By AMY L. MODESTI
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TROY — It was Country Night at The Rustic Barn Pub Friday, Sept. 8. It was the first time these local country music acts, The Coveralls, and The Kyle Bourgault Band united to perform for an audience that was ready to line dance their way onto the Rustic Barn Pub stage for one great evening of live music.
“The Coveralls,” featuring band members Peter Bearup (electric guitar, harmonica, vocals), Kyle Esposito (electric bass), Kevin Maul (guitar, pedal steel, vocals), Charlie Morris (acoustic guitar, vocals), and Bob Resnick (drums, percussion), opened up for “The Kyle Bourgault Band.” Focusing on Americana, classic country, Texan artists, and roots rockers, The Coveralls kicked off its set performing a series of 12 cover tunes from various artists, ranging from Guy Clark (“Baby Took A Limo To Memphis”), Midland (“Drinkin’ Problem”), Fred Eaglesmith (“Time To Get A Gun”) Travis Tritt/Marty Stewart (“The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’ (It’s All About To Change)”), Billy Joe Shaver (The Hottest Thing In Town), Joe Ely (“All Just To Get To You”), Jason Isbell (“Super 8”),Ray Wylie Hubbard (“Snake Farm”),The Rolling Stones (“Dead Flowers”), and Hank Williams Jr. (“Family Tradition”). A highlight of its set was the addition of their new cover tune, Drinkin’ Problem, with Morris on the lead vocals. A tune that has been receiving air play on modern country radio, Morris and company put their own unique, Americana spin on this hit. Listening to the band’s version reminded me of something I could listen to on a jukebox while eating lunch and having a drink at a country-western bar or a saloon.
The Kyle Bourgault Band featuring Kyle Bourgault (vocals), Paul Brassard (piano/vocals), Kevin Maul (vocals, banjo, mandolin, pedal steel), Joe Mele (guitar), Rich Romano (guitar), Stephen Seney (drums), and Frank Valenti (bass/vocals), closed out the evening with two sets of Contemporary and Classic Country cover songs and select original tunes from Bourgault’s album, “Absofreakinlutley.” Not only did they perform two entertaining sets of music, they were also out to celebrate their one year anniversary of their formation and debut as a band.
Lead vocalist Kyle Bourgault stepped up to the plate to sing and mix in his own original songs, “Another Round of You,” “Made to Be a Country Boy,” “Sensitive Kind,” “Little Red Dress” and “Better Every Beer”, with popular country tunes. During the first set, Bourgault took the time to dedicate Montgomery Gentry’s “Hillbilly Shoes” to Troy of Montgomery Gentry who had just died in a helicopter crash that day, with a moment of silence from the audience. Another touching moment of the first set was when Bourgault tipped off his country hat in salute and dedication to the veterans that are serving our country during Cole Swindell’s song, “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey.” A supporter of local veterans, the band is currently raffling off a fiddle that was signed by Charlie Daniels at this year’s New York State Food Festival held at the Empire State Plaza. All of the proceeds from the $5 raffle will go towards a disabled veteran. Winner of the raffle will be announced once the raffle ends on Saturday, Dec. 9. Participants can enter the raffle by attending the band’s gigs at other performance venues where they will be performing within the next few months.
The second set was short and satisfying. The crowd was on their feet with excitement as the band sung the introduction of “Better Every Beer” a cappella. “Better Every Beer” was the first single that has been made into a music video, coincidently shot at the Rustic Barn Pub back in May. Listening and dancing along to the song that evening brought the patrons that had participated in the video back to when the video shoot had took place. Closing out the end of the evening after the conclusion of “Wagon Wheel,” the band moved from an instrumental of “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks to Bourgault’s “Absofreakinlutley” to close out the double featured event that successfully intertwined their musical styles of Americana with today’s Classic and Modern Day Country perfectly to their fan’s delight.
