Calvin and the Coal Cars

"Telecasters, pedal steel, acoustic guitars, and a straight forward pocket rhythm section are the first things that come to mind when someone mentions "real Country Music". And these are the sounds that Calvin and the Coal Cars have in spades.

Add to that Lee Calvin's lyrics of small town living, lost love, heartbreak, and nightlife, and you've got one of the best original country bands the Rocky Mountains have seen in years!

Calvin and the Coal Cars were first assembled to showcase the songwriting of Lee Calvin in the fall of 2016. Since then, Lee spent a year writing (and rewriting) his country tunes until the band was reformed with new members in the spring of 2018. The current lineup consists of Robert James and Matt Windmueller on drums and bass, Dan Upton on lead telecaster, Brian Wetzstein on pedal steel guitar and keyboards, and Lee Calvin on vocals and his beloved Martin Acoustic.

The band pulls from their many influences, including Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart, Whitey Morgan and the 78's, John Prine, Pink Floyd, and too many others to list. With over 100 years of combined music experience, the varied backgrounds of the members of Calvin and the Coal Cars provide a tight sound and unique approach from each instrument.

In 2019 the band took home several honors at the Magic City Music Awards including "Country Act of the Year", "New Band of the Year", as well as awards in the categories for "Best Song of the Year" (Gypsy Girl), and "Live Show of the Year". On top of that, Matt placed in the "Bass Guitarist of the Year" category.