“WE PLAY,
Y’ALL DANCE!”

Golden Roses are a tight knit band of country music comrades with an openhearted, working-class ethos and an amped-up honky-tonk attitude. After learning the ins-and-outs of honky-tonking at the feet of Austin Texas legends Dale Watson, Wayne Hancock, and the Derailers, now they’re breaking rules in all the right ways. To the Golden Roses—John Mutchler (vocals, guitar), Heather Rae Johnson (vocals, fiddle), Troy Wilson (bass, backing vocals), Shawnee Rose (drums), and Tony Rincon (pedal steel)—having fun is what it’s all about. Their thrill-ride show plays off the band’s devil-may-care energy, the good times effortlessly flowing to the dance floor, pulling heart strings and tapping toes. 

Building off the momentum of their first two albums (2021’s The Devil in the Details and 2019’s Terlingua Graveyard), the Golden Roses are entering a new era. This time they’re shining a spotlight on fiddler Heather Rae Johnson, who now joins Mutchler at the front to share lead vocal duties. A favorite with dancehall crowds, Johnson packs an emotional punch every time she steps up to the mic, whether she’s rendering songs like Little Feat’s “Willin” or Mutchler’s own originals. Mutchler himself is exploring new songwriting territory, inspired by the 70s progressive country scene (think Jerry Jeff Walker, and the Flying Burrito Brothers) to mix more personal and introspective explorations alongside his old school honky-tonk numbers. It’s this dare-to-be-different, do-it-yourself mentality that make the Golden Roses stand out in a sea of wannabe cowboys—they’re not afraid to take risks, stand true to themselves, and above all, do what it takes to make sure everyone has a damn good time.

With their easy camaraderie and hard-working ways, the band calls to mind Willie Nelson’s immortal words, “The life I love is making music with my friends.” For the Golden Roses, nothing could be more true.