Paul Cauthen & The Kernal @ Center Stage

Texas’ own Outlaw Country crooner, Paul Cauthen, just wrapped up a new album in 6 days in Muscle Shoals, Alabama’s Legendary Fame Recording Studio, before promptly hitting the road for a 3 night run in Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Mobile with his buddy The Kernal.

PHOTOS: Paul Cauthen @ Center Stage – Atlanta, GA 02-16-23

Originally scheduled to perform at Center Stage Atlanta in December, Cauthen and band had not only all of their gear stolen in Dallas, but also the van and trailer carrying everything, cancelling the rest of that tour. Of course, that can’t stop Paul Cauthen who’s never going to let something like this hold him down, it’s only fuel for the fire. He only comes back stronger, which he showed off on Thursday night in Atlanta. The band was flaming hot as usual, and Cauthen danced into the night with a fiery set of hits that had this sold out crowd rejoicing.

The Kernal @ Center Stage – Atlanta, GA 02-16-23

Opening this run of shows was The Kernal, who’s no stranger to the Muscle Shoals area, residing in Jackson, Tennessee, and releasing his music with John Paul White’s Single Lock Records, also based in Muscle Shoals. The Kernal is intimately familiar with the magic in the area that Paul Cauthen was just recording in, and of course good buddies with Cauthen, a natural pairing for this three night run. While Cauthen is often labeled as Outlaw Country, The Kernal is country music to the core, these days sometimes otherwise referred to as Americana, Alt-Country, or maybe even some kind of folk label. Whatever the label, they are both throw backs in their own way, yet perceptively modern, especially if your paying attention to the lyrics. And The Kernal leaned in on that country music like he does, making for the perfect warmup before Cauthen, grooving this crowd full of cowboy hats to fullest. We even got to hear live one of our personal favorite The Kernal songs, “U Do U“!

This was a night of healing, and a night of dancing.

Check out photos below from Paul Cauthen and The Kernal performing live at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA on Thursday, February 16th, all photos by Mike Gerry:

THE KERNAL