Whiskey Business & Businesses Risking It
- Moose Nicholson
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
Whiskey Business (Recap)
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Whiskey Business & the Brown Water Blues
I thought I had it this week. After months of second-guessing Doppler radars, relocating bands last-minute, and watching the sky like a paranoid farmer, we were finally looking at a Thursday with no threat of rain. I even considered starting this blog with something wild like “Hey, everything went smoothly!”
But just to be safe, I still stopped at Harbor Freight before load-in and bought two emergency tarps. Because you and I both know what usually happens when I don’t.
But apparently, in Aiken, water doesn’t just fall from the sky—it can also threaten from below.
Literally.
On the way to meet Kenny for load-in, I got the message: downtown’s water was out of commission. Brown. Murky. Not even coffee-brown—rust belt brown. The city was flushing hydrants and asking residents to run their taps until things cleared. The restaurants? One by one, they started announcing early closures.
Social media lit up with people looking for explanations—and in some cases, someone to blame. Even one of the band member’s wives called mid-soundcheck to inform her husband that the show had already been canceled. (Spoiler: it had not.) Thankfully, Kenny George was on hand to set the record straight. He knows a guy. I’ll be honest—standing there mid-soundcheck, watching a nervous band glance around at a sparse Alley and seeing “Amp is canceled??” float through local comment sections... I had a sinking feeling. I feared this incredibly talented band—last year’s Battle in the Alley champs—would be playing to two rows of empty chairs and a few confused tourists.
Normally, I’m the voice telling everyone not to panic. But for a second, even I had to wonder: what if she’s right?
A Quick Math Problem
I looked around and ran the numbers.
If Taproom’s open... and Woodchuckers is open... that’s enough for me.
That’s enough places for people to gather, enough sound to carry, and enough faith in Aiken to roll the dice. We made the call: the show would go on.
Whiskey Business had won last year’s Battle in the Alley and debuted at Amp the very next week. This was their return. Their victory lap. And I couldn’t shake the worry they were about to perform for a ghost town of confused locals and Facebook cancellations.
They were feeling it too. During soundcheck, the band quietly asked if the crowd seemed light. It did.
But crowds don’t always arrive early in Aiken. They arrive on time.
The Turnaround
Somewhere between setup and showtime, the tide shifted. Doors that had been shut an hour earlier began cracking open. Staff reappeared. Chalkboards were wiped clean and rewritten. The Taproom was lit. Woodchuckers was slinging axes. Even a few places I assumed were done for the night found a way to get back online.
I don’t know what conversations happened behind the scenes. I just know that one by one, the businesses decided to show up—for the fans who always do.
That’s becoming a thing here. Not just the crowd. Not just the show. But the decision. The habit. The culture. Businesses responding to the energy of the people instead of the obstacles of the day. That’s the difference between a gig and a movement.
A Little Bit of Everything, a Whole Lot of Fun
When Whiskey Business hit the stage, you could feel the confidence come back. And once the crowd filled in, it was clear—we had another one of those magic nights.
The band’s style is hard to pin down, and that’s half the fun. It’s yacht rock, sure… but more like a booze cruise with no itinerary. A little rock, a little soul, a little dance, and a whole lot of whatever gets the people singing.
Christon Stone’s vocals? PWhiskey Business: Chaos with a Setlist, Harmony in Motion
Sure, you could call it yacht rock—but it’s less sipping chardonnay on a private sailboat and more booze cruise with an open bar and no playlist rules.
Whiskey Business is a band that doesn’t aim for a perfect theme—they aim for fun. Each member brings their own musical leanings: rock, soul, funk, yacht rock, alt, pop, even acoustic ballads. The setlist hops across decades and genres like a party boat drifting between docks—anchored by rhythm, fueled by vibe.
And on paper? It shouldn’t work.
Six musicians. Multiple lead vocalists. Sax solos, guitar riffs, smooth lounge vocals, rowdy singalongs, and a band name that practically dares you to expect a little chaos. But instead of falling apart, it clicks—tight, confident, electric.
They live up to the name: Whiskey Business is a little wild, a little risky, and somehow exactly right.
Christon Stone delivers vocals with powerhouse precision—Whitney Houston-level control with just enough southern grit to make it grounded.
Jason Johnston brings the growl and drive, ripping solos and throwing out that “I rewired this amp backstage” energy.
Tom Heath brings that smooth, swaying charm—the guy you’d want singing at sunset as the boat pulls away from the dock.
Dave “Saxy Dave” Sherburne jumps between keys and sax with precision and joy, unlocking crowd-favorite songs you forgot you loved.
Julian Lockwood and Mike Gerard are the foundation—steady, locked-in, and giving the rest of the band permission to fly.
It’s the kind of band where everyone gets their moment. Solos pass from one member to the next. Harmonies melt in and out. And just when you think you know what’s next—they throw a curveball and land it.
A Setlist with Whiplash (In the Best Way)
Whiskey Business doesn’t ease you into the night—they dive straight in. One moment, you're swaying along to Huey Lewis' “Heart and Soul,” the next you're bracing yourself for the raw Southern energy of “Whipping Post.”
Then, just when you think it’s going to be a rock show, they drop “I Melt With You” and everything softens into that ‘80s dream-pop haze. It’s like they built the playlist using everyone’s favorite mixtapes—and refused to take anything off.
They jump from Edward Sharpe’s “Home” (which feels like a group hug in musical form) into No Doubt’s “Just a Girl,” kicking the tempo back up with a punch of '90s attitude. It shouldn’t work. But it does.
