Justin Pickard and The Thunderbird Winos rolled into The Kessler Theater on March 7, 2025, like a honky-tonk tornado with a side of whiskey-fueled rock ‘n’ roll. From the first twang of the guitar to the last boot-stomping beat, it was clear that Pickard and his crew weren’t there to gently lull the audience into the night—they were there to shake the walls, rattle the bar, and possibly make The Kessler consider investing in some extra structural reinforcements.
Sharing the night with Joel Wells Jr., who was celebrating his album release, the evening had a perfect balance of soulful storytelling and sheer musical mayhem. Pickard shredded through a set that felt like a joyride through rockabilly, country, and blues—basically, if your grandpappy’s record collection got into a bar fight with a jukebox and somehow they both won.
The crowd? A mix of devoted fans, unsuspecting first-timers, and at least one guy who looked like he wandered in expecting a poetry reading. But by the end of the night, everyone was on board, dancing, hollering, and possibly reevaluating their life choices in the best way possible. The Kessler, with its legendary acoustics and history (seriously, Gene Autry once owned this place—talk about street cred), proved the perfect backdrop for a performance that was equal parts skill, swagger, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.
All in all, Justin Pickard and The Thunderbird Winos put on a show that reminded everyone why live music is still the best kind of trouble you can get into on a Friday night.
