We already gave you a shot at free tickets to this one, and now the wait is over. People already familiar with legendary Southern rockers, Drive-By Truckers know all about Mike Cooley. If you’re not familiar with either, shame on you! Regardless, you should probably take a few minutes to get in touch with their sound, because new Nashville country (see Sturgill Simpson, or Jason Isbell) is directly influenced by their work. A few tickets to Mike’s City Winery gig tonight (Dec. 12.) are still available here, and while we have your attention, read on for a full preview of the evening.
MIKE COOLEY
Mike Cooley got his start in northern Alabama, near Muscle Shoals, along with his long time friend Patterson Hood. Prior to their ultimate creation of Drive By-Truckers, those two spent the early 1980s performing in numerous punk inspired bands before moving to Athens, GA to create the music that would become their full time jobs. Together, Cooley and Hood have created some of the most significant and influential southern rock in the last twenty years. Often called Southern Rock Opera, in honor of their highly acclaimed 2001 album by the same name, the Truckers have cultivated a sound and lyrical style of their very own. Although Cooley and Hood have remained the constant nucleus, the band have had many different lineups, including their highest profile player, Jason Isbell, who we all know has gone on to a beyond successful solo career.
Cooley, along with Hood, has a tradition of rich story telling, which often speaks to pressing issues like race, the NRA, police brutality, Islamophobia, the plague of suicides and opioid abuse, giving listeners a little thought and perspective on how many people struggling in America. “Surrender Under Protest,” “Kinky Hypocrite,” and “Once They Banned Imagine,” each of which were written by Cooley, are perfect examples from the Drive-By Truckers latest record American Band. So be there in person for this super intimate, solo performance from a master songwriter, doing what he does best, telling his stories.
ENTER
Mike Cooley will perform TONIGHT (Dec. 12) at City Winery. The show is all ages, begins at 8 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.), and tickets are available for $20-$28.
