This past Saturday, February 28, Assembly in Kingston presented an evening of Honky Tonkin’ in Queens, featuring India Ramey and The Slide Stops. The show was hosted by country and western DJ duo Moonshine and Prison Rodeo.
For more than three years, Honky Tonkin’ in Queens has held monthly shows throughout NYC. What began as one-off nights spinning country records in neighborhood bars has evolved into a series with a growing following. Artists such as Margo Price have appeared as headliners, helping to solidify the series’ reputation for spotlighting both rising and established names in country music. Saturday marked the series’s first venture upstate.
The evening kicked off with a two-step dance lesson led by Hudson Valley instructor Tori Tornado. Even though the live music was scheduled for later in the night, much of the audience arrived early, eager to learn a few moves before hitting the floor. Following the lesson, DJs Moonshine and Prison Rodeo spun some classic country cuts, giving dancers the perfect opportunity to test out their newly acquired steps before the live acts.
The Slide Stops were the first live set of the night, delivering a mix of originals and well-chosen classic country covers. Led by singer John Cushing, the band showcased its tight rhythm section and blazing solos. They would later pull double duty as the backing band for India Ramey as well.
After a brief set change, India Ramey took the stage at 10 p.m. for an hour-long performance of original material. By that point, the dance floor was in full swing, with more audience members stepping in as the set progressed. Ramey also treated the audience to a few songs from her forthcoming release, Villain Era.
By the end of the night, it was clear that Honky Tonkin’ in Queens’ signature charm translated effortlessly to its upstate debut.
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