Hometown Band Next Up in Community Center Concert Series

The name "Southern Tradition," as it relates to the band that plays Wednesday at the Oak Creek Community Center, mostly conjures up images of the down-south, country-rock sounds the group generates.

But it might as well also speak to the geographic presence of the band members. Their practice space is in Oak Creek and they all hail from the south side of the Milwaukee metro area, including two in Oak Creek proper.

So perhaps it's no surprise when lead singer Dean Ratliff says Oak Creek has been home to some of the band's best shows.

"It's our backyard," he said.

Ratliff and company return to the city Wednesday for the held on the grounds of the , 8580 S. Howell Ave. The free outdoor show will be held from 7 to 9 p.m.

Southern Tradition formed in 2008. At the time, Ratliff and guitarists John Bergeron and Tyler Johnson were part of a different band. But they met up at one of their houses with drummer Jeff Oscarson and bassist Lee Gabriel and began going over songs on acoustic guitar.

There, they started to hone in on a country-rock sound, which largely revolves around Ratliff's voice. Ratliff grew up singing in his church's gospel choir and listening to the likes of Hank Williams, George Jones and Elvis. The other members have largely come from a rock-type background.

So while country music is their forte, it won't be the other thing people hear at Wednesday's show.

"It's mostly country but we'll delve into Elvis, Rolling Stones, ZZ Top," Ratliff said.

Southern Tradition plays about two shows a week around the Milwaukee area. They have played a wide range of venues, including multiple nights at the Wisconsin State Fair, but it didn't take Ratliff long to answer a question about his favorite places to play — in Oak Creek and Red Rock Saloon in downtown Milwaukee.

The band was one of the first groups to play Bootz after it opened last year and loves returning, as it did last weekend.

"It gets really packed, and it gets really crazy," Ratliff said.

After establishing itself as a live force and proving its country chops, Southern Tradition plans on branching out with more original material, Ratliff said.

They have one original in their setlist and it will likely be heard Wednesday. But the band is looking to add more in the next year in the hopes of putting together an album.

Ratliff sees original songs as the next step in the evolution of the band, which he hopes continues for quite awhile.

"We're not planning on going away anytime soon," Ratliff said.

The Southern Tradition performance is the second of five shows in the community center's concert series, which kicked off June 20. ()

After Southern Tradition is Pat McCurdy on July 25, In Black N White on Aug. 8 and Mt. Olive on Aug. 22.