West Mountain Road Band to open for Johnny Dale and band

An important part of most rock, bluegrass and country concerts is the opening band. Many big-name entertainers got their start by opening for other big-name entertainers. This year’s Decatur Barbecue opening band for Johnny Dale will be the West Mountain Road Band from the Decatur and Gravette area.

West Mountain Road will follow in a long line of back-up artists, beginning with the first Decatur Barbecue group in 1953. That year, Little Montie Jones and His Rhythm Rustlers warmed up the crowds for Leon McAuliff, the main entertainer at the Decatur BBQ from 1953-1972. This proved to be but another notch on their way to notoriety.

The West Mountain Road Band consists of Matt Davis on lead guitar and vocals; Mark Nichols, rhythm guitar and vocals; Danny Lopez, drums; and Jake Davis, bass guitar. The group has played together since 2001.

During intense rehearsal, West Mountain tried to define its style of music. As they came together as a band, the four musicians discovered that playing music that “wasn’t getting played on the radio” was their style.

“We tried hard to put out a style of music that has (in our opinion) been lost on the radio today,” Jake Davis said. “I guess it could be called ‘outlaw country’ or what we consider to be ‘real’ country music. We also included some well known rock- and blues-type music to keep our audience guessing. By the third song, we like to hear them say, ‘Holy smokes, whatta they gonna play next?’ If the fans can remember what country was in the ’70s and ’80s, then add some classic rock, blues and Texas/Oklahoma red-dirt influence - that’s us.”

When the band hit the road for its first gig, the group had no name. They debated several different titles but could not agree on any of them. Davis recounts the moment of inspiration: “As we turned onto the road where the show was taking place, we saw the sign that said West Mountain Road. So that night we were the West Mountain Road Band, and it just kind of stuck.”

The band performed in Northwest Arkansas, playing mainly private gigs, creek parties, bar scenes and the Walmart shareholders meeting.

West Mountain Road Band continues to evolve and grow as it continues its climb to musical stardom. Someday soon, the band too may have a group of up-and-coming musicians open for it just as it did for Johnny Dale at the 2013 Decatur Barbecue.

Community, Pages 22 on 07/31/2013