DIRT ROAD TO NOWHERE

Dirt Road to Nowhere Est. April 2023

Looking for a country band that knows how to have a good time? Look no further than Dirt Road to Nowhere! Based in Southeast, MI, this country party band is ready to take your event to the next level. Whether you're planning a wedding, corporate event, or just a good old-fashioned hoe-down, Dirt Road to Nowhere will bring the party and keep the energy high all night long.
What sets Dirt Road to Nowhere apart from other bands is their commitment to playing the latest hits and not getting stuck in a musical rut. While they love classics from artists like Jason Aldean and Brooks and Dunn, they also embrace the sounds of today, with hits from Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs and many more. Prepare to sing along to both country favorites and surprising genre mashups that will have you dancing the night away.
But it's not just their song selection that makes Dirt Road to Nowhere a crowd-pleaser. With their Nashville-style acoustic shows, they've already won over audiences and earned rave reviews. Don't be surprised if they can play any requests thrown their way. Now, they're ready to bring that same showmanship and musical talent to your venue with a full band experience that will leave your guests in awe. So get ready to dust off those cowboy boots and put on your dancing hat because Dirt Road to Nowhere is ready to take you on a musical journey to nowhere and everywhere. Book them now for an unforgettable night of country tunes, rock 'n' roll hits, and everything in between. It's time to hit the dirt road and create memories that will last a lifetime with Dirt Road to Nowhere!

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Dirt Road to Nowhere was established to break the mold of your typical country cover band. While Ryan Palter (vocals/guitar) was performing in a previous band with Paul Willette (drums/vocals) he realized that a lot of people take the joy out of playing music and tend to lose insight on who they are actually playing music too, and that is the patrons of the events. Songs that were being requested were never getting played, and the setlist was the rule. In April Ryan split ways with that group and decided to start a new band. His image was to get a good group of musicians together, all with the same mindsight and one singular goal. The mindsight; not make performing feel like another job; it needs to be FUN. The singular goal; bring as much ENERGY to each performance people have no choice but to get up and dance. The way this is done is with clarity, communication and a great and ever changing music selection.

The gigs started as acoustic shows where Ryan brought a little touch he learned from a few performances (back in the day) in Nashville to Michigan. He called the acoustic shows “Nashville Style”. There was no set list, no order of songs. The audience determined what was going to be played next by tipping the band and requesting a song. After a couple shows people started to realize that there was no stumping them and other venues started reaching out to get Dirt Road to Nowhere’s Nashville Style Acoustic Show on the calendar. The full band debuted on 7/1/2023 at Freddy’s where typically bands have years of experience and being together. The crowd was dancing ALL NIGHT. The people that become fans of DRtN are all apart of the DRtNation.

The band consists of the following member’s and their bios’.

Ryan Palter - Vocals/Guitar

Born in Detroit raised in West Bloomfield doesn't sound like the roots for country music? Well with generations of different musicians in the family Ryan Palter had to find HIS genre. Although, from a young age his parents would play the likes of Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash it wasn't until he was older did he grow to appreciate country music. Ryan was always around live performances and recording studios, his sister (Jesse Palter) starting the jazz vocalist program at U of M and being an award winning recording artist was the reason why. At the age of 21 while doing an internship in New York City, Ryan bought his first guitar and instead of going out on Friday and Saturday nights, he learned how to play. After performing with a few different bands for a couple years, Ryan met his future wife (at a karaoke night) and settled down now having two kids, two dogs and a cat. After a 7 year hiatus, Ryan developed the itch to get back to performing. Ryan spent a year putting together Ghost Town Marshalls and started performing all around the Midwest. After realizing the travel was too much Ryan split ways with GTM and reached out to some old friends to start Dirt Road to Nowhere. Ryan doesn’t claim to be the best vocalist in the world, he leaves that to his sister. He does claim to be an entertainer and will promise you will see a show and want to get involved.

Jake Branch - Guitar/Vocals
Born and raised in Detroit/ Warren Jake has been playing guitar and writing songs for 18 years. South Warren seems like a strange place for a love of Country Music to develop but He has Country music in His blood. His Grandfather was first cousin to Faron Young and spent many nights jamming with Faron and their friend Roy Clarke. Jake grew up watching His Father and Uncle play shows with the Grizzly Rose Band. He later learned to play on the old Gibson guitar that His grandfather left behind when He passed and the stories that guitar could tell inspired Him.He grew up playing in rock and metal bands but has always had a passion for playing and writing country music. He has played many shows throughout the MidWest and done session work for many Michigan artists. Jake resides in Rochester Hills with His wife Abby, two daughters, and His good pal Opie the Basset Hound.

Paul Willette - Drums/Vocals
Born to the world on April 24th '75, Paul Willette chose to drum by the age of 9 after getting his first kit, and literally replacing his mothers pots and pans. By 13 years of age, he was directing and performing original music with his band at a local church youth group. His high school band was one the biggest locals draws at the Capitol Theater in Flint, Michigan. To this day they often open for major label acts to crowds of 2000 plus. Recording two full length original albums by the age of 20, with the second recorded at the legendary Pearl Sound in Canton. Fast forward to the core of the Ghost Town Marshall's, GTM is where Paul met Ryan and they connected instantly feeding off of each other's energy on stage. Paul has a deep and lengthy background of many different types of music, but currently, his heart is focused on the sounds and styles of Today's Country music. Laying down pocket grooves and kick flams for miles, Paul directs the crowd to the dance floor with grace, and authority. When he's not drumming, Paul likes to spend his time on the shores of Lake Huron with his family. Where he is an avid rock and fossil hunter, and an amateur snap shot photographer on the sunrise side. He is known as an honest husband, father and friend. He spans time as genuinely as he keeps it.

