Hank Williams-era honky-tonk and the classic country songs people still want to hear — with real pedal steel.
Olympia & the Puget Sound region
The Grifting Cowboys play the honky-tonk of Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell alongside the country and roadhouse songs of the '60s through the '90s. Pedal and lap steel run through all of it. Three players, a deep songbook, and whatever the night calls for — a winery patio, a festival stage, or a back-corner barroom.
Live at the Oysterhouse, Olympia.
Vocals & guitar
Singer, guitarist, and music historian from Olympia. Joel created and tours Move It On Over: Stories and Songs of Hank Williams, a grant-funded concert-and-history show, and is a recipient of the Woody Guthrie Fellowship. He holds a master's in American History, teaches at Pierce College, and speaks for Humanities Washington.
Pedal & lap steel
Pedal steel, lap steel, dobro, and guitar. A working Pacific Northwest steel player who has studied with Hawaiian and Western-swing masters and performs around the region in country, Americana, and vintage-steel projects. In this band, he mostly plays steel.
Vocals & strings
Kitsap-based country, Americana, and bluegrass artist who leads his own bluegrass band, Morgan Smith & Co. He plays venues and festivals around the Pacific Northwest, with a warm voice and a deep country songbook.
…and three sets more — honky-tonk, outlaw, and singalong country.
Available for weddings, wineries, festivals, private parties, and barrooms around the Puget Sound region.