Although he's the leader of a rowdy honky-tonk band, John Ballantyne is also becoming recognized as one of Chicago’s premier country songwriters. Ballantyne was born and raised in Scotland, though you’d never know it from his earthy vocal delivery and snarling lead guitar. Both resonate with the twang and raunch of classic country and Americana. Besides being staples of the Chicago country music circuit, John and his band Crazy Heart (Gus Noble, Leslie Walle-Santos and Mike Fleming) regularly bring their high-energy honky-tonk sound back home for tours of Scotland, including main stage appearances at the prestigious, award-winning Tiree Music Festival.

This dirty blues rock quartet emerges from the deepest depths with slithering slide guitar riffs, smoky vocals, and a rhythm section that that thumps like the footsteps of a creature emerging from the swamp, Gatorwater invites you to wade in and experience the untamed, primal allure of their heavy blues sound.

Chicago based indie/alt-country band. Debut single “Sink In” out 1/27, presave