Today we’d like to introduce you to Midwest Avenue.
Hi Midwest, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Midwest Avenue is a family country band built on faith, family, and a love for live music. The band features father and son Scott R. Phares and Scott Joseph Phares, along with cousin Steven Dale Vincent. Our journey really began when we stepped into a situation that could have ended the band. Just two weeks before a major show, our lead singer left, and instead of canceling, we learned an entire set and took a chance on ourselves. What started as simply keeping a show on the calendar turned into something much bigger.
Since then, we’ve had the opportunity to perform hundreds of shows, record original music in Nashville at Blackbird Studios, and share stages and events throughout the Midwest. Our sound blends modern country with the influences we grew up on, and our live show is built around strong harmonies, fiddle, banjo, and the energy of a family having fun together on stage.
At the heart of it all, Midwest Avenue is about making memories, telling honest stories through music, and connecting with people one song at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most bands, we’ve faced our share of challenges. One of the biggest came when our lead singer left just two weeks before a major show. Instead of canceling, we learned an entire setlist in a matter of days and stepped into new roles we hadn’t planned on taking. Looking back, that challenge ended up shaping the band into what it is today.
Beyond that, balancing family, careers, and music has always been a challenge. We’re not full-time musicians but we play 60-100 shows a year—we have jobs, families, and responsibilities outside of the band. Finding time to rehearse, write, record, travel, and perform takes commitment from everyone involved.
The music industry itself can be challenging too. Building an audience, booking shows, and getting people to discover your music requires a lot of persistence. But every obstacle has made us stronger, and we’ve learned that success in music isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about continuing to move forward through them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Midwest Avenue is a family country band that specializes in delivering high-energy live performances while blending original music with the country songs people know and love. Our sound is driven by strong vocals, fiddle, banjo, and the chemistry that comes from being family on and off the stage.
Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to perform hundreds of shows across the Midwest, record original music at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, and share our music with audiences ranging from local venues to major events. We’re known for our engaging live show, authentic storytelling, and our ability to connect with audiences of all ages.
What I’m most proud of is that we’ve built this band through perseverance, hard work, and genuine relationships. We’ve faced challenges that could have ended the band, but instead they made us stronger. We’ve stayed true to who we are and continued growing while keeping family at the center of everything we do.
What sets Midwest Avenue apart is that we’re not a group of musicians who were brought together through auditions—we’re family. That bond creates a chemistry on stage that can’t be manufactured. Audiences don’t just hear the music; they see the relationships, the stories, and the years of shared experiences behind every performance. We believe that’s what makes our shows feel genuine and memorable.
How do you define success?
Success has changed for us over the years. Early on, it was easy to measure success by things like bigger crowds, bigger stages, streams, or opportunities. While those things are great, we’ve learned that success goes much deeper than that.
Today, we define success as creating music we’re proud of, making meaningful connections with people, and building memories with our family while doing something we love. If a song helps someone through a difficult time, if a crowd leaves a show smiling, or if we’re still enjoying making music together years from now, that’s success.
Of course, we have goals and ambitions, but at the end of the day, success isn’t just about where you end up—it’s about the impact you make and the people you share the journey with. If we can continue growing, reaching new listeners, and staying true to who we are, we’ll consider ourselves successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mwaband.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwestavenue/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestavenue/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/midwestavenue
