VIDEO PREMIERE: “CALL ME THE LUCKY ONE” BY THE CONTENDERS

Folkicana duo The Contenders released their debut full-length, Laughing With The Reckless on November 3rd via Rock Ridge Music. The pair traveled the world in support of the album, the follow-up to their 2014 EP, Meet The Contenders, which explores the perseverance of hope in dark times along with the powerful way that music can connect us to others, the value of maintaining old friendships, and finding comfort in the arms of loved ones.

The pair recently recorded a series of live performances as a part of the Cellar Sessions series at City Winery in New York, the only venue that has its own ongoing music series, which has been run by Ehud Lazin for the last four years. Today, The Contenders unveil “Call Me The Lucky One,” the last of three performances that have premiered here at Mother Church Pew.

Music Street Journal: Review

“It’s hard to decide if this album is country music or Southern rock. Those lines were always blurry. Either way, if you like music that’s infused with country and rock (along with some folk music and bluegrass), you are sure to enjoy this set. It’s delivered with style, and the songwriting is solid and inspired. This manages to ride the line between classic and fresh.”

Mother Church Pew: VIDEO PREMIERE – “LONG WAY DOWN” BY THE CONTENDERS

“Folkicana duo The Contenders released their debut full-length, Laughing With The Reckless on November 3rd via Rock Ridge Music. The pair traveled the world in support of the album, the follow-up to their 2014 EP, Meet The Contenders, which explores the perseverance of hope in dark times along with the powerful way that music can connect us to others, the value of maintaining old friendships, and finding comfort in the arms of loved ones.

The pair recently recorded a series of live performances as a part of the Cellar Sessions series at City Winery in New York, the only venue that has its own ongoing music series, which has been run by Ehud Lazin for the last four years. Today, The Contenders unveil “Long Way Down,” the second of three performances that will be premiered here at Mother Church Pew.”

Mother Church Pew – VIDEO PREMIERE: “BACK IN TIME” BY THE CONTENDERS

Wilkes Journal-Patriot (North Wilkesboro, NC) – Josh Day performs here before going on tour with John Oates

Josh Day has played to packed-out venues all over the world, but the drummer says there’s nothing that compares to coming back to his hometown of North Wilkesboro.

“It’s always incredible to play in Wilkes,” said Day. “It’s the best thing I can do. Playing back home—and I say it every time—it feels like a big hug! That’s what it’s all about.”

Twangville – Readers’ Pick: Best Album of 2017

Mother Church Pew – Live Show Review: The Contenders

“Part listening room, part laid-back, boozy music club, Nashville’s The Basement was the perfect place for me to get to know The Contenders. Featuring two seasoned vets of the music scene–Jay Nash on guitar and Josh Day on drums–the Americana-Folk duo shared a slate of lyrical tales that can only come from the perspective of a traveler’s eye and minds open to the wonder of the people around them.”

Innocent Words Presents IW10 with Jay Nash and Josh Day of The Contenders

The Bluegrass Situation: WATCH: The Contenders, “Save A Place At The Table” [PREMIERE]

Turnstyled Junkpiled: The Contenders’s Laughing With The Reckless [REVIEW]

“With beautiful vocal harmonies and musical arrangements spanning the full, electric Folk range of Americana, the Contenders deliver a musical knock-out punch on their full-length debut.”

Sun Herald: ‘Laughing with the Reckless,’ The Contenders (Rock Ridge Music,☆☆☆☆) [REVIEW]

“Broad-minded Americana fans will dig this album.”

DittyTV | Americana Weekly

Independent Clauses: Premiere: The Contenders’ “Not Enough” Video

Emerging Indie Bands: The Contenders – Save A Place At The Table

“Merging Americana, country and protest folk in to the saucepan The Contenders are able to create music which has a wistful, though ultimately optimistic visage, that is highlighted by vocal harmonies and intricate, low-key, instrumentation, giving the sense of a timeless durability.”

AntiMusic.com: Singled Out: The Contenders’ The Flood

The Contenders released their brand new album “Laughing with the Reckless” today and to celebrate we asked Jay Nash and Josh Day to tell us about the song “The Flood”

AXS: Great songwriting drives ‘Laughing with the Reckless’ by The Contenders

“If you are a fan of quality songwriting, this is an album you should explore.”