Wild Horses, the self proclaimed “frontier free-for-all” takes the reins of the headlining act 7:30 p.m. Friday at the DuQuoin State Fair.

The band’s debut single “I Will Survive” paints a picture of the road taken to achieve its present status. Wild Horses formed in 1998 with its four core members lead singer Angela Rae, lead guitarist Michael Mahler, guitarist Joe Lee Koenig and drummer Ralph “Thundersticks” MCCauley.

The band played house gigs in Nashville and the surrounding area for five years and found their newest member bassist Stephen Kellough in 1993.

Advertisement

The band plays 200 to 250 shows a year, playing all types of cover songs and plenty of memorable originals, such as “Ride Cowboy Ride.”

The audience is always involved in a Wild Horses show. The band takes yelled out requests and is known for handing lucky fans the microphone and letting them have a moment in the spotlight.

The band’s first single from Epic Records “I Will Survive” is the lead off song from “Dancin’ With Thunder”, a multi-artist CD that celebrates U.S. professional bull riding.

Tickets for Friday’s show are $5 and include opening acts Sweet Kay Tee Jay and Jungle Dogs.

Reporter Jack Piatt can be reached at [email protected]