Musicians Wanted For Country Covers Band

Wellington-based guitar player and singer looking to form a band that works up a repertoire of country hits and classics from the last six decades (1970s-2020s), with the aim to play live as a professional band when ready.

This is not a comprehensive list (or an entirely reliable one), but artists covered may include:

Alan Jackson, Bellamy Brothers, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Charley Pride, Charlie Rich, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Conway Twitty, Crystal Gayle, Desert Rose Band, Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton, Don Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Eric Church, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, George Jones, George Strait, Glen Campbell, Hank Williams Jr., Highwaymen, Jackson Dean, Jamey Johnson, Jason Aldean, Jerry Reed, Jimmy Buffett, John Denver, Johnny Cash, Josh Turner, Juice Newton, Kenny Rogers, Kris Kristofferson, Lainey Wilson, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town, Luke Combs, Mark Chesnutt, Martina McBride, Marty Stuart, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Merle Haggard, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Sawyer Brown, Shania Twain, Steve Earle, The Mavericks, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Vince Gill, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Zac Brown Band, Zach Top, etc.

I’m interested in covering a mixture of danceable songs and lower key ballads. (I’m also open to including a few well-known Australian and New Zealand country hits/classics in the mix.)

While I like and play other genres of music, my goal here is to focus on popular country music from the last six decades (i.e. enough of a range of songs to appeal to different ages). It is apparent that there is a growing niche market for live, quality, country music in the New Zealand music scene, and it's about time too.

I’m happy for everyone involved to take turns to help pick songs for the repertoire (within the scope of songs that have been country hits/classics from recent decades).

I'm looking for musicians that don't just play music, but are also keen to actively listen to music, as I believe this will be needed for cooperatively building a country repertoire and learning the songs.

Do you have any of the following skills at an intermediate or higher level of ability?
- Singing (lead and/or harmony vocals on some songs - both male and female voices would be great).
- Drums
- Bass
- Guitar (ideally acoustic and electric, shared rhythm and lead roles)
- Piano/Keyboard
- Steel/Pedal-Steel Guitar
- Fiddle

(The last three may be “nice to haves”, but to at least get started I'm looking for a second guitar player, a bass player and a drummer.)

I'm Wellington based, so this project would be suitable for people in areas like Wellington city, Porirua, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Kapiti or Horowhenua and who are willing to do some travel (e.g. for practices, and in future, gigs — country music festivals, music venues, pubs, clubs and other events).

If you're interested or would like to find out more, please hit the message link below, and I’ll get back to you. Feel free to include a phone number or email address also.

Thanks.