Past Live Shows
WestWend is unlike any other duo in today’s music scene. Wendy and Jonathan’s chemistry remains an intregral part of their stage show. Wendy's honeyed alto is richly complimented by a winning smile that lights up their stages. Jonathan’s rich baritone and agile flat picking are well known to audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, and he’s also an expert arranger and producer. Their talents together join his instrumental chops to a quickly growing catalog of original material. Their close duet harmony brings the songs home to the listener, while instrumental support from East Tennessee’s best musicians round out an exciting show package.
Currently WestWend is recording their second CD "Second Chances, due out early 2015. WestWend’s debut full-length recording, “Linger For A While” features fresh new songs by Wendy Crowe, Jonathan Maness, Melba Montgomery, Jerry Salley, Leslie Satcher, Keith Sewell and more! This recording also showcases a smattering of bluegrass and country standards, for the traditional country and bluegrass fan. “Linger For A While” has a little something for everybody in its 14 tracks.
"In the House" at the Grinder House is broadcast live on WFMC Jams every Friday from 6-8pm central.
Anna Kate Warner's Bio:
My name is Anna Kate Warner. I am 18 years old, and I am from Hamilton Alabama and I have lived there all my life. I live with my parents and my dog, Mini. I first became interested in music when I was 12. My sister was upstairs in her room playing my dad's old guitar, and of course I had to keep up with big sister all the time, so I wanted to learn to play too. Fast forward a couple years, and I finally did learn to play on that same old guitar. As I continued to learn how to play, my parents got me a new guitar. I began learning more songs, recording videos and began a facebook page, Anna Kate Warner Music. I got way more response than I expected to! That encouraged me to learn all the songs I could and eventually to write my own. One day, a friend of my mother's heard me singing on facebook and recommended that I compete in a local talent competition in Florence, AL, the Kid's Fest Idol. I had no clue what to think. Me? In a singing competition? I signed up to compete and I made it through the first round, then the second, and then finally I found myself at the finale round where I won 1st place. I was awarded a couple of hours of studio time with Jimmy Nutt at the Nutthouse Recording Studio in Sheffield, AL where I put together a demo CD. I was also given the opportunity to perform several times duting the W. C. Handy Music Festival of 2017. I was interviewed and given the chance to perform at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. From then on out, more and more people have been listening to the songs I cover and checking out my music page. I have been given the opportunity to sing at many festivals, restaurants, radio and TV shows, and other events around the area. I have a unique performance experience through the FFA. Yes, that is the Future Farmers of America. I sang in the FFA string band at my high school for three years. My high school string band competed in the local district and state talent competitions. Myself and another FFA member and dear friend, Josie Beth Jones, competed as a duo in the FFA National Talent Competition in Indianapolis, IN and made the top 15 of the nation. Not only did we perform live on stage at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, but we also appeared on RFD TV as the talent show finals were aired on live TV. FFA is one of my favorite hobbies. My other hobbies include playing guitar, playing with my dog, painting, and going to concerts. And there is yet another unique opportunity I’ve had and that is through The Weather Channel. Jeremy Henderson, a writer for It’s A Southern Thing magazine, had heard my original song, Alabama Weather, on my music page on Facebook. He wrote an article for It’s A Southern Thing and when it was published on line, someone from The Weather Channel heard about it. Before you know it, one of the weekend show’s producers from TWC contacted me and wanted to do an interview about the song. At the time of the interview, Alabama Weather had about 3K views – now it’s over 6K views. THANK YOU WEATHER CHANNEL! Soon after the article appeared in Southern Thing, I discovered one day as I ‘googled’ my name that Southern Living had also published an article about my song, Alabama Weather. Jeremy Henderson is also a writer for an on-line newsletter, The War Eagle Reader in Auburn AL, and he also published an article there. Some artists that influence me and my music are Ashley McBryde, Miranda Lambert, Trisha Yearwood, all the boss ladies out there. I look up to them so much, I guess because they are where I want to be, and knowing they made it inspires me to believe that I can too. I'm still incredibly new to the music scene, but I feel confident that I will be playing music for all my life. If I don't have a song pumping through my ears then I definitely have one stuck in my heard or there’s a new lyric I want to incorporate into a new song. Music gets me through every day. I really don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have music. I think the reason I play music and write songs and try to play at every festival and restaurant possible is because I hear all these stories about how the biggest names in music got their start the exact same way that I am now. And if they could do it, well just maybe I can too. I have a dream in my head and a song in my heart and I just want to share it with the world. I have been given an incredible opportunity to sign a recording deal with a brand-new label, Drachen Lake Entertainment. We have been working very hard on getting an EP out. There has been a little set back due to the COVID 19 shut down in Alabama but hopefully by the end of the summer, my CD should be complete and available for purchase as well as downloads on music media outlets. Please follow my music page and check back for updates on events and news announcements. If there was any advice I could offer to someone who is where I was three years ago, I'll just say this: don't. give. up. Write that song that you think sounds stupid, because not every song will be a hit. Practice things that you want to be good at. Don't let people who are more experienced than you intimidate you. They started exactly where you and I did. Try to envision yourself up on that stage in that arena at that sold out concert. If that is where you want to be, run after it and don’t ever look back.
