Things are beginning to heat up for Tequila Bonfire. The local band with a country twang is making a name for itself, thanks to a positive outlook and fun approach to playing music. But these aren’t starry-eyed kids who have stumbled upon some luck; this is a group of Massachusetts musicians who have put in the time and effort and are now enjoying the spotlight.

Recently crowned the Best Country Act at the 2017 Worcester Music Awards, Tequila Bonfire is a hit with its brand of catchy modern day country music. Although it may seem like they were born and bred with cowboy hats on their heads and mud on their trucks, the members of Tequila Bonfire are relatively new to the genre, having just formed a few years ago.

With the exception of guitarist Steve Lamoureux, who had already dabbled in country, the members of Tequila Bonfire come from a rock-oriented background stemming from their days playing in other local bands like Joe Rockhead and Weight of Gravity. The appeal of country came when they mutually wanted to try something new and saw how transformative the country music scene was becoming.

“Having already done the rock thing with other bands over the years, we were eager to try a new challenge,” said guitarist and vocalist Roger Gamache. “We started out learning a few country songs, and then we kept going and ultimately decided we wanted to specialize in that genre. The genre is very diverse; it allows us to play the songs with our own interpretation.”

Playing with their own interpretation means performing to their strengths, added Gamache, whether that means adding a hard-rock feel or slowing down the pace. The songs in question include a mix of more than 90 cover songs from more than 50 different artists.
Despite the band’s apparent enthusiasm and decision to give cowboy music a go, the band didn’t move forward without some hesitation.

“When the chance came to play country came up, I was skeptical about playing that style of music because I remember my parents’ version of country,” said bass player Mike Roberts. “However, as I listened to modern day country more and more, I realized country music was turning in a direction that I really enjoyed – (toward) the hard rock driven music I grew up with – and I was ready to give modern country a shot.”

Drummer Mark Pervier, who previously performed in the classic rock cover band All Folked Up, joked that the decision was made for him.

“I didn’t choose country – country chose me,” he said. “I only started listening a few years ago. I had always been a classic rock, hard rock and metal kind of guy. If not for the rock side that modern country has shown, I probably wouldn’t be doing this right now, but I am and we’re having lots of fun.”

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise to hear the guys of Tequila Bonfire express their initial skepticism toward performing country music. After all, it’s one of the oldest genres, with a history deep in southern roots, far from the more hard-nosed styles of music that call the Northeast home. But in recent years, the country music of yesteryear has indeed given way to a modern gleam that has found a whole new audience, both nationally and locally.

“I’m often confronted by people who approach (me) during or after a show and say that they were not country fans at all but loved listening and watching us,” said Gamache. “I think many people who aren’t familiar with modern country are still imagining the John Denver or Kenny Rogers sound, (but) modern country is much different.” Among the nationally known acts that have had a hand in expanding the genre’s fan base is Montgomery Gentry, a group Tequila Bonfire opened for in front of its biggest audience to date at Indian Ranch in Webster.

“We all had a great time,” said Lamoureux about that particular show. “It’s always a good time to be playing with the bands you look up to.”

Tequila Bonfire will be back on the Corral Stage with another heavy hitter this summer when it opens for Big & Rich in July. Other local shows are scheduled throughout August.

When they’re not performing, the members of Tequila Bonfire have been chipping away at their yet-to-be-released debut album. Two songs are already pre-recorded, said Gamache, including a live take of their original “Last to Know,” which was performed at a Toby Keith concert in Foxboro. But progress slowed a bit with the exit of the band’s drummer and finding new one in Mark Pervier.

“We felt it was important to give Mark time to get up to speed with Mike, Steve and I before picking up where we left off on the album,” Gamache added. “We love collaborating together and feel we have some solid songs in the making.”

For now, though, the members of Tequila Bonfire are soaking up the good vibes and enjoying their place in the Worcester music scene.

“I don’t know how big we will become,” said Pervier, “But I do know there is a lot of talent in Tequila Bonfire and that we’re going to have a lot of fun getting wherever ‘there’ is.”

For more information, visit facebook.com/tequilabonfire.

By Jason Savio