Forgotten Highway promises 'roller coaster' performance

You might not be familiar with the name Forgotten Highway, but on the night of Friday, August 5, at least one band member thinks you will leave the Phillips County Fair and remember the name forever.

"We are the best opening act in the mid-west," said Drew Goblirsch, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and one of the band's founding members. "We pride ourselves on being different than everybody else while still being entertaining. We like to cater to everybody so the people at the Phillips County Fair can expect a rip-roaring rollercoaster of entertainment."

The band was formed three years ago with Goblirsch, Hunter Johnson and Erik Abrahamzon. Goblirsch and Abrahamzon (electric guitar, lead vox and harmony vox) remain in the band and are now joined Christian Walsh, lead guitar, Brenna Carey, fiddle, Ezra Brodersen, bass and Jordan Brooks on drums. Forgotten Highway prides itself on being able to successfully walk the line between two worlds, combining the guitar sounds of the 1950's and integrating them with modern country and acoustic instruments which gives them one of the most unique country voices in the country music scene today. Though the group offers music fans a grown-up sound, the band members themselves are still babes and range in age from 16 to early 20's.

"We were brought together with the wonderful help of named Chad Barnhill, a man who owns a music store in Nebraska," said Goblirsch. "He brought us together. There have been a couple of new additions to the band this year and he was instrumental in making that happen."

Goblirsch explained that since the band is young, sometimes members leave the group to pursue college or other ventures. The six current band members hail from several Midwest states – Minneapolis, Minn., Des Moines, Iowa and others throughout Nebraska – which adds to their unique approach to playing country music. Forgotten Highway has spent most of this summer playing gigs across the country, opening for Stoney LaRue in Kansas one day and then for Chase Rice in Iowa the next. Last week the band was scheduled to open for country music singer Craig Morgan in South Dakota, but the sudden death of Morgan's 19-year-old son, Jerry Greer, following a boating accident in Tennessee forced a cancellation of the concert.

"We are doing a free concert there to help bail that event out," Goblirsch said. "They were put into a pretty tough spot."

Forgotten Highway reached out to Phillips County Fair Board Member Sue Olson earlier this year to check if there was a chance the band could play at this year's fair ... and they are glad they did.

"We sent an email as we're anticipating being in the area around that time because we are opening for Lone Star in Nebraska the day after the Phillips County Fair," said Goblirsch. "That's about seven or eight hours away from Dodson so it was the perfect opportunity to come to town and play some music with a fantastic country star."

Goblirsch stressed that Forgotten Highway has been blessed by people like Olson in their young career who have given them a chance to reach for the stars.

"Thank you to Sue Olson and the entire Phillips County Fair Board for giving us a chance to live out this crazy, wonderful dream of ours."

When Forgotten Highway takes the stage prior to Sawyer Brown at the fair, it will be the third time in three years they have opened for the country legends. Goblirsch said Forgotten Highway plays a mixture of cover tunes and original songs during their set. In only three years as a band, Forgotten Highway has had major success in opening for such established country and rock bands as Clint Black and .38 Special.

"We have been so fortunate to go in all these directions and do all these magnificent things," Goblirsch added.

Goblirsch said at this point in the group's career, Forgotten Highway is strictly a touring band and not focusing on recording songs.

"That will change in the future," he added. "But for now, since we are a young band, we are thrilled to be where we are at and are excited about coming to the Phillips County Fair."

To learn more about Forgotten Highway, you can follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ForgottenHighwayCountry or at their website at http://www.forgottenhighwayofficial.com.

Sawyer Brown and Forgotten Highway will play at the 101st Phillips County Fair on Friday, August 5 starting at 7 p.m. with a street dance to follow the concert that will also feature Forgotten Highway. For ticket information for the concert, or for info on other Grand Stand Events, visit the Phillips County Fair website at http://phillipscountyfair.com.