In Cody Ikerds original, jazzy, country anthem You Can Find Me in a Honkytonk, life is full of twang for your buck. In the energetic, upbeat tune, he sings:

You can find me in a honkytonk

Under neon lights.

Dancing to a steel guitar

Singer Cody Ikerd will open this summer's Cerafest Series Saturday at Ceraland. Submitted photos

Singer Cody Ikerd will open this summer's Cerafest Series Saturday at Ceraland.

Singer Cody Ikerd will open this summer's Cerafest Series Saturday at Ceraland. Submitted photo

Is where I feel right.

Come Saturday, fans longing for live music can find him at Ceraland Park, 3989 S. County Road 525E southeast of Columbus, dancing to a steel guitar on a stage beyond the venues amphitheater, allowing for more social distancing and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The show with him and his Sidewinders band lead guitarist Jason Thompson, bassist Chuck Crawford, and drummer Willie Boruff provides an early opening of the parks annual Cerafest series.

It marks the bands third straight appearance at Cerafest. Last year, a crowd of about 250 people caught the performance.

People there always seem to love it, Ikerd said. We always try to get them up and dancing. Thats the main goal: We want to make it as fun as possible for the crowd.

The groups set list will include covers of artists such as Merle Haggard and Marty Stuart and originals from two extended-play releases, including slower, heartbreak tunes highlighting his powerhouse vocals such as his song I Miss You.

He brings great talent and a great show to his performances, said Corey Behymer, Ceralands assistant executive director.

The Bedford resident mentioned on Twitter recently that the group shook off the quarantine blues and a long spell of livestreams to play at the Bluebird nightclub in Bloomington the first live show since March due to the virus. And the ensemble was just slated to play a a holiday weekend gig in Madison.

The band has enjoyed a four-year run thus far, fairly significant in regional entertainment where musicians are hard-pressed to stay a sometimes rocky course.

Ikerd works in industrial safety for the state by day and is trying to increasingly learn to take risks as an artist.

I just want to see how far all this can actually take us, Ikerd said, referring to some 90 concert dates last year and in 2018. Were willing to work hard. And I believe that if you have the right passion and drive, you can accomplish whatever you want.

Growing up, he listened to groups like Led Zeppelin to Lynyrd Skynyrd. Today, he prefers that country acts know their genre and their audience.

Honestly, theres nothing worse than going to a country concert and seeing the band do a mashup of 80s rock and roll hits, he tweeted.

It took a while for his artistry to become as front-and-center as his opinions, since the former drummer didnt even try guitar and vocals until college.

Away from the stage, the man who has patiently grown his career also is patient enough for fishing, turkey hunting, and more.

But on Saturday, there will be no such relaxing. Ikerd figures hell be all over the stage.

We like to take good country music, he said, and really kick it up a notch.

Just like in a honkytonk.

Link:

Honkytonk hero: Cody Ikerd opens an early Cerafest series on Saturday - The Republic