COUNTRY WITH CRUNCH’
Known for its high-energy shows, tight instrumentals and Tim Zach’s strong vocals, Whiskey Bent is a five-man country rock band based in central Nebraska. In addition to Zach, Whiskey Bent is made up of Jeff Westwood (guitar), Jeff Wilson (drums), Joe Parr (guitar, mandolin, harmonica) and John Victory (bass). Westwood and Wilson have been with the band since it formed in 2009. Kevin Galvan is Whiskey Bent’s tour manager/sound tech. Whiskey Bent writes and performs its own music and covers a variety of top artists that include Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, Johnny Cash and more. “Garth Brooks meets Metallica. We’re country with crunch,” explains Zach. “We like to push the limits with songs and bring a rock attitude to every song we play.”
In 2010, Whiskey Bent played at Nebraska’s popular Comstock Windmill Festival alongside national acts Clay Walker, Rodney Atkins, Trent Tomlinson and Emerson Drive. That appearance launched a relationship in 2011 with Kearney-based radio station Nebraska’s Hot Country Y102 and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which led to the first of many benefit concerts to raise money to fight childhood cancer.
Whiskey Bent solidified itself in the Midwest music scene in 2012. The band has opened for legend Collin Raye while also playing shows with national acts such as Justin Moore, and the Casey Donahew Band.
FIRST ALBUM RELEASED
Whiskey Bent began writing and performing their own songs in 2012, beginning with the debut single “On The River,” which quickly became a top request on local country radio. Whiskey Bent followed up with a second single – “Every Bar’s Got One,”and released four songs on its first EP. In 2013, with its EP gaining momentum and increased radio airplay, Whiskey Bent expanded its fan base by booking shows beyond its central Nebraska roots, playing in surrounding states such as Iowa, South Dakota, and others. The band also increased its national presence, opening and playing alongside artists such as Jake Owen, Jerrod Niemann and The Lost Trailers. Whiskey Bent is currently in its busiest year of touring, playing more than 90 live shows in 2014. In addition to being one of the most sought-after club bands in the Midwest, Whiskey Bent is a regular on the summer county fair and country music festival circuit, including the popular Kicker Country Stampede in Manhattan, Kans. Riding the success of its first EP, the band also released Its first full-length album in July 2014, which includes eight original songs and two live cuts. In May, Zach spent time at Station West studio in Nashville, recording songs written by established songwriters such as Jamey Johnson. He Co-wrote and recorded “Men Like Him” – a song about his grandfather – as part of a solo project. For upcoming show information, news and photos of Tim Zach and Whiskey Bent, visit www.facebook.com/whiskeybentband