Don’t miss this fantastic evening of country music entertainment with artists Justin Biltonen and Hope Cassity.
Justin Biltonen is best known as the bassist for the alt-rock group 3 Doors Down. With an adoration for country, rock, punk and hardcore, Justin went from singing in hometown worship groups to traveling the nation playing southern-fried rock ‘n roll. From playing bars and basements to global tours and the Presidential Inauguration, the North Carolina native owes his success to nothing more than his sincere, unwavering respect for music. “At the end of the day, I know I’ll always be able to focus on my love of an honest melody,” Biltonen reveals. “Whether I’m doing my own thing or touring with the band, thriving through the ups and downs in the name of the music is always going to matter more than anything else.”
It’s no coincidence that Hope Cassity’s first name is usually associated with words like belief, optimism, faith, and love. Before her brush with a rare form of cancer in 2018, Cassity lived in Tennessee for 6 years and graduated Nashville “hard knocks” school of music. Eventually, she earned her place as a respected songsmith on Music Row. Cassity was a three-time Nashville Country Music Association Nominee (NCMA), including a winner for NCMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2015. Working alongside greats like #1 hitmaker Jim McBride and Grammy award winning writer Jerry Salley (Outlaw State of Mind, Chris Stapleton) , Cassity’s self-awareness and maturity rival even the most experienced in the business. Traveling around the southeast, armed with only a guitar, Hope’s philosophy is simple: write and perform honestly. Her easy listening melodies and honest words are enough to break down the toughest of genre barriers with influences of rock, blues, and classic country. Her effortless tone is reminiscent of Patty Loveless and Emmylou Harris, while her evanescence and at times, rocker chicesque performances are enough to capture even the most distracted audiences of today. She brings audiences to tears while bringing them to their feet. She creates pin-drop silence in the chattiest of rooms, and she inspires budding songwriters with her unrelenting work ethic and her generous heart.
Rounding out this evening of pure entertainment is Emcee and comedian Jeff Varvil, undoubtedly the funniest guy in Alaska. Save the date! Brought to you by MATSU Events, this concert is one night only, July 30th, at the Menard Center. Tickets at matsuevents.com.
