Whiskey Myers – Mystic Amphitheater – Prior Lake MN – June 13th 2025

Mystic Amphitheater presents Whiskey Myers on the Born To Do tour on June 13th 2025 with special guests Pony Bradshaw and Bayker Blankenship

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Pony Bradshaw

In the cool evening of the Mystic Showroom on June 13th, Pony Bradshaw delivered a set that felt more like a Southern gothic sermon than a concert—a slow-burning, lyrical journey through backroads, broken homes, and the haunted hills of Appalachia.

Bradshaw, touring in support of his critically acclaimed album North Georgia Rounder, stepped onto the stage with an unassuming presence. Dressed plainly, guitar slung low, he opened with “Foxfire Wine,” a song that set the tone for the night: hushed, poetic, and aching with memory.

Backed by a tight three-piece band, Bradshaw let the music breathe. There were no flashy solos or overproduced effects—just the richness of analog tones, the occasional pedal steel wail, and his distinctive voice, which carried both grit and grace. Songs like “Bad Teeth” and “Holler Rose” drew audible murmurs of appreciation from the attentive crowd, many of whom seemed to know the words by heart.

What made the night memorable wasn’t just the music—it was the mood. Bradshaw’s between-song banter was sparse but meaningful, offering glimpses into the stories behind the songs. He spoke of forgotten miners, small-town baptisms, and the weight of history. At times, the showroom felt less like a casino venue and more like a campfire circle, with Bradshaw as a reluctant prophet.

One of the standout moments came during “Go Down, Appalachia,” performed nearly a cappella, save for a soft fingerpicked guitar line. The room fell completely silent—a rare feat in a modern venue—and when the final note faded, the ovation was immediate and heartfelt.

Though Bradshaw’s sound leans toward the solitary and subdued, his performance never dragged. It simmered. It demanded attention. And it rewarded those who gave it. Closing the set with the fan-favorite “Sawtoothed Jericho,” he left the stage without fanfare, his boots echoing lightly on the floorboards, like a man who’d said all he needed to say.

In a landscape cluttered with noise, Pony Bradshaw reminded everyone at Mystic Showroom of the quiet power of a well-told story. And for one June night, that was more than enough.

Bayker Blankenship

At just 19, Bayker Blankenship is already proving himself a standout voice in modern country—and his performance at Mystic Showroom on June 13th made that unmistakably clear. Taking the stage with a quiet confidence, Blankenship led the crowd through a setlist that blended youthful urgency with a reverence for old-school storytelling.

He kicked things off with “Maxed Out,” a raw, gritty track that got the crowd’s attention immediately. His voice—weathered beyond his years—cut through with an emotional clarity that made even the more upbeat songs feel deeply personal. Backed by a four-piece band steeped in Appalachian soul and honky-tonk swagger, Blankenship leaned into a stripped-down, no-frills sound that let his lyrics take center stage.

Songs like “300 Miles” and “Runnin’ on Fumes” landed particularly well, drawing cheers and even a few tears from longtime fans. In between songs, he spoke candidly about life in small-town Tennessee, growing up broke, and writing music to keep himself sane. He has the kind of unpolished charisma that feels refreshingly real—more grit than gloss.

The emotional peak of the night came during “Tennessee Sunset,” a heartfelt ballad about faith, family, and lost time. As he sang under a single spotlight, the room went completely silent. When he finished, the standing ovation was immediate and well deserved.

Despite sharing the bill with the more seasoned Whiskey Myers and the poetic Pony Bradshaw, Blankenship held his own with ease. If anything, his set felt like a statement: he’s not just opening shows anymore—he’s arriving.

By the time he closed with his newest track, “Thinking of Me,” it was clear Bayker Blankenship had gained more than a few new fans. His Mystic Showroom performance was a testament to where he’s headed—rooted in country tradition, but entirely his own.

Whiskey Myers

Whiskey Myers rolled into the Mystic Showroom on June 13th like a Southern storm—loud, gritty, and impossible to ignore. The East Texas band, known for their unapologetic blend of Southern rock and outlaw country, delivered a powerhouse performance that turned the typically reserved casino venue into a full-blown honky-tonk revival.

Taking the stage after strong sets from Bayker Blankenship and Pony Bradshaw, the band wasted no time getting to the point. They opened with “Gasoline” and immediately had the crowd on its feet, fists in the air. Frontman Cody Cannon’s voice—equal parts smoke and steel—cut through the roar of dual guitars and thunderous drums like a preacher on fire.

The setlist was a well-balanced mix of crowd-pleasers and deep cuts, including “Time Bomb,” “Frogman,” and newer material from their new record, Whomp Whack Thunder, arriving in September. What made the show stand out was the band’s ability to shift from rowdy anthems to soulful moments without losing momentum. “Stone” brought the crowd into a reflective hush, while “Bury My Bones” ignited a singalong that nearly drowned out the band.

Whiskey Myers’ musicianship was airtight. John Jeffers and Cody Tate traded guitar licks like gunfighters, while the rhythm section kept the band grounded through even the wildest jams. Their sound was loud but never sloppy—rough-edged but precise.

What makes a Whiskey Myers show special isn’t just the music—it’s the energy. There’s a rawness to their performance that feels earned. You believe them when they sing about hard times, heartbreak, and raising hell. You believe they’ve lived every lyric.

As the night closed with “Going Down,” a slow-burning anthem that built into a thunderous finale, it was clear the crowd didn’t want it to end. And judging by the look on the band’s faces, neither did they.

For fans of real-deal Southern rock—unpolished, loud, and full of soul—Whiskey Myers delivered exactly what they came for: a reminder that the heart of rock and country still beats loud and proud in the American South.