Officially formed only last year, Big Cedar Fever has emerged as the hottest new thing in Western Swing. Georgia Parker, Ian Lee, and Nick Lochman are tearing up dancehalls across Central Texas, and February’s Ameripolitan Music Awards in Memphis brought back home the award for Best Swing Group.

Next Friday, June 28, the Hill Country trio sweeps into the Cactus Cafe for the release of their second EP, Single Mic Series. Recorded live with Jon Neiss at Austin Signal Studios, the group cut familiar traditional tunes as well as a couple originals. Below, watch the band recording fiddler Lee’s original “Why Must You Be So Sweet to Me.”

Parker’s fellow 2018 ATX6 alum Jacob Jaeger opens at the Cactus, and the EP release sets up the trio’s July barnstorming up through Wyoming and Montana.

Single Mic Series EP tracklist:
1) “Corinne, Corinna” (Bo Carter)
2) “Don’t Fence Me In” (R. Fletcher/C. Porter)
3) “Leaving Town” (Nick Lochman)
4) “Why Must You Be So Sweet To Me” (Ian Lee)
5) “You Always Hurt the Ones You Love” (A. Roberts/ D. Fisher)
6) “On the Sunny Side of the Street” (D. Fields/J. McHugh)

This article appears in June 14 • 2019.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.