Blue collar Ole 60 ought to be going places

These are heady times for Ole 60, some "blue collar kids from middle of nowhere Kentucky" (at least that's what the lead-in audio before the band hit the stage proclaimed). Barely a year into their existence, the band just made their debut at the Mother Church of Country Music, the Grand Ole Opry. They also appear to be a buzz band that people are paying attention to out of the gate with only a few EPs and songs under their belt.

So, it may have been no wonder that the sextet sold out their Boston debut weeks ago.

The show also marked the beginning of their Outta My Way Tour, Pt. 1, but it sure didn't seem like it as Ole 60 demonstrated that they were ready to roll and that the acclaim was due.

Part of that rested on the high marks for band members starting with lead singer. Jacob Young He may have hid behind sunglasses (as did the drummer), but he was a fitting lead singer whether the band rocked (more so at the beginning with the lead-off "Dust 2 Dust" and closing signature song, "Smoke & A Light), gravitated towards a Southern Rock sound or else went country. The different sonic elements of Ole 60 served them well.

Big and burly lead guitarist Ray Laslie was a huge element in Ole 60 forging its sound with numerous steely, sharp runs. Drummer Aden Woods, the youngster of the group at 20, was admirable in establishing the beat in song after song, letting up when needed, but still propulsive.

For its country bona fides, the band employed banjo and pedal steel. A lot. It made a huge difference.

Young also showed his prowess as a writer, perhaps never more so than "Brother Joe," a sad ballad about a preacher whose wife and kids were murdered. Well done (the crowd sang along throughout) with a lot of pedal steel.

Ole 60 did not overstay their welcome in a taut and tight, yet at times expansive 70-minute show. They could have doubtlessly padded their show with covers or songs in progress, but that didn't happen except for a sharp take on Coldplay's "Yellow." Or stretched out songs. That they did a few times, but with Laslie leading the way, all good.

Ole 60 may be blue collar, but that has not held them back one bit. With shows like this – opening night yet – these guys ought to be going places.

Tennessee native Rob Langdon opened with a stint that got better as he went along. The first few songs found Landon rocking, but nothing out of the ordinary. That changed with more inspired singing and stronger material.