Joe Nichols & Friends

Joe Nichols & Friends performed February 17 & 18 at Hawks Cay

   

An Arkansas native, Joe Nichols has been a mainstay of country music for two decades, bridging the gap between the genre's old-school roots and contemporary era. He's a 21st century traditionalist — an artist who's both timely and timeless, racking up a half-dozen Number 1 singles and ten Top 10 hits with a sound that honors his heroes. From his first radio smash, 2002's "The Impossible," to 2021's “Home Run," Nichols has proudly done things his own way, blurring the boundaries between country music's past and present along the way. It's an approach that has earned Nichols multi-platinum success, three Grammy nominations, a CMA award, an ACM trophy, and — perhaps most importantly — the support of his idols. He still remembers the day he received a letter from Buck Owens, who passed away the same week his message arrived in Nichols' mailbox. The two had previously crossed paths in Bakersfield, California, where Owens complimented Nichols on his classic sound… and gave him some good-natured teasing about the length of his hair.

 


Run of Show

Friday, February 17
Julia Cole
Josh Kiser
Wynn Varble
Tyler Reeve
Saturday, February 18
Marla Cannon
Josh Martin
Joe Nichols
 

Julia Cole

Julia Cole

Nashville recording artist, Julia Cole, encourages empowering self-worth and good vibes to her growing #ColeTeam community. Julia has amassed over 100,000,000 streams, is a 2022 CMT Next Women of Country, recently made her GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT, and has been featured on CMT, SIRIUS XM, CIRCLE TV, Audience Network, The CW, Radio Disney, Spotify’s Hot Country, Breakout Country, New Boots, Wild Country, Pop-Co, and more, as well as Apple Music’s Country Risers, Country Caffeine, Soundcheck, Back Porch Country, Today’s Country, and more.

Influenced by the genre-crossed locker room playlists she and her Texas volleyball teammates blasted, Julia’s musical style blends authentic country storytelling with a little Houston rhythm and attitude. Julia got her start performing the Star-Spangled Banner before her own high-school volleyball games, and was soon performing for NFL, MLB, MLS, NASCAR, and ESPN events before crowds of 75,000. She’s since signed to CAA and toured globally in over 10 countries opening for acts like Dan + Shay, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Kane Brown, The Chainsmokers, Dierks Bentley, Chase Rice, Lee Brice, Jon Langston, Eli Young Band & more.Julia brings her love for music and sports full-circle by advocating for women's athletics and empowerment. ESPN, Mizuno, and Mizuno Olympians have teamed up with Julia and her music to promote multiple self-worth and confidence focused campaigns. Julia's “Now You Know Music Row” songwriter series ft. #1 Hit Songwriters and Up-And-Coming Artists also fundraised thousands for the Tennessee Boys & Girls Clubs’ sports programs.

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Josh Kiser

Josh Kiser

Cleveland, Tennessee is bursting with pride since hometown boy Josh Kiser has become the newest rising legend in the making in Nashville’s country music scene. Kiser found his sweet spot by blending traditional 90’s sounds with a slight touch of rock&soul to his production to create a sound that resonates well with longtime country fans, as well as newer listeners.

Most call it “ Kiser Kountry ”. Kiser draws his influences from artists like: Travis Tritt, The Eagles, George Straight, Ray Charles and Hank Jr. The realness in his songs and sound are evident by the pain in his voice and the truth of his lyrics. Kiser is hammering out his own creative niche that fans will readily identify with the East Tennessee native himself Josh Kiser.

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Country music artist Wynn Varble

Wynn Varble

Wynn received Nashville Songwriters Association’s Songwriter of the Year Award in 2009. He has three songs on the new Garth Brooks CD “Man Against Machine”, including the current hit single, “Mom”. Wynn made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2011. He has appeared on reality shows and had a weekly spot on the Joey and Rory Show on RFD TV for several years.

Wynn came to love country music at a very young age. He discovered his father’s collection of classic country albums. He even traded his big brother’s “Grand Funk Railroad” for a copy of Jimmy Dean’s “Big Bad John”. He still has a scar to prove it. Around the age of 14 a neighbor named Ned Smith showed him a few chords on an old guitar. As soon as Wynn learned a few chords, he began to write his own songs. Wynn says Willie Nelson taught him the rest from the “Red Headed Stranger” album.

