Kelly Hogan headlined the evening and charmed the hearts of a grinning crowd, grateful to see her back at Twangfest once again. Hogan and her band skillfully led the crowd through a sea of emotions and reminded us all of the life-giving power of a well crafted song. Her commanding voice and easygoing stage banter kept the crowd close, and right in the palm of her hand.
Ohio rockers Wussy, led by Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker, wailed through their set and stoked the flames of an already dedicated and enthusiastic crowd, only to leave them wanting more.
Deano & the Purvs, consisting of members of the Waco Brothers and the Meat Purveyors, kept the groove going as Jo Walston's take-no-prisoners attitude behind the microphone and Dean Schlabowske's buoyant guitar riffs collided. The rest of the band did their part to keep the energy moving from song to song.
St. Louis-based Pretty Little Empire opened the evening with a solid set of both well-worn favorites and a few new tunes, warming the crowd for all that was to come.
All photos by Kate McDaniel.
