97.5 WOKQ presents ACOUSTIC COUNTRY BY THE SEA

ft. ERNEST w/ Kassi Ashton, Bryce Leatherwood, and Chase McDaniel
Opener: Gavin Marengi
 PROCEEDS SUPPORT: New Hampshire Chapter – Surfrider Foundation 

Reserved Seating: $35
+ $3 Additional Day of Show

ON SALE FRIDAY

To Benefit:

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

ABOUT ERNEST 

Nashville’s most unpredictable hitmaker ERNEST is “The Charmer” (MusicRow): a triple threat talent who “creates a sound all his own” (Pollstar) and one of Music City’s defining artist-writers who continues to push and challenge the artistic status quo. The 2X ACM Award nominee (2024), 2X CMA Triple Play Award winner, and 2022 / 2023 Variety Hitmaker fuses influences ranging from Eminem to George Jones, crafting a twist-heavy verse style that’s become his signature, proving its mettle, and earning him eleven No. 1 hits as a songwriter and one No. 1 at country radio himself. The eccentric free spirit just released his highly anticipated full-length sophomore album, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, a set that “maintain(s) Nashville’s tethering to its legendary history while wholly embracing the soul of the city’s future” (The Tennessean), featuring 26 new songs and collaborations with genre tastemakers Lainey Wilson, Lukas Nelson, Jelly Roll, HARDY, and more. The album has been shortlisted as one of the Best of the Year So Far by Billboard, The Tennessean, and Country Now, following in the footsteps of its critically acclaimed predecessor, FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM), and its cleverly-expanded deluxe edition, FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM): Two Dozen Roses, which added a baker’s dozen of fresh cuts to the bunch. ERNEST headlines this fall on the Legalize Country Music Roadshow before opening arenas for Jelly Roll through the end of the year.

 ABOUT KASSI ASHTON

With a little bit of rock, a hell of a lot of soul, and a throwback R&B groove, MCA Nashville’s Kassi Ashton is set to take the music world by storm. “Kassi Ashton is in line for Nashville domination, and she’ll do it her way – unapologetically,” proclaims PEOPLE Magazine. The California, Missouri singer/songwriter touched down with a string of critically acclaimed tracks released by UMG Nashville with Interscope Records. Her introductory release “California, Missouri” stirred widespread critical acclaim from Taste of Country, CMT, The Boot, and many more. Kassi was also named as an Artist to Watch by Huffington Post, The Tennessean, and radio personality Bobby Bones. Rolling Stone lauds her as “a devilish songwriter who isn’t afraid to flip convention on its head,” while Refinery29 claims, “she blends pop aesthetics with a presence doused in no-fucks-left-to-give authenticity,” PAPER Magazine calls her “the next big country superstar,” and American Songwriter notes, “Ashton brings powerful storytelling and a sense of poetry in every release.” Kassi defies convention and continues to deliver her signature style with confessional, catchy storytelling and dynamic vocal performances on songs including her latest, “Drive You Out of My Mind,” and critically acclaimed releases “Dates In Pickup Trucks,” “Heavyweight,” “California, Missouri,” “Hopeless,” “Violins,” and more. This year, Kassi will continue to disrupt the country scene with some of her most powerful music to date.

ABOUT BRYCE LEATHERWOOD

Singer/songwriter Bryce Leatherwood aims to carry the torch of country music and continue the legacy of legends prior. Born and raised in Woodstock, GA, his passion for music began at an early age. Working on his grandfather’s farm every summer, Leatherwood was exposed to the classic country hits of George Jones, Merle Haggard and Conway Twitty. Soon thereafter he began picking up guitars and playing the traditional country music that inspires him today. Leatherwood’s music career began to blossom in Statesboro, GA, where he attended Georgia Southern University. During his time in Statesboro, Leatherwood played college venues and continued to grow his stage presence and his country music repertoire. While in college, Leatherwood formed his band and began playing all around the Southeast. Just weeks after graduating college, Bryce set his mind on a new task. In 2022, Leatherwood competed on the NBC hit television show The Voice and was crowned the Season 22 winner in December. Following his success, Leatherwood moved to Nashville where he has been songwriting and recording for his debut album on Mercury Records. A next generation traditionalist plugged firmly into the modern mainstream, with all the hallmarks of a rising star, Leatherwood concluded his first-ever headlining tour, The Neon Does Tour last year, took the Good Molecules Reverb Stage at CMA Fest and made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Sept. 14, 2024. His debut single, “Hung Up On You,” arrived at country radio as the most-added single, with 45 first week adds and is currently climbing the country chart. For the latest, visit bryceleatherwood.com.

ABOUT CHASE MCDANIEL

Raised in the small town of Greensburg, Kentucky by his grandparents, Chase McDaniel is one of Nashville’s most tenacious singer-songwriters and shining example of how kindness, persistence and curiosity pays off. After graduating from University of Louisville, he chased his dream of Country music all the way to Nashville but the streetwise go-getter, who is no stranger to hard times, found misfortune once again—this time courtesy of the pandemic. Jobless and down to his last $12, he almost packed it up and headed home, if not for a friend who loaned him enough to cover rent for just a few more weeks. He gave this shot everything he had — in those weeks, he submitted more than 50 job applications until he got one, began working double shifts, sleeping as little as four hours a night and writing and recording with his producer and best friend Jerry Jacobs every other minute of the day. Grateful for the second chance, Chase put his heart and soul into making his music, sharing the good, the bad and the ugly – and fans have connected with his strength through vulnerability and honesty—as well as his enigmatic swagger. The self-aware “Project” landed the No.1 spot on the Billboard Digital Sales and iTunes Country single charts and the heartbreaking track written about his sister “Your Daughter” reached No. 3 (all genre), an unprecedented feat for the 28-year-old talent, who was recently signed to Big Machine Records/Big Machine Label Group. Now taking his Country/Rock flair and rich baritone vocals (it’s no surprise Josh Turner’s Long Back Train was his first CD) on the road in front of sold-out audiences across the country, he is aiming to help others find the light and is working on new music.

Opener: Gavin Marengi 

Indulge your senses in great food and dine at one of our on-site restaurants before the show! Click to make a reservation for dinner before the show at Seaglass Restaurant, SurfSide Salisbury, or  Capri Seaside Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria.