Web: whiskeymyers.com
Players: Cody Cannon, lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica; John Jeffers, lead guitar, slide guitar, lap steel, vocals; Cody Tate, guitar, rhythm guitar, vocals; Tony Kent, keyboards, percussion; Jamey Gleaves, bass; Jeff Hogg, drums
Making their Hollywood Bowl debut as part of their Southern Hospitality Tour with the Black Crowes (featuring Tedeschi Trucks Band on this stop), East Texan favorites Whiskey Myers delivered a powerful set for a packed crowd. Playing selections from Firewater, Mud, Whiskey Myers, Tornillo, and 2025’s Whomp Whack Thunder, they brought their trademark gritty southern sound, while injecting some blues edges and powerful gospel-feeling backing vocals.
With a stellar rock opening and fabulous energy from everyone on the stage, the salt-of-the-earth collective shared a tight, easy sound, with palpable excitement pulsing from the stage, and a growing intensity building from the crowd from the first drum kick. Taking full advantage of their inaugural Hollywood Bowl show, Whiskey was not playing around as they dealt out solid drumming, impeccable guitar solos, and soulful bass, with “Midnight Woman” kicking things off. The hipster-styled visuals framing their solid, heavy rock and the heartfelt musicianship shone throughout the set.
“John Wayne” (2022’s 17th most played American song) made it hard to sit still, with rumbling bass lines, gritty guitar (Tate), harmonica (from Cannon), and belted backing vocals. The sharp lyricism did not disappoint either… ‘My grandpa had a rifle that he took from a Viet Cong, but he pawned it on a guitar when he got back from Saigon.’ “Time Bomb” demonstrated cymbal restraint, transitioning to driving southern rock before “Tailspin” added a lengthy instrumental opener and steady southern stylings, rock guitar solo (Jeffers), belting backing vocals, tight cutoffs, and solid string work (Tate). 2019’s “Glitter Ain’t Gold” had three guitars front and center, with a thick syrupy solo from Tate, haunting vocal stylings and a fuller guitar solo from Jeffers. “Bury My Bones” had incredible backup vibrato, gravelly lead vocals, and the Bowl singing along. Slowing down for “Broken Window Serenade,” Whiskey revealed a great rimshot-guitar opening, delicious bluesy solos, and more harmonica. “Frogman” held a heavier, metal sound, and “Bitch” added some four-on-the-floor.
Playing crowds of 100,000+ across the U.S. and U.K., sharing stages with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams Jr., Jamey Johnson, and opening for The Rolling Stones, the independent band has nine Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum RIAA certifications, has sold almost 3 million albums, and been streamed over 4 billion times. Whiskey’s southern rock rowdiness has matured, adding a blues-tinged sound in addition to their trademark grit. From feisty frontman stage swagger to solid steel guitar licks, incredible syrupy harmonica, and great backing vocal harmonies, Whiskey Myers has it all. A solid and rousing southern rock gem continuing on their well-deserved rise to the top.
