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Formed in 2007 in the small East Texas town of Palestine, Whiskey Myers has emerged as one of the most authentic and successful Southern rock bands of the modern era. What began as childhood friends learning guitar together has evolved into a powerhouse six-piece outfit. The band has sold hundreds of thousands of tickets, topped charts, and garnered millions of streams while remaining fiercely independent.
The band’s unique sound blends Southern rock, country, blues, and soul, drawing inspiration from legends like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, and Waylon Jennings. Their Red Dirt country roots run deep, but they have never allowed themselves to be confined by genre boundaries. After years of building a dedicated following through relentless touring on the Texas and Red Dirt scene, Whiskey Myers gained widespread attention when their music was featured in Kevin Costner’s hit TV series “Yellowstone” in 2018. That exposure pushed their albums into the iTunes Top 10 country charts and dramatically expanded their fan base.
Whiskey Myers has now released seven studio albums. Their sixth album, “Tornillo,” arrived in 2022 and expanded the band’s sonic palette with horns, gospel backing vocals, and string arrangements. The group followed it with “Whomp Whack Thunder” on September 26, 2025, an eleven-song album produced by Jay Joyce at Neon Cross Studio in Nashville. Their commitment to musical authenticity and independence has earned them critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal following that continues to grow with each release.
Cody Cannon
Born and raised in Palestine, Texas, Cody Cannon serves as Whiskey Myers’ lead vocalist, acoustic guitarist, and primary songwriter. Cannon’s journey to musical stardom began when he and childhood friend John Jeffers started learning guitar together. They were inspired by the Southern rock and outlaw country they grew up listening to.
What sets Cannon apart as a frontman is his distinctively gritty, soulful voice, which conveys raw emotion and authenticity. His vocal style complements the band’s Southern rock sound while remaining uniquely recognizable. As the band’s principal songwriter, Cannon crafts lyrics that tell stories of working-class struggles, relationships, and life in the South. His writing draws deeply from personal experiences and observations, giving Whiskey Myers’ songs an authenticity that resonates with fans.
Despite the band’s growing success, Cannon has maintained a humble approach to fame. In interviews, he often emphasizes that the band focuses on creating music they love rather than chasing commercial trends or fitting into specific genres. Cannon’s leadership has also been instrumental in guiding Whiskey Myers’ career decisions, including their commitment to remaining independent. That approach has allowed the band to maintain substantial creative control over its music and career trajectory.
John Jeffers
A founding member of Whiskey Myers, John Jeffers serves as the band’s lead guitarist, slide guitarist, lap steel player, and occasional vocalist. Born and raised in Palestine, Texas, Jeffers and Cody Cannon began their musical journey together as childhood friends learning to play guitar. Jeffers’ guitar work became one of the defining elements of Whiskey Myers’ sound. His proficiency with several guitar styles gives the band considerable musical flexibility.
Jeffers can move from hard-driving Southern rock anthems to more introspective ballads without losing the band’s identity. As a songwriter, he has contributed key tracks to the Whiskey Myers catalog, including material from “Tornillo.” His writing complements Cannon’s and helps create the band’s distinctive voice and perspective.
Beyond his musical contributions, Jeffers has been a driving force in the band’s decision-making process. Whiskey Myers chose to produce its 2019 self-titled album and 2022’s “Tornillo” themselves, giving the group greater creative control over those recordings. For the 2025 album “Whomp Whack Thunder,” the band worked with producer Jay Joyce. Jeffers’ commitment to musical authenticity still aligns with the band’s long-standing approach of allowing songs to develop organically rather than forcing them into genre boundaries.
Cody Tate
Cody Tate joined Whiskey Myers early in the band’s formation, bringing additional guitar firepower as both a lead and rhythm guitarist. Before joining the group, Tate was a co-worker and friend of Cody Cannon. His addition helped solidify the band’s core sound during its formative period. Tate has remained part of the lineup throughout Whiskey Myers’ rise from the East Texas circuit to major venues and festivals.
