49 Winchester on Country Music News International Radio Show!
October 18th interviewed by Nigel Sharpe for Country Music News International Radio Show
Saturday live show will be in German & English with Presenter Frank Hammer and the best in country music! 4 pm – 6 pm (CET) GER, 9 am – 11 am (CST) USA, 3 pm – 5 pm (GMT) UK!
For Country Music News International Radio Show follow link: https://stream.laut.fm/countrymusicnewsinternational or https://laut.fm/countrymusicnewsinternational or https://countrymusicnewsinternational.com/
49 Winchester: The Grit, Soul, and Rise of Appalachian Country Rock
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
49 Winchester is a band defined by its geography and its grind. Hailing from the small mountain town of Castlewood, Virginia, in the heart of Appalachia, this six-piece ensemble has spent over a decade building a national following brick-by-brick, tour date by tour date. Their sound—dubbed “Appalachian country soul”—is a potent cocktail of tear-in-your-beer country, sticky barroom floor rock and roll, and honest, lived-in storytelling.
After years of relentless self-released touring and recording, the band achieved a major breakthrough in 2022 with the album Fortune Favors the Bold, cementing their status as a buzz band ready for the national stage.
Origins and the Road to Breakthrough
The band’s name, 49 Winchester, is derived from Winchester Street in Castlewood, the location where frontman Isaac Gibson (vocals, guitar) and bassist Chase Chafin—childhood friends—first started making music after high school graduation in 2013.
The core lineup is a collective of longtime friends:
- Isaac Gibson (Vocals, Guitar)
- Bus Shelton (Guitar)
- Chase Chafin (Bass)
- Noah Patrick (Pedal Steel)
- Tim Hall (Keys)
- Justin Louthian (Drums)
For nearly ten years, 49 Winchester operated on pure grit, self-releasing three albums (49 Winchester, The Wind, and III) and building a devoted fan base through aggressive, high-energy live shows across the Southeast. This work ethic and dedication to the road life became a core theme in their songwriting.
Appalachian Country Soul
49 Winchester successfully occupies the space between genres, earning comparisons to artists ranging from Chris Stapleton to the Drive-By Truckers. While rooted firmly in the traditions of mountain music, the band incorporates heavy influences from Southern rock and even punk, creating a sound that lead singer Isaac Gibson once described as “trending more towards being a rock band instead of a country band.”
The unique musical blend is anchored by several defining characteristics:
- Isaac Gibson’s Vocals: Gibson possesses a powerful, soulful voice that has been praised for its raw conviction. His delivery carries a weight and gravelly honesty that critics have likened to Memphis soul singers, elevating their songs beyond standard country fare.
- Pedal Steel and Keys: The inclusion of Noah Patrick’s rich pedal steel and Tim Hall’s Hammond B3 organ/piano provides a deep, soulful texture that grounds their rock edges in classic country and Southern soul tradition.
- Authentic Lyrics: Gibson’s songwriting focuses on the dichotomy of road life—missing home versus the pull of the journey—and the everyday struggles of life in a small Appalachian town. Tracks like “Russell County Line” are heartfelt, geographically specific odes to home, while others tackle themes of hard work, drinking, and finding a “Second Chance.”
Fortune Favors the Bold (2022)
The band’s 2022 release, Fortune Favors the Bold (their first for New West Records), served as their national breakthrough. The album title itself is a testament to the band’s story—the idea that success is built “brick-by-brick,” enduring years of sacrifice to realize a dream.
The record is a cohesive statement, moving deftly between the blistering Southern rock of tracks like “Last Call” and “Damn Darlin’,” and the acoustic introspection of songs like “All I Need.” Its success propelled 49 Winchester onto major festival stages and landed them nominations, confirming the buzz surrounding their raucous live performances had finally translated into critical acclaim.
The Next Chapter: Leavin’ This Holler (2024)
49 Winchester continued their upward trajectory with their fifth studio album, Leavin’ This Holler, released in August 2024. Produced by Stewart Myers, the album is a further refinement of their signature sound, leaning subtly back toward their country roots while showcasing their increasing maturity as songwriters and musicians. Featuring notable collaborators like the Czech National Symphony Orchestra on “Fast Asleep” and singer-songwriter Maggie Antone on backing vocals, the album demonstrates that 49 Winchester is not content to rest on their breakthrough success, but remains determined to solidify their place at the forefront of the Americana and alternative country scene.