{"id":129488,"date":"2024-04-02T10:00:47","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T14:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/?p=129488"},"modified":"2024-04-02T16:47:19","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T20:47:19","slug":"great-friday-homegrown-49-winchester-reawakens-high-energy-honky-tonkin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/great-friday-homegrown-49-winchester-reawakens-high-energy-honky-tonkin\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Friday: Homegrown 49 Winchester Reawakens High Energy Honky Tonkin\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Playing to a sold-out crowd nearly the same size as Castlewood, Virginia, where they grew up, 49 Winchester<\/strong> brought good ol\u2019 fashioned honky tonkin\u2019 to the 9:30 Club<\/strong> in Washington, DC,  last Friday, March 29th. Like the euphonious hiss of a Coors pop top and the tacky velcro of your boots on the dancefloor, 49 Winchester feels like 5:01 on Friday. If you can\u2019t picture that, let them educate you. <\/p>\n

\"Colby<\/span><\/p>\n

Idaho native Colby Acuff<\/strong> opened for 49 (as they refer to themselves) over the weekend. Getting a bargain with two trailblazing bands, the sold-out crowd knew exactly who they came to see, so they packed the house early to witness history with Acuff\u2019s energetic and authentic performance. Acuff came on stage donning black overalls, a baseball cap, and a pair of well-worn boots. Swap overalls for waders, and it\u2019s what I imagine he wore when he worked as a fly-fishing guide, as he shared with the crowd before singing \u201cDying Breed.\u201d Fans were overjoyed and ready to sing along to the tune, which he explained was inspired by his daily routine to a gas station before work grabbing essentials like jerky, gatorade, and a breakfast sandwich from a friendly gas station clerk. <\/p>\n

\"Colby<\/span><\/p>\n

Colby Acuff<\/p>\n

\"Colby<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe it\u2019s the altitude or maybe it\u2019s the robust Idaho potatoes, but they don\u2019t make \u2018em like Colby around here. His high-energy set, personable and natural banter with the audience, and honest and prolific lyrics are what keep him as high as those Western white pines, way above his peers. Speaking of, he performed his song \u201cWestern White Pines,\u201d the titular track from his 2023 album. Co-written by Lukas Nelson<\/strong> and Aaron Raitiere<\/strong>, Acuff penned the love letter for Idaho\u2019s state tree, a totem of home that he takes with him to keep him rooted in the breeze. <\/p>\n

\"Colby<\/span><\/p>\n

Colby Acuff\u2019s lively performance reminded me of fellow newcomer (and out Westerner) Ian Munsick<\/strong>\u2019s live shows. Acuff and his band danced and jumped and played their instruments all over the stage with the showmanship of rock and roll legends, making the audience feel like they were a part of the show instead of just watching it like a movie. That exchange and flow of energy is exactly what 49 Winchester brought to the stage and why Acuff was such a perfect choice to prep the crowd last weekend.<\/p>\n

From silver chains to silver foxes, the crowd spanned ages and wages, but everyone there wanted the same thing: to let the music take over after a long week. The boys of 49 Winchester, Isaac Gibson<\/strong> on vocals and guitar, Bus Shelton<\/strong> on lead guitar, Chase Chafin<\/strong> on bass, and Noah Patrick <\/strong>on pedal steel, grew up together in southwestern Virginia. The band has also added Tim Hall<\/strong> on the keys and Justin Louthia<\/strong>n on drums. <\/p>\n

\"49<\/span>\"Isaac<\/span><\/p>\n

Isaac Gibson<\/p>\n

Imagine being in a raft on a roaring river, riding rapids to the 65-foot waterfall, and falling peacefully into the basin below, 49 Winchester fulfills both the rush and relaxation that we crave. The 17-song set started with \u201cChemistry,\u201d massive hit \u201cHays, Kansas,\u201d and an ode to roadie life, \u201cAll I Need,\u201d and the energy never stopped. Gibson\u2019s nostalgic voice, melding the heartbreak of Willie Nelson with the downhome country boy vibe of Hank Williams, Jr., gives us everything we need. I could listen to him at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and with songs like \u201cThe Road Home\u201d \u201cSo Damn Sweet,\u201d and \u201cEverlasting Lover,\u201d I\u2019d say dessert too. <\/p>\n

