The first show of 2024 for the Rose Garden Ballroom in Hays, KS was loaded with some of the best acts in the area, pulling Wichita’s solo Rockabilly Black Cat J, Dodge City’s Thunderbird Hotel and Aether, and Hays’ Tree Kitty and the return of duo Dangerously Biased. While the temperatures outside were cold, the temperature and excitement inside were hot. There’s been a need for a good show in the area. It isn’t very often that friends get to watch friends perform for more friends while having drinks with more friends, where everyone knows pretty much everyone. It had been months since I had seen most of the people in attendance, and I wanted nothing more than to take time and visit with every one that I knew. Did I get around to catching up with everyone? I did not. And there was only so much time that evening to make the rounds. But being able to share a venue with them all and hear some great music, how does one top that.
It’s been over two years since Dangerously Biased performed. On October 30th, 2021, they held a Halloween Party at the Fox Theatre in Hays with friends You Monster You, and gave everything they had that night. Unbeknownst to many, it would be the last that we would hear from them for quite some time. Since then, the music scene in Hays has continued. New bands and artists have arrived and some have parted ways. Venues have closed, and others have become available. And even new members of the music community have arrived, many of which have never seen or heard the music of Dangerously Biased. I will be the first to admit that I am a huge Dang Biased fan (a term for them I have used since seeing one of their travel cases adorned with those words). I am good close friends with Bassist and vocalist Matt Isley, as well as friends with Drummer and vocalist Sutton Thompson (who also contributes concert photos for us, from time to time). Saturday night was long awaited, to say the least.
Full Gallery HERE
Black Cat J
Tree Kitty
Thunderbird Hotel
Aether
Dangerously Biased
The next performances for Dangerously Biased and Thunderbird Hotel are in Dodge City at the Gunsmoke Sessions on Feb 3rd, along with Hardwood Cherry and The Scud.
Black Cat J is back in Wichita on Jan 23rd at Barleycorns with Colton Cox and Miki P & the Swallowtails.
