County Wide

It only took three months for Kentucky-based County Wide Band to leap from their first show to opening for Chris Stapleton.

Recognition initially came fast for the five-man County Wide Band, which can trace its roots to a local gym.  Thirteen years ago, drummer Travis Clem and singer Aron Bunch met in the weight room, discovered they were both musicians, and got together to jam. Bunch brought in a couple more players, and three practices later, the band played its first show.

"If Jason Aldean and Lynyrd Skynyrd made love and had a baby, boom County Wide," Clem joked, adding "We're more on the southern rock side than country. Today's country does not fit in with what we do. We play outlaw country, the Waylons, the Willies, the Merle Haggards, Vern Gosdins, 

stuff like that."

Anthony Campbell (bass guitar, vocals), Steven Standifer (lead guitar), and Evan Crawford (keyboard, guitars) complete the band.

County Wide has gigged from Portland, Oregon, to Cancun, Mexico, for legendary events such as Sturgis, Hog Rally and NASCAR and all throughout the South. In addition to Chris Stapleton they have also shared the stage with an impressive array of well known artists including Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert, Cole Swindell, Clay Walker, Saving Abel, Randy Houser, Shooter Jennings and Charlie Daniels.

"We have played all over the country and opened up for some of the biggest names in music history, and to do that independently prior to signing with our record label Clearwater, I'd say what we've done has been pretty good on our own." Clem remarked.

In the early days, the band members piled into a 2007 Suburban and towed a trailer from show to show. When their shows got larger and further away, the band flew, and they are now looking forward to getting a tour bus and taking the show on the road, full-time.

"We want to do this for a living," Clem explains. "We all have daytime jobs. We know the likelihood of being a Jason Aldean or somebody like that

 is very slim. But, we think we could make a good run and live comfortably doing it." 

Keep an eye on these Kentucky boys, because with this kind of beginning, who knows.

COUNTY WIDE:

Travis Brittain Clem (drums)

Aron Joe Bunch (vocals)

Anthony Wayne Campbell (bass guitar, vocals)

Richard Evan Crawford (keyboard, guitars)

Steven Ray Standifer (lead guitar)