STEVE ARMSTRONG & THE 25 CENT BEER BAND 

Once again, Steve Armstrong & the 25 Cent Beer Band secured top honors at the 25th Review Music Awards ceremony by winning the honor of top Country Band for 2011.  Additionally, Armstrong won for Male Country Vocalist and band-mate Levi Goodwin won for Best Country Musician.

Consisting of Steve Armstrong on lead vocals & guitar; Steve Hornak on lead guitar & vocals; Zach Brunett on drums & percussion, John 'Wayne' Gannon on rhythm guitar & vocals, Bruce Rupp on keyboards, and Levi Goodwin on bass guitar, this plugged in collective reflects every note they play through a radiant joy on their faces, and obviously through their growing fan base and schedule, people and audiences respond. 

With influences and artists they like ranging from Jason Aidean, Kenny Chesney, George Strait and Johnny Cash to fellow local brethren like Mandi Layne & Lost Highway, 2011 has already marked a major year of activity for the band. 

For Steve Armstrong, lead singer and principle ringleader of the 25 Cent Beer Band, he notes that the group was “surprised and honored to receive these awards. As always there were some great bands, musicians, and singers nominated. Our friends must have really got out the vote!” 

In terms of upcoming plans for the remainder of the year, Steve says the band intends to start performing original material. “If there are any songwriters out there that might want to work with us, we'd love to hear from you.  As for long-term goals, who really knows?  We just want to keep improving our show and see how far it takes us!” 

When asked what he feels sets the 25 Cent Beer Band apart from other country artists in the area, Steve is both deferential and respectful. “I don't want to take anything away from the other bands in the area, because they are all great.  I think we just try to focus on doing what we do and somehow it works.  One thing I will say, though, is that we feel a real connection to those that come out to see us.  We feel as if they are friends and not fans.” 

With a schedule that is pretty much full for the year, the group did manage to achieve one significant goal in 2011. “One of our goals was to get into the rotation down at Toby Keith's bar in Auburn Hills and we have done that! So now we are looking at next year and trying to figure out how to top this year!” 

“We really do look forward to playing out this summer,' concludes Steve. “From the festivals to the bars, from the private parties to Toby Keith's, we're just really excited to be able to get out there and entertain and have some fun.  We've met a lot of great people over the past couple of years and music has brought it all together.  There is nothing better than that!” 

To find out more about the 25 Cent Beer Band check out their facebook page and 'friend' Steve Armstrong & the 25 Cent Beer Band.