From Raleigh, NC comes The Johnny Orr Band. A modern country rock act with soulful vocals and sweet three part harmonies. Their music is more reminiscent of straight ahead rock with a touch of twang. Think of Keith Urban meets Bryan Adams and Hootie. The irony of Darius Rucker making a country record is not lost here. In any case, this band has obviously impressed the industry enough to give it opening slots for superstar acts including Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, and Little Big Town. Johnny's smoky voice is complimented by the band's silky smooth harmonies and melodic instrumentation. More importantly, their live show is better than the recordings. Any act than can pull that off is something very special. After catching them doing an MTV unplugged style acoustic show at a local venue a few months ago ( bar stools included ) I was very impressed with their seemingly effortless harmonies and casual demeanor. I don't know if it is because they have played much higher profile shows but they all seemed no more concerned about playing in front of an audience than if they were playing in a garage with a refrigerator full of beer. All four of them were completely at ease just cracking jokes and genuinely having a fun time, and the audience ate it up. Then with the balls of an elephant, they broke into 7 Bridges Road. A very risky thing for any aspiring act no matter how confident they think they are. I closed my eyes in anticipation of the ensuing destruction of such an important song but they pulled it off with the same ease as any other song in the show. In any case, they completed the show and I left.About a month or so later I heard them advertised on WQDR radio in Raleigh as an opening act for Little Big Town and Jason Michael Carroll at City Limits. Wondering how they would act under actual pressure I decided to catch the show. Unbelievably, they were still the same smiling, casual and completely at ease bunch of guys that I saw in the local bar shortly before; seemingly without a care in the world. Their original material was top quality and radio friendly to go long with their personalities.
Congratulations and best wishes to The Johnny Orr Band. You are not on a major label , but you damn well should be.
