On June 1, 2024, we hosted two bands, one after the other. We'll led off with the Kevin Briggs Blues Experience and then we heard from Kristi Jean & Her N'er Do Wells. The two bands shared several performers so we were able to convince them to give us both genres and playlists. More about each band can be found below.
The Kevin Briggs’ Blues Experience (KBBX) is a five-piece, electric, country-blues band from State College, PA. Their music is a mash up of American blues and country music from the early to mid 20th century, and original songs that additionally reflect a diverse array of influences. The band’s vision takes a deep dive into the heart of American roots music, paying homage to the originators of the styles, and in a way that is loose, improvisational, and above all else… a good time!
The musicians in the KBBX agree on the importance of, and share a love for American roots music. The KBBX is Kevin Briggs on guitar and vocals, Jeremy Frank on harmonica, Sean Hershey on drums, Steve Branstetter on guitar, and the mighty Chris Gallagher on electric bass.
Kevin Briggs Blues Experience (KBBX) - Walkin’ to My Baby - October 7, 2023.
The Kevin Briggs Blues Experience (KBBX) performing Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Empty Arms" at Zeno's Pub in State College PA on Friday December 1st 2023.
(From her website.)
Kristi's roots were firmly planted in the traditional country music of her North Texas home and her songwriting reflects the long highways, lonely drives, love of family and landing at home that she learned from both small-town living and traveling the west singing in barrooms, honky-tonks and bowling alleys. Along with her songwriting partner, Steve Branstetter, Kristi sticks to telling true (or mostly true) stories while letting inspiration, rather than genre, take the lead.
Naturally shy, Kristi long struggled to gain the confidence to let her voice as a songwriter emerge, being far more comfortable to let her singing voice take center stage. For many years, Kristi and her bands performed only cover songs, keeping her original music largely to herself. But with her forthcoming album, with the working title "West End of Pearl," Kristi and Steve open a trove of new original musical stories. The songs range from cheeky stories of traveling bands, and truck-driving ladies, to heartfelt stories of friendship emerging from lonely places and the regret of saying words that should never have been said.
With a 2024 release, Kristi is currently working on finalizing the album, shooting videos to support the first two singles, and will be playing acoustic shows and shows with the full band - featuring the new material and her stylized covers of Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, and a range of Kristi's favorite artists and writers.
Kristi Jean and her Ne'er-Do-Wells cover of "All I've Got To Do"
Sample clips from several songs.
Moonstock Concerts - Bring your fun friends!