Calvin and the Coal Cars

Calvin and The Coal Cars return with to The Westerner for a night of live music and dancing! Straight out of the heart of country and Americana, Calvin and The Coal Cars blend the storytelling soul of old-school country with the fire and grit of modern roots rock. Led by singer-songwriter, Lee Calvin and pedal steel player, Brian Wetzstein, the band draws its name — and its spirit — from the blue-collar rail towns that raised them, a tribute to hard work, heartbreak, and the endless highways in between. Formed in Red Lodge, MT in 2018, Calvin and The Coal Cars cut their teeth in dive bars and roadside honky-tonks, honing a sound that’s equal parts vintage and electrifyingly new. With rich harmonies, haunting pedal steel, a tight rhythm section, and lyrics that dig deep into love, loss, and redemption, the band channels the restless energy of legends like Waylon Jennings, Dwight Yoakam, and Turnpike Troubadours, while carving out a space all their own. Their debut album, Greatest Hits, Vol. I, retains the feel of their live shows, weaving stories that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. Songs like Wayward Daughter and Only The Start showcase Calvin’s knack for penning songs that feel instantly familiar yet modern and fresh. 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". Whether they’re tearing it up at a packed festival or playing an intimate acoustic set, Calvin and The Coal Cars promise one thing: real music, real stories, no apologies.