Brent Amaker

Formed in Seattle, Washington, by several veterans of the local music scene—some of whom had started out in rock—the country group Brent Amaker and the Rodeo centered on native Oklahoman Brent Amaker on vocals and guitar, Tim Harmon on lead guitar, Sugar McGuinn on bass, and Curtis Andreen on drums, with Louis O'Callahan later added on guitar before Mason Lowe took his place. Embracing a consciously old-school method, the band first laid down a pair of monophonic 7-inch, 45 rpm vinyl singles called “They Make Cowboys in Montana” and “This Is the Gun.” Their self-titled debut album was captured in mono on a four-track reel-to-reel tape deck and sold at shows throughout 2006 until J-Shirt Records issued it nationwide on February 20, 2007. Gravewax then put out the band’s second album, Howdy Do!, on November 18, 2008.