Taking their name from the title of their favorite Waylon Jennings song, The Only Daddys play country-western music they way it used to be played in taverns and honky-tonk bars across America just before and immediately after WWII, into the 1950′s, and on through the ‘outlaw’ artists of the 1960′s and ’70′s.
The Only Daddys
Wearing signature country outfits, they play classic songs by Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell, Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Charley Pride and, Waylon Jennings. Using Fender guitars, ‘stand-up” steel guitar, drums and bass, they’ll have you stompin’ your boots and yellin’ for more!
The Only Daddys shook up the Side Door last spring and they rocked our big room backing up CJ Harding in her “Sweet Dreams” show.
They are back this Thursday night in the Side Door. To whet your whistle for this foot-stomping, danceable night, read some of the blog from Creative Pinellas about the Daddy’s. Here’s a link to the full story. And here’s a link to our box office for tickets. And here’s a link to YouTube to see the Only Daddys playing live.
The Only Daddys Bring Old School Country to the Bay Area
By Laura Kepner on July 30, 2015 2:00 PM
On the first Thursday of each month at Brady’s Backyard BBQ in Safety Harbor, The Only Daddys attract a dedicated following of fans who love the retro-country band’s mix of old school favorites. The group includes SG Wood on guitar/vocals, TJ Weger on guitar/steel-guitar and vocals, Don Cox on electric and upright bass, and Joe Martin on drums.
“We play classic country, honky-tonk and western-swing music from the ‘30s through the ‘70s,” explains TJ Weger, who is known throughout the Tampa Bay area for his diverse musical talents, which include playing with two other local groups, the Hummingbirds and Gatortooth. “Everything from Bob Will and the Texas Playboys to Hank Williams Sr., Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, Ray Price, Charley Pride and Waylon Jennings, plus many more. Back when country music had lots of twang, and some of the attitude of the very early years of rock-‘n-roll and rockabilly.”
Weger said the idea for starting the band happened on stage at Ella’s Folk Art Cafe on a Sunday afternoon in early 2013.
“It was actually a Hummingbirds job we normally play once a month there. However, that day, SG’s wife, Rachel, couldn’t do the gig, so we asked a friend to play bass with SG, Joe and me. I played guitar and steel instead of bass and we just played old country songs for the day,” Weger details.
“After the gig, and the great reception, we came up with an idea to make it a semi-regular thing,” he continues. “I approached Brady Fisher, the owner of Brady’s BBQ, with the idea of a once-a-month old-time country night there at the restaurant. He liked the idea, and away we went. Over several months, the word got out and the crowds grew larger and here we are. Beer, barbecue, and honky-tonk music go great together!”
The band would like to create an album of original material that’s rooted in that old-style sound, similar to contemporary artists such as Junior Brown, BR-549, Dale Watson.
“We have enough material to do that, but just need to find the time and funds to get in and get it done,” Weger said. “I think this band works so well because we all sincerely love this old music, and love playing it. It brings back lots of great memories for people and it’s just plain fun. Great songs where you can hear and understand lyrics that tell a great story in a style that’s uniquely raw, unadorned and American.”
The Only Daddys will be at Brady’s again on Thursday, August 6 at 7:30 p.m. They’ll be joined for a set by Dave Hardy on keyboards.
On Thursday August 13 at 7:30 p.m. The Only Daddys will bring their boot stompin’ fun to the Side Door Cabaret at the Palladium in St. Petersburg, a 175-seat venue with linen-draped, candlelit tables, and plenty of room for your dance moves.
“We’re excited about this upcoming show at The Side Door, and may even have a special guest join us (crossing our fingers) for a couple songs on stage,” Weger said. “It’s a surprise, though.”
1 comment
Can’t wait to see them live and in person!