101.9 WDEZ and DunRite Exteriors are looking for the BEST Country act in Central Wisconsin to represent us at this year’s Hodag Country Festival.
Join us at Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center on Sunday, April 14th from 12p-5pm for great live & local country music!
The 2024 Line Up includes: Outlaw'D Band, Fire On High, Elastic Bandit, Honky Tonk Highway, Soul Whiskey, Straight Whiskey Serenade, and K.Sterling & The85SILVERband.
We will have local acts competing for a chance to advance to the Hodag Pick Off Finals held at the Hodag country Music Festival where one band will be crowned The Wisconsin State Country Band Champion!
View the Official Contest Rules
Meet the Bands
Outlaw'D Band
From performing on main & side stages of the Hodag Country Festival, Wisconsin State Fair, Stadium View Green Bay, Porterfield Country Music Festival, former Country USA, and adding Country Fest in2024 to name a few.... we are Outlaw'D! With our travels and performances our team brings a high energy infused authentic country show connecting with the crowds that show up to see us play across the Midwest! We have opened for Little Texas (2021) the original Outlaws (2019), The Oak Ridge Boys (2018), Jackson Taylor (2018), Josh Turner (2017), & were the main stage opening act of Country USA followed by LoCash, Maddie & Tae,Chase Rice, & Sam Hunt (2016). Outlaw’D consists of hardworking professional musicians from both Michigan and Wisconsin focusing on putting on a very good country show with real country guitar, pedal steel, and fiddle behind a strong driving back-beat on stage! We make it a very fun & enjoyable vibe so come join us as at an upcoming show! Current Members: Marc Alan -Band Leader, Vocalist, Guitar, Houghton, MI Mark Lucier -Drummer, Houghton, MI Jay Haischer -Bass and Vocalist, Houghton, MI Tom Osier -Lead Guitar, Houghton, MI Caleb Smith -Fiddle, Vocalist, De Pere, WI Jacob Hartl -Pedal Steel Guitar, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Fire on High
Fire on High is from the Green Bay area established in 2019 bringing Powerhouse Vocals and Amazing Harmonies. The band's philosophy is not to have one great singer but many to share their musical talents. FOH has had the opportunity to play the last three years at Summerfest and play for the pickoff a couple times at Rhinelander. We are not like any other Country band out there! Come get your Fire On!
Elastic Bandit
Elastic Bandit is a four-piece blues/alt rock band based out of the Green Bay Area. The four members met while working at a local music store. Fast forward to now, the two former and two current employees decided to form a group.
Honky Tonk Highway
The band members consist of:
- Greg Pehlke - Lead Guitar, Keyboard and Vocals
- Kelly Gleason - Lead Guitar, Keyboard, Fiddle and Vocals
- Bill Burkett - Bass Guitar and Vocals
- Dennis Brown - Drums
The band started with Kelly attending an open mic night at a local bar in the Fall of 2021. A few weeks later he was joined by Greg who was a former band mate/friend. A few weeks after that they were joined by another friend who was a drummer and former bass player/friend that are no longer with the group. They were then replaced by current members Bill Burkett on Bass and Dennis Brown on Drums. They both reside in eastern Wisconsin. The band’s official first gig was in July of 2022. They play at many local establishments and events around the area. Their popularity continues to grow every year to now include local fairs and larger events.
Soul Whiskey
Rapidly rising Central WI acoustic country band Soul Whiskey is led by singer/songwriter and Stevens Point native, Travis John, whose strong, melodic vocals awaken every country song while simultaneously playing acoustic guitar and percussion.
Backed by exceptional talent comprised of Kurt Schweers on banjo, Garth Englebright on mandolin and harmonica and anchored by Rob Easterson on stand-up bass. These locally successful individual performers have joined together creating a powerhouse collaboration.
Together they radiate an infectious energy as they bring to life 2000's country hits mixed with 90's country favorites that resonate with bluegrass undertones. From addictive choruses to exhilarating harmonies, they are sure to captivate and entertain audiences with a performance you don't want to miss!
Straight Whiskey Serenade
We are Easton and Logan, a dynamic duo with a passion for country music and a story to tell. In the Spring of 2017, tragedy struck as Easton lost his brother in a car accident, an event that profoundly impacted his life. Determined to keep the spirit of music alive, Easton picked up his guitar and embarked on a journey to form a band. It was at the Hodag of 2019 where fate intervened, and Easton crossed paths with Logan, our talented lead vocalist. From that moment on, our bond was unbreakable as we shared the stage, singing heartfelt tunes that touched the souls of our audience. However, our journey has been marked by more than just loss. In 2023, Logan faced the unexpected passing of his father, further reinforcing our belief in the power of music to heal and uplift. Despite the challenges life has thrown our way, we've remained steadfast in our commitment to music, cherishing every moment as if it were our last.
K. Sterling & the 85 SILVER Band
K.Sterling & the85SILVERband is a modern country group with members spread across the West-Central WI region ranging from Madison all the way to La Crosse. 85SILVER carries an energetic punch and free flowing presentation style that is aimed to draw in the audience and experience the joy created on stage. Front man and singer/songwriter, Kyle, is a combat veteran who's now well recovered from his past Alcoholism and PTSD post Iraq struggles. 85SILVER's primary focus to grow and create a platform to openly support and promote the veteran non-profit Bring Them Home Foundation, of which Kyle is the founding President. The mission of the Foundation is to build and operate a transitional housing complex for veterans recovering from mental health crisis while using the power of music to grow support for the non-profit. Additionally, the band is about to release their second single, 'Catch-22' after their debut release of 'Feel That Boom' in 2022. Throughout 2024, the group will be hard at work and plans to release a debut full length album by April of 2025.
Band Personnel: 1) Kyle Sterling Flaten (K.Sterling) - Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar 2) Leah Ina Marie Rachuj - Fiddle and Vocal Harmonies 3) Robert Laskey - Electric Guitar 4) Joe Stelzner - Electric Guitar 5) Jake Bacino - Bass Guitar 6) Lance Howe - Percussion