Playing a mixture of modern and classic country combined with Southern and classic rock, this area-based quintet fits the bill for a classic, central Illinois cover band. Moving from Miranda Lambert to Lady Antebellum to Maroon 5 to Stevie Ray Vaughn to Johnny Cash to Joe Walsh, they’ve got the bases covered, a necessity to play the popular places around here. They also slip in a couple of original songs written by the man who inspired the band, the late father of drummer and founder, James Mangis. Fellow band mates Bekah Hurley (vocals, rhythm guitar, mandolin, keyboards), Gary Lohrenz (lead guitar, vocals), William Richards (lead guitar, vocals) and Ernie Waite (bass, vocals) join Mangis in a string of shows booked in February (Feb. 7 at Blue Grouch, Feb. 13 at Oasis Bar in Auburn, Feb. 14 at the K of C Hall in Lincoln, Feb. 21 at Koo Koo’s Nest and Feb. 28 at Boar’s Nest in Athens). With plans in place for the fair and festival circuit this summer, Tennessee Borderline looks poised to expand beyond its borders.
Tennessee Borderline
Friday, Jan. 30, 9pm
Boondocks
tennesseeborderline.com
This article appears in Jan 29 – Feb 4, 2015.
