Uncle B's Drunk With Power String Band Show is Bryan Simpson's irreverent trippy-trad tent revival of a musical experience currently on residence in the Neon Steeple at Chief's on Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee. Aka. the Damned Ole Opry - the variety show features a wildly talented slew of colorful and creative musicians, singers, and songwriters that tear things down to the stud level all in the way of a grand ole time. Each month, Uncle B’s honors a legendary record with renditions of classic songs performed on banjos fiddles and mandolins. It’s hay bales and hell yeahs! Imagine Billy Strings meets Barnum and Bailey. He Haw and Half Baked had a baby. It’s best witnessed instead of discussed. Come lay eyes on it. Featured this month: A Bluegras tribute to Fleetweek Mac w . Mae Estes, Lera Lynn, Thad Cockrell Bryan Simpson Modern American eclectic singer-songwriter Bryan Simpson is an artist whose sound unnervingly explores an evocative amalgamation of southern folk, bluegrass, classic country and indie eclecticism, with the playful swagger, relatable storytelling, and thoughtful introspection of his heroes which include John Hartford, Tom T Hall, Jeff Tweedy, and of course Bob Dylan. Bryan’s songs have netted praise from all corners: The Huffington Post wrote “Bryan’s original undertakings are reminiscent of the whimsical and whip-smart work by David Byrne and Jim James”. While SeattlePi claims Simpson’s music echoes “Bowie, and Beck in the melodies, moods, and arrangements. The quest is entertaining and thought-provoking.” His genre-spanning career has included making records and touring as a singer/songwriter with luminaries as diverse as The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, bluegrass giant Ricky Skaggs and Mumford and Sons. Since leaving his hometown of Ft Worth Texas with only a fiddle, guitar, mandolin and a box fan to his name, Simpson has had many of his original songs recorded by country music standouts like Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Hailey Whitters, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Brandy Clark, Old Dominion, Stephen Wilson Jr., with several of them ending up with a number 1 beside their name on the Billboard and Music Row charts . He has also been awarded NSAI’s prestigious award of “10 Songs I wish I’d Written”. His songs have easily totaled over 500 million streams at this point. This year Simpson released his first record under his own name. “The Oldest”, released in April, is a concise 11 songs in length, produced by Eddie Spear (Zach Bryan/Brandi Carlisle) and takes Simpson’s shade tree kaleidoscopic storytelling center stage. CONNECT Mae Estes Mae Estes got her start at age 7 in the middle of a rodeo arena, singing the national anthem and the Hope, Arkansas native hasn’t stopped singing since. Paying dues in Music City for nearly a decade, she’s now stacked with stories to tell. In 2019, Estes began releasing music and signed her first publishing deal with Plaid Flag Music in 2020. She’s since racked up more than 13 million streams across platforms and over 1M views on YouTube, independently and organically building a quickly-growing fan base with her “plain-spoken truth” (The Boot). In 2022, “Thinkin Bout Cheatin’” became the first release from her debut EP as well as her first video feature on CMT. That same year, Mae was honored with Arkansas CMA Female Vocalist of the Year for the second time. In 2023, Estes independently released her debut EP, “Before the Record,” a six-song project produced by hit songwriter Paul Sikes. Later that year, she signed with Big Machine Records, WME Agency, Kobalt Music, and Blue Bronco Entertainment. Post-pandemic events such as The Grand Ole Opry, NHL Stadium Series, PBR Stadium Series, Music City Grand Prix, Wrangler’s National Finals Rodeo, The Bluebird Cafe, CMA Fest, Nissan Stadium, The Country Music Hall of Fame and more have hosted this “stone-cold country newcomer” (Whiskey Riff). AIMP’s 2024 Rising Artist-Writer of the Year winner is one of the key Country females to watch, being named to CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2024 and a slew of artist watch lists (iHeart Media, Wide Open Country, Cowgirl Magazine, Entertainment Focus, Country Now, etc.) Estes prioritizes supporting our servicemen and women, having toured internationally with Armed Forces Entertainment and CreatiVets. She joins a host of fellow country artists and festivals on tour this year, while releasing new music from her upcoming project. Connect Lera Lynn Lera Lynn is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress known for her evocative music and genre-blending style. Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Georgia, Lynn's career took off with her 2011 debut album, "Have You Met Lera Lynn?" Her music spans a variety of genres, including folk, Americana, rock, and art pop, characterized by her haunting vocals and introspective lyrics. Lynn gained widespread recognition for her work on the HBO series "True Detective," where she not only appeared as a recurring character but also contributed several songs to the show's soundtrack. This exposure brought her a larger audience and critical acclaim, solidifying her place in the music industry. This fall, she revisits her cult favorites from "True Detective" with a live-to-tape EP titled "True Sessions," reaffirming her deepening prowess in live performance. Throughout her career, Lynn has released several albums, each showcasing her ability to evolve and explore new musical territories. Her songwriting often delves into themes of love, loss, and existential musings, resonating deeply with her listeners. In addition to her solo work, she has collaborated with various artists and most recently composed and produced music for the video game soundtrack, “Endless Universe.” Lynn is set to release her highly anticipated new album in the spring of 2025, tentatively titled “Now That We Hold It All.” Known for her ever-evolving musical style, Lynn’s new album continues to forge a unique path, blending genres and addressing profound themes such as midlife crises, suicide, enduring love, and the whirlwind pressures of modern life. Her brutally honest lyrics and genre-spanning sound highlight her growth as a writer and singer, showcasing her as a versatile performer with enduring appeal. Lynn's live performances are known for their emotional intensity and musical prowess, earning her a dedicated fan base worldwide. She has toured extensively, bringing her music to audiences across the globe. As she continues to evolve as an artist, Lynn's work remains characterized by its honesty, depth, and willingness to push boundaries, making her a compelling figure in contemporary music. Connect