West Bend, WI – July 25, 2025 – Country music fans in West Bend are in for a treat as Nashville recording artist Drew Taylor brings his chart-topping hits to The Bend Theater for “Nashville at The Bend” on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Joining him as special guest is local favorite Tim Schmidt & the Gunslingers, promising an evening of heartfelt country tunes, storytelling, and high-energy performances from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Drew Taylor, a singer/songwriter born and raised in Waterloo, Ontario, has built an impressive 10-year career in the music industry. He has opened for major acts including Kane Brown, Tanya Tucker, Paul Brandt, Clay Walker, and Love & Theft. Taylor was the Wildcard Winner for the 2022 Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase, presented by Coors Original Canada, where he performed on the Front Porch stage alongside other Top 7 Finalists. In 2023, his single “Wish I Didn’t” reached #1 on Sirius XM’s Top of the Country chart. Other highlights include his single “Good Thing Goin’” being selected as the One to Watch spotlight by Rogers Media, and tracks like “Wayback,” “Waiting on Love,” and “Music to My Beers” landing on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart.
Special guest Tim Schmidt & the Gunslingers bring a unique story to the stage. Schmidt, a lifelong music enthusiast and founder of the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) based in West Bend, rekindled his performing passion after a 35-year hiatus. His first live show in decades was on December 10, 2021, marking a return to his roots as a teenage rock & roll frontman. Now based in Nashville, Schmidt’s music blends raw vulnerability, life experiences, and themes of love, pain, joy, and redemption, inspired by his deep faith and commitment to family and community. Fans can stream his work on Spotify. “This show is all about bringing the spirit of Nashville to our hometown crowd,” said a representative from The Bend Theater. “Drew Taylor’s infectious energy and Tim Schmidt’s inspiring comeback story will make for an unforgettable night of music that connects with everyone.”
Tickets are affordably priced at $12 and available now through www.thebendwi.org. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and seating is general admission. For more information, visit thebendwi.org or call The Bend Theater at (262) 346-7305. The Bend Theater, located at 125 N. Main Street in historic downtown West Bend, is a premier venue for live music, films, and community events, dedicated to enriching the cultural landscape of Washington County.
