Complete List Of Whiskey Myers Band Members

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Formed in 2007 in the small East Texas town of Palestine, Whiskey Myers has emerged as one of the most authentic and successful Southern rock bands of the modern era. What began as childhood friends learning guitar together has evolved into a powerhouse six-piece outfit that has sold hundreds of thousands of tickets, topped charts, and garnered millions of streams—all while remaining fiercely independent.

The band’s unique sound blends Southern rock, country, blues, and soul, drawing inspiration from legends like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, and Waylon Jennings. Their red-dirt country roots run deep, but they’ve never allowed themselves to be confined by genre boundaries.

After years of building a dedicated following through relentless touring on the Texas/Red Dirt scene, Whiskey Myers gained widespread attention when their music was featured in Kevin Costner’s hit TV series “Yellowstone” in 2018. This exposure catapulted their albums into the iTunes Top 10 country charts and expanded their fan base dramatically.

Throughout their career, Whiskey Myers has released six studio albums, culminating with 2022’s “Tornillo,” which saw them expand their sonic palette with horns, gospel backing vocals, and string arrangements. Their commitment to musical authenticity and independence has earned them critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal following that continues to grow with each release.

Cody Cannon

Born and raised in Palestine, Texas, Cody Cannon serves as Whiskey Myers’ lead vocalist, acoustic guitarist, and primary songwriter. Cannon’s journey to musical stardom began when he and childhood friend John Jeffers started learning guitar together, inspired by the Southern rock and outlaw country they grew up listening to.

What sets Cannon apart as a frontman is his distinctively gritty, soulful voice that conveys raw emotion and authenticity. His vocal style perfectly complements the band’s Southern rock sound while remaining uniquely recognizable.

As the band’s principal songwriter, Cannon crafts lyrics that tell compelling stories of working-class struggles, relationships, and life in the South. His writing draws deeply from personal experiences and observations, giving Whiskey Myers’ songs an authenticity that resonates with fans.

Despite the band’s growing success, Cannon has maintained a humble approach to fame. In interviews, he often emphasizes that the band simply focuses on creating music they love rather than chasing commercial trends or fitting into specific genres.

Cannon’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding Whiskey Myers’ career decisions, including their choice to remain independent rather than signing with a major label. This commitment to artistic integrity has allowed the band to maintain creative control over their music and career trajectory.

John Jeffers

A founding member of Whiskey Myers, John Jeffers serves as the band’s lead guitarist, slide guitarist, lap steel player, and occasional vocalist. Born and raised in Palestine, Texas, Jeffers and Cody Cannon began their musical journey together as childhood friends learning to play guitar.

Jeffers’ guitar work is a defining element of Whiskey Myers’ sound. His proficiency with lead guitar, slide guitar, and lap steel brings versatility to the band’s music, allowing them to shift seamlessly between hard-driving Southern rock anthems and more introspective ballads.

As a songwriter, Jeffers has contributed several key tracks to the band’s catalog, including songs on their 2022 album “Tornillo.” His writing complements Cannon’s, helping to create the band’s distinctive voice and perspective.

Beyond his musical contributions, Jeffers has been a driving force in the band’s decision-making process, including their choice to self-produce their two most recent albums. This move gave them greater creative control and helped define their mature sound.

Jeffers’ commitment to musical authenticity aligns perfectly with the band’s ethos. In interviews, he has emphasized that Whiskey Myers never plans their sound but allows their songs to develop organically, regardless of genre constraints.

Cody Tate

Cody Tate joined Whiskey Myers early in the band’s formation, bringing additional guitar firepower as both a lead and rhythm guitarist. Before joining the group, Tate was a co-worker and friend of Cody Cannon, and his addition helped solidify the band’s core sound.

Tate’s dual capabilities as both a lead and rhythm guitarist create a powerful dynamic with Jeffers, allowing Whiskey Myers to craft intricate guitar harmonies and trade solos. This twin-guitar attack has become one of the band’s sonic signatures.

