ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT: Kanton Teen and the Penny Pickers are gaining stripes and planning to release a new song soon | News

An up-and-coming group with members from all over has made numerous appearances in Tahlequah as they earn their stripes.

Kanton Teen, a Braggs native, said his band, Kanton Teen and the Penny Pickers, is a southern country/rock group that has been performing together for about seven months.

“I got out of the military and went back in August, and I decided I wanted to start playing music,” Teen said. “I put a video on Facebook and my drummer, Will, contacted me and wanted to form a band, so him and I met and hung out for a bit and decided to form one. We've been going there ever since.

The five-piece band performs original songs everywhere, with their new EP titled “Brothers Keeper” coming out in June on Spotify.

The group consists of Bud Doyle, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Kanton Teen and Patrick Pierce, both of Braggs; William Shepherd, a native of Gore; and Russ Jones, of Muldrow. Since the group is not entirely from one region, Teen described how the diversity of backgrounds has a positive impact on their music.

“It definitely helps making music because you have different ideas, different ways of doing things, different landscapes and just different parts of what makes Oklahoma great,” Teen said.

Teen said the difference between Kanton Teen and the Penny Pickers is how their music blends not only country and southern rock, but also how they are willing to perform anywhere. Teen said he thinks getting out on the road is one of the best ways to get his name out there.

“What I think sets us apart is how we’re not afraid to travel anywhere and anytime,” Teen said. “We're ready to go at any time, so we just love playing music and we love hitting the road… [we’re] earn our stripes, I suppose.

Teen and his band often perform in Tahlequah due to the area's vast music scene.

“People who are there to listen to music are there to listen to music. You’re not just background noise in Tahlequah,” Teen said.

Since, as Teen says, the band is “earning their stripes,” Teen said getting into the local music scene can be a challenge, but it's great because the band has to make sure they're on top and that his songs are worth listening to every time. they play.

“I really want people to listen to the lyrics because our songs are very lyrical and they have meaning because our music is written from the heart,” Teen said. “Our music means something to us, and I hope some people can relate to it in someone else's life and they can relate to it too.”

Check it out

Kanton Teen and the Penny Pickers will open for Gannon Fremin at the Vanguard in Tulsa on June 15 at 8 p.m. The band will also perform at Dewain's Place on June 21 at 9 p.m.