Jake McKelvie, JR Atkins

Jake McKelvie tours around the country both with The Countertops and as a solo act. Having self-released numerous full-length albums and EPs over the years, "he has carved himself a niche as a songwriter, combining a rapid delivery with stream-of-self-consciousness writing in a manner so singular that it is never in question whose songs are being played. (Impose)”. He has appeared on Daytrotter, WFMU and No Depression.

JR Atkins continues in the tradition of the American singer-songwriter, delivering songs of living and loss with unfiltered joy and abandon. Combining elements of country, blues, and folk with soulful vocals and powerful arrangements, his music earns comparisons to the troubadours of today (Jason Isbell, Blake Mills) and yesterday (Warren Zevon, The Band). JR is known for his earnest, emotionally charged live performances.