As a vocalist, Tate contributes backing harmonies that enrich the band’s sound, adding depth to Cannon’s lead vocals. This multi-layered vocal approach enhances their live performances and studio recordings alike.

Tate has also contributed to the band’s songwriting, helping to craft their distinctive blend of Southern rock, country, and blues. His musical influences and sensibilities have been an important part of Whiskey Myers’ creative process.

Throughout the band’s evolution, Tate has remained a constant presence, helping to maintain their musical identity even as they’ve expanded their sound with each successive album.

Jeff Hogg

As Whiskey Myers’ drummer since their formation, Jeff Hogg provides the rhythmic foundation for the band’s hard-driving Southern rock sound. A friend of the other founding members, Hogg was recruited when they decided to form a more serious band.

Hogg’s drumming style perfectly complements Whiskey Myers’ music, combining power and precision with the loose, groove-oriented feel essential to Southern rock. His ability to shift between aggressive rock beats and more restrained, soulful rhythms gives the band versatility.

Throughout the band’s six studio albums, Hogg’s solid timekeeping and dynamic sensitivity have been crucial elements of Whiskey Myers’ sound. His rhythmic interplay with bassist Jamey Gleaves creates the pocket that allows the guitarists and vocalists to shine.

As one of the original members, Hogg has been present for every step of Whiskey Myers’ journey from playing small venues in East Texas to headlining major festivals and venues across the country. His steady presence has helped maintain the band’s musical identity.

In the studio, Hogg’s contributions go beyond just keeping time; his creative drumming choices and ability to serve the needs of each song have been instrumental in shaping Whiskey Myers’ recorded output.

Jamey Gleaves

Bassist Jamey Gleaves joined Whiskey Myers later in their career, replacing original bassist Gary Brown. Gleaves brought professional experience and technical skill that helped elevate the band’s rhythm section as they expanded their audience and sound.

Gleaves’ bass playing provides both the harmonic foundation and rhythmic drive that anchors Whiskey Myers’ music. His grooves lock in perfectly with Jeff Hogg’s drumming, creating a solid platform for the band’s guitars and vocals.

On more recent albums like “Tornillo,” Gleaves’ funky, soulful bass lines have become more prominent, helping to push the band’s sound in new directions while maintaining their Southern rock roots. His playing on tracks like “John Wayne” showcases his ability to craft memorable, melodic bass parts.

In live performances, Gleaves’ energy and precision help drive the band’s high-octane shows. His stage presence complements the other members, contributing to Whiskey Myers’ reputation as an exceptional live act.

As a newer member, Gleaves has successfully integrated into the band’s tight-knit dynamic, respecting their established sound while adding his own musical personality to their evolving identity.

Tony Kent

Rounding out Whiskey Myers’ current lineup is Tony Kent, who handles percussion, keyboards, and occasionally cowbell. Kent’s addition to the band brought new textural elements that have helped expand their sonic palette beyond traditional Southern rock instrumentation.

Kent’s percussion work complements Jeff Hogg’s drumming, adding rhythmic complexity and depth to Whiskey Myers’ music. This percussion layering is particularly evident on their more recent albums, where the band has explored a wider range of sounds and styles.

As a keyboardist, Kent provides harmonic support and atmospheric textures that enrich the band’s arrangements. His contributions allow Whiskey Myers to achieve a fuller, more nuanced sound both in the studio and live settings.

The versatility Kent brings to the band has been especially important as they’ve evolved their sound on albums like “Tornillo,” which incorporated horns, strings, and gospel influences alongside their Southern rock foundation.

Though less in the spotlight than some other members, Kent’s musical contributions play a vital role in creating the rich, layered sound that has come to define Whiskey Myers’ mature work.

Check out more Whiskey Myers articles on ClassicRockHistory.com Just click on any of the links below……

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