With an appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman”, three EPs, an international tour and a number one on iTunes’ “Singer/Songwriter” chart, Judah & The Lion’s popularity continues to grow. The band will be the headline musical act for the IU Health North Hospital Art of Wine on Saturday, July 18, 2015 in the Carmel Arts & Design District.
Made up of three very different people from very different places, Judah & The Lion are united by a shared love of music. The influences from their varying youths’ become apparent with one listen:
- Judah Akers, a Tennessee boy, enjoyed the soulful crackle of Ray Charles records
- Nate Zuercher, a Colorado kid was into rugged rock’n’roll
- Brian Macdonald, drove through the suburbs of Chicago, blasting everything from Frank Sinatra to Billy Joel.
As a band, Judah & The Lion owes much to fate and to the small town feel of Nashville, Tennessee, the city that brought the trio together. Akers, Zuercher and Macdonald met while attending Belmont University. They were introduced to each other through music and mutual friends.
“We all had similar stories, despite the fact that we’d grown up in different places,” explains mandolin player Macdonald, “Judah is the Southerner, I’m the Chicago city-slicker, and Nate is the laidback, bearded Rocky Mountain guy.”
All of their musical influences – the old school sincerity of Southern gospel and soul, the energy of rock and the time-tested classics and hits from the past – come together. Further, there is the sound of the band’s shared obsession for bluegrass, country and traditional folk music.
Judah & The Lion’s appearance at IU Health North Hospital Art of Wine comes ten days after they open for Mat Kearney at The Vogue in Indianapolis. Immediately following their appearance at the wine festival, the band heads out to Birmingham, Alabama to play the “Sloss Music and Arts Festival.”
IU Health North Hospital Art of Wine is an eclectic evening that marries art and wine in a relaxing atmosphere. Guests of all ages can enjoy the festival, unique stores, galleries, and music for free on July 18th from 5 – 10 p.m., as there is no cost to enter the District. For adults who wish to sample wines and are 21 years or older (photo ID required), the cost is $15, which includes a souvenir wine glass for the first 5,000 participants.
The Carmel Arts & Design District events planning team continues to “turn up the volume” for summer festivals and events. Judah & The Lion’s growing national fan-base, high-energy performances and meaningful lyrical style met the high standards of the planning team.
