Images: Chuck Ragan, Jeff Mix and The Songhearts, Dusty Sunshine and more March 13, 2016 at Backstage Bar (Neon Reverb)

Have people talked much about Donnie and Marie when reviewing Chuck Ragan? Because if I know one thing about Donnie and Marie (and let’s be honest, I literally only know one thing about Donnie and Marie) is that they’re a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.

The same could be said for the oft-bearded Ragan, who might be the only man in America to have roots firmly planted in the same Gainesville punk rock scene that birthed The Fest, but to also have shows sponsored by Stetson.

At Punks in Vegas, we’re obviously used to the punk rock flavor his shows draw from, with the bulk of my time spent watching him play consisting of Punk Rock Bowling after shows and Revival Tour gigs with undercards built from fellow punk rock veterans. Yeah, I guess I’m a little bit rock and roll, but the lineup for Ragan’s Neon Reverb show had its spur heeled boots planted firmly in the country camp – and was just as good.

Case in point, Paige Overton, frontwoman for alt country locals The Clydesdale. The songstress absolutely floored the surprisingly-packed-for-a-Sunday-night bar with her powerful voice reminiscent of Patsy Cline. In a perfect world, Kacey Musgraves would be opening for Overton on a sold out arena tour. Bluegrass band The All-Togethers and Vegas folk supergroup Dusty Sunshine impressed with strong harmonies while Jeff Mix and The Songhearts recalled the more heartland aspects of Tom Petty, even quoting the singer/songwriter by announcing  “Rock n roll ain’t pretty.”

No Red Alice’s Sal Giordano, playing solo for the second to last time before he expands into a full band project, veered a bit closer to the punk side of things, even including an excellent cover of Gaslight Anthem’s “Great Expectations” and later lending his gruff vocals to “California Burritos” during Ragan’s own set.

If the crowd was weary from four days of downtown Neon Reverb fun, they didn’t show it when Ragan and steel pedal player Todd Beene took the stage. After expressing his heartfelt admiration to our music scene (as well as his deep respect for the night’s soundman), the flannel-dressed Ragan transitioned into a set of fan favorites including “Nomad By Fate,” “Rotterdam” and “Meet You In The Middle,” much to the delight of the inebriated crowd.

The yin and yang of Ragan’s music eventually swung the other way when he took a moment to touch upon his own punk rock roots. “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Hot Water Music” said Chuck, going on to thank the band’s members as well as us fans for the continued support, allowing him to build his solo career to this point. This humble speech was capped off by taking a fan request for HWM track “Drag My Body.” From there, Ragan chose to wrap up his set by giving the fans what they wanted, taking requests for “Do What You Do,” “True Believers” and the aforementioned “California Burritos” (but let’s be real, he was going to play that one anyway).

For a further look into Ragan’s dueling persona, the singer/songwriter has already announced his follow-up appearance in Vegas, going from Neon Reverb to, you guessed it, Punk Rock Bowling for a club show on May 29.

-Emily Matview

Photos by Anthony Constantine | https://www.facebook.com/anthonycphotography