Draft:Hill Country Jane

Hill Country Jane 2024

Hill Country Jane is a Texas Country/Rock band based out of Houston, Texas. Current lineup consists of lead/harmony vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ryan Lochridge, lead/harmony vocalist and lead guitarist Chip Oliphant, Bassist and harmonica player Dan Payne, Drummer Derek Wilson, and keyboardist and harmony vocalist Abraham Soto. The band blends elements of Country, Rock, Americana, Soul, and Blues to create their unique sound and has released two studio albums, and one live album.

Formation and Early Years

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Hill Country Jane was founded in 2005 when singer/songwriters Ryan Lochridge and Chris Cano, teamed up with bassist Brian Miller and drummer Joe Malloy in Austin, Texas. The group began performing together around the Texas Hill Country, fusing a mix of genres that would eventually define their sound.

Debut Album: The Great Charade

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In 2010, Hill Country Jane released their debut LP, The Great Charade, which sparked growing interest in the band. The album's success helped the band gain a loyal fanbase and establish themselves as a rising force in the Texas music scene. However, shortly after the release of the album, some lineup changes occurred, which led to a pivotal moment for the group. Despite the departures, the remaining members took the opportunity to regroup and focus on creating new music.

Sophomore Album: Homegrown

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Following a move back to their hometown of Houston, TX, Ryan Lochridge and Brian Miller teamed up with old friends from another local band to create what would be the new version of Hill Country Jane.  This new lineup featuring Chip Oliphant on co-lead/harmony vocals, Dan Payne on harmonica/harmony vocals, and Derek Wilson on drums immediately went to work on the sophomore album, Homegrown, which was released in 2014. The album's lead single, "Southern Sunday," quickly gained traction, climbing into the Top 50 on the Texas Music Chart and the Top 25 on the Texas Regional Radio Report.

Live Performances and Festivals

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Throughout the years, Hill Country Jane has performed at some of Texas' finest live music venues. These include the legendary Tin Hall and Firehouse Saloon in Houston, Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, and Austin's iconic Antone’s and The Saxon Pub. In addition to their regular performances at these venues, the band has also played at major festivals and rodeos, such as the Pasadena Strawberry Festival, Texas Gatorfest in Anahuac, the Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo, and the world famous Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

Hill Country Jane has also had the privilege of sharing the stage with a diverse range of artists, from Texas/Red Dirt legends like Whiskey Myers, Turnpike Troubadours, Stoney LaRue, Charlie Robison, Reckless Kelly, and Kevin Fowler, to national acts such as Clay Walker, Rick Trevino, Johnny Lee, David Allan Coe, Bad Company, and Grammy Award winners Travis Tritt and Wayne Toups.

Hill Country Jane continues to perform across Texas, gaining a reputation for their authentic "Homegrown Texas Music." Their unique blend of genres and electrifying live performances make them a standout act on the Texas/Red Dirt music scene.

References

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[1] [2]

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