It's time to pull out the cowboy boots and hat for an evening of musical fun.
Join five local country music groups at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Embassy Theatre for the “Down the Country Line” concert.
Local bands The Twang Gang, Staci Stork and Scarlett, Allan & Ashcraft, Sugar Shot, and Huckleberry Blue will perform the music of artists such as Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and Hank Williams Sr., respectively.
Down the Country Line is a spinoff of the “Down the Line” concerts, which were started six years ago and bring five local bands to the Embassy to perform classic rock songs. “Down the Line” has taken place each February since it began and has sold out.
Since the bands are covering popular songs, those who come to the concert will be able to enjoy singing along with songs they know. The Embassy will also remove the chairs from the pit area so the audience can dance during the concert.
In addition, a beer tasting will be held 6-7 p.m. in the Indiana Hotel lobby. For those who have a concert ticket and are age 21 and older, tickets for the beer tasting can be picked up starting at 5 p.m. at the U.S. 93.3-FM radio station tour bus parked across from the Embassy. Doors for the concert open at 6 p.m.; seating is general admission.
One of the bands, Allan & Ashcraft, recently returned from performing for three nights at the CMA Music Fest in Nashville. The group also has had its first EP (extended-play disc) produced. The duo's Hubie Ashcraft said one of their current singles, “Let's Get Gone,” is played on more than 400 radio stations worldwide.
Inspired by his father, Ashcraft has been in music for the past 14 years. Starting out in a family band, he has been part of several different bands since. He has played and sang '50s and '60s rock 'n' roll, acoustic and country.
“I knew I wanted to do that (perform) from an early age,” Ashcraft said. “I've always enjoyed music and the power of music when it's real and honest.”
The duo will play music by Kenny Chesney for “Down the Country Line.”
“We chose to pay homage to Kenny Chesney because of the impact his music has had on our lives and so many others. His music really strikes a chord with the listener on many levels,” Ashcraft said.
Unlike Ashcraft, Staci Stork from Staci Stork and Scarlett fought the performance aspect of music. While she was involved with music and dance when she was younger, she was more interested in athletics during high school and college. Her interests started shifting toward performing and writing music in college.
Now Staci Stork and Scarlett have had an EP produced, signed with Unboxed Records and are in the process of releasing a 10-song album. Currently Stork's focus is on writing music.
Stork said she enjoys playing country music because it is what she knows.
“Country music is more than just a genre of twangy, tractor-riding cowboys,” she said. “Country music is a lifestyle for people who love God, love to work hard and spend their weekends with their families getting loud.”
