Rock and Soul with County Road 49
- Moose Nicholson
- Sep 24
- 5 min read
County Road 49
County Road 49 made their Amp debut last Thursday, and the first thing that hit wasn’t flash or fire, but precision. They carried the stage with the kind of confidence that comes from knowing exactly where every note belongs. It wasn’t a show built on gimmicks or spectacle — it was built on craft. Brandon Kelly, Paul’s son, looked every bit the wild youngster you’d expect to see tearing up a green room with Skynyrd — but when he hit the stage, it was another story. He played with the poise of B.B. King, the guitar an extension of himself, his solos both calm and untamed. It was a rare mix of swagger and restraint, and it anchored the show as much as it set it on fire.
Midway through the set, Paul slid behind the drums while Chris picked up the bass — a swap most bands wouldn’t even consider, but they handled it with ease. When the three of them came back together at the front, they locked into “Seven Bridges Road.” The father and son carried the lower harmonies while Chris reached above, and the blend melted into a single voice. It rallied the crowd instantly — whoops breaking out as the lines overlapped, and a raucous applause crashing down when the last note faded.
Their setlist stretched wide: Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control,” Chris Stapleton’s “Cold,” Vince Gill’s “One More Last Chance,” Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic,” Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up,” the Beatles’ “Come Together,” and even the Commodores’ “Easy.” On paper it looked like a cover band’s run through the decades, but nothing about it sounded borrowed. Each song came out stamped with their own character. Karen Bunney called Chris Keys’ voice “raw… it just tugs at your heartstrings.” Michael Aiken praised Brandon’s guitar with, “taste, tone, and chops for days.” And Jennifer Porter Hudson kept it simple: “We always love getting to see them.”
It was a strange juxtaposition of sight and sound — three men standing steady on stage, almost subdued, yet what poured out was Skynyrd’s wild spirit delivered with Clapton’s calm precision. No glitz, no fireworks, just a steady confidence. Brandon’s solos stretched across the set, powerful without a hint of waste, while Paul and Chris held the timing so tight it felt carved into stone. The show wasn’t about spectacle; it was about craft, and the way skill alone can keep a crowd locked in.
Not every Amp show carries the same feel — some nights are wide-open parties, some settle into something softer, others land heavy. County Road 49’s debut carried the spirit of craft. It was precise without being rigid, confident without being loud, and it mirrored something true about Aiken itself. This town isn’t built on flash or shortcuts. It’s brick and mortar, brick and pavers — steady hands shaping something that lasts longer than the noise around it.
That’s the way their music came across: three players, no gimmicks, just trust in each other and in the songs. The harmonies, the instrument swaps, the way Brandon’s guitar carried both fire and control — it all spoke to years of work and the kind of confidence you can’t fake. By the end, it didn’t feel like a band trying to win over a new crowd; it felt like a sound that has always been here. The sound that built this city.
The Alley
Women, you don't have to give in.
Ladies, this one isn’t coming from me — so don’t take my word for it. Trust Tasha at Downtown Hydration.
She’s been open about her own story: how she refused to settle for the weight gain, inflammation, brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, restless nights, and even that new-onset driving anxiety that so many women are told are just “part of getting older.”
At 46, she says she feels better, looks better, sleeps better, and thinks clearer than ever — and now she’s making sure other women downtown can do the same. We’re glad to have Downtown Hydration’s support here at Amp the Alley, bringing real wellness into the mix right alongside the music.
Fall for Bighorn!
Cooler nights mean longer rides — and Reft’s Bighorn UTV lineup is rolling out with 0% financing or up to $600 back through October. Whether it’s getting the job done or chasing a little weekend adventure, Bighorn’s built to handle both.
We’re glad to have Reft Equipment backing Amp the Alley, keeping Aiken moving while we keep the music playing.
The Bud Light Stage
Exlusive Menu Items
Upstairs at Electric Eats has quietly turned into one of downtown’s best-kept secrets. The Lounge is serving up charcuterie boards, flatbreads, and small plates every Friday and Saturday from 4–10pm — the kind of bites that turn a drink into a night.
We’re glad to see Electric Eats bringing new energy to downtown, not just on the main floor but upstairs too. If you haven’t checked out The Lounge yet, it’s worth slipping away from the crowd for a cocktail and a plate before heading back into the music.
Cantober and an Extra Amp Show
Mark your calendars for Friday, October 10th — we’re stepping outside the Thursday groove to present the 3rd Annual Cantober with Kenny George and Bill Bentley.
Cantober isn’t just another night of music. It’s a free concert and food drive that turns the Bud Light Stage into a place where community comes first. This year’s lineup brings the Kenny George Band, Under the Sonar, and Me and Paul, all playing in support of the Salvation Army food bank here in Aiken.
We’ll have QR codes for donations, plus a call for canned goods, cash, or checks — every bit of it staying local. It’s a night where good music meets a good cause, and we’re glad to help make it bigger than ever.
Tomorrow: Zombo
Tomorrow Night - Aiken's own ZOMBO, headed by Shawn Woodward, is back on the Bud Light Stage! I could try and find all of the words to describe how Shawn and Steve have been lighting up the clubs, bars, and venues since Anybody's Guess across the decades, but if you are one of the few who don't already know, just watch the video below.
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