Kody West with guest Brayden Stewart
Kody grew up in Denton, Texas and is now known by many for his homegrown, guitar-driven country-rock music. Aside from the three years of guitar lessons he took starting in third grade, he says he mostly taught himself. He started playing out near the end of his senior year of high school at places like Fuzzy’s Taco Shops or “…any bar that had a patio that would let [him] play for a couple of hours…” From there, his music career morphed into something bigger as Kody went on tour with Dalton Domino & the Front Porch Family Band as their tour manager. Eventually, he started opening for them, which led to his debut EP in 2016.
Brayden’s story starts like a lot of ours—digging through his dad’s CD collection. But unlike most kids who pick a single lane, Brayden was all over the map musically. Metallica and heavy rock were early influences, thanks to his dad. His mom, on the other hand, introduced him to the ‘90s alternative world of Matchbox 20 and Candlebox. Somewhere in between, he found his way to the Red Dirt and Texas country sound, with Cross Canadian Ragweed and Stoney LaRue rounding out his early inspirations.
But the moment that changed everything? Tyler Childers’ Purgatory. That album flipped a switch for him, and from there, he dove deep into songwriting. Soon, he was obsessed with Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson—artists who combine razor-sharp storytelling with undeniable musicianship.
If you had to put a label on Brayden’s sound, you’d probably struggle, just like he does. “Alternative songwriter stuff” is what he calls it. It’s not exactly country, not exactly rock, but somewhere in between—rooted in honest songwriting with an edge. That’s probably why when he played our Nuthin’ Fancy showcase in Nashville, I got multiple texts from people in the crowd asking, Who the hell is this kid?
His live shows have that effect. Whether it’s in a full-band setting or a stripped-down songwriter round, Brayden stands out. It’s not just the songs—it’s the way he delivers them. It’s the energy, the guitar playing, and the way he pulls from rock and country influences without trying to fit into one box.
VENUE DETAILS:
Strictly 21+
No weapons allowed
Free Parking
Police Officer on Duty
Food Truck on site all night
El Cartel Del Taco Food Truck onsite all night.
