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OutShyne has shared the stage with many of country music’s top names. The quintet is touring in support of its current album, “Startin’ Over.”
Waylon Owings needs his rest. After nearly six months of non-stop touring, the frontman for country outfit OutShyne needs a break.
“I’m just starting to catch up on my rest,” he says during a recent phone interview from Nevada. “We’ve been here a week and our schedule hasn’t been as rigorous, so we’ve had time to rest up a bit. It’s tough being away from our families and we just have to keep chugging along.”
Owings and crew – Josh Coleman, Jason Paxton, Matt Norris and Casey Joe – are touring in support of their album “Startin’ Over,” which was released in December.
The album debuted at No. 11 on the iTunes Country Charts.
OutShyne has shared the stage with Justin Moore, Daryl Worley, Chuck Wicks, Blackberry Smoke, Robert Earl Keen, Lee Brice, Colt Ford, Jeff Bates, Gary Allan, Eric Church, Corey Smith, Tracy Lawrence, Jamey Johnson and Easton Corbin.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Owings says of the band’s success. “We’ve been working towards this for a long time and we’re starting to see some more people finding out about us.”
OutShyne was formed in 2007 in South Carolina. The band has started to become known for its Southern roots-infused country rock sound. But it wasn’t always like that.
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OutShyne WHEN: 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 WHERE: Dirty Bourbon Dance Hall & Saloon, 9800 Montgomery NE HOW MUCH: $2 at the door |
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Owings says that before he and OutShyne went country, the band was a rock band.
“And by rock band, I mean we played fast and were more metal than rock,” he says. “After a couple years of doing that kind of music, it just wasn’t that fun anymore.”
Since then, Owings has taken the brunt of writing duties but says there are some that are pitched to the band.
“It’s a nice mix of songs that we have to choose from,” he explains. “I’m constantly writing but ultimately we have to choose the best songs.”
On Outshyne’s current album, there are songs written by country star Josh Thompson and the duo of Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, who make up Florida Georgia Line.
“These are guys who have opened up for us,” he says. “Florida Georgia Line have a white hot single right now and are making a name for themselves in the country music scene. Josh is an up-and-coming artist who has been writing country songs for years.”
OutShyne’s trip to Albuquerque will be its first.
Reprint story -- Email the reporter at agomez@abqjournal.com. Call the reporter at 505-823-3921
