Brush off those cowboy boots and prepare for an incredible weekend of country music magic at Long Beach’s Marina Green Park for the Coastal Country Jam, which features artists like Blake Shelton and Tim McGraw in its lineup.
At Victory Live, both the WMMS Buzzard Fest and WGAR Country Jam events will join forces this October. Here is everything you should know about them.
Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band will headline Saturday night of Summer Jam as multi-platinum Grammy Award-winning southern rock and country band. They’ve sold 30 million singles and 9 million albums combined worldwide; earning 15 No.1 country music radio hits as of today. Ashley McBryde won 2019 ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year; Mitchell Tenpenny with The Fabulous Armadillos will provide opening acts.
In 2002, Brown and his father opened Zac’s Place restaurant on Lake Oconee to showcase local musicians. A developer soon saw potential in purchasing it and renaming it Zac’s Lake Oconee Restaurant and Live Music Center; after only a brief run as a restaurant they hit the road full-time performing rock and country clubs as well as jam bands.
They have built up an enthusiastic fan base through relentless touring, who sing along to their chart-topping hits and embrace their lively, unpredictable live shows. Boasting an infectious jam band sound combining genres and influences seamlessly incorporating extended instrumental solos, they are now widely considered one of the most exciting touring acts in modern country music.
Zac Brown has always made it a point to give back to the communities who have welcomed his music. In 2010, the Georgia native created Camp Southern Ground – an inclusive summer camp offering support services to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, social and emotional challenges or developmental delays. Furthermore, Zac Brown Collective provides resources that assist post-9/11 veterans readjusting to civilian life.
Matt Mangano hails from Visalia, California and first discovered music as a hobby while playing piano and guitar during free time. At 15 he decided to focus solely on bass; shortly thereafter after graduating high school he relocated to Nashville to pursue a musical career full time – joining Zac Brown Band since 2007.
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit
Jason Isbell took his name and inspiration for this Southern Gothic Folk-Rock group from a facility in Florence, Alabama where his father was treated for bipolar disorder, making his lyrics both intimate and honest as an artful form of storytelling. Lyricism such as addiction, cancer, white privilege or small town living engulf listeners into Isbell’s emotionally rich portrait of American life while his voice transports listeners with powerful narratives.
Recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Isbell and his band have deep ties to Muscle Shoals’ tradition of soulful singer-songwriters and have received high praise from local press – with Details Magazine even proclaiming him one of America’s “best young songwriters.”
Weathervanes was released last fall and Isbell and his 400 Unit took to Roadrunner like a forceful breeze, mesmerizing all audience members with their captivating performance. Between his effortless narration abilities and impeccable musicianship of the 400 Unit, Isbell and company provided an experience that felt intimate yet all-embracing for their audience members.
Isbell is an adept songwriter – each song holds its own meaningful story that resonates strongly. His performances on guitar and keyboards add another level of excitement that enhance his writings.
Grammy-award winners The Nashville Symphony is one of the world’s most celebrated country music jam bands, having won four Grammys and two CMA Awards as well as numerous accolades, such as featuring songs in television shows and movies, selling millions of albums, collaborating with Justin Townes Earle, Nashville Symphony and The Band Perry to critical acclaim, earning Americana Music Honors & Awards nominations and Daytime Emmy nominations thanks to their songwriting skills and becoming part of pop culture through their songs and performances.
The String Cheese Incident
The String Cheese Incident (SCI), formed in Colorado in 1993 and comprising Michael Kang (acoustic mandolin, electric guitar and violin), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Bill Nershi (acoustic, lap steel and electric slide guitars), Keith Moseley (bass guitar) and Kyle Hollingsworth (piano, organ, Rhodes and accordion) make up this dynamic ensemble.
SCI has taken an unconventional approach to its operation. Instead of turning over all aspects of their business to outside management companies like Grateful Dead or their contemporaries, SCI maintains complete control over every facet from booking, merchandise sales, recording and touring to operating its own companies specifically created to handle those areas of its business. While such an approach might seem strange for a neo-hippie band of former ski bums like themselves, it demonstrates their shrewd business practices while creating great jams.
SCI is known for creating sacred spaces at its concerts, where audiences can freely express themselves artistically while forging spiritual bonds. Everyone is welcome at each show and their members strive to foster an atmosphere of peace and safety in this space where everyone feels at home. SCI holds deep reverence for its audience members and feels music can provide the means of connecting with them on an intimate level.
SCI is an immensely popular act on the jam band scene, but not without critics. Their vocal performance can often fall below par compared to its musical prowess; so in order to improve this aspect, SCI have taken vocal lessons and hired a vocal coach for rehearsals – although their fans remain loyal supporters; SCI show no intention of slowing down anytime soon!
Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic’s live shows are known for being packed with improvisational moments that elevate their performance beyond traditional country. Combining various musical influences into their performances creates an unforgettable sound, drawing fans back for more. Through relentless touring, the band has built up an extensive fan base, selling out venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre several times over.
The band first came together in Athens, Georgia during its members’ attendance of the University of Georgia in the mid-1980s. Lead singer/guitarist John Bell and bassist Dave Schools formed the core of the group and started performing around town with rotating drummers.
Attentive onstage extemporization, joyful grooves and Southern songcraft have earned this band recognition. Their dynamic live performances combine elements from blues, country, prog and R&B genres with heavy jamming; Space Wrangler released in 1988 on Landslide label was an impressive debut LP release that earned critical acclaim.
Panic! at the Disco has come a long way since their inception and have established themselves as one of America’s premier touring acts, setting attendance records across venues throughout America – even selling-out their legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre 60 times consecutively!
Bassist John Bell stands out in Widespread Panic due to his beard and metalhead-length hair that complements his black-tee-and-blue-jeans appearance, not only due to his jungle bass playing combining leviathan tone with infinite groove, but also for being one of its most recognizable members. Keyboardist John “JoJo” Hermann, percussionist Domingo Ortiz and lead guitarist Jimmy Herring make up this current group; its dedication to taking a grassroots approach has earned them an immense fan following and fierce loyalty among their supporters – this group have created their current roster!
Tyler Childers
Childers is an elegant, soft-spoken gentleman with long dark hair. He grew up on a small farm near Johnson and Rowan counties in eastern Kentucky – taking with him its spirit into every city where he performs. An avid reader, Childers keeps at least one notebook in his pocket filled with songwriting ideas, poems, passages from books he loves or notes he needs for future reference.
He performs with tightened eyes and tightened shoulders as he plays his fiddle, his voice low but filled with emotion. A natural storyteller, he often tells tales from himself, his childhood or the people in his life; his albums also reflect this sense of connection with larger world. Rustin’ in the Rain (released 2023) showcased both sides of him; its playful yet heartfelt songs reflect wider society as well. Silas House – author and poet laureate of Kentucky – helped with music video creation for “In Your Love”, telling an epic tale of two gay coal miners in 1950s Kentucky.
Childers is one of the rare country stars who has never lost touch with his roots, even as he rose to stardom. Even while in Nashville on business, Childers often seems as if he’s about to head out into the field and start plowing it–with his signature fed store cap on his head and Wrangler jeans with brown leather Sabahs reminiscent of agricultural work attire. Childers still sings about things that matter most to him such as Merle Haggard being dirt poor yet working his tail off like Haggard did- something rural people and Appalachians share in common.