BWW Reviews: Ben Hope and The Uptown Outfit Rock The Highline Ballroom

On Tuesday, January 6, 2015, the closing cast of Broadway's ONCE assembled at the gorgeous Highline Ballroom for a night of music for Fare-Thee-Well ONCE. To kick the evening off, Ben Hope and his rollicking country band The Uptown Outfit performed music from their upcoming album. Influenced by Garth Brooks, seemingly a cross between acts like Drive-By Truckers and Zac Brown Band, but still wholly original Ben Hope and The Uptown Outfit rocked the audience with their twang-coated spirit.

Ben Hope and The Uptown Outfit kicked off their set with "Hey Y'all," a rowdy crowd-pleaser that electrified the energy in the room. This was followed by their pulsating jam "On The Run." Hailing from Houston, Texas, I've heard my fair share of country musicians and upstart country bands. Despite this, Ben Hope and The Uptown Outfit surprised me, quickly adding me to their rosters of fans. There is one simple reason for this: while the sound is familiar, the lyrics are not. They certainly utilize the narrative styling that is a hallmark of country music, but the lyrics are fresh, shamelessly sexual, and even cheeky at times. The songs even have the occasional four-letter word peppered in. This group isn't singing the wholesome, God-fearing country I grew up on. Like other modern acts, they are broadening and redefining the genre in positive ways.

Another standout in the set included the ballad "Colleen," which was written about a guitar that country legend Garth Brooks gave to Hope. Unfortunately, Hope, who had named it Colleen, lost that treasured instrument. The result is an equally heartbreaking and bitter ode to the folly that removed Hope's precious Colleen from his life. After the stirring number, he explained that his dream is to one day give Garth Brooks a guitar. Likewise, the closing number "Knock Them Boots" is a deliciously racy, up-tempo gem of a country song.

After hearing Ben Hope and The Uptown Outfit's raucous set, I'm excited for their album release. Despite the country music fatigue I suffer from not really being a fan of the genre, this boisterous band made me miss the music of Texas and actually want to listen to country music again. They certainly must be doing something right, y'all.

For more information about Ben Hope and The Uptown Outfit, please visit http://www.benhopemusic.com. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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