Hot Pickin 57s
“Y’all sounded amazing!”
“You were one of our best bands ever, and everyone will be talking about that performance!”
“Wonderful. The guys were great! They were focused on all the right things during pre- planning, on time and then gave a great performance. They were a pleasure to work with!”
Have a Blast With Hot Pickin 57s, Austin's Favorite Bluegrass & Country Band
• Energetic Fun Mix of Bluegrass, Classic Country, and Americana Music
• Trio, Quartet or Quintet
• Sets include well-known covers along with original compositions. Artists covered include Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Old Crow Medicine Show, Flatt & Scruggs, John Denver, Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Bob Wills, Doc Watson, George Jones, Grandpa Jones, & others.
• With a wealth of experience performing at private parties, corporate events, festivals, house concerts, weddings, and listening rooms, the Hot Pickin 57s will help make your event a success.
• Their discography includes a self-titled debut CD, followed by "Hot Picks," which featured Cindy Cashdollar and received airplay on radio stations across the US and Canada.
Meet Our Musicians
The band members have deep roots in the Austin music scene, reuniting in 2016 after their musical educations at Berklee, South Plains College, and Texas State. They’ve played in well-known bands like the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Whit Smith's Hot Jazz Caravan, and Rosie and the Ramblers and have had the privilege of performing alongside notable artists like Sierra Hull, Kym Warner, Alun Munde, Billy Bright (Wood & Wire), and Mark Cosgrove (David Bromberg).
Shawn Spiars
Banjo / vocals
Shawn, our banjo and lead vocal virtuoso, has been charming audiences for over three decades. He honed his chops while getting a degree in Bluegrass Music at South Plains College. His captivating banjo sound weaves together elements from legends like Earl Scruggs, Don Reno, and Alan Munde. Shawn’s deep love of the music is clearly evident to anyone who hears him play and sing.
Max Zimmet
guitar / mandolin
Max earned his degree in guitar and mandolin performance at Berklee College of Music. Livingston Taylor said “Max has an ability to focus that is unique in the Berklee environment. Musically, Max has a very compelling energy that holds an audience like a laser beam. To me, Max is the individual that makes Berklee such a special place.”
Max has shared the stage with incredible talents like Sierra Hull, Kym Warner, Mark Cosgrove (David Bromberg), and Beppe Gambetta.
Michael Montgomery
Fiddle / Vocals
Mike, the maestro of the fiddle, started his musical journey with classical violin before diving into Old Timey and Bluegrass music.
Audiences are captivated by his improvisations, great harmonies and phenomenal musicality. His impressive resume includes playing with Whit Smith's Hot Jazz Caravan, banjo legend Alun Munde and Billy Bright (Wood & Wire).
Vance Hazen
Upright Bass/ vocals
Vance graduated with a degree in Music Performance from Texas State University, and holds down the rhythm for the band on the upright bass.
Vance has some serious mileage under his belt, having played with bands all around the globe such as the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Bob Appel, Amanda Cevallos, Devin Jake, and Rosie and the Ramblers.
Chrisopher Teague
Guitar / Bass / Vocals
Chris is a great instrumentalist and fantastic harmony singer. He has a degree in music education from Texas State University. Has been teaching Elementary School Music for 20 years in New Braunfels.
Chris has been a member in his family band, The Ledbetters, Hard to Make a Living, Grass Onion, Fluffers Union, Scott Biram & the Salt Peter Boys, The Christophers, and a frequent member of the Bluegrass Outfit.
Recent Festivals & Highlight Shows
Rodeo Austin*
Deutschen Pfest*
Camp Street Café
Conspirare Benefit
Hillside House Concert*
Grapefest Wine Festival*
Bluebonnet Trails Festival
Leander Bluegrass Festival*
Bastrop Summer in the City
Stubbs SXSW Corporate Event*
Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival
Grapevine Sunset Concert Series
Coushatte Pickin’ & Grinnin’ Festival
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Music In the Park Concert (Pfluger Park)
Texas Heritage Foundation House Concert*
*multiple years
