MCCORDSVILLE — Joe Hess, front man of the country group, Joe Hess and the Wandering Cowboys, calls Hancock County home.
Hess lives with his wife, Myra, and their two children, Jonah, 8, and Molly, 11, in a house owned originally by Myra’s grandfather. The group recently recorded an album of original music and is preparing for an album release party. Here are five things to know about the up-and-coming country band.
1. They’re from all over.
Hess, the lead singer, who also plays acoustic guitar, grew up on the east side of Indianapolis. Drummer Tony Randolph is from Selma; guitarist Larry Shepard calls Hartford City home; and bassist Tracy McKee lives in Nashville, Tennessee, though he hails from Kokomo. They spent several weeks in July in Nashville recording their six-song album at an independent recording studio.
2. Their sound is a mix of traditional country music with a contemporary feel.
Think long-standing country artists who’ve stayed current, like Tim McGraw, he said. Hess counts artists like Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and Jason Aldean among his inspiration, he said.
3. The party’s next month.
The album release party will be conducted starting at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at the 8 Seconds Saloon, 111 N. Lynhurst Drive, Indianapolis. The band will give away two signed guitars in addition to selling albums and other merchandise. If you can’t make it to the release party, the next show in Hancock County will be 9:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Ro’s Bar and Grill, 1514 N. State St., Greenfield.
4. They’re on video, too.
The band will release its first music video at midnight Nov. 13 for “Who Don’t Love a Love Song?” The video was filmed in Eaton, Indiana, and features cameos from all of the band members’ family and friends.
5. They’re pretty social.
Information about the band can be found at jhtwc.com; on Twitter at @cowboywandering; on Instagram at @Jhesscountry, on YouTube as Joe Hess; and their music can be found on apps like Spotify and IHeartRadio. Copies of the album are for sale on their website as well. To get free entry into the album release party, just send the band a message on Facebook or visit their website.
Joe Hess and the Wandering Cowboys
