Bass player Jordan Kroeger had already been in a band that had dabbled in bluegrass and jam bands, this initial band being Stealin’ Strings. He already had a professional relationship with mandolin player Ryan Ogburn, and they eventually formed a 4-piece bluegrass band in Milwaukee. Eventually, the band found where they are now when Kroeger, Ogburn, banjo player Jon Peik, fiddle player Ernest Brusubardis IV, and guitarist Greg Brundage performed together in an Old & In The Way tribute show. This tribute show was the moment the band cemented into the group they are today.

Brusubardis loves the feeling of being able to bring a tune he’s written to the group. Playing it with them brings a whole new life into the tune, because these other musicians will add something unique to the tune that he wouldn’t have necessarily thought of on his own and even take it into a new direction. He believes the sound of the band comes from a particular small idea that the group can then expand into something new and exciting, and he loves being able to change the original question that a tune can ask.

During the pandemic, the band focused on performing through livestreams online. The feeling of playing together was still incredibly satisfying during this time, but Brusubardis felt that there was something missing as they tried to perform without an audience watching them. After they got their audiences back, they knew never to take their audiences for granted again, as they love the feeling of getting to see their reaction and leading them to a particular emotion through their music. The group hopes that the audience sees that first and foremost, they just want to have fun with the music they play, and that they’re thrilled being able to come together and play music that they love to play.

You can see Chicken Wire Empire performing at Howlin Wind Brewing and Blending, 51 A Main Street in Rollinsville, on Monday, April 15, 2024, starting at 6 p.m.

Music Events

Busey Brews

Friday, April 5 at 4 p.m. - Violet Breeze

Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m. - Ella Wren Duo

Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m. - The Nippers

Saturday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. - Ned Jazz Wine Pop-Up

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuseyBrews/

Website: https://buseybrews.com/

Location: 70 E. First Street, Nederland. Phone: 1-855-633-2739

Diner Bar Ned

Tuesdays at 9 p.m. - DAMN Jam: Open Jam Night

Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. - Karaoke

Fridays at 9 p.m. - DJ Friday

Sundays at 6 p.m. - Open Mic Night

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095276740341

Location: 121 N. Jefferson Street, Nederland

Eldora Mountain Resort

Friday, April 5 at noon - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: Sundragon

Saturday, April 6 at 10 a.m. - Ski Noir 5280: Jeffrey James Franca of Thievery Corporation

Sunday, April 7 at 9 a.m. - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: Mental 69

Sunday, April 7 at 1 p.m. - Retro Day and DOJoe Uphill/Downhill Ski Race: Cönaxx

Friday, April 12 at noon - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: The Vibrarian

Saturday, April 13 at 9 a.m. - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: DJ Milk

Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m. - Base Area Deck: Brandywine and the Mighty Fines

Sunday, April 14 at 9 a.m. - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: Pomegranate Sounds

Sunday, April 14 at 1 p.m. - Base Area Deck (Closing Day): The Alcapones

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eldoramountainresort

Website: https://www.eldora.com/

Location: 2861 Eldora Ski Road, Nederland

Gold Hill Store

Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m. - Derek Dames Ohl

Saturday, April 20 at 7 p.m. - Hundred Pound Housecat

Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m. - Noah Fowler

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gold-Hill-General-Store/

Website: https://www.goldhillstore.com/

Location: 531 Main Street, Gold Hill

Howlin Wind Brewing

Saturday, April 6 at 4 p.m. - The HuCKLE BEARerS

Saturday, April 13 at 5 p.m. - NoGo Gilbillies

Monday, April 15 at 6 p.m. - Chicken Wire Empire

Saturday, April 20 at 5 p.m. - Dakota Gray Band

Saturday, April 27 at 4 p.m. - Stone Hall

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howlinwindbrewing

Website: https://www.howlinwindbrewing.com/

Location: 51 A Main Street, Rollinsville

Phone: 309-825-5245

Jamestown Mercantile

Thursday, April 4 at 7 p.m. - Danny Shafer

Friday, April 5 at 7 p.m. - MMB3

Sunday, April 7 at noon - Ronnie Diamonds

Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m. - Kristina Murray

Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m. - Late for Supper

Wednesday, April 17 at 5 p.m. - Open Mic Night

Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m. - Andy Eppler

Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. - Jeff Lambert and JC McKim

Sunday, April 28 at noon - Ben Hanna

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestown.mercantile/

Website: https://www.jamestownmercantile.com/

Location: 108 Main Street, Jamestown

Phone: 303-442-5847

JKQ BBQ

Friday, April 5 at 6 p.m. - Coyote Circle

Saturday, April 6 at 5 p.m. - Coyote Circle

Friday, April 19 at 6 p.m. - Brittney Wagner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JkqBbq/

Location: 200 Gregory Street, Black Hawk

Phone: 720-316-1361

Knotted Root Brewing

Sundays at 5 p.m. - Jazz Sundays

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knottedrootbrewing/

Website: https://www.knottedrootbrewing.com/home

Location: 250 N. Caribou Street, Nederland

Phone: 720-248-7129

The Caribou Room

Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m. - The Lil Smokies with Jake Leg

Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. - Chain Station and Wood Belly

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaribouroom/

Website: https://www.thecaribouroom.com/

Location: 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland

Phone: 303-258-3637

The Train Cars

Thursday, April 4 at 5 p.m. - Train Jam

Thursday, April 11 at 5 p.m. - Train Jam

Thursday, April 18 at 5 p.m. - Train Jam

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thetraincars

Location: 101 Peak to Peak Highway, Nederland

Phone: 303-258-0440

Very Nice Brewing Co.

Friday, April 5 at 5 p.m. - Aaron Mitchell

Saturday, April 6 at 5 p.m. - David Tilmon

Friday, April 12 at 5 p.m. - Mountain ReVerb

Saturday, April 13 at 5 p.m. - Reservoir Fog

Friday, April 19 at 5 p.m. - Ravin’ Wolf

Saturday, April 20 at 5 p.m. - Windy Pines

Friday, April 26 at 5 p.m. - Stone-Hall

Saturday, April 27 at 5 p.m. - Magnum Mike

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verynicebeer

Website: https://www.verynicebrewing.com/

Location: 20 E. Lakeview Drive, #112, Nederland

Phone: 303-258-3770

Did we miss you? Want to submit your music listing in the Peak to Peak area? Do you have updates to your business? Please call 303-810-5409 or email info@themountainear.com to be included in the next edition.