“The TailGators” are the band behind Nashville Nights.
The TailGators have a wide repertoire of American Roadhouse & Country music that will take you to Nashville, or any mid-west American town. There are classic songs from Dolly, Kenny and Johhny through to more recent artists such as Garth Brooks & Taylor Swift aswell as a great selection of iconic songs from artists like John Mellancamp, Tom Petty, The Georgia Satellites and even a bit of Billy Ray Cyrus and Elvis thrown in for good measure.
In a unique twist, the band teaches called barn dances, line dances, square dances and bush dances which are mixed seamlessly into the night so that your guests will be kicking up their heels before they know it.
The combination of the American Roadhouse & Country music and the called dancing is a unique formula that is highly engaging and entertaining. The band has done hundreds of gigs and knows how to make it work.
The musicians in the band all have professional backgrounds and although we normally play as a five piece, we play as a 3/4/5 or 6 piece depending on what your event requires.
An event company can put together a menu, a covers band and decorate a room for you but The TailGators are one of a kind in Australia in what we do and our years of experience doing it. When you’re planning your event- the band can make or break a night… and The TailGators have made it successful for hundreds of clients.
Meet the Band
Michael Buining worked in the finance sector for 20 years with a leading Australian bank with roles in Asia, the US, Latin America, the UK and Australia. He is the founder of Swamp Dawkins, an Australian country bush/rock band, and The Roadhouse Regulars, who perform blues and roots original material. He has released four albums with tracks played all over Australia including a Top 10 single in 2019 on the AMRAP charts. He is a commissioned songwriter and regular live performer having done many hundreds of events for corporates, weddings, private functions, community groups and pubs & clubs. Michael’s combined experience in the corporate and music industries ensures you will be dealing with a professional band who knows what corporate events expect.
Cara Zaetta-Thomas is a violinist who regularly performs with a number of bands and orchestras. She combines her classical training and discipline of what’s required in an orchestra with the energy, improvisation and stage-craft required in live performances.
Gray Read plays harmonica and is an audio engineer by trade. He has performed across Australia with acts covering styles ranging from jazz to blues, rock and country.
Jy Perry-Banks is the leading pedal steel player in Australia and has performed with many of Australia’s most recognised country musicians.
Paul Dengate plays bass and has worked in the music industry for over thirty years in live bands and in production. His experience in what it takes to make the sound production successful is a key ingredient to the success of Nashville Nights.
Jimmy Just Jimmy is our drummer, a multiple ARIA award winning artist, and has performed locally and internationally in a career spanning 30 years. He runs an event production business and know what it takes to create an event of the highest quality.