Debut
Artist Spotlight: LiveWire
Artist Spotlight: LiveWire
By Bob Doerschuk
It is not often that we profile a Debut
Spotlight act that has been rocking non-stop for 15 years. But if
any band out there deserves that recognition, it would be the pride
of Joplin, Mo. – LiveWire
Spotlight act that has been rocking non-stop for 15 years. But if
any band out there deserves that recognition, it would be the pride
of Joplin, Mo. – LiveWire
Way back in 1997, they started gigging
around southwestern Missouri and northeastern Oklahoma. Aside from
one brief hiatus, their lineup has largely stayed intact, with Danny
Bell on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Bobby DeGonia on lead
guitar and backing vocals, Andy Eutsler on lead vocals and acoustic
guitar, Adam Hagerman on drums, Cory Shultz on fiddle and backing
vocals and newest member Landon Rolfe on bass.
around southwestern Missouri and northeastern Oklahoma. Aside from
one brief hiatus, their lineup has largely stayed intact, with Danny
Bell on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Bobby DeGonia on lead
guitar and backing vocals, Andy Eutsler on lead vocals and acoustic
guitar, Adam Hagerman on drums, Cory Shultz on fiddle and backing
vocals and newest member Landon Rolfe on bass.
Step by step, LiveWire fought its way
to wider exposure, leading eventually to the finals on the Colgate
Country Showdown in 2009. A self-titled EP followed in 2011, leading
in late 2012 to their first album, Livin’, produced by Justin
Woods. With six of its 10 tracks written by members of the band, they
draw deep from traditional Country, flavor their ballads with sweet
fiddle fills and lay down neon-bathed, dance-hall grooves at up
tempos.
to wider exposure, leading eventually to the finals on the Colgate
Country Showdown in 2009. A self-titled EP followed in 2011, leading
in late 2012 to their first album, Livin’, produced by Justin
Woods. With six of its 10 tracks written by members of the band, they
draw deep from traditional Country, flavor their ballads with sweet
fiddle fills and lay down neon-bathed, dance-hall grooves at up
tempos.
For a taste of the latter, crank up
their single, “Lies.” Written by Eutsler, it breaks from the gate
with a quarter-note kick and a harmonized guitar/fiddle hook. That
beat drives through muted verses and slamming choruses, over which
Eutsler welcomes the end of a withered romance. Country values course
through much of their songs, particularly parental responsibility,
addressed with somber reflection in “What Makes You a Man” (Bell)
and with defiance to those who threaten loved ones on “I’ll Go to
Prison” (Eutsler). The message and the sound are raw, honest and as
American as can be.
their single, “Lies.” Written by Eutsler, it breaks from the gate
with a quarter-note kick and a harmonized guitar/fiddle hook. That
beat drives through muted verses and slamming choruses, over which
Eutsler welcomes the end of a withered romance. Country values course
through much of their songs, particularly parental responsibility,
addressed with somber reflection in “What Makes You a Man” (Bell)
and with defiance to those who threaten loved ones on “I’ll Go to
Prison” (Eutsler). The message and the sound are raw, honest and as
American as can be.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
CD IN YOUR STEREO? DeGONIA:
“George Strait.” DREAM DUET PARTNER EUTSLER: “Alison
Krauss.” BOOK ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND ROLFE: “A small book of
quotes from the Dalai Lama.” LUCKY CHARM SHULTZ: “My
collection of backstage passes. They remind me of how thankful I am
to be able to do this for a living.” SOMETHING WE’D NEVER GUESS
ABOUT YOU BELL: “I love sappy movies. I’m not afraid to cry.
LOL!”
“George Strait.” DREAM DUET PARTNER EUTSLER: “Alison
Krauss.” BOOK ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND ROLFE: “A small book of
quotes from the Dalai Lama.” LUCKY CHARM SHULTZ: “My
collection of backstage passes. They remind me of how thankful I am
to be able to do this for a living.” SOMETHING WE’D NEVER GUESS
ABOUT YOU BELL: “I love sappy movies. I’m not afraid to cry.
LOL!”