WCBE Compilations

Although not exclusively local in format, WCBE 90.5 FM has been a massively important aspect of the Columbus music scene for decades. For a while, they were putting out regular compilation of their in-studio performances.

Across a dozen discs, you can find rare live-only tracks from Columbus artists such as Howlin' Maggie, Scrawl, Tim Easton, The Haynes Boys, Watershed, Big Back Forty, The Jive Turkeys, Jenny Mae and many more.

Video: Big Back Forty - Just What I Need

Iowa State Daily: Big Back Forty brings Americana to Ames

Back when Bested, the lone album by Big Back Forty, was released, the band got out on the road for shows. One stop included a bar by Iowa State in 1997, where the band got a right up in the Iowa State Daily paper. Here's a snippet of that:

Big Back Forty has been described as blending the elements of rock, pop and country into one unified sound — a characteristic that can be both positive and negative. 

The Columbus, Ohio, foursome is not limited to certain clubs or radio stations and can draw listeners from a wide array of ages and personalities. 

"It's only a problem when we are trying to decide which cover to learn next," lead singer Sean Beal said from his Lincoln, Neb., hotel room. 

The band, which "usually plays one cover a night," has been known to do anything from Waylon Jennings to Beastie Boys. 

"We have been throwing around the possibility of doing a Prince cover, but I just don't think it's going to work with this band," Beal said.

New Additions: Big Back Forty album Bested

Knowing that Big Back Forty had drawn comparisons to another Columbus band from around this time (Haynes Boys), I had a rough idea what to expect when I grabbed this off Discogs. The first noticeable difference is Sean Beal's voice, which carries a nice amount of weight in its depth. With the McGann brothers from Greenhorn onboard as the rhythm section, it's expectedly tight, but it's Barry Hensley that operates as the secret weapon, playing half a dozen credited instruments that help shape the edges of the songs.

Know Yer Band: Big Back Forty

Band: Big Back Forty

Members
Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Vocals – Barry Hensley
Guitar, Organ, Accordion, Harmonica, Vocals – Sean Beal
Bass – Steve McCann/Dan Cochran
Drums, Percussion – Patrick McCann/Mark Boquist

Releases
1996 - Big Back Forty EP (Polydor)
1997 - Big Back Forty album (Polydor)

New Additions: Cabin Fever by Hensley Sturgis

I wasn't sure quite to expect, but I had an idea when I picked up the second Hensley Sturgis album, the 2001 release Cabin Fever. With Barry Hensley from Big Back Forty involved, I knew this would fall on the country rock spectrum, and I was not disappointed. My only exposure to Jason Sturgis was as the bass player in Big Red Sun, so I didn't have a lot to go on their. There is twang, there are quiet moments juxtaposed with dirty sounds. It's an interesting listen and compared to what was going on in Columbus at the time, it's a pretty unique sound.