Musicians Wanted For Country Covers Band

Updated December 31, 2025:

Wellington-based guitar player and vocalist currently in the process of starting a country band.

I first advertised about this here a few weeks back. In the past month, three musicians/singers have become involved in this project, which is good. We now have the foundation to get started, but I am aiming for a full band lineup eventually, so there are still opportunities available for musicians with skills, interests and motivation that would suit this band (see below).

The goal is to work up a decent number of country hits and classics from the last six decades (the late 1960s to the 2020s), and play live as a professional band when we have enough performance-ready songs. It will be a mix of upbeat songs with a few lower-key ballads, and enough range of songs from different decades for versatility (to cater to different age groups).

Artists covered may include:

Alan Jackson, Asleep at the Wheel, The Band Perry, Bellamy Brothers, Billy Currington, Bobby Bare, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Buck Owens and The Buckaroos, Carrie Underwood, Charley Pride, Charlie Rich, Charlie Robison, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Conway Twitty, Crystal Gayle, Darius Rucker, Desert Rose Band, Diamond Rio, Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton, Don Gibson, Don Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Earl Thomas Conley, Emmylou Harris, Eric Church, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, George Hamilton IV, George Jones, George Strait, Glen Campbell, Hank Williams Jr., HARDY, Highwaymen, Jackson Dean, Jamey Johnson, Jason Aldean, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jerry Reed, Jimmy Buffett, John Anderson, John Denver, Johnny Cash, Jon Pardi, Josh Turner, Juice Newton, Keith Urban, Keith Whitley, Kenny Chesney, Kenny Rogers, Kris Kristofferson, Lainey Wilson, LeAnn Rimes, Linda Ronstadt, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Lyle Lovett, Mark Chesnutt, Martina McBride, Marty Stuart, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Mavericks, Merle Haggard, Michael Martin Murphey, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, Morgan Wallen, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Patty Loveless, Randy Travis, Ray Charles, Reba McEntire, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Sawyer Brown, Shania Twain, Steve Earle, The Mavericks, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Trick Pony, Vince Gill, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Zac Brown Band, Zach Top, etc.

(This is not a comprehensive or entirely reliable list — just a general idea.)

I'm also open to covering some country-rock, southern rock, folk rock and roots-rock songs — but the primary focus is going to be popular country material.

I'm also open to including some Australasian country music in the mix, e.g. Adam Brand, Adam Harvey, Brad Cox, The Fargone Beauties, James Blundell, Lee Kernaghan, Paul Kelly, Slim Dusty, Troy Cassar-Daley, The Wolfe Brothers, etc.

It is apparent that there is a growing niche market for more live, quality, country music in the New Zealand music scene. I think that’s long overdue here too.
I’m happy for everyone involved in the band to take turns to help pick songs for the repertoire (generally within the scope of country hits/classics from recent decades).

I'm looking for bandmates who don't just want to play instruments and/or sing, but are also willing to actively listen to music. I believe this is needed for research, for building a country repertoire cooperatively, and for learning 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).
- Percussion
- Bass
- Guitar (ideally acoustic and electric, shared rhythm and lead roles)
- Piano/Keyboard (a nice to have)
- Steel/Pedal-Steel Guitar (a nice to have)
- Fiddle (a nice to have)

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 like I am (e.g. for rehearsals, 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, and you think you’ve got the motivation and dedication to help achieve results in a band project like this, 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.