Nashville, IN. – The Wood Brothers brought two decades of musical history to the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana, on August 20, delivering an evening that connected the trio’s earliest roots with the continually evolving sound of their latest chapter. With Oliver Wood on guitar and vocals, Chris Wood on bass, harmonica and vocals, and Jano Rix on drums, percussion, keyboards, shuitar and vocals, the Grammy-nominated trio arrived in Brown County touring behind their ninth studio album, Puff of Smoke, while also celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2006 debut, Ways Not to Lose. The combination made the night feel as much like a reflection on where the band has been as a showcase of where they are today.
Opening the evening was Ric Robertson, whose laid-back blend of Americana, folk, soul and roots music proved an ideal complement to the headliner. Robertson brought an easygoing presence to the stage, allowing his songwriting and piano playing to carry the performance rather than relying on unnecessary production. His warm delivery and roots-oriented sound settled naturally into the intimate atmosphere of the Brown County Music Center, drawing the crowd into the evening with a set that felt less like a warm-up and more like the first chapter of the show.
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Once The Wood Brothers took the stage, the chemistry built over years of playing together was immediately apparent. Oliver’s weathered, soulful vocals and expressive guitar work provided the band’s emotional center, while Chris moved effortlessly between deep, resonant grooves and remarkably agile bass lines. Rix is far more than a traditional drummer, moving between percussion and other instruments while adding another layer of personality to the trio’s already distinctive sound. It was nice to see Jano sitting up front so you were able to see everything he does behind that kit; really highlighting his amazing multi-instrumental talent. Their performance moved comfortably through blues, folk, gospel, jazz and Americana, often shifting directions within a song without ever losing the groove. Material from Puff of Smoke demonstrated just how far the group has expanded its musical vocabulary, while still retaining the sharp songwriting, wit and organic interplay that have defined The Wood Brothers throughout their career. The 2025 album features 11 songs and was produced by the trio alongside Brook Sutton.
The anniversary of Ways Not to Lose added another dimension to the evening. Originally released in 2006, the album introduced the partnership between Oliver and Chris Wood through songs including “One More Day,” “Tried and Tempted,” “Chocolate on My Tongue” and longtime favorite “Luckiest Man.” Twenty years later, those early songs remain a foundation for a band that has continued to evolve without abandoning what made its music compelling in the first place. At Brown County Music Center, The Wood Brothers demonstrated that longevity does not have to mean nostalgia. Instead, the evening connected the raw simplicity of their beginnings with the adventurous spirit of Puff of Smoke, celebrating twenty years of songs, musicianship and the unmistakable chemistry of three players who continue to find new territory within American roots music.
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Show Date: 08.20.26
