49 Winchester Bring Appalachian Heart to Extra Innings Festival

On a bright Saturday afternoon at Tempe Beach Park, 49 Winchester stepped onto the Right Field stage at 3:20 p.m. on February 28 and offered a set that felt like a direct line from the hills of Virginia to the Arizona desert. Their signature sound—raw Appalachian country-rock built on honest storytelling, soaring harmonies, and a blend of pedal-steel warmth with gritty guitar drive—stands out in today’s music scene for its deep sense of place and lived-in sincerity. In an era when much country music can feel distant from its origins, this band’s music carries the weight and warmth of small-town life without ever sounding calculated.

The timing was spot-on for the festival’s relaxed spirit. Extra Innings Festival, now in its third year since launching in 2024, serves as the rootsier companion to the original Innings Festival, which has been drawing crowds to Tempe Beach Park since 2018. The two-day event mixes live country and Americana with spring-training energy, local food vendors, and lakefront views, creating an easygoing space where bands can simply play what they know best.

From a Small Virginia Town to Steady Growth

Hailing from Castlewood, Virginia—a mountain community of just over 2,000 people in Russell County—the band formed in 2013 when childhood friends Isaac Gibson, Chase Chafin, and Bus Shelton decided to turn their porch sessions into something more. They have been active ever since, releasing music independently before earning wider notice with their 2022 album Fortune Favors the Bold and continuing to build a loyal following through relentless touring.

Longtime fans will be pleased to hear there have been no substantial lineup changes in the past few years. The same six musicians who grew up together in Castlewood remain at the core, preserving the close-knit chemistry that has always defined their sound and live performances.

The band consists of:

• Isaac Gibson – lead vocals, guitar
• Bus Shelton – lead guitar
• Chase Chafin – bass
• Noah Patrick – pedal steel
• Tim Hall – keys
• Justin Louthian – drums

Signature songs include “Russell County Line,” “All Over Again,” “Everlasting Lover,” “Tulsa,” and newer tracks such as “Pardon Me” and “Bringin’ Home the Bacon.” They have appeared at major festivals including Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and earned a nomination for Best Duo or Group at the Americana Music Awards, all while staying rooted in the stories and sounds of their home region.

The Verified Right Field Stage Set

The verified setlist from February 28, 2026, at Tempe Beach Park ran as follows:

• Last Call
• Tulsa
• Chemistry
• Bringin’ Home the Bacon
• Pardon Me
• Russell County Line
• All Over Again
• Everlasting Lover

The group moved through the songs with the easy confidence of musicians who have played together for more than a decade, letting the pedal steel and harmonies shine in the afternoon light.

A Performance That Feels Genuine

49 Winchester turned their festival slot into something that felt personal and grounded. They shared songs that speak to real places and real experiences, inviting the crowd to connect without needing any extra flash. For music lovers who seek out country and Americana that comes straight from the heart of a community rather than a playlist algorithm, their live sets offer exactly that kind of honest satisfaction—the sort you carry with you long after the day at the park has ended.

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