\"Isaac<\/span>\"Bus<\/span><\/p>\n

Bus Shelton (L) and Isaac Gibson (R)<\/p>\n

49 Winchester is earnest about where they came from and surefooted in where they’re going\u2013which is clearly in the record books. Their lyrics are a candid commentary on growing up in Appalachia, trying to make it on the road, and the crippling malaise of daily living and heartache. The band can simultaneously capture raw emotion while seamlessly injecting levity to round out the human experience using the healing nature of music. In \u201cWhy Else Would I Call You?\u201d Gibson, as the band\u2019s main songwriter, writes about that dreaded lapse in judgment when reaching out to an ex but comes back to his senses with: \u201cFigured I’d call you, see how you’ve been\u2026\/You could tell that I’d been drinkin’ again\/ Why else would I call you? Do you think I’m that stupid?\u201d Like Wheeler Walker, Jr.<\/strong>\u2019s oftentimes explicit yet brutally honest lyrics, 49 knows how to set the mood and whack you over the head with the brutal truth of things. In \u201cHays, Kansas,\u201d the simplicity of \u201cAll there is, is an auto parts and a mall in this town\/ And there’s no way of knowing\/ Ooh, where in the world that I am,\u201d brings the sameness, solitude, and sorrow of small towns to the forefront. <\/p>\n

\"Bus<\/span><\/p>\n

Bus Shelton (L) and Isaac Gibson (R)<\/p>\n

They premiered a few new songs during the night, including \u201cTulsa\u201d and \u201cYearning for You,\u201d which, while we couldn\u2019t sing along, our bodies still knew what to do. The precisely yet naturally woven tapestry of 49 Winchester is twisted with the bespoke fibers of each member, and their inimitable stage presence is addictive. I\u2019ve already cross-referenced their tour schedule to my calendar, as any true (and sane) fan would do. <\/p>\n

At the church of 49 Winchester, their tent revival services will heal your nine-to-five woes. As deep as the river and as crisp as the thawing creeks, Gibson\u2019s voice and masterful, poignant lyricism will baptize you while the band\u2019s supernova magnetism and spirited sessions will ignite your two-steppin\u2019 spark once again. <\/p>\n

At the church of 49 Winchester, their tent revival services will heal your nine-to-five woes. As deep as the river and as crisp as the thawing creeks, Gibson\u2019s voice and masterful, poignant lyricism will baptize you while the band\u2019s supernova magnetism and spirited sessions will ignite your two-steppin\u2019 spark once again. Leaving the DC dancehall that night, I was quickly thrown out of the honky-tonk and back to the honky talk from the rushed and riled city folk. Take me with you, 49!<\/p>\n

\"49<\/span><\/p>\n

The 9:30 Club was algow at the church of the 49 Winchester<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Enjoy photos by our photographer Batya Levy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

49 Winchester<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Chase<\/span>\"Isaac<\/span>\"Isaac<\/span>\"Isaac<\/span>\"Isaac<\/span>\"49<\/span>\"49<\/span>\"49<\/span>\"49<\/span>\"Bus<\/span>\"49<\/span>\"49<\/span><\/p>\n

Colby Acuff<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span>\"Colby<\/span>\"Colby<\/span>\"Colby<\/span>\"Colby<\/span>\"Colby<\/span>\"49<\/span> <\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have you tried TIDAL<\/a> yet?  They have some of the best streaming sound out there with multiple subscription plans including a free version<\/span><\/strong> in addition to HiDef, Family, and Student packages.  Click here for more Information<\/a> about available packages.<\/p>\n

49 Winchester<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Colby Acuff<\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To learn more about 49 WInchester<\/strong>, please see the following web resources:<\/p>\n