case hardin
Case Hardin, a native son of San Angelo, Texas, grew up ranching and rodeoing while developing a love for traditional and neo-traditional country music. Case began his music career as a senior in high school in 2013, and hasn't looked back since his American Idol debut that same year. Backed by his band, their influences are recognizable in the way that they play, from traditional honky-tonk music, to more neo-traditional and progressive Texas music.
To add to his accomplishments, Case has already won various awards and competitions including West Texas Songwriter’s Competition, TCMA New Male Vocalist, State FFA, SXSW Emerging Artist, and many others. .
Since his radio and touring success, Case has toured with Asleep At The Wheel, Aaron Watson, Pat Green, Casey Donahew, Roger Creager, Kyle Park, Randall King, Mike Ryan, Eli Young Band, Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, Josh Ward, Cory Morrow, Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Boland, Radney Foster, Dwight Yoakum, Tracy Byrd, and other Nashville/Texas Country Legends
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In Case’s short music career, and thanks to current and previous sponsors at Pendleton Whisky, Lucchese Boots, Rafter C, American Hats, Suggs Switch, and Lazy S Bar, he has already played many rodeos, music festivals, and dancehalls in Texas and the surrounding states. Case Hardin released his debut album, “Over Fort Worth,” made at Bismeaux Studios with members of George Strait's, Aaron Watson's, Cory Morrow's, William Clark Green's, and Kevin Fowler's band. His debut single, “Sign of a Fool,” easily broke into the top 20 at #18 on the Texas Country Charts; unheard of for any debut artist’s debut single. To add to this, his second radio single, “Deep Blue Me,” climbed to the top spot and broke into the top 10, hitting #6 on the Texas Country Charts. Case’s next two radio singles “Old Stomping Grounds” (#2), and “Texas Rain” (#2 song for all of 2018), would go on to earn him consecutive top five hits on his debut record and have been songs of the year for Texas radio. The newest album from Case Hardin, entitled “Lucky Him,” was released in August 2022, and includes much anticipated radio singles – like his first multi-week #1 across the Texas Country Music charts in 2021, “Alcohol Abuse”. Also included on the new record are Hardin’s 2nd and 3rd consecutive #1 singles “When You Roll That Way” and “Honky Tonk Highway”. Along with multiple straight #1 songs on Texas Radio, “Honky Tonk Highway” holds the current record for most radio stations to add a song in an opening week. Also joining “Honky Tonk Highway” is Hardin’s current radio single “Most Beautiful Place I’ve Ever Been” - both reached “Trifecta” status for being the highest debuting song, with the highest spin increases, and the most radio station adds compared to any other song on the Texas Charts. When asked about his love for Country Music, Hardin’s response is a simple one. “It all comes down to the words in the songs. If I’ve gone through it, I know you’ve gone through it too. Country Music is more than a melody on the radio, it’s a lifestyle.”
The Band
mykel martin
Lead guitarist, background vocalist, and band leader Mykel Martin joined the band in July of 2016 and has been playing country music with a touch of rock & blues ever since. Having started music at age 10 (with his youth church band at home in Junction, Texas), he moved to San Angelo, Texas to become the guitarist for Angelo State University‘s Marching Ram Band. Mykel got his professional start in San Angelo after receiving the San Angelo Blues Society Jeff Strahan Memorial Scholarship in 2014, and began playing frequently with pianist Manny Campos - including opening for blues legend Johnny Rawls. His playing is strongly influenced by that of Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King, Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, John Mayer, Henry Garza, and DFW-native Michael Lee. Mykel graduated from Angelo State University with a major in double bass and currently teaches music to his students when he's not on the road with Case Hardin.
carson clay
Bass player and background vocalist Carson Clay joined the band in the Spring of 2022. With a background in Jazz, Carson began his music career playing every instrument he could get his hands on through Central High School and Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. From woodwinds and brass, to strings and percussion, Carson Clay can play just about anything. With influences like Jaco Pastorius and Victor Wooten, Clay can play anything from smooth Jazz and Western Swing to Hard Rock and R&B. Carson Clay is the newest addition to the group, but is excelling at his craft as he plays the bass full time.
nathan garcia
Drummer and Percussionist Nathan “PeeWee” Garcia joined Case Hardin and the band in 2017 and has been a permanent fixture ever since. Nathan was raised in the small town of Ballinger, Texas, 30 miles East of San Angelo. When going to college, Nathan was a member of the drum line at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Garcia is well known around both Nashville and Texas circuits, as he was once a member of the nationally known band, Rio Grand, who also hail from the Lone Star State. As he now tours with Case Hardin, Nathan Garcia is proudly endorsed by ProMark and Evans.
griffin mcdonald
fiddle player griffin mcdonald began playing when he was seven years old. he was classically trained in austin, texas, where he was raised. he moved to san angelo in 2010 and began playing in local jam sessions where he built a name for himself in the community. griffin’s influences range from bluegrass and texas country to Western swing. he has played with many local bands in is now proud to play alongside case hardin and the band.
max cook
fiddle player, max cook, joined the band in the Fall of 2020. He began taking lessons at the ripe ‘ole age of six years old. from a young age, max grew up around the western swing scene with influences from fiddle players like johnny gimble, jason roberts, kelly spinks, rocky king, and others. he has played local charity events for meals for the elderly and the pregnancy help center as well as various festivals, weddings and special events. max is inspired by genres like jazz, blues and western swing and has been called the larry franklin of his generation.
