and tore down and had to be up early for a big show down at Atwood Lake called the Boaters Beach Party.” Michael adds, “It was a huge party on the water at the sandbar with hundreds of boats and about 1500-1800 people there. It was a heck of a party. It was the best summer weekend that we have ever been a part of.”
Ryan Michael and The Redneck Romeos play well over 120 shows a year, but will take a little more time off this winter as they head into the studio to record a new album.
“We currently have a single available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify called “Kick It With Me Tonight,” said Michael. “One of our goals is to write an album and have it out by springtime.”
The album is slated to be all originals with the lyrics coming from Michael and a collaboration of sorts on the music. “The band gets in a room and we try to find a good vibe or a good melody, then I record it and go home and try to find some good lyrics or a good story line.”
The Stark County based band originally formed a little over three years ago and recently made some changes including the addition of Dave Rudolph on lead guitar.
“We are so happy to have Dave Rudolph on board,” said Michael. “He took off for fifteen years while his kids were growing up and raised his family and taught guitar lessons. So, I was a little worried, but he came in and just blew us away.”
The band members are: Ryan Michael, Lead vocals/rhythm guitar, Joe Moyer, Drums, Jim Mumford, Bass, Dave Rudolph, Lead guitar/vocals, Bill Litten working as the Crew Chief.
The band plays all over and will play just about anywhere…”We love to play in new areas for new crowds,” added Michael. Some of their upcoming dates include Friendship Acres Park Bar & Grill in Atwater on Friday September 16; Whiskey Ranch CAK in Green on Saturday, September 17; Vaughn’s Bar & Grill in Bolivar on Sunday, September 18; Quaker Steak & Lube in Canton on Wednesday, September 21; Wild Eagle Saloon in Cleveland on Friday, September 23; Bud’s Corner in Louisville on Saturday, September 24 and Martini 97 in Dover on Friday, September 30.
For more information on Ryan Michael and The Redneck Romeos check out their new website at RedneckRomeos.com.
Matt Goodrich
Port Clinton native Matt Goodrich started playing live shows only four months ago. His first shows were for handfuls of people. Later this month he will play in front of thousands when he shares the stage with country stars Chris Lane, Claire Dunn, Frankie Ballard, and Brett Eldredge at the Country Night Lights festival in Athens, Ohio.
Goodrich, was the winner of the Country Night Lights Invitational hosted by wavo.me, and earned a 30 minute performance slot at the festival on Saturday September 24. The singer and songwriter won for his original song, “Walk” which bested contestants from a six-state area. The singer/songwriter will perform his acoustic show with covers and originals for what will be his biggest show so far.
Goodrich will continue to keep honing his acoustic show at taverns, bars and festivals all over Northwestern Ohio. He will be performing at The Cove Inn at Sandusky Bay on Friday, September 16; Vickery Tavern in Vickery on Saturday, September 17; Bluto’s Sports Bar & Grill in Norwalk on Thursday, September 22. The day after his Country Night Lights performance he will play at his hometown’s Homecoming Festival. The Port Clinton event is on Sunday, September 25 and Goodrich will entertain throughout the day.
For more information, videos, links and show dates, follow Matt Goodrich on Facebook and give him a “Like.”
County Line Band
The guys from County Line Band have had a busy schedule over the past couple months. The five-member group capped off their summer with their performance at the WGAR Country Jam after winning the WGAR Battle for the Jam at Thirsty Cowboy.
Footage from those performances and other “live” and personal recorded videos can be found at the band’s YouTube channel. There are outtakes from the group’s rehearsals, original songs, cover songs and of course lots of live stuff from their shows.
The County Line Band will continue their schedule of performances this month at the Ashland County Fair on Friday, September 23; Bar 145 in Norwalk on Saturday, September 24 and return to the Iron Pony Saloon in Lakeville on Saturday, October 1.
Stay up to date on the group’s shows, video’s and check out their new line of CLB merchandise by following them on Facebook or check out their website at thecountylineband.org.
Whiskey & White Lightning Music Festival
The House of Blues in Cleveland is celebrating a love of whiskey and rock ‘n roll with the Whiskey & White Lightning Music Festival slated for Saturday, October 1. The event which features regional and local distilleries with samples of bourbon, rye whiskey, moonshine and other spirits, also has country music fans covered with live bands performing at the event!
A total of six local acts will entertain on the stages in both the Music Hall and Cambridge Room. The Caliber Band, Shooter Sharp & the Shootouts and Whiskey Bound will play classic and modern country. Thor Platter, Lords of the Highway, and the Blues Chronicles will provide an eclectic mix of roots rock, rockabilly and Blues. DJ Chris Wright is also on the bill.
The Foundation Room Lounge will host a special tasting that will showcase one of a kind whiskey samples. There will be special whiskey cocktails and a menu with items created just for the event.
Tickets are $12. Admission ticket does not include sampling wristband. Sampling wristbands will only be sold at the HOB on the day of the event. Wristbands will cost $10 for one wristband with five tabs/samples (some exclusive whiskey samples will require more than one tab to sample, based on product).
Backroads
Local country band, Backroads recently announced some changes to their line-up. The band welcomed their new members, drummer Mike Woolard, who previously was with Dixie Soul, and Gary Wyatt on guitar, who has played with the Redneck Romeo’s earlier this month.
The band will be getting a new Facebook page together soon, but you can find out more about them from their event posts by members, Melissa Kay Wilson, Justin Schrock and Wyatt. CCM will also share the info on their upcoming dates on our Facebook page.
The band will be performing at the Red Dog Saloon in East Sparta this Saturday, September 17.
Cleveland Country Magazine
CCM is happy to welcome Edward James to our writing staff. James will be reviewing local country shows and started last month with the Maren Morris and Frankie Ballard shows. Look for his review of Granger Smith at the WGAR Afternoon Saloon in the coming days.
With the help of James, CCM hopes to be able to keep expanding our coverage and return to a print edition soon. Please let us know your thoughts on our magazine and website, we would love to hear from you! You can contact us here.
