Convoy, a band forged from childhood friendships in Poway, CA, made their mark with their raw, rock/Americana infused sound with Beach Boys style harmonies. Led by founding members Jason Hill, Brian Karscig, Robbie Dodds, and Mark Maigaard, their journey began with the release of their debut cassette "The Red Tape", capturing a carefree vibe that resonated with audiences. Despite limited copies, it laid the foundation for their future endeavors. Venturing into their first full-length album, "Pineapple Recording Sessions", the band retreated to a small house on a 46 acre abandoned ranch on the outskirts of San Diego county. Living together in the mountains of Jamul, immersing themselves in a creative bubble amidst well water shortages and makeshift recording setups, their music flourished, drawing comparisons to iconic acts like The Band and The Beach Boys. Their isolation and perseverance paid off, earning them accolades and a record deal with Hybrid Records out of New York City. Their evolution continued with "Black Licorice", recorded in Burbank under the guidance of external producers. This album marked a shift towards a polished sound, aiming for broader commercial success which the band always had mixed feelings about. Yet, Convoy's essence remained intact, with tracks like "Caught Up In You" and "Eleventeen" capturing their signature energy from that record.
Their live performances became legendary, gracing stages like The world famous Casbah, Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Fillmore, and The Great American Music Hall. With a devoted West Coast following, Convoy embarked on relentless tours, sharing stages with giants like Tom Petty and Aerosmith, and even making TV appearances including the Craig Kilborn Show. Despite their disbandment in 2003, Convoy's legacy endured. Now, reunited for a special show August 10, 2024 to celebrate the ‘25th Anniversary of their Pineapple Recording Sessions Album', their music resonates anew, bringing together old fans and introducing their timeless sound to a new generation.
Centered around the vein of old-school country with a touch of the swinging sixties, Kimmi Bitter and the Westside Twang are here to transport you on a retro journey into the year 1962 through their nostalgic songs. “The future of classic country is Kimmi Bitter,” as Saving Country Music boldly states. Effortlessly navigating through Countrypolitan ballads in her mod wardrobe and love of white boots, Bitter has drawn strong comparisons to Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Nancy Sinatra.
Creating a buzz from her grassroots efforts and vigorous touring, her debut album “Old School” hit the ground running in 2024 landing at #24 on the Americana Album Radio Chart with “My Grass is Blue” debuting on the Americana Single Radio Chart as a Top 40. Bitter is a testament that classic country never goes out of style. This ain't your typical Nashville sound. "Old School" is a love letter to the country's golden age, with a healthy dose of reverb-drenched twang, rock-n-roll swagger, and a touch of California psychedelia thrown in for good measure.
Tracks like "My Grass is Blue" are tear-jerkin' ballads that have grown comparisons of time when Patsy Cline and The Jordanaires overtook radiowaves. Saving Country Music called it "solid country gold," nominating it for Single of the Year alongside the likes of Charley Crockett, Zach Bryan, and Sierra Ferrell. Though driving her career independently, Bitter is no stranger to building up her accolades. Her album “Old School” has garnered three separate song nominations to date. In 2024, single “Aquamarine” took home Song of the Year at the San Diego Music Awards alongside fellow nominees Jason Mraz, P.O.D., Slightly Stoopid, and Thee Sacred Souls. She's a San Diego Music Award winner for Best Country/Americana Artist, with "My Grass is Blue" snagging a Song of the Year nod in 2023. Regarding her live performance, she was notably coined one of the "biggest musical takeaways" at Nashville's most recent Americanafest. In addition, her breakout album also skyrocketed to #1 on the Alt. Country Specialty Charts.
On the road, Kimmi is backed by her touring band, The Westside Twang. Comprised of both decade-long bandmates Willis Farnsworth (guitar) and Ben Neal (bass), and the newly added Justin De la Vega (drums). With his ability to make the Gretsch guitar emulate pedal steel and his signature “‘verbed up and twanged out" tone, Farnsworth has garnered stans of his own. Driven by a hyper-obsession for the 1960s, Kimmi Bitter and her band create a captivating soundscape that blends classic country with surf rock, psychedelic twangs, and a touch of mod flair.
If you're hankerin' for some country croonin' with a swinging sixties twist, then Kimmi Bitter is the real deal. Often found hustling the highways, you can find Kimmi and her band touring throughout all corners of the United States.
