Tyler Richton & The High Bank Boys bring new, real country music to Iowa

Iowa. The best at corn, the best at swine production, the best soy beans, but country music? Hardly what the Hawkeye state is known for. Sure, Iowa City, Davenport, and Des Moines are all hot spot destinations off of I-80 for traveling bands to frequently come through, but original country music from the state is few and far between… Until now.

Tyler Richton and the Highbank Boys just dropped their first single off of their upcoming album, “Country Standards” set to release December 31st 2022. “Only Thing Smooth (Is the Whiskey)” gives you that classic country feel with harmonies from the band and lyrics that will want you bellied up at the bar after a tough breakup. This first single is one of four that the band is planning to release before the full album drops. The new record was produced and recorded in Muscle Shoals at Wishbone Studios where they followed in the footsteps of legends like Hank Williams Jr. The next single is set to release on July 22nd.

Many people in the area know if you find yourself with not much to do on a weekend night and you just happen to be in some small town somewhere west of Iowa City but east of Grinnell, it’s time to head on over to a High Bank Boys show. Why? For a young band, these dudes know how to play some country music, and not just your typical 90’s country covers, but you’ll also find your ears enjoying Tyler Childers, Turnpike Troubadours, and now their own original country music. This four piece band has found their sound from the inspiration of acts like the Turnpike Troubadours, Red Shahan, Flatland Cavalry, Mike and the Moonpies, and Midland as well as the fun, 90’s era of country music. That recipe along with the electric stage presence makes for not only a great show, but some awesome original music.

So, say you found yourself in Hartwick, Iowa and this band just doubled the towns population for the night… What’s the first thing you’ll notice?

High Bank Boy fiddler, Ed Henning

Ed Henning is one of the most impressive fiddle players you’ll find in the Midwest, and at the young age of 24 you’ll be left wondering just how good this guy is going to get. The stellar fiddle work ties in great with the inspiration of the Turnpike Troubadours and Kyle Nix. However, the stage presence of Ed and the rest of the crew can only be rivaled with Mike and the Moonpies, but even that’s a stretch. When you’re at a show don’t be surprised if bass player, Kale Latcham jumps out into the crowd or Ed’s bow gets stuck in the ceiling (although I’ve never seen him actually drop it).

I asked Ed what it is like releasing a true country album from a state that see’s very little to none of that coming out of it.

“A few places or states have a real connection in peoples’ minds as being hotbeds of real country music these days; they definitely are, but it’s a cool thing to show that real country with real meaning can come out of the corn belt in a state like Iowa, or from any state for that matter. With some help from our friends down in Muscle Shoals, we were really able to bring an album to life that we’re proud of and bring a blend of our favorite sounds in music and our own take on country.”

Keep an ear out and an eye out for other singles to be released from this band, or catch a show of theirs if you happen to be in the area. You certainly wont regret it.

Listen to “Only Thing Smooth (Is the Whiskey)” Here: