TETON VILLAGE, Wyo. — In the way that other country-adjacent performing roots songwriters like Jason Isbell have built a following on the strength of their song craft and the voice attached, Drayton Farley is the next generation. Farley will headline this Sunday’s Concert on the Commons in Teton Village alongside openers Kainen Kellum and Batdorf & The Brother Wolf.
Alabama-born, Farley’s first two albums—Hargrove & Sweet Southern Sadness (2020) and A Hard up Life (2021)—set a particular standard of stripped-back acoustic, authentic songwriting on the subjects of relationship troubles and struggle. With the recent release of Twenty on High (2023), we see the typical progression within the genre—a full band behind him with a more driving sound. Produced by Sadler Vaden, best known as the guitarist in Jason’s Isbell’s 400 Unit, the production and similarities are uncanny, though Farley digs further into the country side of Americana. A great artist on the rise, this’ll be a chance to catch him before he outgrows the Commons.
A lifelong friend of Farley’s, fellow Alabama singer-songwriter Kainen Kellum will occupy the middle slot. He released a debut album, A Fool’s Pipedream, last year.
Opening the show is local rock trio Batdorf & The Brother Wolf. Consisting of frontman-guitarist Michael Batdorf (of One Ton Pig), drummer Ryan Ptasnik, and piano/organ/keyboard bassist Mike Patton, the group released two albums this year—Live at the Silver Dollar and Arms of Your Love. Ptasnik engineered and the latter twelve-song studio album of original material, which was mastered by Jon Neufeld. Karee Miller Jaeger contributes backing vocals.
Drayton Farley with Kainen Kellum and Batdorf & The Brother Wolf, 5-9 p.m. Sunday at Teton Village Commons. Free, all-ages, and rain or shine. ConcertsOnCommons.com.
