Soul Circus Cowboys is an American southern rock group based in Tampa, Florida. The band was founded by lead singer and songwriter Billy McKnight in 2009. They are currently produced by Grammy-award-winning songwriter Frank Myers.[1]
History
editSoul Circus Cowboys founder Billy McKnight grew up in Brandon, Florida. McKnight moved to Nashville in 1994 and spent ten years learning the music industry before returning to Florida. It was there that McKnight came across Frank Myers, a successful songwriter and artist. McKnight was suggested to Myers as a partner on a song of Myers, "High and Low."[2] Myers began collaborating with the band and to this day produces their albums. After moving back to Florida, McKnight began auditioning members for Soul Circus Cowboys.[3] He named the band Soul Circus Cowboys based on the band's life experiences, which he compared to a roller coaster ride. The cowboy and soul elements come from their musical style. [3]
Their first album was released in 2011, titled Lay it Down.[1][4] The lead single, "Lay it Down", and accompanying music video was picked up by national cable networks Great American Country and Country Music Television. Their subsequent albums, Tailgate Country, I Can't Imagine, and Rolling Across America have also received recognition. Their 2016 album Tailgate Country reached 25 on the Top Billboard Country Album Charts.[5] 2020 single "I Stand" was also picked up by Great American Country and Country Music Television.[6] In 2021, the band wrote "We're Going to Buc You Up," a fight song for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team in advance of their 2021 Super Bowl win.[7]
The band plays over 50 festivals and local shows every year and have performed at the Jeep Jam in Ohio, as well as every state between the Keys.[3] They have also performed with Big & Rich and other country and southern rock acts. [8]
Discography
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Lay It Down |
|
| Tailgate Country |
|
| I Can't Imagine |
|
| Gotta Get Me One of Them: Single |
|
| Rolling Across America: First Leg |
|
| Rolling Across America: Home Stretch |
|
| Setting You Free: Single |
|
| Last Train Running: Single |
|
| Boys Like Us: Single |
|
| Country Girls: Single |
|
| Time: Single |
|
| Knowing That Girl: Single |
|
| Sundown: Single Cover |
|
| Sit on a Beach: Single |
|
References
edit- ^ a b "Soul Circus Cowboys Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
- ^ Interview with Frank J. Myers, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Soul Circus Cowboys leader returns home to play Brandon's Novemberfest". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ Soul Circus Cowboys, retrieved 2024-04-18
- ^ devops (2013-01-02). "Top Country Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "Soul Circus Cowboys". Paragon Festivals. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "Tampa Bay band writes new fight song in preparation for big game". ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS). 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "American Idol Contestant and Big and Rich Meet Billy McKnight". Celeb Dirty Laundry. 2012-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-18.