Lloyd McCarter
Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Raised in the poetry of old time twang Lloyd McCarter has been immersed in traditional country music his entire life. Lloyd's mother and father were both from musical families, Lloyd's destiny was set into motion when the two families were joined by their love of music. At The budding age of eight Lloyd started to play guitar. Spending every weekend in a VFW or small town bar room, Lloyd would occasionally sing or play along until he would fall asleep against the speakers that were emitting honky-tonk lullabies sung by his father. Fresh out of high school Lloyd joined a touring act playing pedal steel. After seven years Lloyd decided to live without fear and began an uncertain journey to pursue his true calling. Honky Tonk. Not for money or fame, but to keep the legacy of his family and of his honky tonk heroes alive. Whether selling out a dive bar, theater, or headlining a music festival Lloyd's combination of great showmanship, musical prowess and traditional country style always leaves the crowd eager for the next show. Lloyd McCarter is the real deal!
Justin Jones
Drums & Vocals
Justin G. Jones brings skill, knowledge, and experience to his drumset work.
His musical education came from sources as diverse as Nigerian drummers and dancers in New Mexico, collegiate studies in jazz and classical percussion, and a hard-working apprenticeship in the West Coast blues scene in Los Angeles. While in California he studied with Ray Charles’ drummer Paul Kreibich, and LA studio veteran Kenny Watson.
Ten years of national and international touring with roots music road warriors, Billy Bacon and the Forbidden Pigs, and the Stone River Boys with Dave Gonzalez, took him from coast to coast and 9 countries in Europe and the Pacific, often performing 200 dates a year.
On relocating to the Midwest, he co-founded the locally popular Latin Jazz and salsa ensemble, Son del Llano, and worked with a variety of popular local groups.
Loren Tilton
Upright Bass & Vocals
Loren Tilton aka Lern T comes to the band with over twenty years of professional experience. Loren played with many punk rock bands in the early eighties, but has always loved good country music. In 2001 He and David Wilson formed the Fortytwenty band and toured the Midwest playing with acts like Jason Boland, BR549, Wayne Handcock, Junior Brown. After Fortytwenty, Loren lived and played in California and Texas before returning to Lincoln to join the Honky Tonk Revival.
Loren has always “done it for the music” and brings raw energy to the band in addition to the doghouse bass and harmony vocals. He always wears a smile on his face. There’s never a dull moment with Lern T on stage.
Mike
McCracken
Lead Guitar & Lap Steel
Mike comes to the band with over twenty-five years of professional playing, recording and touring experience. Mike has performed with such “hall of fame” artists as: Hank Thompson, Jack Greene, Charlie Daniels, as well as many of today’s top acts such as Big and Rich, Chris Young. Slide/steel guitar is what Mike calls his number one love and his over-the-top style has been compared to such artists as Junior Brown, Ben Harper and David Lindley. Mike has also honed his style in live venues and studio sessions while living in Nashville, TN.
With Lloyd McCarter and the Honky Tonk Revival band, Mike blends his Midwestern roadhouse-rockabilly ferocity and passion for live performance to play true to each genre the band covers. Mike offers a unique addition to the band by playing lead on his telecaster as well as having a steel guitar on stage and switches back and forth during a song.