About Johnny:
“I’m a country boy. There’s nothin’ about me that ain’t. I’ve entertained crowds of 80,000 people working stadiums, festivals, fairs and beer joints. Worked with my hands, built a family, ran 3 bars and sang in way too many so yes, i know somethin’ about making my audience happy. And yes, I talk to God…” JC.
Recording artist, Johnny Collier, brings something unique to his fans and followers in today’s music scene. Digging deep into his Muscle Shoals and Nashville roots, Johnny mixes country music’s past and present to create a passionate, soulful music adventure. This isn’t the stuff your Daddy stomped his boots to, but it kind of is. You’ll hear a hint of R&B and Blues flavoring. Johnny’s is not a rock show, but it totally does. His ability to fuse that feel-good driving country beat together with a contemporary musical vision lead Johnny to write hot selling fan favorites like “Hole In My Heart”, “I Got This…”, and “Never Really Famous”. “I’m blessed” Johnny says, “ to perform an average of 140 concerts each year all over the South for crowds up to 80,000 people. People tell me all the time ‘Man, you are so smooth. The music just flows out of you and it looks like you’re enjoying every second’ and the truth is… I really am. And they get to come along.”
With a successful career in the music and entertainment industry, Johnny Collier has earned a long and loyal fan base. Whether he’s headlining or workin’ a honky-tonk, Johnny’s style of music attracts a large audience. Johnny travels making new friends and greeting old ones. His schedule of dates and performances reflect concerts and shows ranging from fairs, festivals, dance halls and night clubs to organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, America’s Trail Ride Association, tourist venues booked as much as a year in advance and engagements overseas.
It’s true that his schedule and work ethics led to Johnny’s being called “The Hardest Working Guy in Show Business”. Wayne Chaney, stage manager for LITTLE RICHARD, says “When I call Johnny, I don’t have to worry. He just says when & where do you need me”.
The early years placed Johnny Collier into the professional realm when he started singing with THE HANK WILLIAMS, JR. BAND as they needed a front man to replace Hank while he recouped from touring. Then, forming his own band with musicians such as Roger Clark, Drummer from THE STEVE MILLER BAND & THE GREATFUL DEAD, Johnny started to write and record his own material and found himself working with members of THE LITTLE RICHARD BAND, opening for JIM ED BROWN and doing sessions at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL. 1995 found Johnny backing Nashville artist’s like TIM HILLIARD and being asked to do a tour in Japan.
In 1997, Johnny re-united with his birth father, Mark Collier, who retired from the music business in the 80’s. Johnny and his father re-opened MOLLIE MUSIC PUBLISHING. The two began recording and working with other artists from Disneyland California and Nashville.
Next, Johnny recorded an album titled “Take You To The Country” on Jasmine Records and in 1999, MMG Records released and promoted several singles from the Album. An earlier version of “Honey for Hire” charted at #33 on The Worldwide Top 100 Singles Chart and his music was known across the US and in several foreign countries… Australia in particular, where Beth Brown played Johnny’s hot new single on her Radio Show reaching 7.5 million listeners. Another single, “Love Let Her”, earned Johnny the title of Artist of the Year in 2003 by remaining in the Top 5 for 28 consecutive weeks!
