If this one’s not on your playlist yet, it will be soon.
Bluegrass is having quite the moment over the past few years, thanks to guys like Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson, and even Dierks Bentley shining new light on the music from Appalachia.
And chances are if you’re into bluegrass you’ve already discovered The Creekers. But if you haven’t, well, allow this to serve as your official introduction to your new favorite band.
Hailing from eastern Kentucky and made up of Tanner Horton, Allen Hacker, Jagger Bowlin, Ashton Bowling, Scott Sutton and Anna Blanton, the band got their start just playing local shows and Facebook Lives before releasing their debut album Pour Me In The Creek last year, blending bluegrass with modern country and even pop sounds.
(Check out this cover of Cher’s “Believe”).
But it’s one of their new releases that’s really blowing up outside of the hollers of Kentucky.
Back in April, the band dropped a new EP, River Rat, and since then one of the tracks has gone viral, thanks to some from TikTok.
“Tennessee,” which features Hacker on lead vocals, has drawn comparisons to Chris Stapleton and his former band (and bluegrass legends) The SteelDrivers, while racking up thousands of videos on social media and nearly 350,000 streams on Spotify. And after just one listen to the song, it’s easy to see why: It’s a stone-cold bluegrass heater.
“Woke up this morning, dazed and confused
A thousand miles from home
Left my love down in a land
Where Rocky Top’s their song
Burning the neon, chasing a high I can’t be on
And she’s lying all alone
And I’m out here on the road
Oh these mountains are beautiful to me
But I left my heart in Tennessee”
@realrootsradiowbzi If you havent heard of @The Creekers than you’re missing out!!!
Folks in the comments are blown away not only by the song, but by Hacker’s voice:
“This is killer, reminds me of Stapleton’s steel drivers”
“That voice just straight dopamine to the brain”
“What crazy good music did I just stumble on”
“brother looks like he’s trying to whisper but he’s got Chris Stapleton coming out”
“Is that Luke Stapleton???”
“Everyone of these guys look like they could either be musicians or also effortlessly operate heavy equipment.”
“Ole boy would give Chris Stapleton a run for his money!!!”
The band has opened for fellow Kentucky natives like Nick Jamerson and Sundy Best, as well as Cole Chaney, but after seeing how much the crowd loves their music, I have a feeling they won’t be opening for anyone for long – because they’ll be a hot ticket as a headliner:
@thecreekers One of the best times we’ve ever had on stage #fyp#thecreekers#tennessee#dazedandconfused#bluegrass#mmf#somerset#viral#realrootsradio#country#kentucky
But the band is far from a “one hit wonder.” Their entire debut album is incredible, with songs like “Homesick Blues” also getting attention on social media:
@realrootsradiowbzi Ya’ll keep showing some love to @The Creekers ‼️
If you’re into bluegrass (and honestly, even if you’re not), the entire album is well worth the listen. Because I firmly believe The Creekers will be household names very soon.
