Meet the artists of Road to Country Thunder

Road to Country Thunder makes its way to Historic Main Street this weekend and the music will be thundering.

The “party before the party” is from the producers of Country Thunder, one of the largest country music festivals in the country. They partner with the town to say thank you to the residents of Florence with a free one-day concert. Florence has hosted Country Thunder since 2003.

While the show may be a thank you to residents of Florence, Road to Country Thunder is open to everyone in the region.

Road to Country Thunder takes place from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday, April 6 on Historic Main Street. Country Thunder runs April 11-14 at Canyon Moon Ranch, 20585 E. Water Way.

Check out this year’s Road to Country Thunder performers:

Lacey Rashea & The Young Guns

Lacey Rashea & The Young Guns will be headlining the Road to Country Thunder on April. (Photo courtesy of town of Florence)

Headliner Lacey Rashea & The Young Guns will be on stage from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Born and raised in Gilbert, the 23-year-old Rashea grew up in a family teeming with creativity, so her path toward music was practically preordained, according to a post on Florence’s Facebook page. From belting out tunes in her nana's karaoke haven to strumming her first guitar at 12, music became her language.

Rashea's influences span generations, drawing inspiration from country legends like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Waylon Jennings to rock icons like Led Zeppelin and Joan Jett.

In 2022, Rashea traded in her bartending apron for a full-time music career. In January 2023, she released her debut single, “Dear Little Me." Currently, she's collaborating with producer Bryan Kuban on new tracks slated for release this year.

10th & Main

Hometown favorites 10th & Main return to Road to Country Thunder, (Photo courtesy of town of Florence)

Local favorites 10th & Main return to Road to Country Thunder, hitting the stage from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.

A band with a diverse musical background, 10th & Main’s sound is rooted in country music, classic rock and pop. The band has become a favorite due to its three and four-part harmonies and by having one of the region's best rhythm sections, according to a post on Florence’s Facebook page.

Ryan Ralston

Georgia-born Ryan Ralston has been invited to perform at Country Thunder for the last five years. (Photo courtesy town of Florence)

Ryan Ralston returns to Road to Country Thunder when she takes the stage from 6 to 7 p.m.

Raised in a household where classical music was revered, the Georgia-born Ralston embarked on a formal education in the classical arts, earning her stripes while she performed and toured with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus for seven seasons, and performed on two Grammy Award winning albums, according to a post on Florence’s Facebook page.

Eventually, she ventured beyond classical music and was guided back to her country roots, drawing inspiration from Reba McEntire, Loretta Lynn and Trisha Yearwood. Her journey westward brought her to the vibrant country music scene of Arizona. Six years ago, Ralston formed “Ryan and the Renegades,” an Arizona country cover band that gained momentum through the country music scene in Phoenix. She became a local favorite and has been invited to perform at Country Thunder for the last five years.

Anthony Taylor Jr.

Tucson performer Anthony Taylor Jr. will open Road to Country Thunder. (Photo courtesy town of Florence)

Opening the show at 5 p.m. is Anthony Taylor Jr., an up-and-coming singer/songwriter from Tucson who plays, writes and is inspired by classic country music sounds, according to a post on Florence’s Facebook page.

Taylor's love for music began at a very young age. He would perform songs by Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, as well as Mexican songs at family functions, talent shows and other events.

His first instrument was a guitar that he strummed from the age of 4. The first instrument he learned to play, according to the Facebook post, was the saxophone in his middle-school jazz band.

He started writing music at the age of 15 and performing at the age of 16. He’d play in between sets for other local country musicians. At the age of 17, he recruited some top musicians to play in a band beside him, performing at honkytonks, bars, festivals, rodeos and restaurants all over Arizona.

He will be releasing his first EP this year and hopes to break into markets all over the country. Along with the Road to Country Thunder, Taylor will also be performing at Country Thunder.