Anyone who follows my blog knows I like a good hometown rockin’ country band. When I first heard Bettin’ On the Mule, (BOTM) from Rockmart, Georgia, I instantly loved their energy.
The ‘Hometown Rock’ pioneers consist of Jacob Wilson on lead vocals, bass, and rhythm guitar, who also serves as the band's lead songwriter, new member Phil Beavers on lead guitar and backing vocals, Rick Norris on drums and backing vocals, and Shannon "Beef" Wilson on bass and backing vocals for the band.
The band, which originally started as the Wilson Brothers has had several versions of itself before settling with the four current members. Even before one of the brothers left the band, they renamed it.
The drummer, Rick Norris said, “You know, everyone bets on everything these days. They are always betting on the sure thing, the frontrunner, like the horse, while the mule does all the work. It’s the regular folks, the underdogs, who get it done. You should be bettin’ on the mule.”
It is the perfect name to honor their signature style which seamlessly blends southern rock, classic rock, and county with a soulful, vibrant sound they call “Hometown Rock.”
When I heard the intro to their big hit, “Bottoms Up” I was a fan before the first word was sung.
Bettin' On The Mule's journey has been marked by a series of notable achievements. In 2022, the band clinched victory in the Smiley's Unique Entertainment Georgia Music Showcase. Their talent and dedication have garnered them featured in prestigious publications such as the Marietta Daily Journal, Northwest Georgia News, Shoutout Atlanta Magazine, and more. In December 2023 the band's new single "Long Live Country Boy" was featured on iHeartRadio and stations 94.9 Atlanta, GA, 105.7 Augusta, GA, and 96.5 Macon The Bull's Backyard Country. The show also named BOTM the "Artist of the Week".
And while the band is renowned for their rockin’ country sound, the words to “Long Live Country Boy” prove exactly what they are about. With lyrics Back in the woods where I was raised/ we make moonshine where the creek is flowin'/ We bust our ass just to make a dime, but I wouldn't trade this life for anything/ No I wouldn't trade this life for anything.../ Long live country boy the band embraces their upbringing.
BOTM has released their newest single "Redneck Rocker," and the title track was featured on The Georgia Songbirds Radio for New Music Monday. If you lean more into the rock side of southern rock, this song is for you.
The artists’ excellence earned them recognition from the International Singer-Songwriter Association (ISSA), where they were nominated for Band of the Year, Album of the Year Tag Applied For, and Single of the Year "I Think of You" and Entertainer of the Year. Their debut single from the Tag Applied For EP, "Every Day and Every Night," made a grand entrance, debuting at #2 on the Georgia Songbirds top ten countdown, broadcast on indie radio stations worldwide. The band was also nominated for Band of the Year by Georgia Country.
It was the live version of one of their newer songs, “Every Day and Every Night” that has brought them unparalleled success. For a local, independent band to have more than 23,000 views on YouTube in less than a year is virtually unheard of.
However, Bettin’ On The Mule is a band that must be seen in person to be fully appreciated.
Jacob Wilson confirmed, “If somebody comes out to see us, even if they have to pay ten or twenty dollars, let’s give them the best performance that we can.”
BOTM shows often last three hours with no break. Besides playing their 15+ original hits, the group covers tunes from other southern rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Eagles and even songs like Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places.”
As their journey unfolds BOTM remain dedicated to delivering electrifying live shows, gaining new fans, and crafting exceptional music by bringing their "Hometown Rock" to the masses.
The band tours primarily in North Georgia and will be featured at the North Georgia Fair on May 18th in Dalton, Georgia. However, as their star continues to rise look for them in other cities throughout the southeast.
You can follow Bettin’ on the Mule on their website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Spotify and all streaming platforms.
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, and X(Twitter).
