River County Bio
From a high school talent contest to center stage, River County’s Derek Wylie (lead singer), Chris Presley (lead and rhythm guitar/background vocals) and Jake Hehman (keyboards & harmonies) formed a bond in musical kinship a long, long time ago that was destined “to be.”
Welcome to River County—where the music runs wide and the energy is deep!
As classmates, the group of life-long friends entered a talent contest in their hometown of Whiteland, IN and with a unanimous vote by the panel judges, they won. From that day forward, there was no turning back. River County spent their summers playing graduation parties, hog roasts and winning various competitions-- all the while honing their musical talents and mixing up just the chemistry to create the explosive energy we now enjoy on stage.
Within a few short years after that hometown talent contest, the band’s played club dates, shows at state and county fairs, a variety of concerts (opening for Andy Griggs, Rascal Flatts, Jack Ingram and Lorrie Morgan) and at special events (Indy 500/The Downtown Sky Concert Series/NASCAR Brickyard 400). In early 2008 the group performed a five-city tour in Mainland, China. Major country radio stations in Central Indiana jumped on board to support the local group (WKKG, WLHK, WZPL & WFBQ) and the trio was named “Indy's No.1 Country Band,” by Nuvo Magazine (2007). With gigs every weekend throughout the remainder of 2008, River County has established its place on the country music map!
Combining the musical vibe and storytelling of Marshall Tucker Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Charlie Daniels, River County is fully loaded! Delivering a bold sound, toe tappin’ melodies and tear jerkin’ ballads in Southern Rock/Swamp Rock style, River County knows how to rock the house and reach out to grab the audience with their lyrical content and high octane performances. "If Lynyrd Skynyrd put on a cowboy hat and had a lovechild with Rascal Flatts, that’s River County!"
River County makes their national introduction to country radio with the release “Rockin’ The Country” featuring Chris Presley on lead guitar and what the group calls their main instrument—River County harmonies. Chris and Jake Hehman wrote the tune. “We just felt ‘Rockin’ The Country’ was the best song on the album to demonstrate exactly who we are as performers and musicians and where we come from.”
The debut CD by the same name [ROCKIN’ THE COUNTRY], produced by Terry Wendt, features collaborations written by the band members. Other writers to be credited include Brett Wolf, Del Grey, Jon Stone, Buddy Owens and Phil O'Donnell to name a few. Filled with hidden messages and personal meaning, the ten-song CD was recorded in Nashville and highlights the heartfelt, emotional fan favorites "I Thank God” and "It's Alright to Cry," the groovin’ “We’re All Here” (that’ll drive every listener to the local watering hole), every gal’s dream song, “What A Real Man Does,” and the hard drivin’ new single “Rockin’ The Country.” “The CD title says it all—we’re Rockin’ The Country! You’ll hear country music in ‘River County style!’ This album is full of songs that we hope people will connect with on a deeper level. A lot of these songs have personally helped us through difficult times in our lives and we hope that they too will just reach out to that one person in need (whether it to be to laugh, sing, dance or cry) at just the right time.”
These rowdy friends blend a taste of sweet home Alabama with just the right touch of heartfelt sincerity. River County’s ROCKIN’ THE COUNTRY has a musical something for everyone. River County knows who they are and where they come from--a bunch of good ole boys that just want to have some fun and they’ll bring the “good times” right to you! “Just listen and watch.”