Country band Sixwire plays at RNC after abrupt teleprompter malfunction
The Republican National Convention has brought out a relatively small band to kick off the event in Milwaukee.
Nashville band Sixwire played several songs soon after a teleprompter malfunction abruptly ended House Speaker Mike Johnson's introduction of Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird.
During the unscheduled break the group performed their rendition of Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me." The group's set also included covers of other hits, like Rascal Flatts' "Life Is A Highway" and the Foo Fighters’ "Learn To Fly," KCBS Radio reporter Doug Sovern shared on X.
Here's what to know about the band playing at the RNC.
The house band at #RNC2024 is 6 Wire, out of Nashville. Extremely polished corporate cover band. They opened the week with “Life Is A Highway” & segued right into Foo Fighters’ “Learn To Fly” pic.twitter.com/MSVwrFuowa
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) July 15, 2024
Who is the band at the RNC?
Sixwire is a country music band based in Nashville, Tennessee that formed in 2000.
Members include Andy Childs (lead vocals, guitar), Steve Hornbeak (keyboards, vocals), John Howard (bass guitar), Steve Mandile (guitar, vocals) and Chuck Tilley (drums, percussion).
The group has one self-titled studio album with 11 songs that released on Aug. 27, 2002.
Mainly positive reactions to band's RNC set
Social media responses to the Sixwire performance were mainly positive though a few negative posts can be found.
The band playing at the RNC convention is awesome!!! ????????????
— Terry (@tssunlvr) July 15, 2024
The RNC band is just so bad and somehow so on brand.
— Jared Calvert (@jaredcal) July 15, 2024
This band at the #RNC is rocking!
So happy to have this celebration after one of the darkest days in our country’s history.
We needed this!
TRUMP VANCE 2024! ???????— James Scully ???? (@jimmyscully23) July 15, 2024
Whatever the RNC is paying this cover band, they're earning every single cent while I assume they fix the busted teleprompters. Currently cooking on a Steely Dan cover. Gotta respect it
— Galen Bacharier (@galenbacharier) July 15, 2024
so the teleprompter crashed and now the RNC is just a glorified cover band concert?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 15, 2024
Is it just me or does the RNC house band go kinda hard?
— Nick Reynolds (@IAmNickReynolds) July 15, 2024
Failed teleprompter at RNC Convention leads to cover band having to fill-in, the crowd in spots can’t help but bop along. Good musicians, they’ve been around the block a few times. Maybe they’ll get even more gigs out of this exposure. Name?
— Thom Richards (@media_thom) July 15, 2024
Contributing: Sam Woodward
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What band is playing at the RNC? Meet country group Sixwire.
