Casino Arizona is heating up the Valley with a new format for their Arizona Room. They hired the hottest country band in the state, Jordan Benson with Heartlyn Rae, to headline a show every Monday night. The band is also the House Band on weekends at the country chic honkytonk “The Western” in Old Town Scottsdale that opened a year ago. The country music scene in the Phoenix Metropolitan area has never been hotter.
Wendy Herst of Herst Management, LLC and Cornbred Records, LLC is on a mission to bridge the gap between Arizona and Nashville, TN. Herst says, “the record label honchos have no idea what a thriving country music scene we have here…It’s time to create a buzz and get their attention.” Her goal is to turn Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Cave Creek into live music centers where there are synergies, and both locals and tourists will flock to the music scene. “They did it in Branson, MO and Austin, TX. We can do it here,” she says. Herst is based in Scottsdale, AZ and has an office on Music Row in Nashville so she can work with artists and record labels there to bring national acts to the Southwest. She has coined the country music scene here “ARIZONA COUNTRY.” Herst says “‘Arizona Country’ means country music that reflects a western culture and not a southern one. Expect references to cowboys, rodeos, ranches, the open range, and a pioneer mentality.” She says you can expect to see people at shows cowboyed up and ready to dance. “They don’t dance in Nashville! Can you believe?” she laughs. We have a hot dance scene here.” She adds, “calling all developers: let’s create walking districts where people can walk from venue to venue – as is starting in Cave Creek with Harrolds, Buffalo Chip, Hogs & Horses, and Tap Haus.”
