Local Band Prepares for Major Show

One local band is getting ready to step onto a prominent country music show.

The Wayfarers, of Zanesville, will be performing on "The Wheeling Jamboree;" the second, longest running country music radio show, behind the famous, "Grand Ole Opry."
 

"The Wheeling Jamboree" has served as a platform for some of country music’s biggest stars, including Brad Paisley, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash. Band member Brandon Bankes said the idea started as a suggestion, but he was stunned when he received an invitation from the president of the Jamboree’s Board of Directors.

"Somebody mentioned to me, ‘Hey you guys ought to play on the Wheeling Jamboree,’ and so I sent them a link to out music, and they loved it. They wrote me back, within actually minutes, and they were like, ‘we want you guys’, It was that quick," said Bankes

The band was formed about two years ago, and features the musical talents of Bankes, Cory Stutes, Josh Hartman, Justin Rayner, and WHIZ 6pm News Director, Nathan Zangmeister.
Zangmeister, who plays a washtub bass that he built himself, hopes that playing the Jamboree will be a stepping stone to bigger and better things for the Wayfarers.

"We started out in Zanesville, and we’ve always been really appreciative of the fan base that we’ve built here, it’s growing and growing, and we’re trying to step up to the next level. The Whelling Jamboree is definitely going to help, we’re also trying to get on larger festivals throughout the summer," Said Zangmeister.

If you would like to find out more information about The Wayfarers and their upcoming performance on "The Wheeling Jamboree", on January 14th, you can visit the Wheeling Jamboree’s or The Wayfarers website.