Ladies and Gentlemen... The West Coast Turnaround!

So do you like Country Music? Real country music we mean, not that folksy alterna-pop coming out of Nashville these days. The West Coast Turnaround (Papa Top's West Coast Turnaround for all of you purists out there) is the Midsouth's premiere honky tonk band. Described by The Memphis Flyer as "BR549 with a mean streak" (which we assume is a compliment) the WCT plays loving covers from the Golden Age of hillbilly music, and originals that sound like mid-20th-Century chart-toppers.

Some of the artists covered: Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Wynn Stewart, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Ray Price, Charlie Rich, Hank Sr. (no Jr. sorry, don't ask). Earnest Tubb, Hank Thompson, Kitty Wells, Webb Pierce, Emmylou Harris, Willie, Waylon, The Wilburn Brothers, Porter Wagoner, Patsy Cline, Johnny Paycheck, Red Sovine, and a whole lot more.

If you want to read more about Papa Top's favorite band the Commercial Appeal ran a lovely piece called "Country Classics Done Right." (Doh! Seems they've taken the story off line, and your Pesky blogger is too damn lazy to transcribe it. Oh well, the title says it all.)

If you want to listen to a live show you can go here. Note: The WCT played this show while the Hi-Tone was under serious renovation. There was nothing on the walls, the floor was stripped down to concrete, and the PA was hippie rigged, so the sound quality is awful, but you'll get the idea.

If you want to book The West Coast Turnaround just drop an e-mail

papatop@westcoastturnaround.com

Note to potential clients: Country Music does NOT mean family entertainment. The WCT has been called on many times to play "family" events, and it puts them in a tight spot. All of their songs are about drinking, fighting, cheating, trucking, and heartache. You know, the good stuff. They'll play anywhere they are wanted-- but be prepared to cover the kiddies' ears.

UPDATE: The WCT is located in Memphis, TN and play most of their shows in the Midsouth. Yes, they will travel far and wide if the price is right and if they have enough advance notice. Sadly (or perhaps for Faith and the boys, gladly) they all have real jobs. So if you want to book them out of town--- Book them well in advance.