BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Wastin’ Neon will lead a country party from The Tracy Colston District Stage when it performs in downtown Port Clinton on Thursday, June 25 from 7 to 10 p.m. Wastin’ Neon, which is based in Delphos, plays upbeat 90s country – from Johnny Cash to Morgan Wallen – with a few originals and a little rock thrown in.

Wastin’ Neon will make its first visit to The District, but locals may have seen Wastin’ Neon perform on Put-in-Bay, at summer festivals, in local bars, or at private events.

“We play just about everywhere,” said lead guitarist and vocalist Thom McKee.

In addition to McKee, the band includes Jay Teague on guitar and vocals, Randy McCoy on bass and vocals, and Chris Shepard on drums.

Although most of the concert will feature country cover songs, the band will throw in a few originals by McKee and a few by Teague. McKee has been writing songs for about 25 years and has worked with big names in country.

“Charlie Pride was cutting one of my songs when he passed away,” McKee said.

Wastin’ Neon got its start because of McKee’s songwriting. He and another songwriter began playing acoustic performances to promote their music, and McKee was enjoying performing so much that he decided to form a band.

“I thought it would be more fun doing originals with a full band,” he said.

McKee and his friend, who is no longer with Wastin’ Neon, struggled to find a name for the band and settled on Chasin’ Neon.

“We did some research and found out there was a pretty successful band in New York called Chasin’ Neon, and I thought, ‘We wasted all that time trying to find the name,’” he said. “And that was it – we became Wastin’ Neon.”

Concertgoers at the June 25 concert can expect a high-energy show.

“We’re really focused on keeping the music tight, and, of course, engaging the crowd,” McKee said. “We keep the energy going, keep the music going. We do a lot of stuff that gets the crowd singing along.”

McKee likes to step off the stage and into the crowd.

“If we can get the crowd energized, that makes it more fun for everyone,” he said. “The whole thing is keeping it upbeat. We have a good time and make sure everyone out there is having a good time.”

McKee’s original music and the music of Wastin’ Neon can be heard on Spotify and iTunes. For more information on the band, visit the Wastin’ Neon Facebook page.