Tyler and Kyle CD cover/show flyer. Photo courtesy of Dasha Titlebaum.

On January 11th, Tyler and Kyle celebrated the release of their album 3 Feet From Gold at The Rutledge with Red White Blue and The Lonely Hearts. Between acts, scenes from their DVD were projected by the stage. In the lobby, the CD and DVD combo was sold for a mere $5, “so all our friends could have one,” explained Kyle. 

Beau Burtnick of Red White Blue. Photo © Clover Francis.

Garage rock revivalists Red White Blue got the party started with their unique blend of folk and experimental rock. The five-piece offered poignant lyrics like “you are the better that I am willing to weather” and “I drink cause I love you, and I drink to forget you” with a My Morning Jacket meets Kings of Leon vibe. In Nashville, you know a band is good if the crowd is quiet and listening to every word and every note – Red White Blue managed to capture us. All you could see was the band performing in spectacular fashion and confidence, while friends looked at other friends and mouthed compliments with smiles. All you could hear were music and the sounds of jaws dropping (followed by appreciative applause and woo-hoo’s, of course). I got the feeling that this was the first time most of us had heard or seen Red White Blue, but by judging the reactions and impressions, it won’t be the last.

Josiah Holland and Will Holland of The Lonely Hearts. Photo © Clover Francis.

The Lonely Hearts then raised the bar even higher. The Tom Petty aficionados, clad in black and blue denims with collared shirts, got the crowd moving with infectious tunes about winning and losing in love. By the second song, “You’re The Queen,” shoulders were swaying and chins were nodding with the hefty riffs. Their new one, “Nightingale” complete with the killer lyric “tell her it’ll be okay, she never f*cking listens anyway” earned cheers upon cheers. Closing with “Out of My Mind” the Hearts suffered a little distortion but that can only help give them rockabilly cred, and I think Will Holland’s legs are made of rubber – that boy could kick up a storm.

Tyler Cain - Tyler, Justin Meeks, Kyle - Kyle Whalum. Photos © Clover Francis.

Then the energetic duo, Tyler Cain and Kyle Whalum, commandeered the stage with fellow instrumentalists Jenn Stone, Justin Meeks and Doug Collins, and about 30 fans packing in the stage front. Beginning with a shot in the air, Kyle toasts, “thanks for waiting over a year for this, cheers.” The funk fused southern indie pop rock began with “Time of Day” then “Want Love,” which was when the dancing began. A few songs later, Kyle introduced “Superbadd” as probably their first single off the album. Full-fledged body motion continued with “Healthy and Happy” featuring the Healthy and Happy Dancers. Taylor exhibited his harmonica skills on “Sunshine” then blew a few familiar notes and people swarmed to and onto the stage, as we recognized Petty’s “Mary Jane's Last Dance.” Any available instrument was picked up and plugged in, while folks sang along and raised burning lighters into the air.

Today it’s 37 degrees outside and raining, and I long for warmer weather so I could play 3 Feet From Gold while driving with the windows rolled down and the volume cranked up. Tyler and Kyle’s tunes are perfect for any social soundtrack. Your friends will ask,"Who is this?" followed by, "I like it." Recorded in Nashville and Memphis, the album coasts among gritty rhapsodies, earnest proverbs and love letters complete with an inside joke or two.  It’s an eclectic, agile collection worthy of your attention. One track may remind you of The Oneder’s “That Thing You Do” and the next may recall the Allman Brothers, the Gin Blossoms or Ben Harper. The CD purchase includes a 45-minute DVD, an intimate look into their personal stories and anecdotes. Shot at locales such as the House of Blues Studio, Local Honey, and Kyle’s grandma’s living room, the disc includes live footage of a 3rd & Lindsley show with the Happy and Healthy Dancers.

Your next chance to see Tyler and Kyle will be on February 14th at The End.
Red White Blue and The Lonely Hearts will also be at The End on February 8th.

The end.