Bobby Kopke - Bass
Born with an innate connection to music, Bobby discovered his passion for playing instruments at an early age. He honed his skills through countless hours of practice, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of genres and musicians. Known for his impeccable timing and unwavering sense of groove, Bobby has become a sought-after collaborator, anchoring bands with his powerful basslines. He possesses a distinctive ability to lock in with the drummer, creating a rhythmic pocket that propels the music forward and keeps audiences moving. Beyond his mastery of the instrument, Bobby brings an infectious energy to the stage. He thrives on the connection with the audience, engaging them with his charismatic presence and inviting them to be part of the musical journey. With a deep respect for the past and an eye towards the future, Bobby is a true driving force, inspiring fellow musicians and music lovers alike. He resides in Canton with his wife Betsy and 2 children.

Some quotes from the band on what you can expect from a night with DRtN
"This band is all about vibe and energy. We won't be ashamed to play any genre/type of music the people want to hear, and we will always be trying new songs. There will be no egos on this stage so that means all you are going to get is enjoyment from us. Our energy is going to be off the charts and you will end up enjoying the vibe like we will be." - Ryan Palter
“I have been in several bands and played with a lot of different musicians. This band felt different from the beginning, it felt like family. That, to me, has made me want to bring every ounce of me to the stage every time we play, and that has brought people to the dance floor that I didn’t think would get out of their seat.” - Paul Willette
“Ryan, as a frontman, kind of demands the crowd to get involved. He sees people singing the songs and walks up to them and gets them to sing into the microphone, then they end up on the dance floor. It’s kind of astonishing to see. You can’t hide from him at the shows, he will get you involved.” - Jake Branch

SONG ARTIST
KRYPTONITE 3 DOORS DOWN
SAVE A HORSE BIG N RICH
ONE HELL OF AN AMEN BRANTLEY GILBERT
BOTTOMS UP BRANTLEY GILBERT
RED DIRT ROAD BROOKS AND DUNN
BOOT SCOOTIN BROOKS AND DUNN
BRAND NEW MAN BROOKS AND DUNN W/ LUKE COMBS
FAMOUS FRIENDS CHRIS YOUNG/KANE BRO
AINT WORTH THE WHISKEY COLE SWINDELL
SHE HAD ME AT HEADS CAROLINA COLE SWINDELL
WILD AS HER COREY KENT
WAGON WHEEL DARIUS RUCKER VERS
DUST ON THE BOTTLE DAVID LEE MURPHY
SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING ID DO DRAKE MILLIGAN
HELL OF A NIGHT DUSTIN LYNCH
DRINK IN MY HAND ERIC CHURCH
FLOWER SHOPS ERNEST
SUGAR WE'RE GOING DOWN FALL OUT BOY
FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES GARTH BROOKS
BASKET CASE GREEN DAY
HE WENT TO JARED HARDY
SOLD OUT HARDY
TRUCK BED HARDY
GIVE HEAVEN SOME HELL HARDY
ANYWHERE WITH YOU JAKE OWEN
COLD BEER CALLING MY NAME JAMESON RODGERS
HICKTOWN JASON ALDEAN
MY KINDA PARTY JASON ALDEAN
SHE'S COUNTRY JASON ALDEAN
SON OF A SINNER JELLY ROLL
FREEDOM WAS A HIGHWAY JIMMIE ALLEN
FOLSOM PRISON BLUES JOHNNY CASH
HEARTACHE ON THE DANCE FLOOR JON PARDI
WHY WE DRINK JUSTIN MOORE
LIKE I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC KANE BROWN
LOSE IT KANE BROWN
BEER IN MEXICO KENNY CHESNEY
BEER MONEY KIP MOORE
MY OWN WORST ENEMY LIT
COUNTRY GIRL SHAKE IT FOR ME LUKE BRYAN
ALL MY FRIENDS SAY/ENTER SANDMAN LUKE BRYAN
KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE LUKE BRYAN
PLAY IT AGAIN LUKE BRYAN
HURRICANE LUKE COMBS
BEER NEVER BROKE MY HEART LUKE COMBS
SHE GOT THE BEST OF ME LUKE COMBS
1 2 MANY LUKE COMBS
ONE NUMBER AWAY LUKE COMBS
WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS LUKE COMBS
COLD AS YOU LUkE COMBS
CAN'T YOU SEE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND
SWEET HOME ALABAMA/ALL SUMMER LONG MASHUP
DRUNK ME MITCHELL TENPENNY
MORE THAN MY HOMETOWN MORGAN WALLEN
WHISKEY GLASSES MORGAN WALLEN
LAST NIGHT MORGAN WALLEN
ONE THING AT A TIME MORGAN WALLEN
YOU PROOF MORGAN WALLEN
CIRCLES POST MALONE
PURPLE RAIN PRINCE
MAN I FEEL LIKE A WOMAN SHANIA TWAIN
FISHIN IN THE DARK/BEER NEVER THE BOONDOCK BOYS
DEVIL WENT DOWN/FOLSOM PRISON THE BOONDOCK BOYS
MR. BRIGHTSIDE THE KILLERS
DICKED DOWN IN DALLAS TREY LEWIS

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