Blount County offers a unique array of cover bands. Granted, the term “cover band” doesn’t always convey the kind of respect these outfits may otherwise deserve. However when it comes to the following Blount County bands, there is a credibility that’s clearly compelling.
They also command a distinct diversity. Here are five of Blount’s best.
Cats Away consists of three seasoned musicians who bring a unique blend of styles to the stage. With a repertoire that includes Western Swing, Jazz, Bossa Nova, popular film scores, fiddle tunes, and the sound of traditional country, Cats Away strives to be both diverse and creative.
The band features Bill Cabage on guitar and vocals, Mark Ross on upright bass and vocals, and Greg Bond on fiddle. Together, they create a rich and vibrant sound that’s both timeless and contemporary. Their eclectic sound, engaging performances, passion, and precision result from each member bringing their own expertise to the band, which creates a harmonious fusion of styles that’s capable of entertaining many audiences.
Cabage and Bond first met at a wedding reception in 2008 and later regrouped at a music party at Steve Kaufman’s house. Bond invited Cabage to play some tunes with, Ross and Standridge, now retired.
In the years since, Cats Away has played a variety of venues, from the WDVX’s Blue Plate Special and Little River Trading Company’s monthly fund-raising gatherings, to festivals, clubs, and private events. Their performances have garnered a devoted following and a reputation for delivering a consistently engaging musical experience.
(For bookings: fiddlebond@gmail.com or 865-604-5355)
This Blount County acoustic trio consists of Gary Gilleran, Mitch Townley and John Rose. Individually, all three are accomplished singer-songwriters who perform at local songwriter nights. They also claim original songs that have sometimes been recorded by other artists.
Townley himself can claim his first “charting song,”“Heaven Is Your Hometown.” It’s being used by the Wilson Banjo Company. He also has a song on hold with Dale Ann Bradley.
The band has specialized in what they refer to as “vintage jukebox” since 2019, sing-a-long shows featuring jukebox hits from the 1940’s through the 1970’s, just as their handle implies. They encourage the audience to sing along and dance their way down memory lane, courtesy of their tight harmonies, effusive energy and passionate performances. Gilleran insists that their bonding extends to the music community as a whole.
These days, At the Jukebox performs more than 50 shows a year at special events, house concerts, clubs, community functions, and senior living residences. Among the places that have recently hosted them are the Abbey in Townsend Abbey, Daisy’s NA Bar in Maryville and the Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival.
Brad Hitch (drums, banjo, harmonica, vocals), Dave Rasnake (guitar, horns, vocals), Justin Hall (bass, guitar, vocals), Mark Ross (guitar, bass, vocals), Justin Marcus (guitar, fiddle, vocals), and Jeremy Stephens (fiddle, mandolin, vocals) are all Blount County natives, and, in fact, came together as a result of a fortuitous circumstance to form the Drift Boat Cowboys.
Although the band first formed in 2016, most of the band members have been making music together since middle school. These days, their repertoire consists of classic country and western swing, including covers of Bob Wills, The Band, Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys, and various Outlaw Country artists spawned during the early ‘90s. They’ve shared those sounds at the Blount County Library, Songs by the Brook, Blackhorse Brewery in Alcoa, Maryville’s Tri-Hop Brewery, The Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, and Little Arrow Outdoor Resort in Townsend.
“We’re mainly a cover band…but we can pull off things that no band I’ve previously been involved with could ever do,” Hitch insists. “We can sing four and five part harmony, or all take turns singing lead. That way, nobody has to blow out their voice. We can switch around on instruments or do a bluegrass show if we decide to. We’re all at an age where egos don’t get in the way. We all recognize our limitations, which means we’re free to just enjoy ourselves and try our best to ensure that the folks that come to our shows enjoy themselves, too.”
Pistol Creek Catch of the Day possesses one of the lengthiest resumes of any Blount County based-band. The band can claim a collective career that extends more than 20 years. It was spawned from a series of jam sessions and then came together in 2005. Taking their name from the stream that runs through Maryville, which each musician still calls home, members include Edward Harper (guitar and vocals), Bill Cabage (guitar, singer, songwriter, fiddler and mandolin player) and Carl Gombert (tenor banjo and percussion).
“The combo took root in complementing social causes and gained a life of its own,” Harper explains. “No one was in charge; and no one is still in charge to this day. Somehow, various musical venues and talent coordinators invited us to play their events. PCCOC has never hustled a gig. The gigs come to the band.”
That continues to be the case, one reason why they’re frequently hired to perform for public events, fundraisers and private parties. Indeed, the music boasts its own special appeal, given that it’s a light-hearted mix of classics that covers Louis Jordan, Bruce Springsteen, the Grateful Dead, , Elton John, and Rod Stewart, essentially the sounds they grew up listening to and enjoying.
“The most important gift to us from this band has been all the community people, performers, technicians, producers, and strangers who are now our friends,” Harper says. “What a ride!”
The Scenic Rounders consists of three multi-talented musicians. Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Mike McQueen plays bass, keyboards, banjo, dobro, and mandolin. He’s played in bands for 25 years, including former bands Hollowtree and Shady Banks. In addition, he still plays with the electric rock band The Morning After.
Javan Shiferl plays upright bass, harmonica and sings, as well as doubling on guitar, electric bass and mandolin. Like McQueen, Shiferi has been in various groups over the past 25 years, including Hollowtree, Shady Banks, Better Off Dev, The Fish Sticks and The Side Arms. He continues to perform with McQueen in The Morning After.
Vocalist and acoustic guitar player Lee Pierce calls himself “a dedicated campfire/living room guitar player” who’s been performing for 35 years.
“We work hard to arrange covers that are both faithful to the poetry/tone/style of the original, but with enough distinction that we feel we’ve put our mark on it, or, to be honest, the song put its mark on us,” Pierce explains. “We include a lot of ‘B-sides’ and lesser known songs and artists, while providing some comfortable familiarity with songs like ‘Hotel California’ and ‘Green River.’ We also enjoy the challenge of creating a compelling acoustic version of a very non-acoustic song, such as ‘White Wedding.’
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