After many years of playing in honkytonks, bars and feed store parking lots; he decided to make the move to Nashville. His first radio single was “Fit To Be Tied Down” by Sammy Kershaw. Since then he has had dozens of hits including three number ones…all three were nominated as Song Of The Year by either CMA or ACM and sometimes both. Those songs are: “Have You Forgotten” by Darryl Worley, “Waiting On A Woman” by Brad Paisley, and “I’m A Little More Country Than That” recorded by Easton Corbin. Wynn still writes songs every day and tours extensively. His latest CD “Portrait of My Father” is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms. Some of his latest singles are “She Ain’t In It” by Jon Pardi and “Left Right” by Hannah Dasher.

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Country music artist Tyler Reeve

Tyler Reeve

Reeve has had his hand in writing some of country music’s biggest songs of the last few years, including the 2018 BMI Song of The Year, “In Case You Didn’t Know” (Brett Young), and multi-week #1 & XM The Highway’s 2020 Song of The Year, and ACM Musical Event of The Year nom, “Does To Me” (Luke Combs featuring Eric Church) Other notables include “Whiskey On My Breath” (Love & Theft), “Where I Go When I Drink” (Chris Young), and “I Got Away With You” (Luke Combs).

Born in Mobile, Alabama, and educated (socially at the very least) at The Florida State University, Tyler’s down home sensibility, attitude and humor come across in his songs and through his live performances. Always a storyteller, songwriting fits quite naturally for Reeve. “I’m a song guy; I love songs, I love stories, I love the ride music can take you on.” Tyler’s performance are riddled with stories – usually funny stories – about inspiration for his songs, having a few too many, and even spending a night or two in jail.

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Country music artist Marla Cannon

Marla Cannon

Marla Cannon-Goodman grew up in Kingston Springs, TN. She grew up surrounded by some of the greatest songwriters in the business, with one of them being her own father, Buddy Cannon. Marla was working as a nurse when her song “The Fool”, recorded by Lee Ann Womack, reached #1 on the country charts

Marla has had cuts by everyone from Sammy Kershaw, Billy Currington, Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Kenny Chesney, George Strait and many others. Marla has twice more reached #1 status with “Ten Rounds of Jose Cuervo” by Tracy Byrd, and “Cleaning This Gun” by Rodney Atkins. You can also find her name on the Willie Nelson / Merle Haggard duet “Unfair Weather Friend”, “Stealing Home” by Willie Nelson, and “Same Devil” by Brandy Clark (feat. Brandi Carlile).

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Country music artist Josh Martin

Josh Martin

Josh Martin knows how to dance the fine line between radio country and his deep-holler Kentucky roots. It’s clear the songwriter/vocalist/guitarist is no stranger to longnecks and pick-up trucks – but he’s even closer to the bluegrass of his youth. His latest album, Nothing Holding Me, is taut balancing act of accessibility and credibility, replete with honest songwriting and extraordinary musicianship.

His songwriting is a testament to life in Kentucky, where he used to run up and down the holler roads – going anywhere he wanted, just because he could. That freedom, he says, rings out in every note he plays. You can hear traces of Guy Clark and Darrell Scott in his lyric, and the echo of John Mayer and Tony Rice in his guitar licks – and a hint of old-time spirituality in his voice. His songs are both smart and accessible, running wild and smiling back at Nashville from the open road. Martin is at the apex of his musical freedom, not afraid of joy or sorrow, just eager to share what he loves with the audience.

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Tyler

Farr

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

Tyler Farr and friends performed at Hawks Cay March 31 & April 1 2023

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Craig

Morgan

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

Craig Morgan and friends performed at Hawks Cay September 2023

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Joe

Nichols

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

Joe Nichols and friends performed at Hawks Cay February 2023

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LOCASH

& Friends

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

LOCASH & Friends performed at Hawks Cay on October 28 & 29

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Lee

Brice

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

Lee Brice and friends performed a sold out show at Hawks Cay February 2021

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Joe

Nichols

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

Joe Nichols and friends performed at Hawks Cay February 2022

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Easton

Corbin

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

Easton Corbin and friends performed a sold out show at Hawks Cay January 2021

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Warren

Brothers

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

The Warren Brothers and friends performed at Hawks Cay April 2021

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Tyler

Farr

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

Tyler Farr and friends performed at Hawks Cay August 2021

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Michael

Ray

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

Michael Ray and friends performed at Hawks Cay October 2021

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Cassadee

Pope

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

Cassadee Pop and friends performed at Hawks Cay April 2022

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Mark

Wills

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

Mark Wills and friends performed at Hawks Cay August 2022

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Warren

Brothers

PAST KEYS TO COUNTRY ARTISTS

The Warren Brothers and friends performed at Hawks Cay April 2021

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