Jacksonville’s Void magazine just christened the Firewater Tent Revival the best cover band, best original band and gave it top honors for best song (“Wingnut”) in its 2019 readers’ poll.
Void calls the band’s style “psychedelic bluegrass,” but band spokesman Nigel Ledford says “a gang of old punk rockers gone vogue,” works just as well — the sound isn’t quite bluegrass, folk or country music.
The band is playing three gigs in the Keys next week: At Key West’s Blue Heaven on Friday, Oct. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 20 during the brunch hour. Then the band picks up on Sunday and heads to Marathon’s Overseas Pub and Grill to play from 4 to 10 p.m. to benefit a Middle Keys youth program, Champions for Change.
Firewater Tent Revival plays about 250 shows a year, mainly in North Florida but with recent forays into New Orleans and Tupelo, Mississippi … and now the Keys.
“We are so lucky because we have the love of committed fans. Committed? Is that right? Probably we could put them in an insane asylum, but we’re so lucky,” Ledford said.
Right now the band is in talks with a label about a possible full-length album to complement the two EPs it’s already recorded.
For a sneak peek at the band’s sound, visit thefirewatertentrevival.com.
THE BAND
Dave Smith | acoustic guitar
Nigel Ledford | banjo
Jeff Hoff | sax/harmonica
Jon Deering | upright bass
Kris Whatley | washboard
