Knoxville trio Whiskey Tenor ready to go full bore

Though billing themselves as a southern rock band, Knoxville trio Whiskey Tenor knows how to stretch their capabilities, running the gamut from straight-ahead Appalachian blues tinged with Duane Allman-inspired fretwork on tunes like “Darkest Night,” to the counter-rhythmic guitar and funky lead-bass line of “Hesitation”.

Now, hot on the heels of their first-place finish at the Big Mama’s Karaoke Café’s 2008 Battle of the Bands in the Garage Band category, the three-piece outfit is prepping for their biggest challenge yet, as they sharpen their axes for a three-day track session at Big Mama Recording Studios, a major part of their prize package.

During the contest, the band revealed that they practice nearly every day. But their aim is never to create a note-perfect replication of previous performances, but rather to develop a psychic bond so strong that each musician knows his fellow’s intent and execution, to the point where almost half of each performance is improvised.

“We always know exactly what each other is going to do,” said guitarist and vocalist Donald Childress. “Sometimes we’ll find ourselves changing chords or going into something completely off the wall, and everyone just falls right into step.”

Second Place 2008 BotB winners get set to record.

“I have experience as a music major in college, and I worry a little bit about multi-tracking,” said Chris Metcalf, guitarist for Open Arms, when asked about their plans as they get ready to enter the studio. A one-day recording session was included as part of the prize package the Harriman quintet garnered for finishing in second place at Big Mama’s Karaoke Café’s 2008 Battle of the Bands.

But Metcalf, who also is a music instructor, was thrilled to learn that Big Mama’s Recording Studios can accommodate the entire five-piece in one studio, so that the band can harness their chemistry and commit that energy to their tracks. “It’s great to know that we can all set up together if we want,” he said. “We’ve already started doing our promotions for after the tracks are down.”

“We’ve been together for a year, now,” said guitarist and vocalist Jamie Hackler, “and we’re gearing up with our MySpace page, calling all our fans, doing a lot of self-promotion.”

The band is also refining their sound on stage, and is currently finalizing plans to play Dan Fest in Crossville, TN on June 6, and is exploring the possibility of partnering with Third Grade Haters in an east Tennessee tour.