Jackson County Kills / Tom Armstrong

THE JACKSON COUNTY KILLS are a HONKY TONK & COUNTRY SOUL band from Portland, Oregon that play super-charged American folk music. With the twang of a Hillbilly song and the undeniable beat of the Blues, they perform roadhouse Gospel to comfort the afflicted and celebrate the good times.

“Give us three chords and three minutes and we’ll have you cryin’ in your beer or stompin’ along.” laughs Matty Charles, singer and songwriter for the band. “We’re singing about real life. If I’m not the person in the song I probably know them.”

Charles’ plainspoken narratives use folk and country storytelling to draw the listener in. Lead guitarist, Brian Byrnes deftly improvises with ease while Kevin Major and Tom Armstrong on drums and bass respectively, keep the songs tight and focused. Charles and Byrnes sing and play guitar like brothers who anticipate each other instinctively.

“The Jackson County Kills debut album, HONKY TONK BEAST was awarded “Country Album of the Month” on Bandcamp for May of 2024 and is available on streaming platforms.

MATTY CHARLES & KATIE ROSE are a country-folk duo that craft dreamy songs of heartbreak and wonder with precise vocal harmonies and old time acoustic guitar playing. Their debut album, CATCHING ARROWS is available on streaming platforms.

TOM ARMSTRONG is a life-long musician who has been performing his original honky tonk songs for the better part of two decades. All of this experience is reflected in his self-revealing narratives about the sad side of love, delivered in a smokey baritone and drenched in twang.