Andrew Harrison, guitarist for Madison acts Whitney Mann and Brown Derby, has been snatched up by one of Chicago's fastest-rising stars, singer-songwriter Joe Pug, for a five-week tour that includes more than 20 gigs supporting Justin Townes Earle.
Harrison and Pug met at a recent Milwaukee show featuring Commander Cody's Bill Kirchen. Both had gone to revel in Kirchen's guitar licks and play a few of their own tunes, and when Pug saw Harrison hit the stage with Whitney Mann, he knew they had to talk. They soon found themselves rehearsing in Chicago and played their first show together Feb. 1.
Harrison is lending vocals and pedal steel in addition to his electric guitar skills, so he's likely to draw lots of attention from fans and other performers. Fame and fortune don't seem to be at the top of his list, though. Mostly, he's just excited to hang with some topnotch musicians and take in a few sights between California and New York.
"Some of the cities on the tour I've never been to, and going on tour like this, it's like seeing a free show every night," he says.
Harrison will visit the High Noon Saloon with Pug and Earle for a Feb. 26 show, then return to Madison after hitting Alexandria, Va., with Pug and Earle on March 7. In the meantime, Brown Derby have put their Wednesday night shows at the Crystal Corner on hold until March 10. But fret not, country music lovers: Danny Paris & the Shiners will fill the gap with their signature 1950s-style twang and rockabilly tunes.
