MusicRowPics: Backroad Anthem

Backroad Anthem performs for MusicRow staff.

Backroad Anthem band members Craig Strickland (lead vocals/acoustic), Toby Freeman (lead vocals/electric), Eric Dysart (fiddle), Josh Bryant (lead electric), Brandon Robold (bass/vocals), and Isaac Senty (drums), met while leading worship at a church in Fayetteville, Ark., approximately three years ago, and discovered they shared a mutual passion for country music.

“We decided to make a country cover band to make money on the side, and we all had ‘real’ jobs,” says band member Craig Strickland. After the third performance sold out, the guys quickly realized the newly-formed band would soon become more than a side gig. Within six months of forming, the Backroad Anthem was opening for artists including Justin Moore and Eli Young Band.

They also brought their music to college students across the country. “We built a following outside Nashville by singing at sorority houses around the SEC/Big 12 like Mississippi State, Alabama, Kansas State, Georgia,” says Craig. “It’s amazing how when you walk up to a sorority house with six dudes and a fiddle, they will let you in,” he quipped.

The band offered a three-song acoustic preview at the MusicRow office this week. The performance included “No Show,” “Disco Ball,” and their current single, “Torn.”

“We started out in a Suburban,” Strickland recalled of the band’s early days. “My dad’s company boss gave us the Suburban and we were in that for three years.” Thanks to a generous, music-loving benefactor, the group recently upgraded. “We were playing this private event for this guy who just loves music and owns a few companies. He said he wanted to help us get out of the Suburban and into something a little bigger. We were like, ‘Keep talking…’” he laughed. “I went to lunch with him and I told him that in order to get to the status we want to be at, selling out arenas, at the top and playing music in front of thousands each night, we wanted people to come alongside us, either financially or by getting the word out.” The band is now traveling to gigs in a Mercedes Sprinter Van.

The new ride is being put to good use. Backroad Anthem has signed with WME, and performs upwards of 150 shows per year. Their schedule includes a hometown concert in Fayetteville on Oct. 23. They will play Nashville’s Exit/In on Nov. 17.

The band just earned the Discovery of the Day honor from MusicRow‘s Robert Oermann‘s weekly DISClaimer column.

Backroad Anthem’s debut four-song EP, Torn, is available now.

Backroad Anthem performance.

Backroad Anthem performance.

Backroad Anthem with MusicRow staffers.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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