HUNTER – The Taste of Country Music Festival at Hunter Mountain in Hunter, NY is the biggest country concert event in the Northeast, and this year’s performers include notable artists such as Willie Nelson and Family, Montgomery Gentry, Hunter Hayes and Lady Antebellum, joined by local favorites Tumbleweed Highway.

Comprised of Nate Gross on guitar and vocals, Uncle Nobby on bass and Patrick Strain holding down the pedal steel, Tumbleweed Highway performs original Americana songs and recently took part in the Taste of Country Battle of the Bands. There were four groups to make the cut to perform at the Battle of the Bands at the Oneonta Theatre May 31, and Tumbleweed Highway took home the grand prize - the chance to perform on the main stage of the Taste of Country Music Festival Saturday June 15.

The band’s latest release – titled “Where Do We Go From Here?” – was independently recorded and released and - according to the guys - has been selling extremely well on the road. In addition to playing local venues including The Blarney Stone Pub and the Canasawacta Country Club, the band takes advantage of every opportunity to take to the road and play shows in other areas.

“It’s about getting our music into everyone’s hands that we can, and independently, being on the road is the only way to do it,” said Gross.

The band stated they didn’t have too high of hopes going into the battle of the bands, as they weren’t too sure what they’d be up against. By the end of the night, Tumbleweed Highway was declared the winner. The band played original songs, written by Gross, and their originality helped them to succeed.

“We are really excited for the opportunity to perform at the festival,” said Strain when discussing the thousands of people who will be attending the festival. “It’s pretty huge.”