By Craig Marx, Editor

After performing at the Pickerel Perry Fest over Fourth of July weekend, local band Whiskey Nights will hit the main stage of the ever-popular Hodag Country Festival this coming Friday.

The band can trace its origins to the Antigo area, featuring natives Michael Wolter, TJ Christensen, Beau Herron, Justin Cunningham, and Brandon Berg. Band member Zach Johnson is the only non-Antigo representative, hailing from Monticello.

Whiskey Nights secured the chance to play the Northwoods’ largest music festival by winning the Hodag Country Pickoff contest earlier this year, beating out six other area bands for the opportunity to shine on the main stage of the Hodag festival.

The band is managed by Jason McNabb, currently an Antigo resident and co-owner of the Taphouse bar. The band cites McNabb and his experience in production and band management as being pivotal in helping the band get to this stage in its early career.

Whiskey Nights’ productions include a single available on iTunes called “Northern Sky.” The band will take the main stage at Hodag beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 8.

Are you going to Hodag this year? Please submit your wacky festival photos to the Antigo Times and we will post them on our website and Facebook for everyone to share (respect the festival photography code – no pictures of entertainers or bands, please). Check out our Facebook page “Antigo Times” to make submissions. Have a safe festival and enjoy the music, including the boys from Whiskey Nights!