RISON - The Rison in the Fall Festival is excited to bring rising country trio, Copper Flats, to the Rise Up Rison stage at this year’s festival on Saturday, October 18 with a performance at 2:30 p.m.
The Arkansas-based band, which formed earlier this year as a side project, has quickly made a name for themselves, securing a deal with Rock Ridge Music Nashville, two booking agents, and even performing at CMA Fest all within the first year of recording.
To explain their formation and give fans a preview of what to expect, members Brandon Kelly (lead vocals), Jeremy Castaldo (keys/acoustic guitar/electric guitar/background vocals) and Drew Smith (acoustic guitar/ background vocals) join the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast.
Festival Director Douglas Boultinghouse and podcast cohosts Britt Talent and Roy Phillips join the conversation.
The full episode is available to stream on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ClevelandCountyHerald.com
The band’s name, Copper Flats, has a unique and personal origin. According to Kelly, it's a nod to the orange color of the harvested crops he sees on his way into his hometown of Jonesboro, Arkansas. This sight always reminds him that he is closer to home. Kelly's son first described the color as 'copper,' which became the inspiration for the band's name.
While staying busy on the road, including some upcoming shows with 90s rock band Sister Hazel, they have also been steadily recording music. The trio has been building momentum by releasing new singles every six to eight weeks. Their latest track, 'Blue Collar Man,' is set to release this Friday, Sept. 19. The song was pitched by their producer, Aaron Gillespie, and its lyrics resonated deeply with the band, especially with Kelly, whose family worked in the steel, trucking, electrical, and plumbing industries. The group believes the song will serve as a powerful 'anthem for the blue collar worker' and connect with listeners on a personal level.
That target demographic for the song also happens to be that for the festival as a whole.
When booking shows, Castaldo reached out to Boultinghouse to see about Rison in the Fall, having played at the festival in the past as part of Midnight South.
"I knew whenever I kind of jumped to this project and it became what it was, I was like, 'Guys, I got the perfect festival for us in the fall'," Castaldo said.
Looking ahead to October, Castaldo said. "It's going to be a good time. The band is excited." Copper Flats' live performances are a dynamic mix of their original music and a 90s country medley that consistently gets the crowd on its feet.
Among the three band members, they have shared the stage supporting some of the biggest names in country music, like Kenny Chesney, Parker McCollum, Justin Moore, Dylan Scott, Bailey Zimmerman, Flatland Cavalry, Nate Smith, Randy Houser, Lonestar, Tracy Byrd, Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, Sammy Kershaw, Tyler Farr, Corey Kent, Jon Langston, Sister Hazel, Easton Corbin and Tanner Usrey.
During the podcast, the band shares the origins of their songs "Golden" and "Airplanes and Telephones," working with some of the top writers and producers in Nashville and more.
They also give insight into how they each hold down full-time jobs in the Natural State in addition to chasing their musical dreams.
On Oct. 18, Copper Flats will follow a set from locally-tied talent Laura Caroline. After their set, artists Ernie Halter, Thom and Coley will take the stage leading up to a headlining performance from Sunny Sweeney.