MVHS Alum. Headlines Saturday Night Concert

By NICK YAMASHITA

The Progress

Musician Branson Anderson, a 2011 alumus of Moapa Valley High School, returned back to his roots as he brought his onstage persona of a drifter and nonconformist back to his childhood home of Moapa Valley on Saturday night. Anderson headlined the final evening concert on the Plaza Stage at the Junior Livestock and 4-H Festival.

“It has been great being here,” said Anderson in a brief interview after the concert. “It went really well today.”

Though young, Anderson conveys an antiquated charm well beyond his years, while serving up fresh, never frozen, lyrics that crackle and bite. His sound is complex, taking a modern contemporary Americana rooted heavily in folk, and infusing with traditional 50’s – 70’s rock and blues.

The raspiness of folk music and some rock drive rang out from Anderson throughout the night, driving the audience; especially the kids; to sit up and listen to the edginess of his music. Kids were smiling and concert-goers were dancing. The night was definitely a success.

“I have been busy touring again, now that COVID mandates are starting to drop,” Anderson said. “I am based out of Ogden, Utah now. It is nice to start touring as I have had to do more of my other job: truck driving over the last year.”

Pulling from multiple genres affords Anderson the ability to cross boundaries in ways that promote originality which has helped produce his career in music to new heights and popularity.
“The music has been going exceptionally well,” Anderson said. I am constantly getting new fans and they definitely keep me going.”

Anderson has an upcoming release of his new EP scheduled for later this year.
In addition to Branson, the opening act also featured another MVHS alum. Weston Adams of the MVHS Class of 1996 performed with his bandmates, setting up fellow Pirate and headliner Anderson.
Adams plays in the band ‘Del and the Rocket’. They performed some good old rocking country hits to get the crowd pumped for Anderson.

“It’s been a great event!” said Adams. “Not so good for me in the rodeo, but the whole event has been great.”

Anderson currently has two studio albums available to the public through audio streaming platforms such as Spotify and Pandora.

Be sure to check out clips of live performances on YouTube. For more information about him and his upcoming concerts, visit his website at www.bransonandersonmusic.com.