As much of the rest of the United States was stuck fast in an ice storm, Key West, FL was set ablaze as Mile 0 Fest returned to their old tradition of opening the festival with a free street party.
Josh Weathers was able to make it to Key West, but his band wasn’t. Similar to Shinyribs and perhaps a couple of others on the Mile 0 Fest bill, they couldn’t make it due to inclement weather. But the good thing about Weathers is he can fill a room—or in this case, a street—all with just his voice and an acoustic guitar. The guy can sing just about anything, and did, from selections from his new album Neon Never Fades, to his famous covers. Silverada all made it to Key West in one piece, and now featuring keys player Parker Twomey as a full-time member. They put on a hell of a show for Key West, and this was their official return to the festival after missing 2025, and being like the Mile 0 house band all the years previous. Mike Harmeier also dropped the knowledge that Silverada has got a new album in the can for later this year. They also debuted a new song whose chorus went along the lines of, “You’re a highway man.” They actually been playing a few new songs recently. Stay tuned for more details. One very Key West moment happened while Silverada was signing their signature song “Steak Night at the Prairie Rose.” Parrots were brought up on stage, first hanging out in front of Parker Twomey’s keyboards, and later perched on Mike’s shoulders (see video).
But Cross Canadian Ragweed is why so many had trekked to Key West. They came out to The Grateful Dead’s “Alabama Getaway” playing, and then launched into a choice variety of the band’s deep catalog. Frontman Cody Canada also took time in the middle of the set to pay tribute to Todd Snider, performing Todd’s song “I Believe In You.” They also invited the ‘Queen of Mile 0 Fest” Jamie Lin Wilson onto the stage to sing the signature Ragweed song “17.” The penultimate song was pretty epic. It was of course “The Boys From Oklahoma,” but this version utilized the large level of talent that had assembled on the island for Mile 0 Fest. This included the Red Dirt Rangers, members of Silverada, Micky Braun of Micky and the Motorcars, Jason Eady, Graycie York who now sits in with CCR pretty much permanently, and others. The party didn’t end there. Honky tonk hardliner Ellis Bullard held court on the stage of Durty Harrys, while Jamie Lin Wilson, Courtney Patton, and Heather Stalling on fiddle held court across the street at Irish Kevin’s into the later hours of the night. There’s a whole week left of music to happen on Key West as part of Mile 0 Fest, with dozens of different venues and performance spaces being utilized all across the island—from beaches, to piers, to clubs and theaters, and the big headliners taking the stage at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater every night. But the party on Duval street that famously connects The Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico (America?) was one for the books, and worth the trip to Key West all on its own.For more photos/video from live events, follow Saving Country Music on Instagram.
Cody Canada, Courtney Patton, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Ellis Bullard, Graycie York, Jamie Lin Wilson, Jason Eady, Josh Weathers, Micky Braun, Mike Harmeier, Mile 0 Fest, Parker Twomey, Red Dirt Rangers, Shelby Stone, Silverada, Todd Snider
Ragweed. I love virtually everything about the reunion shows. The band is tight, sober and pretty happy. The shows are good. Really good. Cody is happy. They’re such a huge deal to the scene, it’s like one thing is right with the world again.
Well moslty sober. But yeah, went to night 1 in Stillwater and in Waco. Headed back to Stillwater. Worth every mile and every penny. They absolutely tear it down.
Shelby frickin’ Stone. I’m telling you. The Blue Haired Nonsense is an undercard (for now) that plays like a headliner. Album is great cover to cover and the vinyl has a bonus track. Go see her. You will not be disappointed. Perfect Ragweed opener. That Georgia show is going to be great.
Source: savingcountrymusic.com