Johnny hosted his own TV show during this time on W10BV broadcasting from Ethridge, Tennessee, with owner and friend, Sarah Evetts, known for starting the smallest TV station in America and catapulting to worldwide fame and success when appearing on Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, USA Today, and more.
Johnny’s talent and manner enables him to work with some of the best in the business including Natalie Stovall And The Drive, T. Graham Brown, ACM Top New Female Vocalist Nominee -Joy Lynn White, Mark Herndon ‘Alabama’, Songwriter/Producer-Billy Lawson, Logan Mize, Daryl Singletary, Members of the Hank, Jr. Band, Marty Raybon ‘Shenandoah’, Stella Parton, King of Beach Music-Clifford Curry, Razzy Bailey, Blue Mother Tupelo, Fred “Re-run” Berry, Jim Ed Brown, Terri “Somebody’s Knockin” Gibbs, Freddie Weller, Seidina Reed, Donna Fargo, Wanda Jackson, Producer-Bud Logan, Members of the Little Richard Band, Engineer-Jerry Masters and Two Time Musician of the Year-Kirk Johnson.
After years of playing music on the road all over the US, Johnny spent 2017 & 2018 working on his second album and touring the country. In April, 2018, Johnny had a bit of set back when he suffered a massive and severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (ruptured brain aneurysm) and stroke and underwent 3 brain surgeries including endovascular coiling, carotid angioplasty and the insertion of a sleeve/stent in the Aneurysm site. Johnny spent 3 weeks in the Neurosurgical ICU at UAB in Birmingham, Alabama, and then several months recovering there after. With the grace of God, his wife, family, friends, and thousands and thousands of prayers, cards, well wishes and love from his fans and followers, Johnny pulled through miraculously well and began touring again about 6 months later.
Johnny is so proud to announce the release of his new album “Love Me For Who I Am”. The music in this album is straight from Johnny’s heart and tells stories and shares insites that everyone can relate to. The album, released November 1st, 2019, is available for purchase through this website, CD-Baby and at Johnny’s concerts. The album is also available for Digital Download and streaming from over 150 music media sites world wide including iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube and many others.
Website: http://www.JohnnyCollier.com
Facebook: http://www.facebookcom/JohnnyCollierMusic
Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/TweetWithJC
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6zO4VJXQYnnKAGmo8LEOt5?si=ZR1jJyGGRu-gRzW59d73Lg
2017 Josie Music award Southern rock artist of the year Winner
Multi-nominated Jessie-Rose is living proof that raw talent, ambition, honesty and one goal in mind -to make great music- can still prevail in today's music industry.
Jessie-Rose formed a band in April 2012 that she toured the country with. Her music and ability to engage the audience is bringing crowds to their feet across the Nation.
Jessie-Rose is breaking the mold of today's repetitive country music sound by blending her unique style into Southern Rock flavored Country. The high energy and love of her audience has made Jessie-Rose an instant crowd-pleaser. Whiskey Excuse,her first single was a hard-hitting original ballad, it quickly become a chart-topper and fan favorite. Landing in the TOP 5 on New Country Charts for a 13 week span. Jessie-Rose has won COUNTRY BAND OF THE YEAR 3 years in a row. Jessie-Rose has performed with Such artist as: "Chase Rice, Chase Bryant, Cannon Smith, Blackberry Smoke, Little Texas, Jason Michael Carrol, Collin Ray, Sawyer Brown and More"
With a plethora of musical tastes and backgrounds, suggesting a range of influences from Miranda Lambert and Lynyrd Skynyrd to KISS and Conway Twitty, Jessie-Rose shows no limitation of ability and style.
A Jessie-Rose show is one that is NOT to be missed! A combination of high energy, audience interaction and down-home country fun makes Jessie-Rose a true crowd-pleaser in every venue she appears!
Website: https://jessieroseentertainment.com/
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/officialjessierose
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2NoeS4HMeyMDqvgf64MHXA
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessierose_entertainment/