Josh Abbott Band performing at the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre in Austin, Texas on April 3, 2021, with Josh Abbott, Austin Davis, Preston Wait, Edward Villanueva, Caleb Keeter, David Fralin, and Jimmy Hartman. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Josh Abbott Band is a Texas country band originally from Lubbock, composed of Josh Abbott (vocals, guitar), Austin Davis (banjo), Preston Wait (fiddle, guitar, steel), Edward Villanueva (drums), Caleb Keeter (guitar), David Fralin (keys/mandolin), and Jimmy Hartman (bass guitar).
Josh Abbott founded the while in grad school with fraternity brothers Austin Davis, Neel Huey, and Andrew Hurt. The band recorded a 4-song demo including "Taste" in 2007 along with fiddler Preston Wait and began touring in 2008. Huey and Hurt dropped out to pursue careers while Preston Wait and Eddie Villanueva officially joined.
The sophomore album, She's Like Texas, followed in 2010 and entered the Top Country Albums chart. Michael Berick of Allmusic rated it four stars out of five, comparing it to Steve Earle and saying that Abbott's songwriting showed "maturity". They had their first sell-out crowd at "Billy Bobs Texas" in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards on February 10, 2010, selling 6,000 tickets.
Josh Abbott Band released their 5th studio album titled "Until My Voice Goes Out" in 2017 which included a string and horn section. The string and horn section were also incorporated on the national "Until My Voice Goes Out" tour. "Until My Voice Goes Out is an eclectic album built from Abbott’s life experiences ranging from the birth of his daughter to the sudden and heartbreaking death of his father one month into the album-making process, all weaved together with striking strings and horns."
Josh Abbott Band have been doing what they’re doing for quite a short amount of time, just six years and they’re one of the biggest bands in the country and western scene, hailing from the Deep South of Texas they have been entertaining audiences all over the country.Josh Abbott Band was the main act at the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre with guests Grant Gilbert. The band continues across the United States with the last stop at the Chase County Fair & Expo in Imperial, Nebraska on August 14, 2021.
Demonstrating his never ending pride for his home state, Josh Abbott and band launch straight into “She’s Like Texas”, which is a fan favourite, always getting people of their seats dancing. “She Don’t Break” has this audience in hysteria, as it is definitely one of the songs that they came to see here tonight, however, one of the biggest songs of this performance is of course his most successful singles to date, and that’s the song, “Touch” which gives this real impression of everyone involved having the best time.
There isn’t one person in this place who isn’t singing the words. It’s such a fantastic experience I would recommend to anyone who can appreciate country.
Josh Abbott Band
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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