And they don’t stop there. One minute you’re vibing to Van Morrison’s “Domino,” and the next you’re under pressure—literally—with a pitch-perfect run at Queen and Bowie. Then it’s Johnny Rivers sneaking in with “Secret Agent Man,” and you're wondering how on earth that song still slaps (but it does).
They slow it down with Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason,” then roll right into “Take It Easy” because, well… you kinda have to after that emotional left hook. Then they don’t let you take it easy, because it’s suddenly Lenny Kravitz and The Rolling Stones and you’re back in motion.
They sneak in Billy Joel, hit you with Tears for Fears, and then punch the accelerator with a one-two encore: Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right” into The Commodores’ “Brick House.” Pure chaos. Total cohesion.
It’s a setlist that feels like six band members stood in a circle, each tossed in their favorite songs, and then somehow it all clicked. Rock, funk, pop, soul, ballads, bangers—it shouldn't flow. But it flows.
The Crowd Said It Best
We can talk all day about how great Whiskey Business was—but honestly, the comments speak for themselves:
“Best band in Aiken!” – Mary Commons Walters
“Playing great dancing music for all ages!” – Mary Commons Walters
“Another hot performance by Whiskey Business tonight! Thanks, WB!” – Jill Uhler
“Whiskey Business is going to bring the house down!” – Suzanne Ready West
“Awesome band! 🤩” – Lisa Dolewski Schwartz
“Great band! 👏” – Bill Redd
“Yup, still on!” – Chris Norman (Top Fan), replying to someone worried the water issue would shut things down
Sometimes, it’s not about hype—it’s about how people feel in the moment.
And this past Thursday, they felt it.
What We Built This Week
It would’ve been easy to call it off.
The water was a mess. The crowd looked light. The rumors were louder than the music—for a while.
But then something familiar happened. Doors reopened. Staff stuck around. The crowd filtered in, a little later than usual, but just as ready.
This wasn’t just about salvaging a Thursday night. It was about what Aiken does best: showing up for each other.
This isn’t a concert series built on convenience. It’s built on commitment—on the shared belief that when the people come, the community should meet them there. That showing up matters, even when the skies are clear but the pipes aren’t. That music, connection, and consistency are worth a little extra work.
That’s the difference.
Not just in the businesses who stayed open, or the band who gave it their all, but in everyone—from the staff, to the sponsors, to the folks who came down anyway, even when they weren’t sure what they’d find.
We’re not just putting on shows. We’re reinforcing something deeper.
A culture of resilience.
A rhythm of dependability.
A town that takes care of its own.
So thank you to the businesses that pushed through. You kept the doors open for us—and we hope we all return the favor.
Week by week, note by note, we’re building something real here.
Together.
Here's your chance to return the favor! Vote for our partners!
Vote for the Ones Who Show Up – Every Thursday and Beyond
There’s a lot to love about Downtown Aiken—the charm, the music, the food, the people. But behind every Thursday night at Amp the Alley is a network of small, independent businesses that keep the lights on, keep the music playing, and keep showing up... even when things get messy.
Last week, it wasn’t the weather that threatened the show—it was the water. Brown. Murky. The kind of issue that would’ve been an easy excuse to shut it down and go home early. But instead of closing up shop, our sponsors made the call to stay open. Because you show up for them—and they wanted to return the favor.
That’s what makes these businesses different. They’re not just downtown to cash in. They give back. They support the culture, the music, the people, and the community spirit that makes Aiken feel like home.
And right now, we have a chance to show them how much that matters.
🗳️ Vote in the 2025 Aiken’s Choice Awards
Many of our sponsors are nominated in this year’s Aiken’s Choice—and we’d love to see them win. Not just for the bragging rights, but because it proves something bigger:
That giving back works.
That community investment matters.
That supporting local isn’t just trendy—it’s powerful.
If all of our Amp sponsors take home wins, it sends a message. To the rest of downtown. To new businesses. To sponsors considering getting involved next year. It shows that the businesses who pour into their community get noticed—and get supported right back.
Because when more businesses give back, downtown doesn’t just survive—it thrives.
And when Amp the Alley thrives, so does Aiken.
✅ How to Vote:
🗓️ You can vote once per day from now until July 18th
📝 You must complete at least 25% of the ballot for your votes to count
📱 One vote per device per day
🗳️ Vote here: postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/contests/aikenschoice/#
Taste of Aiken: Chef Chad Takes the Spotlight
Saturday, July 12, Chef Chad Jajczyk—the creative force behind Whiskey Alley and Prime Steakhouse—will headline Taste of Aiken: Live, a one-night-only cooking show hosted by The Aiken Standard and sponsored by The Aiken Dining Group.
***UPDATE*** THE CHEFS TABLE AND VIP HAVE SOLD OUT GET YOUR GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS BEFORE EVERY SEAT SELLS OUT! ***************************************************************************************************
📍 Aiken High School
🗓 Saturday, July 12 | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
🎟 Ticket Options:
– Savor Pass (General Admission): $12
– VIP Front Row Seat: $25
– Chef’s Table Experience (Includes Meet & Greet): $55
👉 Get your tickets here: Eventbrite Link
Presented by The Aiken Standard
Sponsored by The Aiken Dining Group: Whiskey Alley, Prime Steakhouse, and The Alley Downtown Taproom
Next Next Week: MMS TRIO
Check out the MMS trio - featuring Kenny George's bassist for a fun night of indie grooves! ***DON'T FORGET - we will be taking off next week for the 4th of July, just like we do every year. So MMS Trio will be taking the Bud Light Stage on the next week JULY 10th***
See you Next Week. Have a safe and fun holiday!
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