Aaron Davis & the Mystery Machine

A key character in propelling the gritty ‘WYOmericana’ and ‘WyoFolk’ roots music scenes, Aaron Davis (voice, acoustic/electric/resonator/lap steel guitars, banjo, harmonica) is a Wyoming-based/Kentucky native chiefly known as co-founder of national touring act Screen Door Porch, and as engineer-producer-session player at Three Hearted Recording Studio in Hoback, Wyoming. The “truly phenomenal songwriter” (Americana UK) works the lesser-worn corners of the American musical fabric through an unconventional lens, leading the press to describe Aaron as “a combination that goes down like top-shelf bourbon” (Austin Chronicle) with "a searing slide guitar" (Country Weekly), and “a particularly standout approach that mixes poetry, groove and roughness” (Lonestar Time). This plays out in his solo shows as a five-instrument, one-man-band storytelling experience, while the fervent instrumentalists of Aaron Davis & The Mystery Machine quartet exemplify unpretentious eclecticism—featuring drummer Liam Mountain O’Neill with 3-part harmony sung by bassist David Bundy and piano-organ-synth man Mike Patton. The quartet combines for “The vibe of The Band going throughout” (Wyoming Public Radio) with dynamic stage chemistry equally versed in group improvisations and orchestrated arrangements. It’s a smoky fusion of mountain-inspired alt-country, groovy slide blues, gypsy grass, funky roots rock, and story folk.

Recognizing his eleven-album discography, Aaron was one of two songwriters in Wyoming to be awarded a Performing Arts Music Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts—“a merit-based honor for an artist’s work in their field.” He’s been fortunate to share bills with many of his heroes including Wilco, Willie Nelson, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Buddy Guy, Sam Bush, Brian Wilson, Steve Earle, Grace Potter, Sarah Jarosz, Justin Townes Earle, and James McMurtry. Aaron recently released on once-in-a-lifetime recording endeavor—The WyoFolk Project (2023)—in which he produced, recorded, and mixed a compilation album featuring fourteen of Wyoming's celebrated songwriters performing new works at his studio.