Tate’s capabilities as both a lead and rhythm guitarist create a powerful dynamic with John Jeffers. Together, they allow Whiskey Myers to craft intricate guitar harmonies, trade solos, and move between heavy rock passages and more restrained arrangements. This multi-guitar attack has become one of the band’s sonic signatures. Tate also contributes backing harmonies that add depth to Cannon’s lead vocals in the studio and onstage.
Tate has contributed to the band’s songwriting as well, helping craft Whiskey Myers’ blend of Southern rock, country, and blues. His musical influences and sensibilities have remained an important part of the group’s creative process. Throughout the band’s evolution, Tate has provided continuity even as Whiskey Myers has broadened its sound.
Jeff Hogg
As Whiskey Myers’ drummer since the band’s formation, Jeff Hogg provides the rhythmic foundation for its hard-driving Southern rock sound. A friend of the other founding members, Hogg was recruited when they decided to form a more serious band. His drumming combines power and precision with the loose, groove-oriented feel essential to Southern rock. That balance gives Whiskey Myers the ability to move between aggressive rock songs and more restrained, soulful material.
Across the band’s seven studio albums, Hogg’s solid timekeeping and dynamic sensitivity have remained crucial elements of the Whiskey Myers sound. His rhythmic interplay with bassist Jamey Gleaves creates the pocket that allows the guitarists and vocalists to move freely. Hogg has been present through the band’s growth from small East Texas venues to major festivals and headlining shows across the country. His steady presence has helped maintain the band’s musical identity through that expansion.
In the studio, Hogg’s contributions go beyond simply keeping time. His creative drumming choices are shaped around the needs of each song rather than an attempt to dominate the arrangement. That disciplined approach has helped shape Whiskey Myers’ recorded output.
Jamey Gleaves
Bassist Jamey Gleaves joined Whiskey Myers after original bassist Gary Brown left the band following the “Mud” era. Gleaves brought professional experience and technical skill to a group that was already expanding its audience and sound. His bass playing provides both the harmonic foundation and rhythmic drive that anchors Whiskey Myers’ music. He locks in closely with Jeff Hogg’s drumming, creating a strong platform for the band’s guitars and vocals.
On albums such as “Tornillo,” Gleaves’ funky and soulful bass lines became increasingly prominent. His playing on tracks like “John Wayne” demonstrates his ability to create memorable, melodic bass parts while maintaining the band’s Southern rock foundation. Gleaves remained part of the six-member lineup for the 2025 album “Whomp Whack Thunder.”
In live performances, Gleaves’ energy and precision help drive Whiskey Myers’ high-octane shows. His stage presence complements the other members and contributes to the band’s reputation as a powerful live act. Although he joined after the original lineup had already established itself, Gleaves integrated successfully into the band’s tight-knit dynamic. He respects the group’s established sound while adding his own musical personality to its continuing evolution.
Tony Kent
Rounding out Whiskey Myers’ current lineup is Tony Kent, who handles keyboards, percussion, and occasionally cowbell. Kent joined during the period surrounding the band’s 2016 album “Mud” and brought new textural elements that expanded the group’s sonic palette beyond traditional Southern rock instrumentation. His percussion work complements Jeff Hogg’s drumming by adding rhythmic complexity and depth. That additional layer has become an important part of the band’s fuller modern sound.
As a keyboardist, Kent provides harmonic support and atmospheric textures that enrich Whiskey Myers’ arrangements. His contributions allow the band to create a broader sound in both studio recordings and live performances. The versatility Kent brings was especially important as the group expanded its arrangements on “Tornillo,” which incorporated horns, strings, and gospel influences alongside its Southern rock foundation. He remained part of the six-member lineup as the band moved into the heavier sound of “Whomp Whack Thunder.”
Kent’s role often places him outside the main spotlight, but his musical contributions are vital to the band’s layered arrangements. He gives Whiskey Myers additional rhythmic and harmonic options without overwhelming the guitars or Cannon’s vocals. That flexibility has helped the group continue expanding its sound while retaining the character that first defined it.
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Updated October 5, 2026
Complete List Of Whiskey Myers Band Members article published on ClassicRockHistory.com © 2026



























