Manchester Underground welcomed the Winestoned Cowboys, who shared evocative country music with us at the River Raisin Distillery.

Winestoned Cowboys Ride Into Manchester

A wave of warm friendship washed over us when we walked into the River Raisin Distillery to experience the Winestoned Cowboys. That feeling of love was most likely the result of being greeted with a hug from our friend Elliott Moses (acoustic guitar/vocals for the Winestoned Cowboys). It didn’t hurt that wherever we looked, we met the eyes of friends who had gathered for another special night of music thanks to Manchester Underground Music and Art. Primed with dinner and beers with our friends Sharilyn and Rick before the show, I’d say the air was buzzing with feel-good vibes. A perfect start, and we had yet to hear a single note of music.

Back For More

Ever since our first experience with the Winestoned Cowboys at the Dearborn Homecoming festival, I’ve kept my eye out for another opportunity to hear this band live. Their take on country music offers an authentic and vivid voice. Their songs reflect the hardworking, take-no-shit ethos of Michigan. The stories they share offer clever and insightful portraits of life. With sharp, knowing lyrics, the Winestoned Cowboys give a wink and a nod to the legends of country music, such as Johnny Cash and John Prine, while infusing modern themes. Adding a cosmic allure with notes of Pink Floyd and the Grateful Dead, their music sings with a vibrance unmatched in a typical country act and vastly superior to the mindless drivel of pop country.

Domestic Beer

Kicking off their first set with the endearing “Domestic Beer”, the Winestoned Cowboys held us in rapt attention. Matt Horne handled the majority of the vocal duties with a side slice of sweet guitar. Providing rich harmonies to the melodic mosaic was Brenda Mahler. Bob Monteleone provided buttery smooth leads with just the right amount of spice. Keeping the band in the pocket was the rock-solid rhythms of John Porter on drums. Adding nibble notes to the bottom end was Nick Cicchetti on bass. Last, but far from least, Elliott “Pappy” Moses showered us with a shimmering acoustic guitar.

Focusing on their original music, the Winestoned Cowboys played two fantastic sets. Songs such as “Alibi”, “Images”, “Little Failure”, and my favorite “Sorry Tomorrow” gave the crowd a dose of their patented cosmic country. They also threw in some new songs, which will be coming out on a forthcoming album. As well as originals, the Winestoned Cowboys shared select covers from John Prine and Neil Young. Overall, they gave us a scintillating performance.

A Hidden Gem in Manchester

The Manchester Underground Music and Art music series has quietly become one of southern Michigan’s hidden gems. This grassroots showcase, celebrating local musicians and artists, in an intimate venue like River Raisin Distillery, is a gift. The combination of craft spirits, great company, and homegrown music made for a joyous evening. Many thanks to Manchester Underground and River Raisin Distillery for bringing us this night of music with the Winestoned Cowboys.

Pictures

Head over to our gallery for more photos from the Winestoned Cowboys at Manchester Underground.