Bluegrass ensemble Hayseed Dixie began racking up fans
upon its formation at the dawn of the 21st century thanks to its
energized and entertaining live show and the contents of the band’s
initial setlists and albums. Though all talented and experienced
players, it was Hayseed Dixie’s novelty that initially drove attention
its way. The group’s debut was a Bluegrass tribute to AC/DC, while
subsequent albums have featured a wonderfully ridiculous array of the
group’s Appalachian-spun Rock covers (they grass up everything from
OutKast and Green Day to Neil Young and Motorhead).
After wide exposure
through musical- and comedy-world exposure, the Hayseeds began to
introduce more and more original material (2008’s No Covers
should be self-explanatory). Hayseed’s members have individually gotten
busier with various interesting side projects while the main band takes a
hiatus. As frontman John Wheeler works toward his more serious-minded
debut solo album (scheduled for release early in this new year),
banjoist Don Wayne Reno carries the Hayseed torch with his band Granny 4
Barrel, self-described as “Country music’s first and only shock Country
Rock & Roll band.” If you thought Hayseed Dixie was outlandish, G4B
takes it to the next level with their ridiculous outfits and a sound
that retains Hayseed’s Rawkgrass attitude and turns it up to 11. Granny 4
Barrel performs Friday, Jan. 4 at the Southgate House Revival (111 E. Sixth
St., Newport) as part of the opening for area visual artist Derek
Toebbe’s “Urban Revival Art Show.” The event (which also includes DJ
sets by the Devout Wax crew) is free and starts at 7 p.m.
southgatehouse.com.
